"The Bi-Weekly"
Your Newsletter from your Advisor
This week in "The Bi-Weekly” November 13, 2015
1. BRC Help Room Thanksgiving Break Hours
2. Undecided on your major? EDPS 10500 Academic and Career Planning, Spring 2016
3. What is EPICS?
4. New Science Career Development and Retention Specialist
5. Final Maymester in Tanzania 2016 Callout
6. Credit Exam News- January Testing
7. Part time position for Undergrads to help with lab chores for credits
8. What can you do with a degree in Biology? -Graduate School
9. Summer Internship Opportunities
10. Scholarship Search Account
**Upcoming Dates**
November 16: Sophomore Time Ticket
November 23: First Spring Billing Invoices (Due January 11, 2016)
November 23-25, November 30- December 1: Freshman Time Ticket
December 2- January 18: Open registration
December 14-19: Finals Week
December 21: Residence Halls close for Winter break
December 23: Fall semester grades post in myPurdue
December 24-January 4: Winter Recess, ALL University offices will be CLOSED
January 11: Spring semester begins
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1. BRC Help Room Holiday hours:
•Monday, November 23, 2015: Regular Hours (remaining open until BIOL 121 TA office hours in the BRC
at 5:30 pm)
•CLOSED:
Tuesday thru Sunday, November 24-29, 2015
Regular hours resume Monday, November 30, 2015
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2. Undecided on your major? Interested in a course that can guide your career planning?
EDPS 10500 Academic and Career Planning is now available, during the spring semester, to students
outside of Exploratory Studies. It is a University core class satisfying the Information Literacy
requirement.
Student Learning Outcomes for EDPS 10500
-Identify your interests, abilities, personality characteristics, and educational and life goals.
-Identify majors, fields of study, and career paths that are consistent with your interests, abilities, and life
goals.
-Understand degree requirements, pre-requisites, co-requisites, course availability, and course sequencing
for specific majors.
-Know and understand Purdue policies and procedures regarding registration, academic honors, probation
and drop status, and academic integrity.
-Participate in activities and/or experiences which enhance cultural awareness.
-Identify and utilize academic support resources and other support services to ensure academic success and
adaptation to college life.
Three of the sections are reserved for EXPL students, but section 8 is open to any first- or second-year
student. A few additional notes:
This is a hybrid course, so students need to add the recitation section (16375) as well as the distance
learning component (16370).
The “special fee” is $30 to cover the cost of some of the inventories students will take. The cost of the
required course pack will also be around $30.
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3. What is EPICS?
EPICS is an academic program in which teams of Purdue students partner with local not-for-profit
community organizations to provide technology solutions. This is a long-term partnership, which allows for
more significant projects that may take 2 or more semesters to complete. EPICS projects are intended to
solve real problems, and are defined in consultation with project partners from not-for-profit community
organizations. The best way to learn more about EPICS is to read about the different teams and the types of
projects they are working on.
There are many benefits of participating in EPICS:
-Gain design experience of real systems
-Develop teamwork & communication skills
-Gain project planning & leadership experience
-Develop customer-awareness
-Gain understanding of ethical, economic, & legal issues
-Get involved in the community
-Have something to talk about in interviews!
-Make a difference!
EPICS credits may count to meet the teaming and multidisciplinary requirements in the Science core or
STS (Science, Technology, and Society) requirement in the University Core. For more information and to
register for EPICS: https://engineering.purdue.edu/EPICS/purdue/epics-purdue/join-epics
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4. New Science Career Development and Retention Specialist
Unsure of your major or considering a change in major or career goal? Career Counseling is once again
offered within the College of Science!
Danielle Sheese is the new Career Development and Retention Specialist in the College of Science. She
has a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and Leisure Studies from Purdue University with a dual major in
Health Promotion and Exercise and Fitness. Danielle is currently finishing her Master’s Degree in Career
Counseling from Capella University. She is a volunteer parent mentor for InSource, which means she
helps train and mentor families to advocate appropriately for their special needs children in the educational
setting. Danielle is well versed with Indiana’s Article 7 law and the special education process. When
possible, she enjoys traveling and fun adventurous activities such as parasailing, zip lining, all-terrain
vehicles, horseback riding, scuba diving, snorkeling, snuba, sailing, dinner cruises, swimming, and
sightseeing. Some frequent activities for Danielle include family time, trips to the park, bowling, watching
movies in IMAX, and NFL Sunday Ticket.
Danielle is now taking student appointments through our online calendar here: Science Calendar
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5. Final Maymester in Tanzania 2016 Callout
Maymester in Tanzania is a study abroad experience designed for elementary and secondary education
students to earn 7-9 credits. The four-week program offers a range of unique and exciting experiences,
including living on the Indian Ocean, immersion in Tanzanian language and culture, teaching in local
schools, and a four-day safari to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Courses offered:
* Mathematics in the Secondary School
* African Literature
* History, Culture & Language in Tanzania
* Education in Tanzania
* Global Studies Seminar
Program Requirements:
In an effort to provide the opportunity for a wide range of students to participate in the Tanzania study
abroad program, students' prior experiences will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Applying for the Program:
Students must apply to the program by providing the following materials to the program leader (Jill
Newton - janewton@purdue.edu):
1. A statement from his/her advisor attesting to good academic standing & a lack of disciplinary or
dispositional write-ups.
2. The names of two Purdue professors who are willing to serve as references.
3. A brief statement of no more than one page explaining his/her interest in the Tanzania program.
Students must also meet with the program leader by arranging an individual meeting before
acceptance.
Program acceptance is dependent on a favorable report from the student advisor, strong recommendations
from professors, an acceptable written statement and a positive meeting with the program leader.
Fall Callout (Pizza Served)
 December 9
BRNG 2275
6:00pm
For more information check out their website: http://www.edci.purdue.edu/tanzania/program_info.html
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6. Credit Exam News- January Testing
All credit exams require a signed Form 231 from your advisor. Pre-registration required for Math,
Chemistry, and Physics credit exams. Pre-registration for Chemistry will begin ~ December 14, 2015.
January 13: Chemistry Credit Exams, online pre-registration required:
https://www.purdue.edu/testingcenter/advanced-credit/ (requires form 231 from your advisor)
January 13: 6 pm, PHYS 114
January 9 & 14: Math credit Exams, pre-registration required:
http://www.math.purdue.edu/academic/undergrad/credit/ , (requires form 231 from your advisor)
January 9: 9:30 am - 11:30 am
January 9: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
January 14: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
January 11 & 12: Foreign Language Placement Exams, 6:00 pm, SC 231 (requires form 231 from your
advisor)
January 7 & 12: Physics Credit Exams, online pre-registration required:
http://www.physics.purdue.edu/academic-programs/undergraduate/adv_cr_exams.php , (requires form 231
from your advisor)
January 7: 1:30-4:30 pm, PHYS 114
January 12: 6:30-9:30 PM, PHYS 114
COM 114: Credit is awarded with exam to students who successfully pass a written exam and deliver a
persuasive speech. Both tests must be passed to establish credit. For additional information and eligibility,
please see https://www.cla.purdue.edu/communication/undergraduate/com_114.html
January 26: TBD
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7. Part time position for Undergrads to help with lab chores for credits
This message was sent to us from Dr. Aguilar:
I'm interested in interviewing undergrads for a position to help with lab chores for credits, it may evolve
into a research position but cannot guarantee...
R. Claudio Aguilar
Associate Professor and Assistant Head
Department of Biological Sciences
Purdue University
Hansen Life Sciences Building, Room 321
201 S. University Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2064
phone: (765) 496-3547
fax: (765) 496-1496
claudio@purdue.edu
http://www.bio.purdue.edu/development_disease/directory.php?refID=184
http://www.gradschool.purdue.edu/PULSe/faculty.cfm?fid=225&range=0
====================
8. What can you do with a degree in Biology? -Graduate School
Is attending graduate school a possibility? http://www.gradschools.com/ This website is searchable by
state or subject. Also offers a discussion board and chat for questions.
Also check out our Science links:
http://www.science.purdue.edu/careers/applying_to_%20grad_school/index.html
A guide to Grad School and beyond –Online book links you to various chapters on Grad school and the
career planning process: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=5129#toc Free to read online.
Careers & Graduate Programs for B.S. & M.S. Scientists: Getting the Most from a Degree:
http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2006_08_25/science.opms.r
0600016
Why Grad School – a list of articles: http://www.gradschools.com/article-index/graduate-schoolarticles/why-grad-school-500
Careers and Grad Programs for B.S. / M.S. Scientists: Testing The Waters:
http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2007_09_28/science.opms.r
0700040
Grad School Tips: http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/~mdw/talks/gradschooltips.pdf
Why go to Graduate Schools? https://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/guide-students-graduateschool.aspx
CCO Blogs: Graduate School
So You Want To Go To Grad School?
Check out this, gif-filled blog covering 5 questions you want to ask yourself before applying to grad
school. Read More
Need a Great Recommendation Letter?
Great recommendation letters make all the difference in a graduate school application. Here's how get
the recommendation letter you need. Read More
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9. Summer Internship Opportunities
►MOUNT DESERT ISLAND BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY
The Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory has established programs for undergraduate education to
enhance scientific training in the biological sciences.
Our summer fellowship programs for undergraduate students are highly competitive. We welcome
applicants who desire hands-on, research training experience within an advanced laboratory that
complements current resident research programs. Co-curricular and residential life programs extend our
immersion program to help students develop professional skill sets and foster connections within the
scientific research community. Applicants from underserved populations are encouraged to apply.
-citizen permanent
residents.
at least one semester of undergraduate biology, chemistry, and
mathematics.
More Information and online application instructions are online at https://mdibl.org/education/hsundergrad/undergraduate-applications/
►MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER - 2015 SUMMER PROGRAM IN CANCER RESEARCH
For the past twenty-five years, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Science Park has
sponsored a Summer Program in Cancer Research (SPCR) for undergraduate students majoring in math or
science. The program is designed to allow students to work on an independent, hypothesis-driven, research
project in a biomedical research environment. For many interns, this experience is very helpful in making
subsequent career choices.
The Summer Program in Cancer Research at MD Anderson’s Science Park campus provides an authentic
research experience for outstanding undergraduate and high school students considering careers in
biomedical research. Students have the opportunity to work with a faculty mentor in cutting-edge cancer
research areas such as molecular mechanisms of cancer, DNA damage and repair, and cancer epigenetics.
Our Program:
For ten weeks during the summer, SPCR students participate in hypothesis-driven, project-based
investigations and attend a weekly lunch lecture series covering topics such as DNA structure and repair,
epigenetics, stem cells, signal transduction and apoptosis, and emerging analytical techniques. Other
activities include social events and tours of the MD Anderson Houston and Bastrop campuses. The interns
also present a 10-minute talk describing their research results at the SPCR Scientific Symposium held on
the last day of the program. It is not uncommon for students to make significant research contributions and
to earn co-authorship on scientific abstracts and manuscripts. SPCR students receive a stipend of $3,846 for
the 10 weeks. The 2016 Summer Program in Cancer Research will be from June 6, 2016 to August 12,
2016.
About Science Park:
Science Park is a basic research campus of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center located
in Smithville, TX, within driving distance from Austin. The campus is home to the department of
Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, whose mission is to identify the genetic and epigenetic changes
that contribute to cancer development. Nestled within the Lost Pines forest of Central Texas, the Science
Park campus offers a unique, natural setting for cancer research.
Eligibility:
The SPCR is open to undergraduate students pursuing a 4-year degree in science, public health or
mathematics and wishing to gain hands-on experience in research. Criteria used in selection of interns
include college grades, personal statement, relevant laboratory experience, and letters of recommendation
from faculty who can assess the applicant's potential for advanced training and success in biomedical
research.
For more information and download the application at: http://www.mdanderson.org/scienceparkeducation
The application deadline for the 2016 Summer Program is February 1, 2016. For additional program
details, please contact Chris Contreras at (512) 237-9425 or cmcontreras1@mdanderson.or
The professional research staff includes junior and senior faculty, postdoctoral fellows, research
investigators and research scientists. All members of the faculty are involved in education programs, which
include training at the postgraduate, graduate, undergraduate and high school levels. If an interested
student have any questions or need more information, please feel free to contact me or Ms. Chris Contreras,
Program Coordinator, at 512-237-9425 or e-mail: cmcontreras1@mdanderson.org
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10. Scholarship Search Account
The Division of Financial Aid and the Department of Computer Science strongly recommends that students
visit http://fastweb.com/ to set up a personal private scholarship search account. Fastweb is a nationally
known scholarship company that does not charge students to provide a scholarship match service. By
entering your personal profile, Fastweb will do a search to see if you match the eligibility requirements for
over 600,000 private scholarships listed in their database.
The Division of Financial Aid (DFA) at Purdue University is notified of many private scholarship
opportunities by many scholarship agencies from across the country. These information notices come on a
rolling basis throughout the year. In order to make the private scholarship information available to Purdue
students, DFA sends all private scholarship eligibility criteria that we receive from agencies directly to
Fastweb.
The Fastweb personal data profile and account set-up is easy—you can do it in 15 minutes or less. Once set
up you will receive your first list of potential scholarship matches, if there are matches. As Fastweb adds
new scholarships daily to their database, your email will be prompted to new scholarship opportunities
which meet your previously completed profile. Fastweb will provide you with contact information
regarding the scholarships that meet your profile. You must then follow up with the scholarship agency via
paper application or email as instructed.
Be sure to list Purdue University as your current school in order to be matched with private scholarships
specifically for Purdue University students.
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