New Student Seminar in PSY and NSC P. 4

PSYCHOLOGY/NEUROSCIENCE 1001 NEW STUDENT SEMINAR IN PSY AND NSC

New Student Seminar in Psychology and Neuroscience Fall, 2014

Faculty Leaders: Dr. Tamara J. Lawrence Dr. Charles A Weaver III Office: BSB A309 Office: BSB A327 Office Hours: MWF 10-11:00, 1:15-3:30pm; & by Office Hours: MWF 11-12; MW 1-3 or by appointment appointment. TR by appt only Phone: 710-2961 (Psy/NSC Office) Phone: 710-2961 (Psy/NSC Office) E-Mail [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected]

Course Syllabus Course Overview This course is designed as an introduction for first year and transfer students entering as Pre- Psychology or Pre-Neuroscience majors. We will introduce you to the faculty in the department, discuss the academic requirements of the major, and discuss ways in which you can make the adjustment to Baylor successful.

Goals Students will learn:  About organizations, activities, and resources that are available to them as students of Baylor University.  How they can organize their time as efficiently as possible.  What kinds of study techniques are likely to be effective, and which will not.  About the MAP-Works tools, and how they can use MAP-Works to increase their likelihood of success  What it means to be a part of an “academic community,” and what is expected of all members of that community.  What kind of resources are available to foster spiritual growth  How to develop independence and autonomy, both in academic and personal matters  Various career paths available to them as PSY or NSC majors.  What is required of students as pre-majors before applying to become PSY or NSC majors  About the faculty they will encounter in PSY and NSC, and learn about academic interests and research opportunities that are available. NSC/PSY 1001 Fall, 2014 New Student Seminar in PSY and NSC p. 2

COURSE POLICIES Attendance You will be held to the University requirement of 75% attendance. That means you need to attend 9 of the 12 class meetings. Attendance will be taken each day in class by signing your name on the attendance sheet. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late for the class and the attendance sheets have already been circulated, you will be counted "absent.” According to the policy of Baylor University, even so-called "excused" absences count against your attendance. In other words, there are no “excused absences.”

Grading The is a credit/no credit course. You will receive course credit only if you attend 75% of the sessions, and complete the handful of simple assignment. You must earn credit in this course to apply for full NSC or PSY major status.

Blackboard All of the course materials (syllabi, handouts, grade lists, and outside readings) are now available on Blackboard. If you have never used the blackboard system, you may wish to contact the ITC office for a list of training seminars. (Actually, the system is quite easy to learn.) We’ll post all course material in the COURSE DOCUMENTS section.

Office of Access and Learning Accommodation Any and all special accommodations (longer test sessions, etc.) should be handled through the Office of Access and Learning Accommodation. You need to present the documentation to me the first week of class.

IMPORTANT NOTES: Students declaring a Psychology or Neuroscience major during the Fall 2011 semester or after are subject to the following policy introduced in the 2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog (page 108):

A student who earns a D or F in a PSY or NSC course may repeat the course. However, a student earning a second D or F in the same course, or in a subsequent PSY or NSC course will not be eligible to continue in the Psychology or Neuroscience major.

Upon earning a D or F in one of your major courses, you will be advised by the Director of Undergraduate Studies or the director’s designee with the objective of finding a path to success in the major or identifying another major better suited to the your aptitude and abilities.

Students declaring a Psychology or Neuroscience major during the Fall 2014 semester or after are subject to the Pre major policy introduced in the 2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog. We will discuss this extensively during this seminar NSC/PSY 1001 Fall, 2014 New Student Seminar in PSY and NSC p. 3

COURSE MATERIALS FOR NSC/PSY 1101 NEW STUDENT SEMINAR IN PSY AND NSC FALL, 2014 Articles and Readings We’ve assigned a series of articles. They are available on BLACKBOARD.

Readings: Dr. Hugh Riley, Senior Lecturer & Dr. Jim Diaz-Granados, Professor and Chair, Dept. of Psychology and Neuroscience: Adjusting to Your New Life at Baylor Dr. Elizabeth Davis, Former Executive Vice President & Provost: Mission and Vision Dr. Charles Weaver, Professor and Director Undergraduate Studies: Studying: What works and what doesn’t Freshman Survival Guide Career Paths within the clinical and counseling fields (Departmental Document) Graduate School (Dr. Lawrence)

Tasks (to be completed for credit) Prepare for Your Advising Appointment Using MAP-Works Pre-Major Application NSC/PSY 1001 Fall, 2014 New Student Seminar in PSY and NSC p. 4

Fall, 2014 DATE WEEK TOPIC ASSIGNMENT Aug 25 1 Welcome to Baylor R: Riley and DG (2013) Guests: Drs. Riley and Diaz-Granados Sept 8 2 Surviving your first semester R: Freshman Survival Guide NSC/PSY Faculty: Dr. Frisch Sept 15 3 Welcome to PSY & NSC R: Premajor policy NSC/PSY Faculty: Drs. Tsang and Limbers Sep 22 4 Getting Involved: Psychology Club, Psi Chi, BNS, Nu Rho Psi Guest: Dr. Achor NSC/PSY Faculty: Dr. Dolan Sep 29 5 Who can you turn to for help? R: Davis (2013) Dr. Martha Lou Scott, Assoc. Vice President for Complete MAP-Works* (finish Student Life & Ombuds to Students by 9/29/14) Oct 6 6 MAP-Works Guest: Ron English, Paul Foster Success Center Oct 13 7 Academic Success R: Weaver (2013) NSC/PSY Faculty: Dr. Patton Oct 20 8 Advising A: Prepare for Your Advising Guest Joyce Miller, University Advising Appointment* NSC/PSY Faculty: Dr. Sanford Oct 27 9 Diversity and Adjustment Special Panel: Drs. Latendresse, Riley & DG Nov 3 10 Career Paths in PSY/NSC: Health-related professions Guest: Dr. Rich Sanker, Director of Pre-Health Studies NSC/PSY Faculty: Dr. Klocek Nov 10 11 Career Paths in PSY/NSC: Clinical, counseling, and R: Lawrence graduate school NSC/PSY Faculty: Dr. Rowatt Nov 17 12 You made it: What’s next? A: Pre-Major Application* NSC/PSY Faculty: Drs. Smith and Latendresse Nov 24 13 No meeting Dec 1 14 Dr. Pepper Float “Mixer” A: You have to drink Dr. Pepper Floats