FAQ: Senior Design

The question that arises most frequently among upperclassmen is "When will Senior Design be split?" An email went out in early November regarding this, but it seems clear that not everyone may have received it, so let's clarify here!

Your CHBE curriculum should list your requirement for this Senior class as:

For students who matriculated PRIOR TO Summer 2011:
     4505 Process Design and Economics, 3 hrs. (Standard Option)
OR
     4525 Bioprocess Design and Economics, 3 hrs. (Biotechnology Option)

For students who matriculated Summer 2011 or later:
     4510 Process/Product Design and Economics, 2 hrs. (Standard Option)
     AND
     4520 Capstone CHBE Design, 2 hrs.
OR
     4510 Process Design and Economics, 2 hrs. (Biotechnology Option)
     AND
     4530 Capstone CHBE Bio-Design, 2 hrs.

If you are not certain about your matriculation date, you can check your Degreeworks audit, and it should reflect the accurate catalog year based upon your matriculation.

With any change of curriculum, there is a transition period in which the OLD course number is offered to accommodate those on older catalogs before the NEW course number is started. In preparation for this transition, please see the chart below to see when the old course will no longer be offered and when the new course (split) will begin:

YEAR 2013

• Spring:  
• CHBE 4505/CHBE 4525
• Summer:  
• CHBE 4505/CHBE 4525
• Fall:  
• Not Offered

YEAR 2014

• Spring:  
• CHBE 4505/CHBE 4525
• Summer:  
• CHBE 4505/CHBE 4525 (Last time for old course #)
• Fall:  
• CHBE 4510 (First Time for new course #, part one.)

YEAR 2015

• Spring:  
• CHBE 4510
• CHBE 4520/CHBE 4530 (First Time for new course #, part two)
• Summer
• CHBE 4520/CHBE 4530
• Fall
• CHBE 4510

Please note the following:

• The old course # 4505/4525 (3 hrs.) will continue to be offered through Summer 2014.
• Fall 2013: 4505/4525 is NOT offered
• The new course offering will begin in Fall 2014 with CHBE 4510 (2 hrs), followed in Spring 2015 by CHBE 4520/4530 (2 hrs.) These classes should be taken sequentially.
• CHBE 4510 will be offered Fall/Spring semesters starting in 2014/2015.
• CHBE 4520/4530 will be offered Spring/Summer semesters starting in 2015.

There may be some students (particularly transfer students or those who are taking summer semester classes) who will be ready for the new course sequence before it is offered. You should work closely with your academic advisor to plan your schedule and your credit hour distribution accordingly.

If you anticipate graduating in Fall 2013, you MUST take 4505/4525 in either Spring 2013 or Summer 2013, or you can consider the KAIST Study Abroad program in Fall 2013, which will offer CHBE 4505/4525. Otherwise, you will have to delay your graduation until Spring 2014. If you have any issues or concerns with your completion planning, please schedule a meeting with me to review by accessing my online appointment calendar.

Study Abroad News

STUDY ABROAD OPEN HOUSES

January 16 AND 17
11:30 am - 1:30 pm Savant Building, 2nd Floor, follow the signs.
Drop in - we will feed you, and answer your study abroad questions!

UPCOMING STUDY ABROAD APPLICATION DEADLINES
 
JANUARY 22: Japan - Tokyo Tech Exchange Program (Academic Year)
Japan - Waseda Tokyo Exchange Program (Academic Year)

JANUARY 25: Japan - GE3-Tohoku Exchange Program (Academic Year)

FEBRUARY 1: Australia - Queensland Exchange Program (Fall & Academic Year)
England - LSE England Exchange Program (Academic Year)
France- INSA Lyon Exchange Program (Academic Year)
Japan - Rikkyo Tokyo Business Exchange Program (Academic Year)
Taiwan - NTHU Summer Business Exchange Program (Summer)
Most GE3 Exchange Programs (Fall & Academic Year)

FEBRUARY 15: Remaining GT Summer Exchange Programs
Most GT Fall & Academic Year Exchange Programs Most GT Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

MARCH 20: GT Lorraine Undergrad Program (Fall)

For detailed list of deadlines and application instructions, find pdf links at: OIE Procedures.

Like our Facebook site to keep up to date with upcoming info sessions, scholarship info and more. Go to: GT Study Abroad on Facebook.

Summer UG Research Experience

The Viterbi School of Engineering's  2013 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) at the University of Southern California is for students completing their Junior year. Applicants to the Summer Research program should be outstanding undergraduate students in engineering or computer science who will begin their senior year in fall 2013 and must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or Canada.  It provides an opportunity to spend summer break working alongside USC’s world-class faculty on cutting-edge research in engineering and computer science. You will make new friends, gain valuable research experience, and receive a stipend for living expenses in Los Angeles!

To learn more about this opportunity including program dates, research areas, information sessions, and other details, please visit SURE.

Attention: Graduating Seniors in Summer 2013

If you anticipate completing your program of study in SUMMER 2013, you must complete the Online Application for Graduation this semester.  There are a few steps you should take BEFORE:

• Confirm that your major, minor and any concentration is listed correctly in your records.  If anything is inaccurate, it must be fixed BEFORE you complete the application. 
•  If you are pursuing the Biotechnology concentration, make sure it is listed in your records!  If not, you must add it to your record—see link:  http://www.degreeworks.gatech.edu/images/training/concentration_mgt.pdf

 The Online Application for SUMMER 2013 will be open in OSCAR from Thursday, January 17 to Friday, February 15, 2013.  Please log in and complete the document during this window.  Questions?  Follow this link for detailed information:  http://www.registrar.gatech.edu/students/deginfo/oag.php

GT Summer 2013 China Program

You are invited to apply for the 2013 China Summer Program. To learn more about this exciting Georgia Tech program, please visit Georgia Tech China Summer

Our next information session will be held on Thursday, January 24th at 5:00 PM in D.M. Smith 207. All are invited and we will have pizza and drinks.

The program will travel to two locations - Tianjin in the north, and Shanghai in the south, offering a variety of courses and activities. As Tianjin is 30 minutes by high speed train from China's capital Beijing, students will often spend their weekends exploring the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China.

Student may enroll in 8-10 credit hours and courses are offered in Ethics, Humanities, Business, Engineering, and Mathematics. Courses are taught in English by Georgia Tech faculty members and optional, non-credit, Chinese language courses are also available. All students pay in-state Georgia Tech tuition and most scholarships and financial aid can also be applied.

For more information, please email Mary Alice Allen at  maryalice.allen@oie.gatech.edu.

Pre-Teaching Info Sessions

UPCOMING INFO SESSIONS

Thursday, January 24, 2013 - Kennesaw State MAT programs – Lunch and learn* - Come learn more about the Master of Arts in Teaching programs at KSU. M.A.T. programs include a master’s degree in a content area + full teaching certification. 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Georgia Tech Student Center, Piedmont Room *First come, first served lunch!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – Teach for Georgia and Teach for America joint info session.  Come learn about these two-year service programs. The info session is geared towards STEM-field majors, but all majors are welcome to attend.

Spring 2013 Internship/Co-Op Fair

Meet With More Than 100 Employers Seeking To Fill Internship and Co-op Positions!

WHEN: Tuesday, January 29 and Wednesday, January 30, 2013
WHERE: Georgia Tech Student Center Ballroom (3rd Floor)
TIME: 10:00 a.m. -- 4:00 p.m.

Sponsored by the Division of Professional Practice and Career Services

Career Services Groups for Spring 2013

For Graduating Seniors:
Career Services is offering a job search group for seniors graduating in May. Previous participants have reported that the structure, learning about resources, and weekly check-ins have increased the effectiveness of their search process. The group will meet for six Wednesdays from 4:05 to 4:55 beginning late in January or early February. For more information graduating seniors can contact Lanie Damon, Career Advisor, to be considered for the group.

For Students Uncertain about the Major:
Beginning late in January or early February, Career Services is piloting a small group career counseling workshop series, meeting six Tuesdays from 11:05 to 11:55.  This offering is designed to assist first and second year students who are questioning their choice of major or intended career decisions. Students will complete exercises designed to expand their knowledge of the world of work and explore various influences on career decisions. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your discoveries in a small group setting. The contact is Lanie Damon, Career Advisor.

For both groups, screening interviews will begin in early January and space is limited. Students should contact Lanie Damon to schedule an interview. (Elaine.damon@success.gatech.edu or 404.894.2553)

Degreeworks Quirks: CHBE 2110/2130 and CHBE 3110/3130

As most of your know the CHBE curriculum was updated in the Summer 2011 in order to split Senior Design from a single course (4505 @ 3 hrs) to a two-course sequence (4510 @ 2hrs and 4520 or 4530 (2 hrs).  At the same time the Thermodynamics class was also revised and went from CHBE 2110 (3 hrs) to CHBE 2130 (2 hrs.)

When a curriculum is revised there is a period of transition in which the old course numbers are offered for currently enrolled students before the new course numbers are offered.  Thus is the case with 2110/2130 and 3110/3130.  Until Spring 2013, we have been offering CHBE 2110 (3 hrs) only.  For students on newer curriculums, CHBE 2110 does not auto-populate for the requirement CHBE 2130.  A note is entered on your degree audit, and the exception must be entered by a degree auditor.  Likewise, we are offering CHBE 2130 (2 hrs) for the first time in Spring 2013.  It will not auto-populate an audit when CHBE 2110 is the required course; an exception is required.

The same issue applies with CHBE 3110 and CHBE 3130. 

Do Not Worry!  The appropriate notes and exceptions will be entered into your audits.  This usually happens when you are applying for graduation as a senior.  I also update notes when you come for a scheduled appointment to better assist you with planning. 

Undergraduate Research requests

Are you planning to do research this semester?  You must complete an Undergraduate Research Permit Request form (found in the CHBE office) and obtain your supervising professor's signature first.  The completed forms are turned in to me (drop them in the box on my office door) and I will issue the permits.  You will receive the email notification that you can now register for the course.

WARNING WARNING WARNING

When you register for a variable hour course (i.e. research), the registration will default to 1 hour; it is your responsibility to change the hours based on the agreement you have made with your supervising professor.  Your advisor CANNOT change the hours for you.

How do I change the number of hours for a variable hour course?

1. Log into Buzzport
2. On the Home tab locate the "REGISTRATION AND STUDENT SERVICES" channel
3. Select the "Registration - OSCAR" link
4. Select "Student Services & Financial Aid"
5. Select "Registration"
6. Select "Add/Drop Classes"
7. Select "Term"
8. Select "Change Course Options" at the bottom of screen
9. Enter the desired number of hours.

 All Permit requests MUST be submitted no later than Friday, January 11 at NOON!  Once the permits are entered, you MUST register no later than Friday at 4:00 p.m.!

Degreeworks Quirks: Special Topics classes

I am pleased to see that many of you are using Degreeworks to track your academic progress.  Like most tools, it can be very useful as long as you also understand its limitations.  I receive many emails regarding some of the issues which are NOT addressed immediately by the online audit, so I will be posting some helpful Degreeworks tips to assist you.

Today's issue is Special Topics classes.  Most departments offer Special Topics classes each semester.  These classes are coded (SUBJECT) 4803, and they are given a title to reflect the course content.  Special Topics allow students (and faculty) to explore new issues in research or development in their subject areas.  Most 4803 classes are designed as upper-level classes, and therefore, will fulfill CHBE electives (if coded as CHBE) or Technical electives.  The exception is CHBE 4803 Biomaterials--this class will ONLY fulfill a 2000-level technical elective, and this is noted under the title in the Schedule of Classes.  For a Special Topics class taught in another department, if it is not on the approved list of electives, you must submit a course syllabus to Dr. Agrawal for approval as a Technical elective.

When you look at Degreeworks, you will notice that the 4803 classes do not automatically populate in the CHBE or Technical elective requirements.  This is because each 4803 class is different, and it is the Title of the class which will determine if it meets requirements or not.  When a 4803 class will meet the requirement, there will be a note entered at the end of your audit by me indicating where the course will apply.  These notes are entered when 1) you schedule an appointment with me and we are reviewing your academic progress and 2) when you have completed your first online graduation application. 

It is up to the Degree Certification team to manually enter the exception, and this is usually done after you complete your graduation application.  Therefore, as long as you see a note from me at the end of your audit (make sure you scroll to the bottom and click "process new" to pull the most current info) you should be fine.  If you have a question about a requirement, let me know.