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
FALL 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.
FALL 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
________ 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 Thursday, August 20, 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
_______ Check in with International Students Office, (3248 Memorial Union) prior to August 12; on August 14 meet with representatives of the International Students Office at 8:00 a.m. in the Lobby of Carver Hall. 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.
________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 August 17 but the I-9 paperwork is processed on August 19,
August 19 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
________ Student Health Insurance. Information on health insurance, dental, and pharmacy plans can be found
here. Students on assistantship
receive paid single health insurance and ISU Thielen Health Center pharmacy benefits.
To sign up for your health insurance, go to ACCESS PLUS
and sign in. Click on the STUDENT TAB and look at the menu on the left. Click on health insurance. Up at the top
of the menu you will see in red "enroll". Go ahead and enroll. Because it takes some time for payroll to catch up, the
computer system may charge you for health insurance, however, eventually that charge will be removed.
_______ English Placement
Test: This test is REQUIRED for all international
students whose TOEFL score is less than 105 and can be taken only
by admitted students. Students with TOEFL scores of 105 or better or have a US degree
should check in with the Graduate College in 1137 Pearson to establish they do not need
to take the English Placement Test. Students who fail to take this required test and the
appropriate English courswork during the fall semester, if required, will not be allowed to
register in the spring. 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: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. til 1:00 p.m. in Room 125 Kildee Hall.
Information on English placement tests can be found here Students bring ISU ID Card or a valid photo ID. They should
also have a black or blue ballpoint pen for the test. If you need
more information, please contact the English Department, 337 Ross Hall. ****************************************************************************** _______ 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: 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)
Lab Safety Fundamental Concepts (~~25 minutes)
Fire Safety and Extinguisher Training (~~16 minutes) Management of Unwanted Materials for Laboratory Personnel 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 510, BBMB 404, GENET 692, GENET 691, and Research.
International students may also need to take an English course if required after the English
Placement Examination. You may wish to download this checklist to see all requirements for
completion of a genetics degree at Iowa State.
GDCB 510 3 credits Transmission Genetics BBMB 404 3 credits Biochemistry GENET 692 1 credit Conceptual Foundations of Genetics GENET 691 1 credit Seminar in Genetics 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. 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. If you believe you have met the requirements, please
go to the Graduate College in 1137 Pearson and they will note this on your records. As of July 31, 2009,
we believe all of the international students who are joining Genetics this fall have met the requirements.
Activities as
indicated by the International Students Orientation Schedule.
Orientation with Genetics faculty: 8:30 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. in 1102 Molecular Biology
__________ Begin contacting faculty about potential rotations. You need to begin your first rotation
by Wednesday, September 2.
__________ Optional: Student poster session in Atrium of the Molecular Biology building, tentatively 1-3 p.m.; refreshments.
Chance to see research of a variety of students and faculty in the life sciences on campus.
CLASSES START. You can print out a class schedule showing class times and locations by going to
ACCESS PLUS and opening
the STUDENT TAB and clicking on CLASS SCHEDULE. ________ Wednesday, September 2; Begin first rotation.
___________ REQUIRED. Attendance at all four new graduate student afternoon information meetings. 4:00 p.m. in 1102 Molecular Biology. Pizza provided.
Scientific Ethics Orientation
Discrimination and Harassment Prevention--Graduate Students
Speak Teach Examination
TUESDAY, August 18
WEDNESDAY, August 19
THURSDAY, August 20
FRIDAY,
August 21, 2009
MONDAY,
August 24, 2009
This has been set for Tuesday, September 22 AND Tuesday, September 29 from 5:10 p.m.
till 7:00 p.m. in 1652 Gilman Hall. This activity is REQUIRED OF ALL NEW STUDENTS. Students who
are unable to attend will be expected to take a 2 credit full semester course in the spring, Plant Pathology 565A,
Responsible Conduct of Research. Good scientific practices and professional ethics in the life sciences.
November 4, 2009; 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
3150 Beardshear
The purpose of this training is to help graduate students/assistants understand what discrimination and
harassment is and how it relates to the Iowa State University's Discrimination and Harassment policy.
The participants will learn what discrimination and harassment is, how to prevent it, and what the reporting
procedures are.
To Enroll go to ACCESS PLUS, Employee Tab, HRS training, and register for this course.
Because your graduate training will likely include a semester or two of teaching, all international students
will be required to take the Speak Teach Examination in November. TESTING PROCEDURES ARE BEING
UPDATED BY SPEAK/TEACH; more information later. Take with you a copy of your TOEFL examination
in November as your scores may be sufficient to be exempted for either the SPEAK or TEACH examination.
Information on who is exempt can be found here.