This class is a freshmen seminar course meant to help students with their adjustment to college. The College of Science supports all of the schools teaching their own version. Some of the advantages are that the majors get to know each other, since all their other first year courses are very large. Also, by bringing in alum and faculty the new students feel more connected to the department which adds to the retention.
In this class, I have them use the computer to access the Tech library and search for journal articles. There are several writing assignments, including a summary of that article they found at the library, a "why I chose EAS" paper, a resume, and the experience with a campus activity. There are in-class group projects, and a large group project that is presented at the end of the term. There it is an oral presentation. I hope these exercises will help them in their later classes.
| Date | Topic | Assignment for out of class |
|---|---|---|
| 18-Aug | Intro, give out calendar, class attendance, set up on computers | 1-2 page paper on why you chose EAS and what you hope to do after graduating due next class. |
| 25-Aug | Library - computer cluster - learning how to use the library including research journals | check out a book and copy an article - bring to next class; read article and write a summary - due next class |
| 08-Sep | School Chair; Nate Watson (Truman fellowship) | Attend a Tech Activity/Club and write it up - due the last day of class |
| 15-Sep | Scott Lawrimore, The Weather Channel | rewrite summary - due next class |
| 22-Sep | presentation discussion - have them call out general interests. Group into 3 main topics and let them choose group. | progress report due end of class Oct 20 |
| 29-Sep | Resume, letters of reference, preparing for the next step | prepare a resume, due next class |
| 06-Oct | panel of undergraduates who did summer research | |
| 20-Oct | Presentation discussion | Rewrite resume, due next class |
| 27-Oct | meeting with senior UG students to discuss courses before registration | |
| 03-Nov | climate faculty | |
| 10-Nov | air quality faculty | |
| 17-Nov | ocean & geophys faculty | |
| 24-Nov | more faculty presentations | |
| 01-Dec | Presentations, evaluations | presentations and writing exercise |