The time has come

Hi Terps!

Sorry it's been so long since I blogged here. It's been a crazy summer and we have a lot going on! I wanted to let you know about a couple of great UNIV100 sections that are available to new students. Typically, freshmen students take these courses, but transfers are allowed to take them as well. They are great ways to get to know other people and to learn a lot about the university and how to be successful in college.

1. LGBTQA Sections (The One Project): The One Project is for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Ally students at the University of Maryland. The sections help support the LGBTQA students with their transition to the university and explores topics related to the LGBTQA community. You do NOT need to be LGBTQA to be register for this class, just be willing to learn.

For more information, please visit www.theoneprojectumd.com.
To register, please send an email to theoneproject@umd.edu with your name and UID or email the attached interest form.

2. First Generation College Student Section: Are you the first person in your family to go to college? Consider signing up for the UNIV100 section specially designed to support the transition of First-Generation college students into the University of Maryland.

To register, log-in to www.testudo.umd.edu and register for UNIV100, Section 0806.

Sign up today!!!

Top Officials Cite Importance of Planned UM Physical Sciences Complex

Top Officials Cite Importance of Planned UM Physical Sciences Complex

	Artist's Rendering

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Federal, state and university officials came together Monday to ceremonially break ground for the University of Maryland's new state-of-the-art Physical Sciences Complex.

	University of Maryland President C.D. Mote, Jr. speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony. Listen to the Groundbreaking Ceremony (mp3)

Speakers at the event -- including Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, National Institute of Standards and Technology Director Patrick Gallagher, and University of Maryland President C.D. Mote, Jr. -- lauded the economic, scientific and innovation benefits that creation of the new world-class science facility will bring to the state and the nation.

In his remarks Governor O'Malley called the $128-million project "the number-one capital priority of the O'Malley-Brown administration." The State's $115.7 million contribution to the Physical Sciences Complex, he said, reflects the belief that "the discoveries, technologies and innovations that are being advanced every day in laboratories, universities and companies throughout our state hold the promise and potential to remake our economy - and in the broader sense, our world - by unlocking the solution to how we can better feed, fuel, protect and heal our planet.

"This complex will rank among the best of its kind anywhere in the world," O'Malley said, "fitting for one of the leading institutions of learning and discovery anywhere in the world. It will be ... supporting construction jobs while it is being built and fueling our economy when it's completed."

	Congressman Hoyer (right) speaks with Governor O'Malley (left) during groundbreaking ceremony.

Some $10.3 million for the project comes from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The money goes to build, as part of the complex, an advanced quantum science laboratory that Maryland officials say will be unsurpassed by any such lab in the world.

Noting that the recovery act contained "the biggest investment in basic research of any bill I have voted on in 30 years in the House of Representatives," Congressman Hoyer said of the $10.3 million NIST grant: "There is probably no investment that any of us could make - period -- that would be a better investment than the taxpayers have made in this facility. It is a great example, not only of the partnership as I said, between the university and the state, but also the federal government as well. From my perspective this is a prime example of your federal dollars at work."

Construction on the complex is scheduled to begin in June, with completion of Phase 1 in 2013. The complex will house the university's physics and astronomy departments, as well as the interdisciplinary Institute for Physical Sciences and Technology and the Joint Quantum Institute (JQI), a research partnership of the University of Maryland and NIST.

The timing is auspicious, said University of Maryland President Mote, because "we are entering a new era of physical sciences research" and "this is going to be the best physical science research complex in the country, if not in the world. It will really enable the best of the best to do their work here." He noted the long history of cooperative activities between the university and NIST, calling it a "stellar partnership" that would continue to result in "highly impacting, job-creating, game-changing activities."

During the event, NIST Director Gallagher noted that his institute awarded the university the $10.3 million ARRA grant through a highly competitive process in which its proposal was one of 167 competing requests from across the nation. To receive the award, he said, "you really had to have earned it. So my congratulations to everyone who worked on the proposal. It was the best of the best, and that's why we're here today."

The Physical Sciences Complex, which at its highest point will stand five stories above ground and extend two floors underground, will contain 158,068 square feet of space. The building's functional and imaginative design will be highlighted by a multi-story elliptical glass cone open to the sky. Passing through the center of an elevated area of offices, the cone will provide natural lighting for the collaborative space and corridors at each level.

The complex will house 18 prep labs (9,700 sq. ft.); 27 laser and condensed matter Labs (16,400 sq. ft.); 8 biophysics labs (4,300 sq. ft.); 12 conference rooms (5,358 sq. ft.) a 5,000 square-feet plaza and a 3,000 square-feet lobby.

One the most impressive labs will be the Laboratory for Advanced Quantum Science, which will feature world-class control of vibration and electromagnetic interference, and precision environmental infrastructure for air filtration, ultra-stable temperature and humidity. The lab will equal or exceed the exacting specifications of the Advanced Measurement Laboratory complex at NIST, widely regarded as the most sophisticated facilities of their kind.

Scientists in the Joint Quantum Institute say cutting-edge research in quantum science demands such exacting specifications -- making possible future discoveries that almost certainly will contribute to our basic understanding of the universe, as well as advance future technologies in cryptography, advanced computing and the design and use of sensors of many kinds.

Steve Halperin, Dean of the university's College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, said that the Physical Sciences Complex "will be the most advanced building of its kind on an American university campus. The research that will be enabled in this facility will vault the University upwards in national and international stature in the physical sciences from its already eminent status among the top 15 universities in the country. The unique design of a building that is both very attractive and highly functional will stimulate cross-disciplinary collaboration and make it much easier to attract new faculty of the highest caliber."

Orientation Cards are being sent out!

Hey new Terps!

Sorry I've been MIA for the past couple weeks. I have been doing some traveling and conferencing before our big summer gets here.

I just wanted to let you know that our Orientation Registration Cards are being sent out as I type. You should be receiving one in the next couple of days.

When you receive this card, go online to orientation.umd.edu and follow the steps. As you click onto the "Summer Orientation" link on the bottom left, a pop-up screen will show. Click on "Transfer Overview and Registration." Click on each tab individually to complete the necessary steps.

One question we often get is, "Do I need to take the Math Placement Exam?"

The answer is yes and no.

Students in Engineering, Business and Behavioral and Social Sciences Colleges DEFINITELY need to take the Math Placement Exam BEFORE coming to Orientation.

Students who have taken a class that transfers to UM with a 2.0 GPA and an equivalency of MATH140 (Calculus) do NOT have to the exam.

HOWEVER!, we recommend that ALL students take the Math Placement Exam. This exam combines with your SAT and AP scores to give you placement into a certain math course. Taking the Math Placement Exam and doing poorly on it will not hurt you in any way. Scoring high on the exam can only help you place into higher math courses that you may need to graduate faster. So we say, JUST TAKE IT.

If you have any specific questions about your major math requirements and if you have the proper transfer credits, visit tce.umd.edu or call your college directly.

Our first orientation program is this Friday! Get excited.

What questions do you have about the Math Placement Exam or registering for Orientation?

Science colleges to study merger

It probably wouldn't be ethical to discuss my opinion on this matter. But I thought it was an interesting discussion to bring forward. It has actually been talked about for a while now, but this is the first time a committee has been formed from what I know. 

Thoughts?

Science colleges to study merger

University President Dan Mote backs combination of life and physical sciences schools

By Derby Cox

|

Monday, February 1, 2010

A committee met for the first time Friday to discuss the possibility of combining the colleges of chemical and life sciences and computer, mathematical and physical sciences, which top administrators say will increase collaboration among departments.

Provost Nariman Farvardin formed a 12-member committee with six representatives from each college to discuss the issue. The committee was charged with deciding whether the merger is a good idea and if so, how best to proceed, according to an e-mail from the provost to the deans of the colleges.

If the committee decides the merger would not be beneficial or would be too complex to implement, according to the e-mail, the idea will be dropped. After the meeting, which Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Mahlon Straszheim said was closed, committee members either could not be reached or declined to comment about what was discussed.

Proponents of the plan, including Farvardin and university President Dan Mote, say the move would increase cross-discipline interaction between the colleges.

“My sense is that as far as research interactions between the different disciplines go, this is a step that many other universities have already taken in some sense,” said committee member Rajarshi Roy, director of the Institute for Physical Science and Technology. “This is a very common structure at some universities. This will probably enhance the interaction and facilitate the collaboration between people in different disciplines over here.”

In addition, the move could make the university more attractive to potential investors and collaborators, Mote said.

“I also think that it will position us better for partnerships with federal agencies, corporations and so on that want to deal with life sciences and computer sciences and physics together as a joint program,” Mote said.

It remains unclear what the administrative structure of the new college would look like and who would serve as its dean if the merger is approved, said Norma Allewell, dean of the chemical and life sciences college. Deciding the structure is not part of the committee’s charge, biology Chairman Gerald Wilkinson said.

Allewell said there is a lot of enthusiasm for the idea but noted some faculty have expressed concerns about the plan.

“It is the case that CMPS and life sciences have evolved in quite different ways organizationally,” she said. “The two organizations and cultures will have to be melded to some extent, so that’s the kind of thing that will have to be discussed.”

Steve Halperin, dean of the computer, mathematical and physical sciences college, declined to comment.

In Wilkinson’s department, faculty members who have more experience working with the other college are generally more receptive to the merger, he said.

“I can say that my department has faculty who span every possible take on the issue, from wildly in favor to adamantly opposed and a lot of people in between,” Wilkinson said.

Because of the wide range of faculty sentiment, Mote said the committee’s recommendations will be taken seriously.

“I’m hoping that the faculty members will decide that the troubles and the difficulties of merging the two cultures will be worth doing, and they’ll decide to do it,” Mote said. “But certainly no one gets forced into these things.”

Other members of the committee from the computer, mathematical and physical sciences college are geology Chairman Michael Brown, computer science Chairman Larry Davis, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs Bonnie Dorr, Assistant Dean Dean Kitchen and astronomy Chairman Stuart Vogel.

Cell biology and molecular genetics Chairwoman Norma Andrews, chemistry and biochemistry Chairman Michael Doyle, Associate Dean Robert Infantino, biology professor William Jeffery, entomology professor Barbara Thorne and Wilkinson will serve on the committee for the chemical and life sciences college.

Last minute reminders

Hey new Terps!

Less than one week left until the first day of classes! Is it the same as when you went to your first day of classes in Kindergarden? Probably not! At that point, your parents did everything for you, but now, you have to get it all done yourself. So here are a few things you should remember before you come on Monday.

1. Make sure your schedule is as set as possible. Log onto Testudo.umd.edu to modify your schedule as necessary. However, if you find that a class is too far to get to in ten minutes, or you don't like an instructor, or the course load is not what you expected, you can change your classes until the end of the drop/add period which is the 10th day of class.

2. While you are on Testudo, take note of the classroom locations. Log onto the UMD website and view a map. Find your classes and if you get a chance, come back to campus to find your classes.

3. And while you are on your way to campus, take a few extra minutes to find those alternative routes. ESPECIALLY on the first week of classes, campus is going to be really busy. You're going to have to take some extra time to park and walk to classes.

4. Buy your books now! If you buy your books now, you can get the best copies of used books. You can find your book list on Testudo as well. You can either purchase all your books in the University Book Center or you can go to amazon.com. I suggest that if the book is $50 or less, just buy it at the bookstore, but if it is a big ticket item, check Amazon. Students last week reported savings of up to $70 on certain textbooks.

Those are the big things. A couple other things:

-Ask lots of questions about the syllabus. You want to be as clear as possible BEFORE the semester starts.
- If you are going to keep your schedule, immediately go home and put all your assignments and classes into a planner of some sort. When life gets busy, assignments are forgotten. Don't let it happen to you.
-Find out where you are going to eat on campus. Check out the older post about eating on campus.
-Find a place to study. A lot of schedules are riddled with holes where it's not enough time to go home, but too much time to head to your next class. Find a great place to sit with your readings and do some work along the way. Remember that, if you are a full-time student, you should treat your schooling like  a 40 hour work week. If you go to your classes, do your homework and study within the 9-5 schedule (or something comparable), you are less likely to have to do anything on the weekends.

Take care and good luck!!

What other tips do you have to share with your fellow terps?

i-Series Courses: The new generation of general education at Maryland

Hey Terp Transfers!

Sorry I have been missing lately. As we wrap up the end of the semester, it gets busy around here. Meetings, finishing up taking and teaching classes, etc. I hope that you all are having a great end of the semester as well! I wanted to talk about a new series of classes called the iSeries. This is a test-run of a new set of General Education requirements that the university is piloting this semester and open to all students. This will be part of what was formerly called "CORE."

Here is some information from the main website where you can find the actual course offerings. The website is here.

I think this is a great move for the education at our institution and will be a huge advantage for you as students.

Q: What does the "I" in I-Series stand for? 

A: Courses bearing ther University's signature will investigate significant issues with
imagination and intellect with a belief that they will inspire future investigation and
provide concrete mechanisms to implement innovative ideas.  Not surprisingly, the
Committee has tentatively called the courses the "I"-Series: Issues, Imagination, Intellect,
Investigation, Inspiration, and Implementation. They will challenge students to wrestle with the Big Questions and examine the ways in which diverse intellectual traditions address them, offering a students not only new intellectual domains to explore but also new ways to think about contemporary problems like the energy crisis but age old dilemmas like ecological sustainability.


Here are the course offerings. Pretty cool stuff!

Acting Human: Shakespeare and the Drama of Identity 

The Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem: Intersection of Science, Economics, and Policy

Collisions in Space: The Threat of Asteroid Impacts

Cross-Examining Climate Change

Disability: from Stigma and Sideshow to Mainstream and Main Street

Engineering in the Developing World

Engineering Issues in Medicine

Genetically-Modified Humans: Physical Performance in the Post-Genomic Era

Greening Cities: Who Wins, Who Loses, and Who Cares?

HIV/AIDS in a Global Perspective

The [In]Active City: The Physical Cultures of Metropolitan Baltimore

Information 3.0: Exploring Technological Tools

Managing Natural Disasters: Hurricanes, Floods, Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Fires

Physics for Decision Makers: The Global Energy Crisis

Playing the Market: Managing Risk and Using Technical Analysis

The Power of Musical Performance in Social Engagement

Race, Genomics, and Human Evolutionary History

Recognizing Homophobia in the New Millennium

Social Networking: Technology and Society

Specialty Crops: Plantation Agriculture to Globalization

The Sustainable City: Opportunities and Challenges

Weather and Climate

What is Religion?

Why Good Managers Make Bad Decisions

Which of these courses appeals to you? Why? What other courses should be offered?

What classes do I take?! Suggestions?

Maryland is ranked in the top 20 Public Research Institutions in the nation! It is a fact that we are very proud of. That means academics are key here on campus and our students take their responsibilities seriously. New students sometimes have trouble navigating a new registration and course sequence system, so it is vitally important that they understand all of the resources available to them. I'll try to provide you with those resources (in order of how you will come in contact with them) in this post.

Pre-admission: Keonna Feaster and Erin Thiel are our two Pre-transfer advisors. You can meet with them even before you apply to the University of Maryland. They can help you navigate the application process and determine how your credits transfer to the University. Find their information at http://www.transferadvising.umd.edu/.

Pre-Orientation: The best way to get information regarding your advising is to become familiar with the Course Catalog and the registration system. At the University of Maryland, we use a system called The Portal for all of our needs. The Portal is a one-stop shop for our students to register for classes, check in on finances, check in on extracurricular activities and more. Log-in to your Portal at www.my.umd.edu.

Orientation: During Orientation is when you actually sit down with an advisor and figure out your course schedule for your first semester. You will receive a tutorial on how to use The Portal and other advising tools and you will receive your first semester schedule. If you decide to change your mind about a course, you can always log back into the registration system and change your classes. Just be sure to contact your advisor to make sure the course fits into your academic plan.

Post-Orientation through graduation: Some colleges require students to meet with their advisors each semester. Be sure to check with your advisor during Orientation to see if this is the case. Other colleges do not require this meeting, but a smart Terp certainly makes it a point to visit with their advisor at least once a semester. Do this prior to your advising date so that you can make sure that you have enough time to talk over your options. All of our advisors are professional, full-time advisors and have made it their life's duty to help our students succeed.

Other resources: When you come to Orientation, you will be assigned an Orientation Advisor. These are current student leaders here at UMD who have been trained to understand the intricacies of your college. As students, they have taken a plethora of classes and have some great recommendations on courses to take. They won't, however, offer opinions about quality/style of certain professors since each student enjoys a different style of learning. Make sure to write down their email when they write it on the board in your morning meeting. You can also be in touch with the other students in your Orientation group. We put you together with students in your college so that you can have some great networks from the start. Definitely be sure to take advantage of your grouping.

I hope that helps to give you some idea of the support networks that we have in place for our new Transfer students as they begin thinking about taking classes here at UMD.

What are some of the best classes that you have taken here at UMD (if you are a commuter) or What are some classes that you have heard are great classes to take here at UMD?