FY103: The WISE Freshman Experience
COURSE DESCRIPTION & GOALS
Welcome to the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) freshmen seminar! The course is designed to introduce you to exciting opportunities both on and off campus, allow you to meet and learn about the research interests and careers of BU faculty, discover career opportunities in STEM fields that you may have not even known about, and to help hone your skills to be a successful student in your chosen field! The course is required for those living on the WISE@Warren floor and meets every other week throughout the academic year. FY103 is 1-credit, P/F, per semester and does not count toward graduation requirements.
FALL SEMESTER
For the first semester, we focus on adjusting to BU and the multitude of resources available to you as a student!
Course Themes:
BU Beyond the Course Catalog – What resources are available to you as a BU student? Lots!
Academic Pathways & Success – What will you learn, how do you learn & how can you do it better?
Networking – How do you develop relationships with science faculty and other potential mentors?
Science and Engineering Careers – What kind of directions might you pursue in the future?
SPRING SEMESTER:
During the second semester, we will continue themes we began in the first semester, with an added emphasis on careers and skills for beyond BU!
Course Themes:
Skills for STEM – It’s not just about exams! Improve critical skills like networking, resume writing, and public speaking.
Understanding STEM Fields – Not every career path is a straight line! How do people get from here to there in STEM?
Career Explorations – It’s a wide world out there. What can you do with your interest in STEM?
FY103 Spring 2016 Syllabus
| Date | Topic |
| 1/26 | Skills for STEM: Resume Writing WorkshopDoug Edwards STEM Career Counselor Boston University Center for Career Development |
| 2/9 | Understanding STEM fields: Paths to Graduate School Rebecca Sanders-DeMott PhD Candidate Boston University Department of Biology |
| 2/23 | Skills for STEM: Finding and Winning Scholarships for Success Diane Flynn Director of National & International Scholarships &
Skills for STEM: Outreach and Mentorship through Big Sister Program |
| 3/15 | Career Explorations: BU Research Lab Tours Various |
| 3/29 | Understanding STEM Fields: “Lean In” Book Club Dr. Beverley Brown Director of Development, Industry at the School of Public Health at Boston University |
| 4/12 | Skills for Science: Giving Great Presentations Dr. Jillian Goldfarb Assistant Professor Boston University Department of Mechanical Engineering |
| 4/26 | Career Explorations: Women in Science Career Panel |
FY103 Fall 2015 Syllabus
| Date | Topic |
| 9/8 | “What I wish I’d known as a Freshmen…” WISE-UP panel discussion & Rebecca Sanders-DeMott WISE@Warren Coordinator |
| 9/11 | “Tips for Successful Learning, Including How to Get the Most Out of Interactions with Your Professor” Dr. Kathryn Spilios Director of Instructional Labs and Lecturer BU Department of Biology |
| 10/6 | “The World is Your Classroom: Study Abroad Opportunities for Students in Science and Engineering” Alissa Kramer & Canaan Boyer Study Abroad Office BU Global Programs |
| 10/20 | “Hands On Science: Conducting Student Research at BU and Beyond” Dr. Paul Lipton Director BU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) |
| 11/2 | “Career Journeys in Science and Engineering:What Can You Do Right Now to Set You Towards a Career” Dr. Beverly Brown Director of Development BU Center for Global Health and Development |
| 11/17 | “The Science of Writing in the Sciences” Dr. Linda Doerrer Associate Professor BU Department of Chemistry |
| 12/1 | Career Explorations: BU Research Lab Tours Various BU Researchers |
