Transcript Beyond First Year: Choose Your Major

Beyond First Year:
Choose Your Major
March 2013
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

www.science.ubc.ca/students
Developing Your Learning Plan
Remember the LEARNING PLAN from
the Distillation Handbook?
Active Learning & Scholarly Engagement
Degree Planning & Career Exploration
Campus Life & Community Engagement
www.science.ubc.ca/students
Timeline from Now to Year 2
Today
Make contacts; start planning
Mar. 13th
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/June Winter session results are assessed; registration
dates are assigned
June
Apply for BSc specializations. Respond to e-mail.
July
Register for next winter’s courses
www.science.ubc.ca/students
Developing Your Learning Plan

A degree has both Faculty and specialization
requirements


Read the Science – B.Sc. section of the Calendar:
http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm
Academic advising resources can help:
 http://www.science.ubc.ca/students/degree



Department or specialization advisors – details of
required courses, study abroad, co-op
Career Services – link your career goals to your
degree plan: www.careers.ubc.ca
Science Information Centre – front desk advisors to
clarify overall degree requirements
www.science.ubc.ca/students
Follow Your Passion
Astronomy
Atmospheric Biochemistry
Science
Biology
Biotechnology
Chemistry
Cognitive
Systems
Combined
Major in
Science
Computer
Science
Earth &
Ocean
Sciences
Environmental
Sciences
Geographical
Biogeosciences
Integrated
Sciences
Mathematics Microbiology & PharmaImmunology
cology
Physics
Physiology
Psychology
www.science.ubc.ca/students
Statistics
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
www.science.ubc.ca/students
Focus or 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 2nd year
See
http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=12,215,410,404
http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=12,215,410,408
www.science.ubc.ca/students
Learn from the Experience of
Other Students
my.science.ubc.ca
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
www.science.ubc.ca/students
Applying for a Specialization

Common On-line Application Process
 Entry into all majors
 read http://www.science.ubc.ca/students/degree

Preview the application process at
http://www.science.ubc.ca/students/degree/secondyear

Watch your “Distillation” e-mails and
www.science.ubc.ca/students for announcements
(May or June)
www.science.ubc.ca/students
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
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/
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/
www.science.ubc.ca/students
Remember
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
www.science.ubc.ca/students
Timeline from Now to Year 2
Today
Make contacts; start planning
Mar. 13th
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/June Winter session results are assessed; registration
dates are assigned
June
Apply for BSc specializations. Watch for e-mails.
July
Register for next winter’s courses
www.science.ubc.ca/students
Questions ?
www.science.ubc.ca/students