1 Chemical Engineering Student-Faculty Conference April 6,

2 Committee Members  Helen Luo senior, biomolecular track  Tom Lampo senior, biomolecular track  Jackie Chan junior, process track; AIChE President  Nate Morison junior, materials track  Jessica Swallow junior, materials track; AIChE Vice President  Sylvia Sullivan junior, environmental track  Sabrina Sun sophomore, biomolecular track  Richard Flagan Irma and Ross McCollum-William H. Corcoran Professor; Executive Officer  John Seinfeld Louis E. Nohl Professor  Dave Tirrell Ross McCollum-William H. Corcoran Professor  Julie Kornfield Professor  Mike Vicic Lecturer

3 Topics of Discussion  Review of SFC 2009  Current Issues - Senior thesis - Tracks, courses, and scheduling - Student faculty lunches - Industry Plan  General discussion

4 Recommendations from SFC 2009 Previous Recommendation Current Status Improve Ch21a, update curriculum and better organization Hire more undergrad TAs Improve student faculty interactions Track improvements, more flexibility, more direction Senior thesis require regular reports, documentation of expectations Proactive approach to providing industry opportunities for ChEs

5 Current SFC 2011 Issues  Previous and new issues addressed.

6 Senior Thesis  Issue: - Senior thesis is not well publicized. - Students do not know what is expected or how they will be evaluated.  Action: - Post guidelines on CCE website. - Provide sample proposals and project ideas. - Senior Thesis discussion during track talks

7 Restructuring Courses Progress  ChE core courses: - ChE64 changed to separation process course. - Renumbered to ChE62, taught before ChE63ab. - Ch/ChE9, yayyy.  Expanding track courses: - Eliminated BE151,152,153 from bio-track requirements. - Allow substitution of ESE, ChE, and other engineering courses for BE electives. - Adapted ChE128, ChE118, ChE120 to all tracks.

8 Tracks and scheduling  Issue: - Track system in catalog does not provide enough guidance for choosing relevant courses.  Action: - Provide online senior schedules for each track with suggestions. - Develop sample course schedules that have a centralized theme

9 Student Faculty Interactions  SFC 2011 survey shows students would like to get to know faculty better!

10 Student Faculty Lunches  Students are interested in interacting with faculty in an informal setting.

11 Student Faculty Lunches  Purpose: - To promote student-faculty interactions for students interested in seeking advice and support. - Promote conversations in a casual setting so professors are more approachable.  Plan: Implement monthly lunches with ChE faculty in Chandler

12 Student Faculty Lunches  Action: - Prepare a sign-up sheet for students who are interested each month. - ChE faculty to identify optimal dates for each month. - Reserve a few tables at Chandler from 12-1PM before the lunch. - Appoint an official student position to run program.

13 Our Class Sizes  ChE class size is still growing!

14 Future Plans of Students  SFC 2011 survey shows growing industry interests!

15 Industry Plan Interest  SFC 2011 survey indicates interest in a career guidance program

16 Goals  Database of contacts in industry available online.  ChE companies at the career fair.  Industry mentor program for interested students.  Info sessions.  Training sessions on professional conduct.

17 Progress  AIChE has already set up a program that matches industry mentors with students.  Faculty already have a list of possible industry contacts.  Career Center already provides sessions on professional conduct.

18 Actions – Short Term  Conduct senior surveys to maintain database of alumn contacts.  Petition for Caltech Career Center involvement.  Evaluation of the current industry mentoring program to guide expansion.

19 Actions – Long Term  Further develop and expand mentoring program, appoint student manager.  Set up more info sessions with industry contacts.  Set up website and system to streamline mentoring and contacts program.

20 Discussion Time!  Senior thesis  Tracks, courses and scheduling  Student faculty lunches  Industry Plan  Other issues?