Freshman Student Academic Advising: Class of 2017 Presented by: Professor Michael D. Symans Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Sept. 3, 2013 Group Advising Session #1
Who am I? Professor in Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering Educator and Researcher in Structural Engineering Academic advisor (possibly your advisor for next 4 years) Research advisor
Engineering Departments Biomedical Engineering Chemical & Biological Engineering Civil & Environmental Engineering Industrial and Systems Engineering Electrical, Computer & Systems Engineering Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical, Aerospace & Nuclear Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) 17 Faculty 5 Staff Typical Senior Class Size: 70 Two Undergraduate Programs (B.S. degree) Civil Engineering Environmental Engineering Several Graduate Programs (M.E., M.S., Ph.D. degrees) Major Research Projects Leading to New Discoveries and Providing Financial Support for Research Assistants (undergraduate and graduate students)
Major Areas of Concentration within Civil and Environmental Engineering Structural Engineering Transportation Engineering Environmental Engineering Geotechnical Engineering
Student Chapter of ASCE ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) Student Chapter at RPI Annual Concrete Canoe Competition (regional and nation-wide) Annual Steel Bridge Design Competition (regional and nation-wide) Participation provides early opportunity to interact with other CEE students, CEE faculty and practicing engineers
Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society Chi Epsilon National Honor Society with Chapter at RPI Top ¼ of Seniors and ¼ of Juniors Eligible Organize Fund. of Engineering (FE) Exam Registration Program (Fall) Organize FE Exam Review Sessions (Spring) Serve as student advisors to the CEE Department Organize field trips and annual membership ceremony Field Trip for Concrete Design Course Membership Ceremony
Advisor Responsibilities Assisting students in developing an educational plan, including the possibility of graduate school. Assisting students in understanding requirements for earning degree. Monitoring and discussing issues of concern regarding student s academic progress. Recommending opportunities for personal growth and academic development. Referring students to specific campus or community resources that can help with unique needs such as career information, study skills, time management, or financial resources. Providing accurate information about institutional policies, regulations, procedures and resources. Providing students with information about educational and career paths related to their major.
Student Responsibilities To select major field of study (nearly all students declare major by end of first year) To complete and regularly review a Plan of Study. To monitor progress towards degree. To come prepared to advising meetings with questions regarding curriculum, course selections, career options, etc. To meet with advisor at least once per year during the designated academic advising weeks (per SAM requirement) To understand that the advisor s role is to provide information and options for the student to consider in making informed decisions - not to make decisions for the student. To understand that it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all requirements for the degree are satisfied.
Undergraduate Plan of Study (develop now!!!)
Advanced Placement & Transfer Credit For students who enter Rensselaer as Freshmen, a total of 32 credits (AP + transfer credit) can be counted toward their BS degree requirements. If an incoming Freshman has more than 32 credits, they must decide which of it they are going to use toward their BS degree requirements (this can be changed later if needed)
Cooperative Engineering (CO-OP) Program Cooperative Engineering Program: Students gain work experience in their chosen field Can be useful for clarifying career goals Typical program: Work one semester + one summer Depending on your major, different options may be available Procedure: Contact Career Development Center, 210 DCC http://www.rpi.edu/dept/cdc/
Undergraduate Research Program (URP) The Undergraduate Research Program (URP) at RPI was developed to promote undergraduate involvement in research Undergraduate students (usually juniors or seniors) work directly with faculty and graduate students Types of URP Positions: Experience only; Credit (1-4 credits); Stipend For stipend, research advisor provides funding and RPI provides matching funds Procedure: Identify research project with faculty member and apply through department
Study Abroad: International Programs for Engineering Rensselaer Engineering Education Across Cultural Horizons (REACH) Technical University of Denmark (DTU) Nanyang Technical University (NTU), Singapore Hong Kong Univ. of Sci. and Tech. (HKUSt) Others Global Engineering Education Exchange Program (85 institutions in 21 countries) Individual educational opportunities at multiple universities worldwide Information Sessions (Student Union) Tuesday, Sept. 3 @ 7 PM - Rm 3510 Wed., Sept. 4 @ 12:15 PM - Rm 3202 Thurs., Sept. 12 @12:15 PM - Rm 3502
Dual Majors, Minors, Graduate School Some Possible Dual Majors Engineering with Math or Science Engineering with HASS or Management Minors Many possibilities Management Economics Communications Math Physics Chemistry Double Majors Usually makes more sense to get a bachelors and masters degree. Professional Master s Programs B.S. M.S. in Management B.S. M.E. in Engineering Graduate School M.S. in Engineering Ph.D. in Engineering Co-Terminal Degrees Bachelors/masters degrees earned at same time (end of fifth year). Eligibility for need-based financial aid is automatically extended to fifth year.
Joint Programs with School of Management Joint BS in Engineering with MBA Curriculum Joint BS in Engineering Science and BS in Management Joint BS in Engineering with minor in Finance, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship Other Management minors possible for student pursuing BS in Engineering
Engineering Curriculum Math & Science Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences Core Engineering Courses Discipline Core Courses Years 1 and 2 Years 3 and 4 Discipline Electives Free Electives
Typical First Semester Courses for CIVL Students (and many other Engineering majors) CHEM-1100: Chemistry I 4 credits Prerequisite for ENGR-1600 (Materials Science) which many civil engineering students take in second semester ENGR-1100: Intro. to Engineering Analysis (IEA) 4 credits Civil students: Take first semester if possible MATH-1010: Calculus I 4 credits MUST take or receive credit first semester 4 x 4 = 16 credits XXXX-XXXX: HASS Elective 4 credits Possible Additional Course (1 credit) Do NOT need to take first semester. CIVL-1200: Engineering Graphics for Civil Engineers (can replace with ENGR-1200: Engineering Graphics and CAD) - Prerequisite for ENGR-2050: Intro to Engineering Design (IED) which is typically taken in first semester of sophomore year.
Typical Second Semester Courses for CIVL Students (and many other Engineering majors) Science Elective Civil students: ENGR-1600: Materials Science 4 credits or CSCI-1100: Computer Science I 4 credits PHYS-1100: Physics I 4 credits (or PHYS-1150: Honors Physics) MATH-1020: Calculus II 4 credits MUST take or receive credit second semester 4 x 4 = 16 credits XXXX-XXXX: HASS Elective 4 credits Possible Additional Course (1 credit) Do NOT need to take second semester. CIVL-1100: Introduction to Civil and Environmental Engineering (can replace with ENGR-1300: Engineering Processes)
Not Sure about CEE? CIVL-1100: Intro. to Civil and Environmental Engineering Typically taken by undecided freshman Open to decided freshman and others Must take either CIVL-1100 or ENGR-1300 Spring semester only 1 credit
Communications Intensive Requirement One course from HASS (Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences) requirements Approved courses are listed on SIS One course from the major In engineering, the capstone design course satisfies this requirement. For CIVL students, this course is: CIVL 4920 Civil Engineering Capstone Design
Students taking both CHEM-1100 and ENGR-1100 Exam times for CHEM-1100 and ENGR-1100 are the same: Wed. 8:00-9:50 a.m. (110 min. total) Each of these courses uses the full 110 min. time slot for their exams. To avoid time conflicts, the coordinators of these two multi-section courses work together to ensure that the exams are given on different Wednesdays. The exam time is shown in the class hour schedule under CHEM-1100 as 8:00 8:50 a.m. and under ENGR-1100 as 9:00 9:50 a.m. This is done to avoid a schedule conflict which would prevent students from registering for both courses.
Challenges for Incoming Students Competing with High Quality Students Highly competitive environment (average is now above average!) Students formerly at top of their high school class may find themselves below the top for the first time May be uncomfortable or unfamiliar with asking for help Study habits for high school may be inadequate Managing Time Many demands on your time Need to prioritize activities Recommendation: Keep a well-organized calendar Handling Independence Must have self-discipline to succeed Must set priorities (do not over commit to extracurricular activities) Peer pressure (be your own person) Stay healthy (eat well, exercise, get enough sleep)
What happens if I am doing poorly in a course? Students may be notified by ALAC s Early Warning System (EWS) that they are doing poorly. Advisors, ALAC, and OFYE will also receive the notice. It is the student s responsibility to seek help. The student should contact their professor to discuss how to improve their performance in the course, academic advisor to create an action plan, ALAC for time management and tutoring, OFYE for general counseling, or the Counseling Center for anxiety, stress, and depression.
Many Resources Available for Academic Assistance Course Instructor Teaching Assistant (TA) Advising and Learning Assistance Center (ALAC) 4200 Academy Hall; http://alac.rpi.edu Free individual/group tutoring (see website for schedule; Starts this week!!) Individual learning consultation (test taking skills, time management, etc.) Early Warning System (EWS) Supplemental Instruction (grad student reviews lectures, homework, etc.; Available for many courses including IEA, Calculus, Intro to Differential Equations, Chemistry, Physics); Starts this week!! Residential Learning Assistant (LA) Student in freshman residence hall serving as in-house tutor Academic Advisor
Recommendations for Succeeding in Courses Attend every class Participate in class (e.g., ask questions) Read textbook Start homework early and ask questions Utilize instructor and TA office hours Avoid cramming for exams (course is marathon, not sprint) Collaborate with peers Don t fall behind Seek help as needed (many resources available but you must initiate)
General Recommendations Develop Plan of Study for entire academic career (courses, co-op, URP, study-abroad, graduate school, etc.) Follow curriculum defined for your major in the 2013-2014 RPI Catalog (available online). Your graduation requirements are defined by this curriculum! Monitor progress toward meeting degree requirements via Curriculum, Advising, and Program Planning (CAPP) Report (available online)
Get to Know Your Academic Advisor and the Faculty Many students have same academic advisor throughout their college tenure Advisor can provide reference letters (don t hesitate to ask since expected) Ask faculty questions both inside and outside of class Recognize demands on faculty and thus give faculty a reasonable amount of time to respond to your needs. Students may not be aware of the extent of faculty responsibilities which include: Teaching courses (includes office hours) Academic advising of undergrad and grad students Developing education and research proposals Supervising graduate and undergraduate research Writing papers for publication Attending conferences to present research Maintaining teaching and research laboratories Serving on committees (departmental, school, RPI, and professional societies)
General Resources Office of the First-Year Experience (OFYE) 4100 Academy Hall (Tuesdays Tool Box Series: Workshops on stress management, maintaining healthy lifestyle, academic success; Student Counseling and Mentoring; Early Warning System) Dean of Students Office (Student Counseling and Mentoring, Disabled Student Services, International Student Office, Office of Minority Student and Affairs) Career Development Center (CDC) 210 DCC (Career Counseling and Mentoring, Resume Development, Career Fairs, Coops/Internships) Counseling Center (3 rd Floor of Academy Hall) (Stress reduction, Test Anxiety, Homesickness, Depression, Personal and Family issues) Health Center (3 rd Floor of Academy Hall) (Medical care, Health education) School of Engineering (Office on 3 rd Floor, JEC) Academic Department (department head, academic advisor)
School of Engineering Code of Academic Integrity & Professional Ethics
The HUB (general info./advising for 1 st & 2 nd year engineering students)
Next Steps... Add/Drop Deadlines for Fall 2013 Add DL: September 9 (within first 2 weeks of semester; max credits without approval = 21) Drop DL: October 18 (within first 8 weeks of semester; min credits for full-time status= 12) Group Advising Session #2 and Exploring Engineering and Beyond Oct. 1, 4-5 pm, Troy 2015 Oct. 1, 5-? pm, Location TBD Group Advising Session #3 Oct. 29, 4-5 pm, Troy 2015 Individual Advising Sessions (as needed) Advisor Consultation Weeks (Oct. 21 Nov. 1) Prior to advising session: Review Curriculum Advising and Program Planning (CAPP) Report (access on Student Information System; http://sis.rpi.edu) Review 2013-2014 RPI catalog (requirements for major, course descriptions, etc.) Registration for Spring 2014 Courses Nov. 4 18
Exploring Engineering at Rensselaer and Beyond: A Program for First Year Engineers In cooperation with Advising Learning and Assistance Center (ALAC) and the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) When: October 1, 2013 (5 pm) Immediately after our next Meet your Advisor meeting What: Short presentations by faculty and industrial representatives on engineering challenge themes and description of how and where each discipline fits into these challenges. The main grand challenge themes being presented at this event will be: Human Health Renewable energy Nanotechnology Cyber security Sustainable development and infrastructure
Items Available for Download This presentation Four-Year timeline Resources: Where to Go for Answers Tips from ALAC www.rpi.edu/~symans/advising
Questions? Professor Michael D. Symans 4044 JEC 276-6938 symans@rpi.edu