Chemistry

Advising NewsNotes

September2013

Welcome to Fall 2013!

Upcoming Deadlines& Important Dates

Monday, September 2: University Holiday, no classes & offices closed

Monday, September 2: Last day to add/drop courses through ISIS

Starting Sept. 3, add/drop will require signatures and include a $12 charge

Monday, September 9: Last day to add courses

Monday, September 9: Last day to drop a course without a W

Tuesday, Sept. 17: Study Abroad Fair in the Old Capitol Mall,

Thursday, September 26: Job & Internship Fair at IMU, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Jobs & Internships

Don’t miss your chance to explore the opportunities available for jobs and internships. The Pomerantz Career Center can help you prepare for the fair – you can even sign up for mock interviews to practice your skills! The fair is not limited to seniors: all students can pursue internship opportunities, and all students benefit from understanding what the job market and hiring practices are like. For more info:

International students may also want to take advantage of the special “Career Series” of workshops that the Career Center is offering, including a “Resume Workshop” for international students (Sept. 5), “Prepare for the Fall Job & Internship Fair” (Sept. 19), and “Work Visa Options After Graduation” (Sept. 26).

Chemistry Laboratory Technician Internship

Red Star Yeast Company is now accepting resumes for a Laboratory Technician Internshipposition at its Cedar Rapids location. RSYC has a state-of-the-art facility and is the largest fresh yeast manufacturing facility in North America. The primary purpose of the Laboratory Technician is to conduct chemical and physical analysis of raw materials and yeast, and/or microbiological analysis, both in-process and finished product. Responsibilities of the Laboratory Technician Intern will include assisting laboratory technicians with testing, cleaning and calibrating equipment, and record keeping. The internship position reports to the Laboratory Supervisor. The ideal candidate will be currently enrolled in a Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Food Science Degree Program and exhibit strong communication and customer service skills.

The internship will start as soon as possible, requires no more than 30 hours per week, and ends in December but with the potential of working in Spring 2014. Interns must be willing to work during University breaks, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Students can apply by sending resumes to .

Study Abroad Fair

You can travel and earn credits if you plan ahead, so check out the Study Abroad Fair on September 17 in the Old Capitol Mall. It can sometimes be challenging to find upper-level courses in your major that will transfer back to UI, plus many seniors are involved in research, internships, and collaborations with faculty as they prepare for employment and/or graduate school. All students – especially freshmen and sophomores – are encouraged to attend the fair and plan ahead. There are always options to take General Education courses in other countries, and if you are working on a foreign language, Study Abroad is one of the best ways to learn a language where you can use it naturally every day. For more info: .

Tutoring & Other Good Ideas

The single best source of information about academic resources is at the Student Success website: . There you can find out when Supplemental Instruction (SI) review sessions are offered and how to locate qualified tutors – including free assistance provided by departments. You can also see what workshops are being offered, like “Study Skills” on Sept. 18 and “Motivation & Goal Setting” on September 25.

If personal concerns are making it hard to focus on your classes, or if you’re just super stressed by the start of the semester, contact Counseling Services (335-7294) for the free, professional, individualized help that they can provide.

Success Tip: Know Your Syllabi

The best way to succeed in your classes is to know the definition of success. How are you going to be graded? What role, if any, does attendance play in the course grade? Are there any papers? Are all exam scores equal, or will the final exam count as a greater percentage of your grade? Are there penalties for late work, or opportunities for extra credit? Success in a course is certainly measured by more than grades, but when it comes to a transcript or scholarship, your GPA is important. Don’t let yourself be surprised by an assignment deadline or the relative value of assorted assessments in the class: know what is expected of you. And if you aren’t sure, ask.

Three Special Occasions for September

In addition to gazing at the Harvest Moon on the 19th and celebrating the equinox on the 22nd, you can enjoy September as National Chicken Month.

Jan Norton, Professional Academic Advisor

Chemistry, Computer Science, Informatics, & Mathematics

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

University of Iowa

Office: B20H MacLean Hall

Email:

Phone: 335-0793

Drop-In Hours (no appointment needed):

2-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday

All other times are available by appointment

Scheduling link: