Advisement for Chemistry

Chemistry and Biochemistry Advisement Center Syllabus

 

Mission Statement

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at California State University, Los Angeles is committed to providing students with accurate, up-to-date advice on progressing through departmental majors and University requirements. The intent is that you will become knowledgeable about the structure of your major, understanding why certain courses are required and the order in which they are to be taken. Through advisement you will also be better able to make good choices on electives in the major and in general education that suit your interests and career goals.

 

We aim to empower students to become active participants in determining their own success at the university as an engaged student, active learner, and self advocate. The goal is to support students in their timely completion of degree requiements and graduation.

 

Initial Advisement

Immediately after becoming a Chemistry or Biochemistry major, please make an appointemt with Prof. Scott Nickolaisen, Chemistry & Biochemistry Principal Undergraduate advisor to discuss your planned course schedule for your first year in the department. Please download and bring a copy of your Unofficial Transcript from your GET account. If your transcripts have not yet been evaluated in GET, bring copies of those transcripts

 

Location             Physical Sciences 820

     Phone Number   (323) 343-2382

      E-mail                    [email protected]

      Office Hours       MWF         X:00 am-Y:00 pm

                                TTh          X:00 am-Y:00 pm

 

 

Seeing an Advisor

Beyond initial advisement, the department recommends that you see your academic advisor at least prior to the registration period for the fall term and again prior to the registration period for the spring term.

  1. Make an appointment so that your advisor can devote uninterrupted time to you advisement session. Call or email you adviser.
  2. Cancellations - if you know you will not be able to keep your appointment, please let you adviser know as soon as possible to cancel or reschedule.
  3. Your adviser is not obliged to honor your appointment if you are more than 10 minutes late.

 

 

Preparing for Your Advisement Session

  1. If you have questions about the chemistry or biochemistry major, bring a list of your questions.
  2. If your questions are about general education requirements or general education course selection, bring a list of questions or courses you are interested in taking.
  3. If you are meeting with an advisor to talk about university policies, procedures, or requirements, do your homework first by reviewing the information provided in the catalog or on the web at www.calstatela.edu.
  4. If you are experiencing academic problems, give some thought to what you believe are causing these problems and have a tentative plan for solving them.  Your advisor will discuss your situation with you and help you identify some interventions and strategies for success.  The advisor will want to monitor your progress and have you return for a follow up meeting.
  5. If you wish to discuss your academic plan please review your Unofficial Transcript from your GET account and bring a list of questions/concerns to the advisement session.
  6. Plan ahead in order to make your time with an advisor more productive.

 

Expectations of Students

  1. See an advisor on a regular basis, at least twice yearly (preferably prior to the registration period for the fall term, and again prior to the registration period for the spring term).
  2. Check your CSULA email regularly.  This is the official means of communication used by the University.  (You can find step-by-step instructions to forward your CSULA email to your personal account at the following link: /sites/default/files/its/docs/pdf/forwarding_emails.pdf.)
  3. Make and be responsible for your own decisions.
  4. Know the requirements for staying in good standing.
  5. Maintain accurate and complete advising records.

 

Expectations of Advisors

  1. Assist the student to develop a plan for meeting their declared major and general education requirements.
  2. Review the students’ selection of classes to make sure courses are appropriate.
  3. Help the student develop strategies for academic success.
  4. Provide information regarding University requirements, policies & procedures.
  5. Help the student plan appropriate steps to correct academic difficulties.
  6. Maintain accurate and complete advising records.
  7. If needed, refer the student to appropriate campus resources.

 

Expected Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will understand their personal responsibility for their own academic, personal, and professional success.
  2. Students will have an awareness of how to utilize the necessary information, resources, and available options to make sound educational and lifelong decisions.
  3. Students will understand what they need to do to achieve their desired goals.

 

Key Considerations for Academic Success

1.    Go to class every day and get to know your professors. 

  1. Understand the policies, procedures, and impact academically and financially for dropping classes within or beyond the no record drop period.
  2. Balance school with other areas of your life.  Plan and devote enough study time to do as well as you can in your classes.
  3. Have good study habits and get academic assistance early if needed.

 

Additional University Advising Resources

The Chemistry and Biochemistry academic majors are good preparation for subsequent admission to medical or dental school. If you are a pre-health professional student, take advantage of the Health Careers Advisement Office (HCAO). The University also maintains student support services such as the Career Development Center, Testing Center, Tutorial Center, and Writing Center. Additional information may be obtained at the UAAC website: www.calstatela.edu/univ/advise.