Byrne Seminar: Launching Your Successful STEM Career
Fall 2017
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Instructors
Prof. Andrew Baker
Serin W309
Phone: 848-445-8887
Email: ajbaker[at]physics.rutgers.edu
Office hours:
TBD
Prof. Chuck Keeton
Serin W305
Phone: 848-445-8876
Email: keeton[at]physics.rutgers.edu
Office hours:
TBD
Venue
Wednesday (1:40-3:00pm) in Serin W401
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Overview
Here's the official course catalog listing:
"Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields offer
exciting opportunities for careers of discovery, innovation, and helping
others. But how does one prepare for and achieve such a career? In this
seminar, students will learn about the critical role played by research in
STEM fields, the skills and qualities that are valuable in research (e.g.,
programming, teamwork, communication, and persistence in the face of
obstacles), and the practical steps they can take at Rutgers to foster
success in STEM majors and careers. Students will interact with guest
researchers from multiple STEM fields, explore the life stories of STEM
professionals like 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom winner Katherine
Johnson and 2016 Rutgers honorary degree recipient Jocelyn Bell Burnell, and
receive training in basic programming in the Python language. As a final
project, students will work in teams to reproduce some of the calculations
made by Johnson and others to help launch NASA rockets as part of the Mercury,
Gemini, and Apollo programs."
Schedule
CLASS |
DATE |
THEME |
READING |
GUEST(S) |
1 |
Sep 6 |
Dealing with professors |
none |
none |
|
Sep 13 |
no class |
no class |
no class |
2 |
Sep 20 |
Scientific discovery |
J. Bell-Burnell |
Prof. Saurabh Jha |
3 |
Sep 27 |
Persistence |
S. Ramanujan |
Prof. Nina Shapley |
4 |
Oct 4 |
Asking questions |
C.J. Finlay |
Prof. Juliane Gross |
5 |
Oct 11 |
Teamwork |
K. Johnson |
Prof. Yuri Gershtein |
|
Oct 18 |
no class |
no class |
no class |
6 |
Oct 25 |
Python hack session # 1 |
none |
none |
7 |
Nov 1 |
Python hack session # 2 |
none |
none |
8 |
Nov 8 |
Ethics |
A. Sakharov |
Dr. Patricia Morton |
9 |
Nov 15 |
Communication |
L. Margulis |
Prof. Kimberly Cook-Chennault |
10 |
Nov 29 |
Final project presentation |
none |
none |
Grading
Your course grade will be based on a combination of four elements:
- active participation in discussions of assigned reading (30%)
- active participation in other in-class activities (30%)
- programming project and presentation (30%)
- appointment with a departmental undergraduate adviser (10%)
In this course, "active participation" has several elements:
- demonstrating knowledge of assigned reading through contributions
to discussions
- asking questions during discussions and laboratory visits
- working cooperatively with classmates during group exercises
The programming project will use Python, a powerful and popular programming
language. Computer programming is valuable throughout STEM fields, and
Python is increasingly widespread. No prior experience is needed; two class
sessions will be devoted to hands-on training in Python programming. For
those sessions it would be helpful to bring a laptop to class. No specific
computer or operating system is required, because we will access Python
online. For the final project, you will work in groups and use the
programming skills developed in class.
Other items
- Absences
If you need to miss a class, you should report your absence at this website.
- Students with disabilities
If you have a disability, let us know early in the semester so that we
can make the necessary arrangements for you to have a successful learning
experience. Please consult
this web page for more details.
- Student wellness services
The School of Arts and
Sciences and the Rutgers
University Student Assembly have requested that all course syllabi
include the following information on resources to support student wellness:
- The Just In Case Web App
provides access to helpful mental health information and resources for
yourself or a friend in a mental health crisis on your smartphone or tablet,
and easily contacts CAPS or RUPD.
- Rutgers Counseling,
ADAP & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) (848-932-7884; 17 Senior Street in
New Brunswick) is a University mental health support service that includes
counseling, alcohol and other drug assistance, and psychiatric services
staffed by a team of professionals within Rutgers Health Services to support
students' efforts to succeed at Rutgers University. CAPS offers a variety of
services that include individual therapy, group therapy and workshops, crisis
intervention, referral to specialists in the community and consultation, and
collaboration with campus partners.
- The Office for
Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance (VPVA) (848-932-1181; 3 Bartlett
Street in New Brunswick) provides confidential crisis intervention,
counseling, and advocacy for victims of sexual and relationship violence and
stalking to students, staff, and faculty.N Staff can be reached by phone
during office hours when the university; advocates can be reached by phone
after hours.
- The Office of Disability
Services (848-445-6800; Lucy Stone Hall, Suite A145, Livingston Campus,
54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue in Piscataway) works with students with documented
disabilities to determine eligibility for reasonable accommodations,
facilitates and coordinates those accommodations when applicable, and lastly
engages with the Rutgers community at large to provide and connect students
to appropriate resources.
-
Scarlet Listeners
(732-247-5555) is a free and confidential peer counseling and
referral hotline, providing a comforting and supportive safe space.
Last updated November 1, 2017.