UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

SECOND YEAR NEWSLETTER

October 2005

IN THIS ISSUE

• Academic Related News
  • New Public Health Major- Info session Oct. 27
  • Considering Law School?
  • Changing an Incomplete Grade
  • Selection of a Major or Minor
    • Major Declaration Process
  • Retaining Your Scholarship
• Resources and Academic Support for Second Year Students
  • Tutoring for 2nd Year Classes
  • Time Management and Study Strategies
  • PDELC Computer Lab
• Additional Opportunities and Programs
  1. Cooperative Education for Engineering, Management
     and Science Majors
  2. Career Center Program Guide Now Available
  • National Scholarship/Fellowship Opportunities for Second Year Students
    • Goldwater Scholarships
    • NSEP Scholarship (National Security Education Program)
    • Society of Women Engineers Scholarships
    • Udall Scholarships
  • How to Find a Research or Creative Endeavor Project
  • Study Abroad

  Important Upcoming Dates

  • Fall 2005 Academic Calendar Highlights
• Upcoming Campus Events
• Alumni Weekend & Homecoming 2005 -Oct. 14-16
• Halloween at the Farm- Oct. 29
• SatCo - October 29 and 30th
• Leadershape- Jan. 7-13 2006

Academic Related News

New Public Health Major

If you would like more information, please make an appointment to see me to discuss your options or contact Michelle Jaketic, Coordinator of the BA/MPH Program. You can also check out the Public Health Studies web site. You can also see the major requirements on page 38 of the 2005-2006 Student Handbook (they are not listed in the 2004-2005 Handbook). There will be an information session on Thursday, October 27 at 3:30 in Mather Memorial, Room 201. Pizza and refreshments will be served.

ARE YOU CONSIDERING LAW SCHOOL?

If you are considering law school you should make an appointment with the Undergraduate Studies Pre-Law adviser, Joanne Jackson. You can contact Prof. Jackson at prelaw@case.edu or by calling 368-2928 to make an appointment. Pre-Law is neither a major nor a minor, however there are courses here at Case that students who are considering law school often take. Prof. Jackson maintains a Pre-Law Blackboard site that is very helpful for students considering law school. Please email her to gain access to the site.

Changing an Incomplete Grade

If you received grades of I (incomplete) for any courses from the spring semester, you are expected to make the work up as quickly as possible. The amount of time allowed by a professor for making up an incomplete should be consistent with the length of the your absence(s) in the spring semester. The latest deadline by which work must be completed and grades reported is Friday, November 11. Petitions for extensions may be considered by the Deans Committee in the Office of Undergraduate Studies only in cases where there are valid extenuating circumstances and a petition with appropriate supporting documentation has been submitted prior to November 11. Incompletes not completed by the deadline and for which no extension has been approved, will be converted to F grades.

Selection of Major and Minors

There are still many second year students who have not yet declared a major. Many of you may be ready to declare, but have not yet completed the paperwork. If this is the case, please complete the major declaration form by the end of October. This will ensure that your PIN for next semester will be sent to your departmental advisor. The instructions for declaring a major are below .

There are still some of you who are not sure what you want to declare. Have no fear, the Career Center can help!

If you are still exploiring your options, the Choices Fair is Friday, November 4, 2005 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. in Veale Center. You can learn about Case major, minor, and sequence offerings, talk to faculty and student representatives from academic departments, and find out about opportunities to participate in department sponsored events

The Steps You Should Follow in the Declaration Process

1. Pick up a "Major Declaration” or “Minor Declaration” form in the Office of Undergraduate Studies (Sears 357) or in the Resource Space in Wade.
2. Take the form to the department representative in your intended major for his/her signature and assignment of a major advisor. You can find a list of representatives in your Handbook for Undergraduates or hanging on the wall outside of Sears 357.
3. Drop off the signed yellow copy to the Office of Undergraduate Studies to complete the process.

Retaining Your Scholarship

The retention standards for merit based (Full tuition, Trustee's, President's and Provost's) scholarships are different from the first year.

At the end of each academic year (June), the records of all scholarship recipients are reviewed. To have a scholarship renewed for the following academic year, a recipient is expected to satisfy two requirements:

1. A minimum number of hours earned after enrolling at Case. For second year students the requirement is 54 hours by the end of the second year. This does not include AP/IB/transfer or Pre-College Scholar credit earned prior to enrollment at Case.
2. A minimum cumulative scholarship gpa of 3.00. Remember the scholarship gpa includes any F grades in the freshman year that do not appear on your official transcript. If the Repeat Option was used in any class, the original grade in the course for which there is now a RPT is also calculated into the scholarship gpa.

Tutoring Services for Second Year Classes

If you find yourself either wanting to reinforce material presented in class or seeking guidance in understanding material, there are two excellent services available to you. You may want to consider attending SI (Supplemental Instruction) sessions taught by your peers or signing up for a Peer Tutoring appointment.

SI sessions are available for many courses, but these may be most relevant to you as a second year student: BIOL 121, CHEM 223, CHEM 301, PHYS 115, PHYS 221. The SI Session schedule will be available in the ESS office, Sears 470 and on our web site.

If you would like a Peer Tutoring tutoring appointment, visit the ESS web site and schedule your appointment on-line. Learn more about these services at the ESS web site or by visiting us in person in Sears 470.

Need better time management and study strategies?

If you made a resolution to be a better student this fall, then stop by ESS (Sears 470) or call 368-5230 to set up an appointment with an ESS staff member. We have some ideas on how you can maximize your study time! You’ll receive personalized study recommendations that match your learning style and semester course load. It’s free; it’s easy; stop by to set up an appointment!

Check out the ESS computer center (the PDELC) when you’re in Sears.

It’s open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm, and it’s a great place to study between classes. Work on individual projects or meet as a team! It’s not your usual computer center! We serve coffee and tea for 5 cents a cup! You can print academic papers for free! We have comfortable seating if you bring your laptop. Work on individual projects, or meet with your class teammates at our “kitchen table” in the center. And you can reserve the lab for group projects; call Peter Taylor at 368-3059.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNIES AND PROGRAMS

Cooperative Education for Engineering, Management, and Science Majors

Sophomore year is the time to start thinking about Co-op. When you meet with your advisor, talk with him/her about how to plan ahead to accommodate your classes along with a co-op assignment.   Co-op is an academic program designed to enhance your education with “real-life” work experience that lasts for 7 months.  You will work at a company for either a spring/summer or a summer/fall co-op.  Students enroll in the program one semester prior to actually going on co-op.  For example,  if you determine that spring/summer 07 is the right time for you to co-op, you will sign up for a Co-op Orientation Meeting in August/September 06.  Our office is located in Nord 304.  You can learn more about the Co-op Program at its web site.

For more information, please contact Mary Rose Tichar, Director, Cooperative Education Program

Career Center Program Guide Now Available

The 2005-2006 Career Center Program Guide is now available and can be picked up during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm) at the Career Center located in Sears, Room 206. The Guide is a comprehensive listing of all the programs and services being offered to students during this academic year. Students can plan for the year ahead by choosing from over 80 different programs.

Here are just a few of the programs being offered which have been specifically designed for second year students:

For more information, please contact the Career Center at 216-368-4446 or careers@case.edu

National Scholarship/Fellowship Opportunities for Second Year Students

There are several national scholarships and fellowships that are available to second year students or for which you need to apply in your second year. The scholarships range from study abroad opportunities to research opportunities. Listed below are 6 opportunities for second year students. If you are interested in fellowships and scholarship opportunities that are available for your 3rd and 4th years or for after graduation, now is the time to begin planning. Check out the full list of national scholarships on the Undergraduate Studies web site.

GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIPS* (Sophomores and juniors) - Fall deadline. The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation aims to attract outstanding students into careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering. Current sophomores (planning to graduate in 2008) and juniors (planning to graduate in 2007) are eligible for consideration. A Goldwater Scholarship provides $7000 per year. Candidates should be outstanding students who have an interest in pursuing a research career in science, math, or engineering. Preferred are students who have already been engaged in research or have some ideas about specific problems or areas they would like to investigate via research. The University is permitted to nominate no more than four students for this national competition, so there is PRELIMINARY SCREENING . Preliminary applications, available in the Office of Undergraduate Studies or can be downloaded here. The preliminary application includes a couple of questions from the "real" (long) application, and must be submitted to Dean Hamel ( lynmarie.hamel@case.edu ) in Undergraduate Studies by November 1.

NSEP SCHOLARSHIPS (DAVID L. BOREN SCHOLARSHIP)* - (First year students, sophomores, juniors, graduate/professional school students) - Winter deadline. NSEP (National Security Education Program) scholarships support summer and school-year study abroad for students studying in Asia , Africa , the Middle East , Russia , Eastern Europe , and Latin America . Language study MUST be part of the program. All majors are eligible, but preference is given to specific majors. In 2004-05, "favored majors" were: engineering, science, computer science, management, international studies, political science, anthropology, psychology, sociology, and history. It is likely that the 2005-06 competition will have similar preferences. PRELIMINARY SCREENING : Meet with Dean Hamel in September or October to identify an appropriate study abroad program and to review NSEP application requirements.

SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS SCHOLARSHIPS * (Sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate students) – February deadline. As part of its national educational activities, SWE administers approximately 90 scholarships annually, varying in amount from $200 to over $5000 per year and totaling more than $150,000. All SWE scholarships are open only to women majoring in engineering or computer science in a college or university with an ABET accredited program or in a SWE approved school and who will be in the specified year of study during the academic year the grant payment is made. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.5/4.0 or above. For additional requirements and to download application materials, see the web site.

UDALL SCHOLARSHIPS* - (Sophomores and juniors) - Winter deadline. The Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation aims to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers related to environmental public policy and to encourage outstanding Native American and Alaska Native students to pursue careers related to health care and tribal public policy. Current sophomores (planning to graduate in 2007) and juniors (planning to graduate in 2006) are eligible for consideration. A Udall Scholarship provides $5000 per year. Typical majors or areas of study include environmental engineering, the natural sciences, natural resource management, and the social sciences. The University is asked to nominate students for this national competition, so there is PRELIMINARY SCREENING and application process. Interested students should make an appointment to meet with Dean Hamel, or the Faculty Representative Richard Baznik in September or early October.

How to Find Research and Creative Endeavor Projects

The SOURCE Office (Support of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors Office) is offering may programs throughout the semester focusing on how to find a research or creative endeavor project.

The weekly seminars are designed for you on a walk-in/out basis. Come and stay for as long (or short) as you want. Please RSVP to SOURCE Office, if you are interested in attending any of the programs. Program include:

STUDY ABROAD

Study abroad opportunities at Case span five continents. Study abroad offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture and university, as well as participate in internships and community service in a variety of fields, including business, engineering, policy development, and health education. If you are interested in studying abroad for the spring 2006 semester, the deadline for applications is Thursday, September 15th.

If you are interested in studying abroad, visit the Study Abroad web site or feel free to stop by 357 Sears and explore the Study Abroad Office; no appointment is needed. You can also email the JYA Office and make an appointment to talk with our student staff. All of the students have studied abroad and can give you some really good first hand information about their experiences studying abroad.

The Office of Undergraduate Studies will host several study abroad visitors on campus during the next few weeks and months.  If you are at all interested in studying abroad, including those in pre-med and pre-law, I would encourage you to attend.  Stop by for a few minutes to learn more about them!  All meetings will be held in 357 Sears.

Important Upcoming Dates

Click here fore a complete 5 year academic calendar.

UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS

Alumni Weekend & Homecoming 2005

October 14 – 16

Celebrating our past-Embracing our future

Students and alumni can Celebrate Case Style during Alumni Weekend & Homecoming starting with the Wackin' Good Bash Reception for students and alumni. The reception will be held in the Wackadoo's Grub & Brew located in Thwing Center, on October 14, from 5 – 7:30 p.m.

Immediately following the reception, stand-up comedian Dennis Miller will be performing 8 – 9 p.m. in Severance Hall. For a special discount offer on tickets, please click here. We highly encourage students to also attend the October 15, Homecoming Parade, Pre-Game Tailgate and Homecoming Game. For more information and to register on line, please go to the Alumni Weekend website.

Click here for a complete list of Homecoming Events.

Halloween at the Farm

Save the date OCTOBER 29

Last year, the event brought more than 1,500 students, faculty, alumni, and their families to the Farm. Activities this year include: hayrides, a bonfire, s'mores, a haunted house, live music, children's games, and pumpkin carving. The featured band this year is "Wish You Were Here." Buses will be running from Thwing Center to the Farm from 5pm-10pm.

SatCo -October 29 and October 30

Skydiving! Death, Murder and Mayhem! are just a few of the courses offered through SatCo this year!

Register now for fall SatCo! SatCo offers fun and provocative non-credit, no-tuition courses beginning Saturday, October 29. SatCo courses are open to all Case students, faculty, staff, and alumni as well as community members.  Online registration is now available.

Leadershape

LeaderShape is a unique experience designed to foster community, integrity, and leadership in its participants. This truly energizing and inspiring experience will challenge and change you, as well as build your leadership potential. While applications are not yet available, if you are interested in the program or want to be notified when applications become available, please e-mail leadershape@case.edu.

This year's LeaderShape will take place January 7-13, 2006 at Camp Asbury. The cost for this 6-day program is $135 and some scholarships may be available.