2015-2016 COLLEGE OF SCIENCE — ADVISING HANDBOOK — COLLEGE OF SCIENCE ADVISING HANDBOOK www.unr.edu/science/advising Welcome to the College of Science! You have chosen to join a dynamic community of scholars and we look forward to guiding you on your academic journey to earn your undergraduate degree. This Advising Handbook provides important information and gives an overview about the College of Science, available University resources for success, academic advising, and enrollment related information essential to your successful transition as a University student and to your academic success. Our job is educate and advise you on your academic requirements for graduation and on opportunities to get involved in order to enhance your University experience. It is imperative that as a College of Science student, you learn and understand the contents of this handbook. Your academic advisor is available to clarify information or to answer any questions you have. As a University student, it is your responsibility to utilize MyNevada to get critical information and to make any enrollment related transactions. Congratulations again on starting your academic career with the College of Science and Go Pack! Christina Cho, M.A. Director of Advising, Recruitment & Retention College of Science Dean’s Office University of Nevada, Reno 411 Davidson Mathematics & Science Center [email protected] 2015-2016 Advising Handbook Table of Contents College of Science Overview College of Science Overview…………………………………………………………………………...…..………..1 College of Science Leadership and Getting Involved in the College of Science………………..2 Awards & Distinctions……………………………………………………………………………………………………3 Information for Success Secrets to Academic Success………………………………………………………………………………………….4 2015-2016 Academic Calendar………………………………………………………………………..….…………6 Communication Etiquette Guidelines…………………………………………………………………………….8 Campus Success Resources……………………………………………………………………………...……………10 Academic Advising Academic Advisor Contact Information………………………………………………………………………….11 Other College/School/Program Advising Contacts………………………………………………………….12 Advising Syllabus……………………………………………………………………………………………………….....13 AP Score Guide……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….16 IB Score Guide………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..17 SCI 110 & SCI 310 Information…………………………………………………………………………………….….18 Professional School Advising Services…………………………………………………………………………….19 Pre-Health Preparation Checklist……………………………………………………………………………………20 Suggested Electives for Health Care Profession……………………………………………………………….21 Courses that address MCAT 2015 and the Medical School Interview……………………………….22 Core Curriculum & Placement Information Core Curriculum………………………………………………………………………………………………………………23 English and Math Placement Information………………………………………………………………………..24 Math Flow Chart for Core Curriculum………………………………………………………………………………26 Natural Sciences………………………………………………………………………………………………………………27 Social Sciences…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………28 Fine Arts and Core Humanities…………………………………………………………………………………………29 Diversity and Capstone Courses……………………………………………………………………………………….30 MyNevada Help……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….31 Mission Critical Information University Terminology…………………………………………………………………………………………………..32 GPA & Grade Replacement Policy…….………………………………………………………………….….………34 Academic Probation & Dismissal……………………………………………………………………………..….....35 Academic Standards………………………………………………………………………………………………………..36 Student Code of Conduct………………………………………………….….………………………………………….37 FAQs (University & Student Life).……………………………………..…………………….…….…………………38 FAQs (Academic Advising)………..……………………………………..…………………….…….………………….39 FAQs (Financial Aid & Scholarships, Career/Graduate School Planning, & Graduation)…....40 Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Financial Aid……………………….…………………….……..41 Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Scholarships………………………………………….……......48 1 COLLEGE OF SCIENCE OVERVIEW 8 ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS & 14 MAJORS o BIOLOGY  BIOLOGY  NEUROSCIENCE INTERDISCIPLINARY WITH PSYCHOLOGY (LIBERAL ARTS)  MINOR  BIOLOGY o CHEMISTRY  ENVIRONMENTAL OPTION  GENERAL OPTION  PRE-MEDICAL OPTION  PROFESSIONAL OPTION  MINORS  ANALYTICAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY  BIOPHYSICS ORGANIC CHEMISTRY o MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS (BS & BA)  APPLIED OPTION  DISCRETE/OPERATIONS RESEARCH  GENERAL OPTION  STATISTICS OPTION  MINORS  MATHEMATICS  STATISTICS o MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY (PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE)  MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY (MMI)  MINOR  MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY (MMI) o PHYSICS  ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES  PHYSICS  MINORS:  ASTRONOMY  ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES  PHYSICS o *GEOGRAPHY (BS & BA) *part of the Mackay School of Earth  MINOR - GEOGRAPHY Sciences & Engineering (MSESE) o *GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES & ENGINEERING  GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING  GEOLOGY  GEOPHYSICS  HYDROGEOLOGY  MINORS:  GEOLOGY  GEOPHYSICS  HYDROGEOLOGY o *MINING & METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING  METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING  MINING ENGINEERING  MINORS:  METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING  MINING ENGINEERING 2 COLLEGE OF SCIENCE LEADERSHIP Dean – Jeff Thompson, PhD Associate Deans  Regina Tempel, PhD (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Microbiology & Immunology, & Physics)  Katherine McCall, PhD (Geography, Geological Sciences & Engineering, & Mining & Metallurgical Engineering) Director of the Mackay School of Earth Sciences & Engineering (MSESE) – Russ Fields Director of Advising, Recruitment & Retention – Christina Cho, M.A. Department Chair - ____________________________________________  USE THE UNIVERSITY ON-LINE DIRECTORY AT WWW.UNR.EDU GET INVOLVED IN THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE *Send an e mail to [email protected] to express your interest to participate or to get more information* Ambassador (~2 hours/week) If you enjoy meeting prospective new students and talking about your college experience with others, become a College of Science ambassador! Prospective students LOVE the opportunity to speak to our current students about their experiences and about our academic programs. There are a variety of opportunities to participate through the University’s NV Bound events, the College of Science’s Fall Recruitment Receptions, Best & Brightest NV Bound closing reception, and other events. Peer Advisor (3 hours/week during peak advising) Do you enjoy helping others, knowing information, and answering questions? As a Peer Advisor, assist your fellow College of Science students to understand how to use MyNevada, the on-line General Catalog for requirements, and refer them to appropriate campus resources for success Summer Orientation during weekly office hours during the peak advising times of the semester. Summer Orientation Leader (3-6 hours/week) If you are going to be in Reno during the summer and are interested in welcoming and orienting our new freshmen, apply to be a Summer Orientation Leader. Summer Orientation Leaders assist with setting up for each session, facilitating session activities, and answering questions about MyNevada, and teaching our new freshmen how to use it. ScienceFIT Pack Mentor (~60 hours for the 5 day bootcamp program) Do you want to mentor, tutor, and share advice for a successful transition to college with our new freshmen during the 5 day ScienceFIT academic bootcamp program? Pack Mentors play a critical role in participants’ experiences at ScienceFIT, which takes place the week prior to the start of the Fall semester. 3 AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS Dean’s Dinner – Current College of Science students are invited to participate in a casual dinner hosted by Dean Jeff Thompson and his wife Michele at their home. Dean Thompson and his wife enjoy getting to know our students and hearing about their experiences in our College and at the University. Dean’s List  Declared major in the College of Science  Earn a 3.75 semester GPA  Completion of a minimum of 12 graded credits Westfall Scholar Named after Dr. David Westfall, the founding dean of the College of Science, this award is given to the student graduating with the highest GPA for the Spring and Fall terms from each College of Science academic department; there is a minimum GPA requirement. Durham Prize Stephen Durham is the former Corporate Senior Vice President for Charles River Laboratories, who has earned a D.V.M degree from Texas A&M University and a PhD from Cornell University. He established this prize to honor and recognize one of our top graduates from the Spring term for their accomplishments. Scholarships Academic Department – check the department’s webpage for information & supplemental application materials USAC - http://usac.unr.edu/money-matters/scholarships-and-discounts 4 Secrets to Academic Success YOU ARE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR LEARNING EFFECTIVE WAYS TO STUDY FOR SUCCESS You are the adult decision maker for your college You are now responsible for your own learning. academic career. Your faculty instructors are a resource, Your instructors cannot do the learning for you because who will provide information. they already know the material.  Be prepared - You should have reviewed the It is your responsibility to learn the course material textbook/materials prior to class because class and be able to apply it in different situations. So if you lecture time is not the time to learn new find that you have an instructor whose lecture style is information. not a good fit with your preferred learning style, you are  Be engaged – Take notes during class and ask responsible for finding alternate methods to understand questions; handwritten notes have been found and learn the material. to be more effective than typing on a laptop/tablet. Form study groups; use on-line resources, such as video  Be organized – Use a planner or calendar to lectures on YouTube or Khan Academy to supplement schedule your study time and social time. Time learning the material; get to know the instructor by management is CRITICAL to being successful in visiting them during office hours or scheduling an college, both in and out of the classroom. appointment.  Form a study a pair/group – Whoever said two heads are better than one had it right. If you CAREFULLY REVIEW THE COURSE SYLLABUS don’t understand a problem or topic, one of The course syllabus is a contract between you and the your study buddies may be able to better instructor - you need to be aware of and understand explain it to you. the expectations to be successful in the course.  Utilize campus resources – more information under How Do I Get Help on the reverse side.  If you do not understand a problem or concept, AMOUNT OF TIME REQUIRED FOR STUDYING utilize your instructor’s office hours or schedule Do not expect college to be anything like high an appointment. school, it is not 13th grade. A college course covers  Regular exercise and quality sleep are more material in a semester (15 weeks) than a high paramount to your success. school course does during an entire year! PREPARING FOR EXAMS In addition to attending class, expect to spend 30-40 Preparing for exams begins with regularly attending hours a week studying (i.e. reviewing notes, reading each class session prepared. assigned texts, working on assignments, etc.)  Arrive to your class having already read the designated chapter(s) - you are more engaged The average college student will be in class 15-20 when the material is familiar hours per week. So for every hour you are in class,  Review lecture notes, previous homework expect to spend a minimum of 2 hours outside of assignments, etc. class time to stay on top of the material you are  Cramming never works…avoid it all together. learning.  Get a good night’s sleep every night! 5 Secrets to Academic Success WRITING PAPERS/REPORTS GRADUATING ON TIME  Review syllabus and notes to identify the  Enroll in the recommended first semester math purpose of the paper/report course for your major  Don’t procrastinate, start early to ensure you o Accuplacer math placement test have enough time to turn in a quality product o Complete a math course during  Build a framework/outline and write down your summer school before your first ideas semester  Add details to your framework  Check with your academic and faculty advisors  Confirm your paper stays on topic and use your “Planner” in MyNEVADA to plan  Don’t be afraid to revise - several drafts are out future courses for each term essential to a polished final product  Make sure your know how to read your  Remember - building your writing skills are “Academic Requirements” Report in essential to your future success MyNEVADA because that is what is used to  Utilize the Writing Center, certify that you are ready to graduate. http://www.unr.edu/writing-center o If there is an error or inaccuracy in the report, talk to your advisor before you SEEK HELP & USE AVAILABLE RESOURCES apply to graduate. Use campus resources EARLY ON and OFTEN to ensure your academic success. Do not wait until the issue ADDITIONAL TIPS becomes a problem or is debilitating - ask for help and use campus resources. If you find that you are having an issue academically or personally, there are many resources on campus available. Below are some examples of campus resources:  College of Science Academic Advisor www.unr.edu/science/advising  Tutoring Center http://www.unr.edu/tutoring-center  Math Center http://www.unr.edu/math-center  Chemistry Help Center http://www.unr.edu/math-center  Writing Center http://www.unr.edu/writing-center  Counseling Services http://www.unr.edu/counseling  Student Health Center http://www.unr.edu/shc/  Instructors, TA’s, Classmates 6 2015-2016 ACADEMIC CALENDAR http://catalog.unr.edu – click on “Academic Calendar” located on right hand navigation Fall 2015 August 14 Friday  Students receiving financial aid may not drop below the threshold for which they were funded without changing financial aid funding level. For example, if a student was full time, the student will not be able to drop below 12 credits without clearance from Financial Aid. This remains in effect until Friday, Sept. 6th. Students may use the “SWAP” function to make schedule changes. Students may add additional credits beyond the 12. Students may work with Financial Aid directly to adjust financial aid funding level if dropping below the level for which they were funded.  Financial Aid begins disbursement to student accounts and will pay off all obligations to the university reflected at that time. 17 Monday  Fall Semester faculty reporting date. 19 Wednesday  Financial Aid will check student enrollment for those students receiving a financial aid refund to verify enrollment status and correct residual check amounts.  Student Financials begins refund distribution to students. 20 Thursday  Residence halls open for freshmen 21 Friday  Fall Semester fees due (last day to pay without late fee assessment).  First payment due for those students on payment plan  Last day for initial registration. Students who are not enrolled as of August 22nd are not permitted to register.  Opening Ceremony  Residence halls open for upper classmen 22 Saturday  Late fees assessed 24 Monday  FIRST DAY OF CLASSES 28 Friday  Final day to add classes without permission from instructor. 31 Monday  Current students (those with enrollment as of August 21st) may add or swap classes with permission of instructor. Students who were not enrolled as of August 21st are not permitted to register. Students receiving financial aid may not withdraw from the university without clearance from the Financial Aid Office. Students requesting a full term withdrawal must sign an agreement indicating they must pay any outstanding financial obligations. September 2 Wednesday  Final day to add or swap classes with instructor approval  Final day to receive 100% refund if dropping individual classes or completely withdrawing from the university.  No refunds after this date unless completely withdrawing from the university  Final day to change a course from letter grade to S/U or S/U to letter grade or audit to credit  Final day for approval of residency appeals 3 Thursday  No refunds for dropping individual classes  Enrollment cancelled for non-payment  Enrollment Preliminary Census file run Friday 5:00 p.m. 4 Friday  Minimum enrollment set at one credit for all financial aid recipients  Financial aid students withdrawing from the university must clear Financial Aid  Students re-instated (enrollment cancelled due to non-payment) to classes must pay all tuition and fees or have cleared Financial Aid before being re-enrolled 7 Monday  Labor Day (no classes; campus closed). 21 Monday  Second fee payment due for those on payment plan October 1 Thursday  Deadline for December graduation applications. 2 Friday  Final day to request a 50% refund if completely withdrawing from the university. 21 Wednesday  Final fee payment due. Students administratively withdrawn from classes if two-thirds of total owed is not paid. 28 Wednesday  Final day to drop classes. 30 Friday  Nevada Day (no classes; campus closed) November 11 Wednesday  Veterans Day (no classes; campus closed) 26 Thursday  Thanksgiving Day (no classes; campus closed) 27 Friday  Family Day (no classes; campus closed) 7 December 5 Saturday  COMMENCEMENT 9 Wednesday  Prep Day (no classes; campus open) 10 Thursday  Final class meeting week begins 16 Wednesday  INSTRUCTION ENDS 21 Monday  Final grades filed posted in MyNEVADA by 5 pm  Fall semester ends-last day faculty are on campus for fall semester 25 Friday  Christmas (campus closed) Spring 2016 January 11 Monday  Spring semester faculty reporting date 15 Friday  Spring semester fees due; final day to pay without incurring late payment fees  First payment due for those students on a payment plan  Last day for initial registration 16 Saturday  Late fees assessed 17 Sunday  Residence halls open 18 Monday  Martin Luther King Day (no classes; campus closed) 19 Tuesday  FIRST DAY OF CLASSES 25 Monday  Final day to add classes without permission from instructor. 26 Tuesday  Current students may add or swap classes with the permission of the instructor. 28 Thursday  Final day to receive 100% refund if dropping individual classes or completely withdrawing  No refunds after this date unless completely withdrawing from the university  Final day to add or swap classes with instructor permission  Final day to change a course from letter grade to S/U or S/U to letter grade or audit to credit 29 Friday  No refunds for the dropping of individual classes February 1 Monday  Priority deadline for WUE consideration for Fall 2016 semester.  Priority deadline for scholarship consideration for Fall 2016. 15 Monday  President’s Day (no classes; campus closed)  Second fee payment due for those on payment plan 26 Friday  Final day to request a 50% refund if completely withdrawing from the university. March 1 Tuesday  Deadline for May graduation applications 15 Tuesday  Final fee payment due. Students administratively withdrawn from classes if two-thirds of total owed is not paid. 19-27  Spring Break (no classes; campus open) 29 Tuesday  Final day to drop classes and receive a “W”  Final day to change from credit to audit  No dropping of individual class after this date April May 4 Wednesday  Prep Day (no classes; campus open) 5 Thursday  Final class meeting week begins 11 Wednesday  INSTRUCTION ENDS 13 Friday  UNDERGRADUATE COMMENCEMENT (see www.unr.edu/commencement) 14 Saturday  UNDERGRADUATE COMMENCEMENT (see www.unr.edu/commencement) 16 Monday  Final grade posted in MyNEVADA by 5 pm