1. Beyond First Year: Choose Your Major March 2013

2. www.science.ubc.ca/students Goals for this Workshop To help you to advance your Learning Plan To preview the transition to yr 2 To answer some of your questions To anticipate questions you haven’t yet thought of

3. www.science.ubc.ca/students Developing Your Learning Plan Developing Your Learning Plan Remember the L EARNING P LAN from the Distillation Handbook?  Active Learning & Scholarly Engagement  Degree Planning & Career Exploration  Campus Life & Community Engagement

4. www.science.ubc.ca/students Timeline from Now to Year 2 TodayMake contacts; start planning Mar. 13 th Meet Your Major event (IKBLC 261, 5:30-7:30) Next Few Weeks Review notes; use web resources: www.careers.ubc.ca www.science.ubc.ca/students Use specialization resources: web sites, advisors May/JuneWinter session results are assessed; registration dates are assigned JuneApply for BSc specializations. Respond to e-mail. JulyRegister for next winter’s courses

5. www.science.ubc.ca/students Developing Your Learning Plan A degree has both Faculty and specialization requirements http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm Read the Science – B.Sc. section of the Calendar: http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm Academic advising resources can help: http://www.science.ubc.ca/students/degree http://www.science.ubc.ca/students/degree http://www.science.ubc.ca/students/degree Department or specialization advisors – details of required courses, study abroad, co-op www.careers.ubc.ca Career Services – link your career goals to your degree plan: www.careers.ubc.ca www.careers.ubc.ca Science Information Centre – front desk advisors to clarify overall degree requirements

6. www.science.ubc.ca/students Follow Your Passion Follow Your Passion Astronomy Atmospheric Science BiochemistryBiology Biotech- nology ChemistryCognitive Systems Combined Major in Science Computer Science Earth & Ocean Sciences Environ- mental Sciences Geographical Biogeo- sciences Integrated Sciences Mathematics Microbiology & Immunology Pharma- cology PhysicsPhysiologyPsychologyStatistics

7. www.science.ubc.ca/students Specialized or Broadly Educated? The BSc mandates some breadth of study (e.g., Arts) You may love studying one subject. Go for it! Your “major” alone is not going to determine your career path Many employers and professional schools want graduates with broad knowledge and skills For breadth, think about: Combined Majors, Integrated Sciences, Environmental Sciences

8. www.science.ubc.ca/students Focus o r Combine Your Interests Single Major (the most common) Combined Major   Single Honours, Combined Honours   Double Major   Minor   Dual Degree in Science and Music or Education or Arts  Applications normally are made during 2 nd year http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=12,215,410,404 http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=12,215,410,404 See http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=12,215,410,404 http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=12,215,410,404 http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=12,215,410,408

9. my.science.ubc.ca Learn from the Experience of Other Students

10. www.science.ubc.ca/students Specialization Planning is an Ongoing Process Most specializations admit in year 2 but retain space for year-3 entry You may change your interests during year 2 Keep your options open: related areas share common second-year courses

11. Applying for a Specialization Common On-line Application Process   Entry into all majors  http://www.science.ubc.ca/students/degree  read http://www.science.ubc.ca/students/degree http://www.science.ubc.ca/students/degree http://www.science.ubc.ca/students/degree/secondyear Preview the application process at http://www.science.ubc.ca/students/degree/secondyear http://www.science.ubc.ca/students/degree/secondyear www.science.ubc.ca/students Watch your “Distillation” e-mails and www.science.ubc.ca/students for announcements (May or June) www.science.ubc.ca/students

12. What about Honours? What about Honours?   Requires more credits and a higher min. average   Intended for those heading for graduate studies   Entry into most Honours is in third year. To prepare for Honours:   have at least 30* credits completed in each winter session   pass all courses with an average of at least 68%,   consult a specialization advisor *exceptions from first year can be appealed during second year   A few Honours admit in yr 2

13. www.science.ubc.ca/students Co-op Opportunity to gain valuable paid work experience Available in all areas Application deadlines: Physics & Astronomy and Computer Science NOW other areas during second year Extends degree by one year – of paid work http://www.sciencecoop.ubc.ca/ http://www.sciencecoop.ubc.ca/ http://www.sciencecoop.ubc.ca/

14. www.science.ubc.ca/students Exchange (Go Global) Opportunity to study abroad for 1 or 2 terms Typically done in year 3 Min. 70% average Exchange agreements with 180 + universities world-wide Attend information sessions in Fall ‘13 http://students.ubc.ca/global/ http://students.ubc.ca/global/ http://students.ubc.ca/global/

15. www.science.ubc.ca/studentsRemember Planning your future is worth the time Link degree planning and career exploration Develop goals and use available resources Be strategic and realistic Learn from experience Keep your options open – Don’t be tied to one plan

16. www.science.ubc.ca/students Timeline from Now to Year 2 TodayMake contacts; start planning Mar. 13 th Meet Your Major event Next Few Weeks Review notes; use web resources: www.careers.ubc.ca www.science.ubc.ca/students Use specialization resources: web sites, advisors May/JuneWinter session results are assessed; registration dates are assigned JuneApply for BSc specializations. Watch for e-mails. JulyRegister for next winter’s courses

17. www.science.ubc.ca/students Questions ?