SPRING 2009 ORIENTATION

for INTERNATIONAL Genetics Graduate Students

 

Info for prior to arrival: 

http://www.iastate.edu/~internat_info/Pre_Arrival/

http://www.iastate.edu/~internat_info/

The office for International Students and Scholars will provide shuttle transportation at a cost of $20 from the Des Moines Airport to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa on August: 

SPRING 2009 arrivals.   To reserve a seat on the shuttle or inquire about housing:  http://www.iastate.edu/~internat_info/Transportation/

Temporary Housing will also be available for $25 per night.

 

Spring 2009 Orientation Schedule for International Students

http://www.iastate.edu/~internat_info/Pre_Arrival/        

 

________        send final copy of your transcript with degree awarded to

Office of Admissions
100 Alumni Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2011 USA   

 

________        Rotation students should be thinking about potential rotations.  You should have a good idea about 2 or 3 labs that you are interested in before you arrive.  We recommend that you wait until you arrive to contact faculty.  Opportunities to discover research and researchers on campus:  during orientation IG faculty will have an opportunity to meet with you on Friday, January 9, 2009, during the Genetics Orientation, and we will provide you with a listing of faculty looking for students.  You may contact any genetics faculty member to discuss possible rotations.  Your temporary advisor is an excellent resource for the discussion of your scientific interests and this advisor can make recommendations as to faculty working in the area of your interest. Linda Wild is a good source for faculty looking for students.

 

UPON ARRIVAL AT IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY or MONDAY, January 5, 2009

 

_______ Check in with International Students Office, (3248 Memorial Union prior to January 5; on January 5 meet with representatives of the International Students Office at 8:00 a.m. in the Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union. Please be on time.) to obtain an Orientation Schedule for International Students or obtain one on-line:  http://www.iastate.edu/~internat_info/Pre_Arrival/  .

Maps of campus can be found here:  http://www.fpm.iastate.edu/maps/

 

            Some of the activities you will take care through the International Students Office are listed below.

 

            ________Obtain University ID card and University Email account

 

________Fill out an I-9 form while at the International Students Office which is used to verify your eligibility for payroll. The beginning payroll date is based on when you complete this paperwork and the date on your letter of intent.  Example: if your letter of intent begins January 5 but the I-9 paperwork is processed on January 6, January 6 is the earliest we will be able to begin your payroll. Payroll forms are available on line:

http://www.hrs.iastate.edu/records/  click on "Signup Packet" and can be filled out in advance.              

 

_______ The International Student Office will advise you as to when it is best to apply for your social security number. This will be somewhere around two weeks after you arrive in the country. You will need a letter from ISSO. You will apply at the Social Security Administration Office at 600 5th Street in Ames. You will need to take passport/visa, I-20, I-94 card, and documents showing that you will be receiving an assistantship or Fellowship (letter of intent).

 

_______ English Placement Test:  This test is REQUIRED and can be taken only by admitted students.  You will need to bring two #2 sharpened pencils, a ballpoint pen and your ISU Card or passport.  Please refer to the handout in your orientation packet for all available times for this test. The test is set for: Wednesday, January 7 from 9:00 a.m. to noon in 1148 Gerdin Building. You should plan to arrive at 8:30 a.m.   If you need more information, please contact the English Department, 337 Ross Hall. 

 

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_______ Check in with Linda Wild in 2102 Molecular Biology Building (294-7697 or email her

at lmwild@iastate.edu to let her know you are on campus.

 

_______ Your Campus Address, if you are participating in rotations, is:  2102 Molecular

Biology.  Campus Phone:  515-294-7697.  Campus fax:  515-294-6669.  There is a mail

box in this office for you.

 

_______ Advise genetics@iastate.edu of your ISU email address when you have obtained it.

 

_______OSHA Lab Standard Training. This training should be completed by the end of the first week of classes. You may complete this training on-line. You need an ISU ID card to complete this activity. 

 

Environmental Health and Safety:  http://www.ehs.iastate.edu/cms/default.asp

Click on:                       Learning Center Login: 

LOGIN                        Click on New User Registration

                                    You will need to create a password for this activity                   

LOGIN                        using your University ID card number and the newly created

password

Click on:                       On-Line Courses: 

Take the following:

   An Introduction to On-Line Courses  (~~2 minutes)

   Chemical Hygiene Plan and Personal Protective Equipment  (~~25 minutes)

               Fire Safety and Extinguisher Training  (~~16 minutes)

               ISU-EPA Hazardous Waste Generator Online Training  (~~25 minutes)

 

_______ Register on-line for classes through ACCESS PLUS.  You will need your

University ID Card.  Go to the ISU homepage:  http://www.iastate.edu and click on ACCESS PLUS.  Once you are in to your information, go to the Student Tab and then to Course Registration.  Listed below are core courses that can be taken by first semester Genetics graduate students.

 

                        Typically students take at least 12 credits. A typical schedule would be GDCB 511, GENET 591, Pl P 565A, Research and one additional 3 credit course from the list below. Students may also need to take an English course if required.

 

                                    GDCB 511                              3 credits           Molecular Genetics

                                    BBMB 404        3 credits           Biochemistry                

                                    EEOB 562                             3 credits Evolutionary Genetics

                                    EEOB 563                             3 credits Molecular Phylogenetics

                                    GENET 591                             1 credit IG Workshop

                                    Pl P 565A                             1 credit Professional Practices for Research

                                    ENGLISH                             1-3 credits Recommendations from English Placement Test

                                    GENET 697 or GENET 699    4 credits           Research Rotations/Research

                                                GENET 699 is for students who have a major professor.  (contact

                                                lmwild@iastate.edu for registration number)

 

On-Line Web site for availability:   Schedule of Classes

 

_______ If you have any questions about taking the above courses, contact your major professor or temporary advisor to set up a time to discuss courses/registration for fall semester.  For example, you may have taken upper level courses similar to these courses at your previous institution.  All final decisions regarding whether a previous taken course meets the requirement is up to your program of study committee and the Chair of IG. 

 

TUESDAY, January 6

 

Activities as indicated by the International Students Orientation Schedule

 

WEDNESDAY, January 7

 

Activities as indicated by the International Students Orientation Schedule. Students who fail to take the English Placement Test (unless there are extenuating circumstances) will not be allowed to register for the next semester so it is very important that you take this examination.

 

THURSDAY, January 8

 

Activities as indicated by the International Students Orientation Schedule

 

 

FRIDAY, January 9, 2009

  IG 2009 New Graduate Student Orientation

When: Friday, January 9, 2009
Time: 9:00am - 11:00am in 1102 Molecular Biology       

Meet with Chair of program, welcome, IG handbook, expectations.   

 

MONDAY, January 12

 

            CLASSES START