BIO/EVS 395 Junior Seminar

Dale Easley
Goldthorp 204
589-3639
deasley@dbq.edu

Syllabus
Spring, 2014

This seminar is intended to prepare junior science majors for graduation, focusing upon preparation for careers and academic advanced degrees. Topics will include preparing for standardized tests and entrance exams, interview skills, networking, and resume building. In order to achieve these objectives, the course will have multiple guest speakers and several assignments. The assignments will include preparing a resume, conducting a job search, writing a cover letter, and participating in a mock interview. In addition, there will be short writing assignments. All assignments will be discussed in class and submitted through the course's Moodle page.

In order to do well in this course, you will need to do the following things:

• Attend class. We will have many guest speakers, and there will be no other opportunity to hear them. Missing class more than once with an unexcused absence will result in a lowering of your final grade by one letter grade.
• Do assignments on time. Any problems with turning things in should be discussed before the assignment is due. Except in rare cases, I will not accept late assignments, and if I do, they will be penalized at least 10% per day.
• Use the websites. We have a Moodle page for the course, and it is linked to my website.
• Come see me if you need help. I have office hours on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 1:30-3:00pm, Goldthorpe 104. If the office hours do not fit your schedule, call for an appointment, 589-3639, drop by to schedule a time or email me at deasley@dbq.edu.
• Be enthusiastic. I hope you'll enjoy this course. Science is a great topic, and there's plenty to learn.

Course Administrative Information

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this semester you should be able to do the following:

• Identify three or more career or advanced study alternatives within the sciences, assessed through submitted documents, plus determine approaching deadlines for application,
• Prepare a resume and cover letter meeting professional standards, assessed through submitted documents, and
• Discuss intelligently with others your career future, including ethical issues you may encounter, assessed through online submissions and class discussions.

Attendance:

So that you may most efficiently achieve the learning goals of the course, your presence at all class sessions is necessary. Knowing that we all sometimes have good reasons for falling short of this expectation, I have instituted the following attendance policy: absences from class will lower your final grade after you have accumulated one unexcused absence. Please speak with me if you have any questions about what constitutes an unexcused absence.

Cheating:

Don't do it. Read carefully the section on Academic Dishonesty in the UD Student Handbook. You are responsible for adhering to the University's standards for honesty in your academic work. the Mission and Values of the University” (University of Dubuque Student Handbook, 2008-09). Please see the “Values Violations” section of the UD Student Handbook for appropriate definitions, procedures and possible sanctions related to Academic Dishonesty ( http://www.dbq.edu/studentlife/pdf/UDStudentHandbook.pdf )

Academic Support Center:

The Academic Support Center is located on the second floor of Myers Library. I urge you to make use of this service provided free of charge by the University.

Subject to Change Clause:

This syllabus, course calendar and other attending documents are subject to change during the semester.

Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Statement:

A student who has a disability that might affect his or her performance in this course should consult with the instructor and the campus ADA compliance office, in confidence, by the second class session. Confidentiality of all requests will be maintained. All requested accommodations must be approved through the Academic Success Center, 2nd floor Myers Library (589-3262).