FAQ's for My Advisees
Leslie A. Morrissey, RSENR/UVM
   
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 What is the diversity (course) requirement?
  STUDENTS UNDER THE 2006 CATALOGUE OR EARLIER:
  *The diversity requirement was the RSENR school-level requirement: NR 6 (1 credit).
  The means that students who completed NR 6 have fulfilled their requirement. The faculty agreed that students under this requirement who did not take NR 6 (or EDSS 11 a 1-credit course which is no longer offered) must take *any one course off the UVM list of approved **D1 courses*.
   
  STUDENTS UNDER THE 2007 and 2008 CATALOGUES:
  *The diversity requirement for UVM in 2007 was one course from either D1 or D2. We went directly to a 6-credit diversity requirement, consisting of:
  *NR 6 (2 cr)
  One course from either D1 or D2 (3 cr)
  Senior Capstone Course to be Taken Concurrently with NR 206 (1 cr)*
   
  Transfer students under these catalogues who are unable to take NR 6 should take *one course from the D1 list, and a second course from either D1 or D2*. We are offering a transfer section of NR 6 this fall, and hope to continue this, but some transfer students will not be able to make it work.
   
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 What courses apply to the diversity requirement?
   
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 What should I do if I want/need to take a class and the class is full?
  See the instructor to:
  1) contact instructor to ask if you can take the class (with an override);
  2) put your name on the Wait List for that course;
  and 3) show up for the first class in case any students drop (have an override form in hand just in case).
   
   
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 I want to/have taken a course that I want to count toward my focus/major track but the course is not listed on the preapproved Course List for my concentration. What do I need to do to receive credit toward my focus track?
ENSC majors - You will need to send an email request for the ENSC chair stating the course information (a short description and syllabus), where and when you took the course, and why this course is appropriate for your concentration. Include your advisors name. The Chair will reply with a yea or nay and send your advisor a copy of the reply email for your permanent file.
 
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 NR Majors - on the RSENR webpage to to the NR major and then Forms and then download/print the "Request for Course Substitution of Waiver" form, fill it out, sign it, have your advisor sign it and then turn it in to Marcie Newland to obtain the NR Chairs signature and consideration by the NR faculty.
   
 
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 I’m interested in Study Abroad. Where can I find more information on programs?
Check with the Office of International Education (Living/Learning center) on programs available. Then check with the Office of Transfer Affairs (OTA) regarding specific courses. My advise? Find a university that has been attended by UVM students in the past – do not be the first student to attend a new program! When you find your candidate schools, ask OTA for a list of courses that have previously transferred back to UVM. When courses are transferred to UVM, they are given a UVM course designation or course equivalent.
   
 
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 I’ve taken a course as part of my Study Abroad program and I’d like to receive credit toward my major requirements or focus track in ENSC. What do I need to do?
First, work with the Office of Transfer Affairs to transfer your credits. If your course has not been taken previously by a UVM student, you will need to seek course approval. If you have taken a course, say a GIS course abroad, and want credit for the course, you will need to provide your course materials (syllabus, notes, exams, etc.) to OTA and they will give these materials to the UVM course instructor who will be asked to determine if the course overlaps the “equivalent” UVM course by 80% or more. If a course you want to count toward your major, fill out a course substitution form (NR majors) and send an email request to the ENSC Chair (ENSC majors).
   
 
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 How do I elect an academic minor?
See an advisor at the Department or School for the minor you are interested in. They can help you with advising, paperwork, etc. You can elect a minor through the Registrar’s web page.
   
 
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 Can courses that count towards my major also count towards a minor?
Yes
   
 
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 I would like to retake a course that I didn’t do very well in. If I retake a course, will the first (low) grade be dropped on my transcript?
Unfortunately, UVM policy does not allow grades to be substituted on your transcript when a course is retaken and you do not receive credit for taking a course again if you passed it the first time. Students who repeat a course only receive credit once for that course. The grades for all occurrences of the course remain on the permanent academic record and all are included in computing the cumulative grade point average.
   
 
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 I’m thinking about attending graduate school when I graduate. What do I need to know?
You will need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This exam should be completed before you contact a potential graduate advisor and before you apply for graduate school. To prepare for the GRE, buy a copy of a GRE preparation software and practice, practice, practice. Identify your weaknesses and work on them before you take the exam. Do not believe that you can just retake the exam – this can look bad to potential advisors and schools.
 
 
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 What else do I need to know about graduate school?
  When you ready to talk, come see me for more information on the process, how to find the best graduate advisor, and how to get into graduate school with a funded stipend.
 
 
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 What if I need your signature as my advisor to add or drop a class and you are not available. What should I do?
See Marcie in Aiken Room 350 or Marcia Caldwell in the RSENR’s Dean’s Office for a signature. If all else fails, see Emilie Riddle (RSENR Dean’s Office).
   
 
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 I’m thinking about a summer internship. What should I do to begin the process?
See Marie Vea-Fagnant, our Career Services Coordinator (she’s can be found in the RSENR Deans Office) for a list of available internships. Let her know what you are looking for (paid, unpaid, course credit, geographic location, etc.) so she’ll keep you in mind as new internship opportunities become available. She has the contract information (i.e. hours of work/course credit equivalents, etc.) for course credit for summer internships.
   
 
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 What kind of employment opportunities will I have as an ENSC major?
ENSC (RSENR) provides a strong science emphasis which prepares you for the real world. One way to figure out the best ENSC concentration for you or future employment opportunities is to conduct an employment search online. Find 3-4 great jobs and look at the requirements. Upon graduation, will you meet these requirements? Take classes (and internships) that will make you the best candidate.
   
 
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 How can I best optimize my time in college to ensure my future career?
Conduct an online employment search, find the top candidate jobs for you, and see how your major, courses, etc. will meet the job requirements. You have time to set yourself up for your future career.
   
 
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 What additional courses do you suggest for an ENSC student that I may not have already considered?
NR 143 GIS, GEO 295 HazMat (Osha Certification for working with hazardous materials) and SURG 196 EMT and/or SURG 195 Wilderness First Responder – these courses can be highlighted as “Special Skills and Certification” on your resume
   
   
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 How important is an internship?
An internship is very important because it gives you work experience, an opportunity to decide what you want (and don’t want) to do when you graduate, and provides an “outside” (outside of UVM) letter of reference for Graduate School or your first job. An outside letter of reference is critical because it is written by someone for whom you worked, hopefully on a fulltime basis. That person can address responsibility, maturity, ability to follow through, independent thinking, etc. (unlike a weaker letter from a UVM instructor or advisor).
   
   
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 Can I fulfill my PE requirements by credit by exam?
Yes. Make arrangements at the PEAC Department.
   
   
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 I plan to doing a summer internship this summer. Will you be my faculty advisor for the internship?
Yes. My usual contract requirement is that the student prepare a 2 page summary of lessons learned as part of the internship and then set up a meeting with me (your advisor) to discuss your internship when you return in the fall.