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UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

 

SECOND YEAR NEWSLETTER

December 2008

IN THIS ISSUE

Academic Related News

SI Final Exam Review Schedule Fall 2008

Check out the SI Final Exam review schedule. It includes courses such as BIOL 215 and CHEM 223!

 

Final Exams- Verify Your Schedule Now

Please verify your final exam schedule now. Make sure that all of your travel plans are after your final exams. You can find the Final Exam dates here. You should also consult your syllabi for all of your classes.

Students are not required to take more than two final examinations on a single day. A student who has three final exams scheduled for a single day or two exams scheduled at the same time, should contact Dean Wolcowitz in the Office of Undergraduate Studies, Sears 357 or 368-2928 for assistance.

Pass/No Pass

Students can use the P/NP option for 1 class each semester. It cannot be used for a course that is required for your major, minor, GER, or SAGES. It is generally used for open electives. It can also be a good tool to use if you are changing majors. For example, if you are taking MATH 224 because you are a declared BME, but you are going to switch to English, you would be able to use the P/NP option for MATH 224, because in your new major, it is not a required course.

If you use the P/NP option, you need to earn at least a "D" in the class. The grade will then be turned into a "P". You will earn the credits for the class. It will not be calculated into your gpa at all. If you earn a "F" in the class, it will turn in to a "NP" on your transcript and will not be calculated into your gpa.

In order to use this option, you must be a registered for at least 12 hours and be in academic good standing. For a complete list or regulations on this policy, please refer to p. A-79 of the Undergraduate Student Handbook.

If you decide to use the P/NP option, you must submit a P/NP ballot on line by 5:00pm on December 5, 2008, the last day of classes

Overloads

Remember students can take up to 19 hours without needing an overload. While the normal course load for students is still 15-18 hours, you are able to enroll in up to 19 hours. However, before you start enrolling in that many hours, I would urge you to ask yourself do I really need that extra course? Could I be spending time doing community service, volunteer work, research, etc., that I will not have time to do if I am taking 19 hours.

To register for 20-21 hours, you must have at least a 3.200 cumulative gpa. 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.

If you meet the requirements to overload and you want to add a class now or over winter break, you can email me your request. Please include how many hours you are requesting, the class that you want to add and why. I may be able to approve your request online.

Proficiency Exams

Students who want to take a proficiency exam should contact the academic department as soon as possible. You should consider a proficiency exam if you took an AP course/exam but did not earn Case credit for it or if you feel that you have an exceptional amount of expertise in a certain field based on previous experiences.

CHEM 105, 106, 111 - - Friday, January 9, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Clapp 201).

PHYS 115, 116, 121, 122, 221 - - Saturday, January 10, 2009, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Rockefeller 301). Register for the Physics Proficiency Exam in advance by contacting Prof. Gary Chottiner. Email: gsc2@case.edu or call 216-368-4024. More information
about, including formula sheets and sample exams, can be found on the Physics website.

ENGR 131 - - Saturday, January 10, 2009, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. (Olin 313). The exam will be given in Java. Students wishing to take the exam must sign up for it at least 48 hours in advance. Link to the registration form, as well as extensive exam details can be found here.

MATH 121, 122, 125, 126, 223, 224 - - Friday, January 9, 2009, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. (Yost 300). Register in advance for the Mathematics Proficiency Exam by contacting Prof. Chris Butler.

 

Maintaining Academic Good Standing

Remember the requirements to remain in academic good standing are a little different from your first year. Make sure you are aware of the new requirements. Remember that there is a gpa and credit hour component to maintaining academic good standing. Following the first year, the requirements for good standing for full-time students are:

  1. a semester grade point average of 2.00 or higher and
  2. a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher and
  3. a minimum of nine credit hours earned each semester and
  4. at least 24 credit hours earned at Case over two consecutive semesters of full time enrollment. For example, if you earned 13 hours in the spring 2008 semester, you must earn at least 11 hours in the fall 2008 semester to have at least 24 hours over the two consecutive semester.


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 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).

For complete scholarship retention information, see page A-83 in the 2006 Student Handbook.

 

 

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNIES AND PROGRAMS

Making the Most of the 2009 Get Experienced Internship and Career Fair

Location: Nord 410
Date: Thursday, December 4
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

This workshop will cover: how to plan a strategy for the most effective and efficient use of time at a fair, the introduction - making the first impression a good one, and follow-up after the fair. Learning Objectives: Learn how to engage employers and to plan a strategy for the most effective and efficient use of time at a career fair. Please register here for the event.

 

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, BIOL 215, CHEM 223, PHYS 115, PHYS 122 and 221. The SI Session schedule is available here.

Peer tutors are your fellow students who have been nominated by your professors and trained by ESS to work with you on an individual and/or group basis in many undergraduate courses.  Peer tutors can help you clarify course content and assignments, connect class notes and readings, and help you practice problem solving.  Additionally, peer tutors can help you reinforce what you already know, model new ways of learning, monitor your progress over several sessions, and prepare you for addressing specific questions with the professor. 

You can schedule up to five hours or tutoring each week at no cost with at least one-day notice.  Search peer tutoring availabilities and schedule appointments at tutortrac.case.edu.

 

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 2009 semester, the deadline for applications is Friday, 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.

 

Be a Resident Assistant for 2009-2010

The Office of Housing, Residence Life & Greek Life is currently seeking to recruit a qualified and diverse pool of undergraduate students for several unique positions for the 2009-2010 Residence Life Staff. Residence Life staff members are the backbone of our residential program and help provide a positive, inclusive community environment for students at Case Western Reserve University.

**In addition, we are seeking to fill two open RA positions for the January-May 2009 term. Separate applications for this position are available at: http://housing.case.edu/jobs.

The Resident Assistant position offers the opportunity to develop leadership and peer counseling skills and is a great way to get involved in student life at Case Western Reserve University. Applications are now available at http://housing.case.edu/jobs.

Applications are due January 14, 2009. If you have any questions about the RA positions or the selection process, please e-mail Jamie Elwell, Manager of Staff Development, or call 216.368.3403.

More information: http://studentaffairs.case.edu/living/test/jobs/doc/rainfosession.pdf

 

Read A Good Book Lately?

The Common Book Selection Committee is now seeking suggestions for the Common Reading for Orientation 2010.  Students, faculty, staff, alums, and others may make recommendations on-line.

 

MLK Essay Contest

Case Western Reserve University is planning a weeklong celebration in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in January 2009. Schools, academic departments and student organizations have prepared a variety of programs and activities to honor the memory and spirit of Dr. King between January 19-23, 2009.

This weeklong celebration will include a variety of workshops, films, discussions, and speakers sponsored by various academic departments and schools, centers, offices, and student organizations.

2009 Essay Theme

In the spirit of Martin Luther King, by what human injustice are you so moved that you would be willing to sacrifice your time, energy and other resources in order to make a difference? How would you engage the community in your efforts? Please share your "untold" story.

For more information, please visit the MLK Celebration Web page.

 

 

 

Important Upcoming Dates

 

Classes Begin August 25
Labor Day-NO CLASS! September 1
Late Registration and Drop/Add End September 5
Fall Break October 20-21
Midterm Grades Due October 20
Deadline for Removal of Spring 2008 "I" grades November 7
Deadline for Class Withdrawal November 7
Academic Advising for Spring 2009 Begins End of October
Registration begins for Spring Begins (by class) November 10
Last Day to Submit Pass/No Pass (online form) December 5
Last Day of Classes December 5
Reading Days December 8, 12
Final Exams Begin December 9
Final Exams End December 17
Final Grades Due December 19

 

Click here fore a complete 5 year academic calendar.

 


UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS

Fall A Cappella Concert

Come enjoy music from Case's most talented A Cappella Choir Groups! From Pop and Rock to old school and classics, the musical spectrum is sure to please each listener.

Location: Amasa Stone Chapel at 12:30pm

Free hot chocolate and cookies!

 

Math Gala

Monday, December 8 from 1:00-6:00pm in the Ballroom

Math, food, math, music, fun, and much, much, more….don’t miss it!

 

Thwing Study Over

Monday, December 8, 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. in Thwing Center

Need a break before finals start?

Come to the Thwing Study Over from 8 p.m. to Midnight on December 8. There will be plenty of free food from local vendors, free massages, and lots of other activities. Check here for a list of food vendors and other information.


Late Night Breakfast

Thursday, December 11, 9:30 – 11:00 p.m at Leutner and Fribley

Doesn't everyone deserve a break today? Finals week soon will arrive, and with it comes Late Night Breakfast. It's an annual event at Case that offers students a break from their studies.

If you love breakfast food at night, head on down to Leutner or Fribley commons on Thursday, December 11. The food selection is unbelievable.

Don't miss the fun, food, and entertainment, which starts at 9:30 p.m. Hope to see you there!