UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

SECOND YEAR STUDENT NEWSLETTER

September 2006

IN THIS ISSUE

• Academic Related News
  • Pictures from the Second Year Institute
  • New Cognitive Science Major
  • Overloads
  • Repeat Policy
  • Changing an Incomplete Grade
  • Selection of a Major or Minor
    • How the Career Center Can Help Choose a Major
    • Declaration Process
  • Resources and Academic Support for Second Year Students
• Tutoring for 2nd Year Classes
• Time Management and Study Strategies
• PDELC Computer Lab
• Retaining Your Scholarship
• Extended Undergraduate Study Office Hours
• 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
  • Freeman-ASIA (for Study in Asia)
  • Foreign Affairs Fellowships
  • Goldwater Scholarships
  • NSEP Scholarship (National Security Education Program)
  • Society of Women Engineers Scholarships
  • Udall Scholarships
  • Study Abroad
  Important Upcoming Dates
  • Fall 2006 Academic Calendar Highlights
• Upcoming Campus Events
• Come to the CO-OP Information Meeting- Friday Sept. 8th 1:00pm
• Support Your Fellow Student Athletes- various dates and times

Academic Related News

Second Year Institute

Many second year students participated in the Second Year Institute (2YI). Congratulations to all of the students who successfully completed the 2YI. They are:

New Cognitive Science Major

The College of Arts and Sciences has approved the new Cognitive Science major. Cognitive science brings the insights and methods of natural science, social science, and certain of the humanities to the study of the mind. Cognitive science programs have emerged in recent years in response to a call for an integrated approach that does not restrict the study of the mind to a single discipline

For more information on the new major, please visit the Cognitive Science web site.

Overloads

The Overload Policy has changed this year. Students will be able to register for up to 19 hours without obtaining an overload. The old limit was 18 hours. The normal full-time load is still between 12-18 semester hours. Continuing students may carry 20-21 hours, if they have a cumulative gpa of 3.20 or better. To register for 22 or 23 hours, a minimum of average of 3.50 is required. Any schedule of more than 19 hours require's dean's approval. (See p. A-74 of 2006 Student Handbook for complete details).

Repeat Policy

There have been a few changes to the Course Repeat Policy. The complete policy can be found on page A-79 of the 2006 Student Handbook. A summary of the changes are listed below:

1. Under the old policy, there was an one-year time limit on re-taking a class in which you want to use the repeat option. Under the new policy, there is no longer a 1-year time limit.
2. Under the old policy, the repeat form could be turned in at any time. Under the new policy, the repeat form must be completed and returned to the Office of Undergraduate Studies by 5:00pm on the last day of classes in the term in which the course is being repeated.
3. Under the old policy, the first grade earned was covered up by an "RPT." Under the new policy, the first grade will remain visible on the transcript, but there will be a designation- "Grade Not Counted- Course Repeated" directly below the course. The grade will still be removed from the calculation of the cumulative grade point average and from the original semester in which the grade was earned.

Changing an Incomplete Grade

If you received grades of I (incomplete) for any courses from the fall 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 fall semester. The latest deadline by which work must be completed and grades reported is Friday, November 10. 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 10. 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 September. 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!

Declaring your major- the Career center can help!

Discovery and exploration is part of the process of declaring a major. You can successfully complete this process with careful thought and reflection. The Career Center offers a range of assessment tools to help you clarify your major choice, identify career goals, and define interests and skills. In addition to the MBTI and Strong Interest Inventory, we offer the SkillScan Card Sort and Staff CV.

MBTI: The most widely used personality inventory in the world; the MBTI® instrument provides an accurate picture of a person's personality type. Understanding characteristics unique to each personality type, provides insight on how they influence an individual's way of communicating and interacting with others.

Strong Inventory: The Strong measures your interests in a broad range of occupations, work activities, leisure activities, and school subjects.

SkillScan Card Sort:This interactive tool will help you identify your natural strengths and key transferable skills for use in your career development.

Staff CV: The key to succeeding in a career is simple - choose one that you will ultimately love. This tool is designed to help you think about the way in which you like to work (your work preferences or values), so that you can be matched with a list of careers that let you do more of the things you like to do. Complete a 10 minute fun, graphical profile to measure your work preferences.

Our hope is that by accessing the services offered through the Career Center , you will discover what work you have a passion for, what energizes and motivates you, and how to describe your skills, talents and experiences.

The Career Center stands ready to guide you through your career search, so please visit our web site make an appointment to see a counselor or drop in during consulting hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesday from 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

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 or Fribley.
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 on pages A-6 and A-7 of the 2006 Student Handbook 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.

Resources and Academic Support for Second Year Students

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.

Retaining Your Scholarship

The retention standards for merit based (All 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 all grades. 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.

For a Provost's Special Scholarship, students must remain in academic good standing (See page A-81 of the 2006 Student Handbook to see the good standing regulations).

Undergraduate Studies Extended Office Hours

The Residential Undergraduate Studies Satellite (R.U.S.S.) offices are located in Wade and Fribley. You can stop by R.U.S.S. and meet with a dean for quick advising information and academic resources. RUSS is open from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday – Wednesday for walk-in advising appointments.

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. Students work full time for 7 months at a company related to your major field of study.  You can co-op 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 08 is the right time for you to co-op, you will sign up for a Co-op Orientation Meeting in August/September 07.  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

Career Center Program Guide Now Available              

The 2006-2007 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 being offered to students during the fall 2006 semester. Students can plan ahead by choosing from over 30 different programs.

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

For locations, visit the Career Center website. 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 5 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.

FREEMAN-ASIA (Freeman Awards for Study in Asia) is designed to support American undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning on studying overseas in East or Southeast Asia. Freeman-ASIA Award recipients are expected to share their experiences with their home campuses to encourage study abroad in Asia by others, and to spread greater understanding of Asian peoples and cultures within their home communities. Deadlines vary depending on when you plan on studying abroad.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS FELLOWSHIPS (Sophomores) - February deadline. The Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program of the U.S. Department of State aims to attract outstanding students into careers in the Foreign Service. The fellowships provide funding for tuition, room and board, books and fees for the junior and senior years, for a required summer institute, and for the first year of graduate study. Women and members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service are encouraged to apply.

GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIPS* (Sophomores and juniors) - November 1. 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 2087) and juniors (planning to graduate in 2007) are eligible for consideration. A Goldwater Scholarship provides $7500 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 are available in the Office of Undergraduate Studies or can be downloaded. The preliminary application includes a couple of questions from the "real" (long) application, and must be submitted to Dean Hamel 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. Recent "favored majors" were: engineering, science, computer science, management, international studies, political science, anthropology, psychology, sociology, and history. It is likely that the current 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 2009) and juniors (planning to graduate in 2008) 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.

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 fall 2007 semester, the deadline for applications is Thursday, February 1st.

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.

Important Upcoming Dates

Click here fore a complete 5 year academic calendar.

UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS

Come to the CO-OP Information Meeting

If you are curious about the Co-op Program, or are thinking about doing a co-op, please join us on Friday September 8th at 1:00pm in Nord 310.  You will listen to students who have completed a co-op assignment and hear first hand what it’s all about.  All engineering, business or science students are invited to attend.

Friday September 8th at 1:00pm on Nord 310
Cookies and beverages will be served (feel free to bring your lunch)

Support Your Fellow Student Athletes

From football to soccer to volleyball, many of your friends are competing on varsity athletic teams. Show your Spartan spirit and come out and cheer for them! Check out the Athletics web site for a complete listing of schedules.