APAA is hosting a workshop to help faculty, instructors, and assessment coordinators learn more about the requirements, process, and resources for completing their program’s annual assessment reports (due to APAA on April 15). The workshop will be held in Milam 215 on Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 2-4 p.m. Register online: http://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bP0bTMxlQr9YUnz
Author Archives: Luanne Johnson
Singing for Science
At the Feb. 18 meeting of Triad, OSU’s faculty and staff club, Jeremy Hoffman, Ph.D. student in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, will discuss his use of music in science communication. Triad meets at noon in the MU, room 215. The public is welcome to attend free of charge. An optional catered lunch is available for $13. Contact University Events by 11 a.m. on Feb. 15 for meal reservations, or anytime to secure your spot, 541-737-0724.
Scholarships for Research Papers and Projects
OSU Libraries is accepting applications for the annual Library Undergraduate Research Awards. If you’re a faculty member with students who are deserving of an award, you can supply a nominating letter. There are two $1,000 scholarships for upper division undergraduates: one for a student in the humanities and one for the social sciences, sciences or engineering. The application deadline is Feb. 14, and more info is at http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/awards/undergrad-research.
Enhance Your Teaching with Hybrid Techniques
Hands-on Center for Teaching and Learning workshop on Wed., Feb. 17, noon-1:30 p.m., Milam 215. Bring your brown bag luch and learn effective practices for hybrid teaching. Explore planning tools and techniques to enhance your course or training by integrating face-to-face and online learning activities. Please bring a laptop. All teaching, research and professional faculty and GTAs are welcome. Refreshments provided. Register now.
Science Showcase in honor of Linus Pauling’s Birthday
In honor of Linus Pauling’s birthday, we are partnering with Ava’s Café to host a mini science showcase. I’m seeking volunteers who would like to have a table at the showcase discussing their cutting edge research, or program, or whatever they’re particularly proud of with your career.
Date: Friday, February 26th
Time: 10am-12noon
Location: LPSC Lobby (outside Ava’s café)
Tables will be provided
Refreshments available
Open to the public
Is anyone interested in having a table? If so, please contact Luanne Johnson as soon as possible.
Focus on ECampus – Hector Ariceaga
Today we highlight Hector Ariceaga, a pre-med student hoping to specialize in Psychiatry. Below he shares his experience with online organic chemistry through OSU Ecampus:
Who is Hector Ariceaga?
I am a post-baccalaureate student in the pre-med program. I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and plan to attend medical school where I will specialize in Psychiatry. I am also currently employed full time at a local internal medicine clinic where I am a member of the behavioral health team. I work closely with Clinical Psychologists and Licensed Clinical Social Workers, along with M.D.s and D.O.s, in providing mental health services in a clinical setting. I decided to pursue a specific career in mental health and medicine after delving deep into my challenging and rewarding course work at OSU-Cascades. I had originally planned on a career in law. The goals for both of my hypothetical career paths were the same, to assist those in need. I saw many people in many unfortunate situations while growing up, and I knew I wanted to pursue a career that would be fulfilling to me and helpful to others. Law, and later medicine, seemed the best avenue considering my personal skills.
In my spare time I like to relax with my friends and family. I enjoy eating out, working with computers, studying, reading, and working in the performing arts. I have a very strong support network via my friends and family and attribute most if not all of my success to their constant reassurance.
How did you find our online courses, and how might we make that process easier in the future?
Because I am employed full time, meeting my course requirements within my restricted schedule is difficult. When I was signing up for organic chemistry, I noticed there was an online version available and pounced on the opportunity. I had taken organic chemistry before, so I felt comfortable taking the class online. I absolutely loved that the class was available in the format that it was. One thing that would have made the process easier for signing up for the class would be a synopsis of the course format. Not necessarily a syllabus, but how many proctored tests would be required (1-3?). This is very valuable information for people who are employed and will need to be requesting time off.
What were your favorite and least favorite elements of CH 331 online?
I loved the filmed lectures. They were posted promptly and I felt as though I could participate in the class from the comfort of my living room. In addition, the extra study material (guides, tips, videos, links, documents) was priceless. When I completed my required reading and homework, I was able to continue studying and further my understanding of the material. The discussion boards were excellent as well. I was able to ask several clarifying questions and receive answers right away. I don’t have anything negative to say about this online course. I have taken several online courses before and this was by far one of the most organized, well structured, and supportive.*
What is your best advice for other online students?
To take an online class, especially with difficult material like organic chemistry, you must have self-discipline. You can’t expect to be successful by watching the lecture videos alone. Furthermore, you can’t wait until the last minute and binge watch them all the night before. If anything, an online course requires greater diligence and more work on your part to stay on task, focused, and asking questions, because you are the only one keeping yourself accountable.* It helps to create a balance of paperwork and computer work as well. Printing some study guides, handwriting note cards, and taking notes during lecture or while reading are great ways to solidify the material. Unfortunately, computer-based learning can make us complacent when it comes to studying. Watching a lecture video or doing online homework can fool us into thinking we fully understand the material. It is important to remember that a true test of understanding will come from the ability to recall the information, and the relationships between the information, without prompting or assistance. As such, it is great to set weekly goals based on course objectives. For example, if week 1 focuses on a particular mechanism: challenge yourself to be able to draw from scratch the mechanism; name the number of steps, draw the intermediates, and describe the substrate and products; then ask yourself some questions, such as: if I change X, what will happen to Y, and why?
Finally, I would like to remind my fellow students that whether it is an on-campus or online class, give it everything you have. Be sure to give yourself enough time and resources to succeed. When you perform well you will be glad you did. Remember, the only thing that stings worse than a bad grade is knowing that you could have done better.
Thank you Hector for sharing your story with us!
*My emphasis
OSURA Scholarship Deadline Approaching
The OSURA Student Scholarship deadline is quickly approaching, March 1 by 4:30 p.m. To date, we have not received any applications for this scholarship. Would you mind helping me spread the word? Attached is the information regarding the scholarship or they can find this information online: oregonstate.edu/osura/osura-scholarship
The Oregon State University Retirement Association (OSURA), composed of retired OSU faculty and staff, is offering scholarship support to OSU undergraduate students majoring in a subject that contributes to a career promoting healthy aging.
Currently enrolled undergraduate students who have completed at least one academic year at OSU with a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher, and have a minimum of one year of study yet to be completed towards their first bachelor’s (B.S./B.A.) degree are encouraged to apply.
Scholarship awards between $750 and $1,500 per student will be announced at the May 2016 OSURA Annual Meeting.
Sincerely,
Tony Van Vliet
Emeritus Professor of Wood Science and Technology
OSURA Scholarship Committee Chair
NSF REU Site for Interdisciplinary Materials Research at SIUC
We are pleased to announce that the NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program in Interdisciplinary Materials Research at Southern Illinois University is currently accepting applications for the Summer of 2015 (its 11th summer, completing 10 years of operation this Spring).
We seek your assistance in alerting undergraduate students to our REU Program. First, we ask that this notice (and attached flyer) be forwarded to Departments of Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering on your campus for posting. Also, please feel free to alert affiliated student organizations and fellow faculty members who may have students interested in this program, and/or distribute the attached flyer in other ways according to your discretion.
Our program is particularly interested in attracting candidates (preferably in their first, second, or third years of college) from groups traditionally under-represented in Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering; as always, all applications are welcome. Application forms and details about the program are available on-line at: http://www.chem.siu.edu/undergraduate/research-opportunities/reu/index.php. Review of applications will commence after February 26, 2016.
Our program will begin May 31, 2016 and will commence for 9 weeks. Participating students will work with mentors from the Departments of Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, or Microbiology to perform materials research (broadly defined)—with emphases in nanoscience/nanotechnology, energy research, smart materials, biomaterials, materials characterization, computational modeling, friction/tribology, and materials fabrication among other subjects. In this program, students will work on independent research projects and receive hands-on training in the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation and methods.
Student benefits include a stipend of approximately $4500, $1,000 research expenditure allowance, free college housing, and a travel allowance to facilitate transportation from the student’s home institution or to conferences (up to $750).
If you or anyone else has questions about our REU Program, please feel free to contact us at your convenience. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Celebrate Your Colleague’s Birthdays… with CAKE
In compliance with the Chemistry Advisory Board, and to help build camaraderie within the department, we are holding a birthday celebration to celebrate your colleagues born in January, February or March.
Friday, February 19th at 2pm in Gilbert 156. Come join us for cake!
Blood Drive
“Each and every day, the Red Cross must collect enough blood to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer patients, surgical candidates, children with blood disorders and others. You can help ensure blood is available when it’s needed and help save lives by donating blood during week six with the American Red Cross and Blood Drive Association at Oregon State University! Join us as we celebrate our 300th blood drive at OSU for a total of over 65,000 units collected since this partnership began! Hope begins with you!
Mon., Feb. 8th-Thurs., Feb. 11th in the OSU Memorial Union Ballroom
Fri., Feb. 12th at the First United Methodist Church
Go online to http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation-sponsor and enter sponsor code “OSU,” or call 1-800-733-2767 to schedule your donation. There are also many opportunities available to volunteer each day. Sign up to volunteer at http://vols.pt/q38CDN.
Thank you for your support of the Blood Drive Association and go Beavs!”