College of Science Advising Handbook

58 Pages·2015·14.93 MB·English

2015-2016
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
— ADVISING HANDBOOK —
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE ADVISING HANDBOOK
www.unr.edu/science/advising

Welcome to the College of Science! You have chosen to join a dynamic
community of scholars and we look forward to guiding you on your academic
journey to earn your undergraduate degree.

This Advising Handbook provides important information and gives an overview
about the College of Science, available University resources for success, academic
advising, and enrollment related information essential to your successful
transition as a University student and to your academic success.

Our job is educate and advise you on your academic requirements for graduation
and on opportunities to get involved in order to enhance your University
experience.

It is imperative that as a College of Science student, you learn and understand the
contents of this handbook. Your academic advisor is available to clarify
information or to answer any questions you have.

As a University student, it is your responsibility to utilize MyNevada to get critical
information and to make any enrollment related transactions.

Congratulations again on starting your academic career with the College of
Science and Go Pack!

Christina Cho, M.A.
Director of Advising, Recruitment & Retention
College of Science Dean’s Office
University of Nevada, Reno
411 Davidson Mathematics & Science Center
[email protected]
2015-2016 Advising Handbook Table of Contents

College of Science Overview
College of Science Overview…………………………………………………………………………...…..………..1
College of Science Leadership and Getting Involved in the College of Science………………..2
Awards & Distinctions……………………………………………………………………………………………………3

Information for Success
Secrets to Academic Success………………………………………………………………………………………….4
2015-2016 Academic Calendar………………………………………………………………………..….…………6
Communication Etiquette Guidelines…………………………………………………………………………….8
Campus Success Resources……………………………………………………………………………...……………10

Academic Advising
Academic Advisor Contact Information………………………………………………………………………….11
Other College/School/Program Advising Contacts………………………………………………………….12
Advising Syllabus……………………………………………………………………………………………………….....13
AP Score Guide……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….16
IB Score Guide………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..17
SCI 110 & SCI 310 Information…………………………………………………………………………………….….18
Professional School Advising Services…………………………………………………………………………….19
Pre-Health Preparation Checklist……………………………………………………………………………………20
Suggested Electives for Health Care Profession……………………………………………………………….21
Courses that address MCAT 2015 and the Medical School Interview……………………………….22

Core Curriculum & Placement Information
Core Curriculum………………………………………………………………………………………………………………23
English and Math Placement Information………………………………………………………………………..24
Math Flow Chart for Core Curriculum………………………………………………………………………………26
Natural Sciences………………………………………………………………………………………………………………27
Social Sciences…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………28
Fine Arts and Core Humanities…………………………………………………………………………………………29
Diversity and Capstone Courses……………………………………………………………………………………….30
MyNevada Help……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….31

Mission Critical Information
University Terminology…………………………………………………………………………………………………..32
GPA & Grade Replacement Policy…….………………………………………………………………….….………34
Academic Probation & Dismissal……………………………………………………………………………..….....35
Academic Standards………………………………………………………………………………………………………..36
Student Code of Conduct………………………………………………….….………………………………………….37
FAQs (University & Student Life).……………………………………..…………………….…….…………………38
FAQs (Academic Advising)………..……………………………………..…………………….…….………………….39
FAQs (Financial Aid & Scholarships, Career/Graduate School Planning, & Graduation)…....40
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Financial Aid……………………….…………………….……..41
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Scholarships………………………………………….……......48
1
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE OVERVIEW

8 ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS & 14 MAJORS
o BIOLOGY
 BIOLOGY
 NEUROSCIENCE INTERDISCIPLINARY WITH PSYCHOLOGY (LIBERAL ARTS)
 MINOR
 BIOLOGY
o CHEMISTRY
 ENVIRONMENTAL OPTION
 GENERAL OPTION
 PRE-MEDICAL OPTION
 PROFESSIONAL OPTION
 MINORS
 ANALYTICAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
 BIOPHYSICS ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
o MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS (BS & BA)
 APPLIED OPTION
 DISCRETE/OPERATIONS RESEARCH
 GENERAL OPTION
 STATISTICS OPTION
 MINORS
 MATHEMATICS
 STATISTICS
o MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY (PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE)
 MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY (MMI)
 MINOR
 MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY (MMI)
o PHYSICS
 ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES
 PHYSICS
 MINORS:
 ASTRONOMY
 ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES
 PHYSICS
o *GEOGRAPHY (BS & BA) *part of the Mackay School of Earth
 MINOR - GEOGRAPHY Sciences & Engineering (MSESE)
o *GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES & ENGINEERING
 GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
 GEOLOGY
 GEOPHYSICS
 HYDROGEOLOGY
 MINORS:
 GEOLOGY
 GEOPHYSICS
 HYDROGEOLOGY
o *MINING & METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING
 METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING
 MINING ENGINEERING
 MINORS:
 METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING
 MINING ENGINEERING
2
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE LEADERSHIP

Dean – Jeff Thompson, PhD

Associate Deans
 Regina Tempel, PhD (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Microbiology & Immunology, & Physics)
 Katherine McCall, PhD
(Geography, Geological Sciences & Engineering, & Mining & Metallurgical Engineering)

Director of the Mackay School of Earth Sciences & Engineering (MSESE) – Russ Fields

Director of Advising, Recruitment & Retention – Christina Cho, M.A.

Department Chair - ____________________________________________
 USE THE UNIVERSITY ON-LINE DIRECTORY AT WWW.UNR.EDU

GET INVOLVED IN THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
*Send an e mail to [email protected] to express your interest to participate or to get more information*

Ambassador (~2 hours/week)
If you enjoy meeting prospective new students and talking about your college experience with others,
become a College of Science ambassador! Prospective students LOVE the opportunity to speak to our
current students about their experiences and about our academic programs. There are a variety of
opportunities to participate through the University’s NV Bound events, the College of Science’s Fall
Recruitment Receptions, Best & Brightest NV Bound closing reception, and other events.

Peer Advisor (3 hours/week during peak advising)
Do you enjoy helping others, knowing information, and answering questions? As a Peer Advisor, assist
your fellow College of Science students to understand how to use MyNevada, the on-line General
Catalog for requirements, and refer them to appropriate campus resources for success Summer
Orientation during weekly office hours during the peak advising times of the semester.

Summer Orientation Leader (3-6 hours/week)
If you are going to be in Reno during the summer and are interested in welcoming and orienting our
new freshmen, apply to be a Summer Orientation Leader. Summer Orientation Leaders assist with
setting up for each session, facilitating session activities, and answering questions about MyNevada,
and teaching our new freshmen how to use it.

ScienceFIT Pack Mentor (~60 hours for the 5 day bootcamp program)
Do you want to mentor, tutor, and share advice for a successful transition to college with our new
freshmen during the 5 day ScienceFIT academic bootcamp program? Pack Mentors play a critical role
in participants’ experiences at ScienceFIT, which takes place the week prior to the start of the Fall
semester.
3
AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS
Dean’s Dinner – Current College of Science students are invited to participate in a casual dinner
hosted by Dean Jeff Thompson and his wife Michele at their home. Dean Thompson and his wife enjoy
getting to know our students and hearing about their experiences in our College and at the University.

Dean’s List
 Declared major in the College of Science
 Earn a 3.75 semester GPA
 Completion of a minimum of 12 graded credits

Westfall Scholar
Named after Dr. David Westfall, the founding dean of the College of Science, this award is given to the
student graduating with the highest GPA for the Spring and Fall terms from each College of Science
academic department; there is a minimum GPA requirement.

Durham Prize
Stephen Durham is the former Corporate Senior Vice President for Charles River Laboratories, who has
earned a D.V.M degree from Texas A&M University and a PhD from Cornell University. He established
this prize to honor and recognize one of our top graduates from the Spring term for their
accomplishments.

Scholarships
Academic Department – check the department’s webpage for information & supplemental application
materials

USAC - http://usac.unr.edu/money-matters/scholarships-and-discounts
4
Secrets to Academic Success
YOU ARE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR LEARNING EFFECTIVE WAYS TO STUDY FOR SUCCESS
You are the adult decision maker for your college You are now responsible for your own learning.
academic career. Your faculty instructors are a resource, Your instructors cannot do the learning for you because
who will provide information. they already know the material.
 Be prepared - You should have reviewed the
It is your responsibility to learn the course material textbook/materials prior to class because class
and be able to apply it in different situations. So if you lecture time is not the time to learn new
find that you have an instructor whose lecture style is information.
not a good fit with your preferred learning style, you are  Be engaged – Take notes during class and ask
responsible for finding alternate methods to understand questions; handwritten notes have been found
and learn the material. to be more effective than typing on a
laptop/tablet.
Form study groups; use on-line resources, such as video  Be organized – Use a planner or calendar to
lectures on YouTube or Khan Academy to supplement schedule your study time and social time. Time
learning the material; get to know the instructor by management is CRITICAL to being successful in
visiting them during office hours or scheduling an college, both in and out of the classroom.
appointment.  Form a study a pair/group – Whoever said two
heads are better than one had it right. If you
CAREFULLY REVIEW THE COURSE SYLLABUS don’t understand a problem or topic, one of
The course syllabus is a contract between you and the your study buddies may be able to better
instructor - you need to be aware of and understand explain it to you.
the expectations to be successful in the course.  Utilize campus resources – more information
under How Do I Get Help on the reverse side.
 If you do not understand a problem or concept,
AMOUNT OF TIME REQUIRED FOR STUDYING
utilize your instructor’s office hours or schedule
Do not expect college to be anything like high
an appointment.
school, it is not 13th grade. A college course covers
 Regular exercise and quality sleep are
more material in a semester (15 weeks) than a high
paramount to your success.
school course does during an entire year!

PREPARING FOR EXAMS
In addition to attending class, expect to spend 30-40
Preparing for exams begins with regularly attending
hours a week studying (i.e. reviewing notes, reading
each class session prepared.
assigned texts, working on assignments, etc.)
 Arrive to your class having already read the

designated chapter(s) - you are more engaged
The average college student will be in class 15-20
when the material is familiar
hours per week. So for every hour you are in class,
 Review lecture notes, previous homework
expect to spend a minimum of 2 hours outside of assignments, etc.
class time to stay on top of the material you are  Cramming never works…avoid it all together.
learning.  Get a good night’s sleep every night!
5
Secrets to Academic Success
WRITING PAPERS/REPORTS GRADUATING ON TIME
 Review syllabus and notes to identify the  Enroll in the recommended first semester math
purpose of the paper/report course for your major
 Don’t procrastinate, start early to ensure you o Accuplacer math placement test
have enough time to turn in a quality product o Complete a math course during
 Build a framework/outline and write down your summer school before your first
ideas semester
 Add details to your framework  Check with your academic and faculty advisors
 Confirm your paper stays on topic and use your “Planner” in MyNEVADA to plan
 Don’t be afraid to revise - several drafts are out future courses for each term
essential to a polished final product  Make sure your know how to read your
 Remember - building your writing skills are “Academic Requirements” Report in
essential to your future success MyNEVADA because that is what is used to
 Utilize the Writing Center, certify that you are ready to graduate.
http://www.unr.edu/writing-center o If there is an error or inaccuracy in the
report, talk to your advisor before you
SEEK HELP & USE AVAILABLE RESOURCES apply to graduate.
Use campus resources EARLY ON and OFTEN to ensure
your academic success. Do not wait until the issue ADDITIONAL TIPS
becomes a problem or is debilitating - ask for help and
use campus resources.

If you find that you are having an issue academically or
personally, there are many resources on campus
available. Below are some examples of campus
resources:
 College of Science Academic Advisor
www.unr.edu/science/advising
 Tutoring Center
http://www.unr.edu/tutoring-center
 Math Center
http://www.unr.edu/math-center
 Chemistry Help Center
http://www.unr.edu/math-center
 Writing Center
http://www.unr.edu/writing-center
 Counseling Services
http://www.unr.edu/counseling
 Student Health Center
http://www.unr.edu/shc/
 Instructors, TA’s, Classmates
6
2015-2016 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
http://catalog.unr.edu – click on “Academic Calendar” located on right hand navigation

Fall 2015
August
14 Friday  Students receiving financial aid may not drop below the threshold for which they were funded
without changing financial aid funding level. For example, if a student was full time, the student
will not be able to drop below 12 credits without clearance from Financial Aid. This remains in
effect until Friday, Sept. 6th. Students may use the “SWAP” function to make schedule changes.
Students may add additional credits beyond the 12. Students may work with Financial Aid directly
to adjust financial aid funding level if dropping below the level for which they were funded.
 Financial Aid begins disbursement to student accounts and will pay off all obligations to the
university reflected at that time.
17 Monday  Fall Semester faculty reporting date.
19 Wednesday  Financial Aid will check student enrollment for those students receiving a financial aid refund to
verify enrollment status and correct residual check amounts.
 Student Financials begins refund distribution to students.
20 Thursday  Residence halls open for freshmen
21 Friday  Fall Semester fees due (last day to pay without late fee assessment).
 First payment due for those students on payment plan
 Last day for initial registration. Students who are not enrolled as of August 22nd are not
permitted to register.
 Opening Ceremony
 Residence halls open for upper classmen
22 Saturday  Late fees assessed
24 Monday  FIRST DAY OF CLASSES
28 Friday  Final day to add classes without permission from instructor.
31 Monday  Current students (those with enrollment as of August 21st) may add or swap classes with
permission of instructor. Students who were not enrolled as of August 21st are not permitted to
register. Students receiving financial aid may not withdraw from the university without clearance
from the Financial Aid Office. Students requesting a full term withdrawal must sign an agreement
indicating they must pay any outstanding financial obligations.

September
2 Wednesday  Final day to add or swap classes with instructor approval
 Final day to receive 100% refund if dropping individual classes or completely withdrawing from
the university.
 No refunds after this date unless completely withdrawing from the university
 Final day to change a course from letter grade to S/U or S/U to letter grade or audit to credit
 Final day for approval of residency appeals
3 Thursday  No refunds for dropping individual classes
 Enrollment cancelled for non-payment
 Enrollment Preliminary Census file run Friday 5:00 p.m.
4 Friday  Minimum enrollment set at one credit for all financial aid recipients
 Financial aid students withdrawing from the university must clear Financial Aid
 Students re-instated (enrollment cancelled due to non-payment) to classes must pay all tuition
and fees or have cleared Financial Aid before being re-enrolled
7 Monday  Labor Day (no classes; campus closed).
21 Monday  Second fee payment due for those on payment plan

October
1 Thursday  Deadline for December graduation applications.
2 Friday  Final day to request a 50% refund if completely withdrawing from the university.
21 Wednesday  Final fee payment due. Students administratively withdrawn from classes if two-thirds of total
owed is not paid.
28 Wednesday  Final day to drop classes.
30 Friday  Nevada Day (no classes; campus closed)
November
11 Wednesday  Veterans Day (no classes; campus closed)
26 Thursday  Thanksgiving Day (no classes; campus closed)
27 Friday  Family Day (no classes; campus closed)
7

December
5 Saturday  COMMENCEMENT
9 Wednesday  Prep Day (no classes; campus open)
10 Thursday  Final class meeting week begins
16 Wednesday  INSTRUCTION ENDS
21 Monday  Final grades filed posted in MyNEVADA by 5 pm
 Fall semester ends-last day faculty are on campus for fall semester
25 Friday  Christmas (campus closed)

Spring 2016
January
11 Monday  Spring semester faculty reporting date
15 Friday  Spring semester fees due; final day to pay without incurring late payment fees
 First payment due for those students on a payment plan
 Last day for initial registration
16 Saturday  Late fees assessed
17 Sunday  Residence halls open
18 Monday  Martin Luther King Day (no classes; campus closed)
19 Tuesday  FIRST DAY OF CLASSES
25 Monday  Final day to add classes without permission from instructor.
26 Tuesday  Current students may add or swap classes with the permission of the instructor.
28 Thursday  Final day to receive 100% refund if dropping individual classes or completely withdrawing
 No refunds after this date unless completely withdrawing from the university
 Final day to add or swap classes with instructor permission
 Final day to change a course from letter grade to S/U or S/U to letter grade or audit to credit
29 Friday  No refunds for the dropping of individual classes

February
1 Monday  Priority deadline for WUE consideration for Fall 2016 semester.
 Priority deadline for scholarship consideration for Fall 2016.
15 Monday  President’s Day (no classes; campus closed)
 Second fee payment due for those on payment plan
26 Friday  Final day to request a 50% refund if completely withdrawing from the university.

March
1 Tuesday  Deadline for May graduation applications
15 Tuesday  Final fee payment due. Students administratively withdrawn from classes if two-thirds of total
owed is not paid.
19-27  Spring Break (no classes; campus open)
29 Tuesday  Final day to drop classes and receive a “W”
 Final day to change from credit to audit
 No dropping of individual class after this date

April

May
4 Wednesday  Prep Day (no classes; campus open)
5 Thursday  Final class meeting week begins
11 Wednesday  INSTRUCTION ENDS
13 Friday  UNDERGRADUATE COMMENCEMENT (see www.unr.edu/commencement)
14 Saturday  UNDERGRADUATE COMMENCEMENT (see www.unr.edu/commencement)
16 Monday  Final grade posted in MyNEVADA by 5 pm