WELCOME TO DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY’S

FACULTY OF SCIENCE

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I want to welcome each of you to Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Science. On behalf of the entire Faculty, we’re excited to meet you, teach you and learn from you. The wonder of science and the curiosity of knowledge yet to be uncovered will shape the years-long journey you’re about to begin. As Acting Dean of the Faculty of Science, I’d like to share a few words of wisdom that I hope you’ll consider over the next few years. Own your education. Yes, you’ll have to study. A lot. But I urge you to consider how you study, because university is very different than high school. Sometimes you need to ask questions and that takes courage; so let it be known that without questions, the world wouldn’t be where it is today. Take advantage of the resources available to you as a student of Dal and try to explore a few different disciplines in your first year. You may be surprised at what you discover about your path forward. Have fun and make friends. Many will become lifelong companions because your mutual experience of starting this next stage of life will create unbreakable bonds. Join student societies to meet people outside of lectures and labs. There are many to choose from and not all of them are academically focused.

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Welcome new perspectives. Everyone has their own story, upbringing and opinions. Listen to them with an open mind, learn from others and respect the diversity university life presents you with. Make each other feel welcome and encourage others to do the same; become a leader. Ask for help when you need it. Many students balance their academics with friends and family time, part-time jobs, living a healthy lifestyle and finding the right volunteer opportunities. Seek the services at Dal that help teach you how to manage your time or guide you through the challenges of transitioning to university-life. We believe in you and we can’t wait to see you walk across that stage, degree in hand, a few years down the road. Thank you for choosing Dalhousie. (Oh, and please call your parents from time to time. They’ll appreciate it.) Sincerely, Dr. Ian Hill, Acting Dean Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Science

A MESSAGE FROM OUR DEAN

@DalScience

@DalhousieScience

DAL.CA/SCIENCE

A MESSAGE FROM THE DALHOUSIE SCIENCE SOCIETY

FOLLOW THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE ONLINE The Faculty of Science is now online. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and events. You can share your experiences with us using #DalScience. Dalhousie University is also online. Follow on Twitter and Instagram to receive the latest university-wide news, events notices.

STUDENT UNION & SOCIETIES The Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) is the student voice on campus. It represents the interests of students at Dalhousie and beyond. The DSU independently manages, supports and insures the many student societies and clubs on campus. There are over a dozen science related societies to join, as well as many other non-academic societies. Learn more about societies at tigersociety.dsu.ca Learn more about departmental science societies at dal.ca/science/societies

PROJECTS.DAL.CA/DSS

@DalScience @DalNews

@DalhousieScience @Dalhousie_University

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Welcome to Dalhousie. You’ve made a great choice!    This year is my fourth year on the executive team of the Dalhousie Science Society (DSS), and second year as DSS President. I’m so happy to be in this position. The DSS’s main priority is working to support and advocate for science students at Dalhousie. In addition, we represent the voice of science undergraduates in student union matters; plan exciting social events; act as a resource base for information and funding of departmental societies and individual students with special projects; and much more!    The Annual General Meeting (AGM) takes place early September. In many activities taking place, you’ll have a chance to meet and network with other first year science undergraduates.  The AGM is our first official meeting of  the year, and anyone is welcome. This

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is your opportunity to obtain a position on the DSS. Several positions are still open, including some specifically for first year students. If you want to hear about positions available to you, please e-mail us or ask us in person during any event! We are always excited to have new members. Want to learn more about other campus societies? I recommend attending the Student Union’s Fall Society Carnival on September 23rd. Getting involved will round out your time at Dalhousie. Please email us with any questions, DSS or otherwise, at DSS@dal.ca Good luck with your first year! Tori Taylor 2015/2016 DSS President

Jacob Nearing Third-year Microbiology and Immunology

WORDS OF WISDOM — CURRENT SCIENCE STUDENTS

“The transition into the first year of a science degree can be very stressful. One way to relieve that stress is to get involved on campus. From the many societies, extracurricular activities, and research opportunities that Dalhousie’s Faculty of Science has to offer, you’re bound to find something that will make your first year at university one to remember. Get involved, meet new people, and don’t forget to have fun.”

Adele Orovec Second-year Medical Sciences

“Dal offers an amazing platform for first-year undergraduate science student’s to get involved with research from day one. The Dalhousie Integrated Science Program research project was my first real taste of research, and it served as a springboard for my current research endeavours. I‘ve developed a strong relationship with Dr. Benjamin Rusak as a research assistant, completing two NSERC USRA during the summers. I really encourage everyone to get involved with research as soon as possible.”

Yaeesh Sardiwalla B.Sc. 2015

“Working in Dr. Heather Andreas' lab was an amazing opportunity to put what I learned in my chemistry courses to use in a real world application. Sometimes in undergraduate labs you can do neat experiments like synthesizing a funky molecule, but you can’t really see how making that molecule would be useful in your daily life. It can be hard to make the connection between a science you love and a job you could get that uses it, but the more people you talk to the more you can see what phenomenal things you can do with science.”

Mallory Davis Fourth-year Chemistry

“My first two years of being a Dalhousie Tiger allowed me to broaden my horizons and take on new challenges. Ever since my first year, I’ve heard about these awards called Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) grants and I made it my goal to get one. The grant has allowed me to meet amazing people and see a career in research first-hand. Dalhousie has prepared me for my future.”

“When your degree requirements include three weeks of oceanography field school — an end-of-summer research course involving a lot of time on a boat -—you know you picked a good program. The faculty and students in this program are somehow simultaneously intelligent, dedicated, and laid-back, with a sense of humour even when water seeps through their raincoats. The classes are so interesting that the work rarely feels like work. I highly recommend Ocean Sciences to any students willing to get a little wet. Trust me, a decent sediment core is worth a bit of mud on your shoes.”

Caela Bialek Fourth-year Ocean Science

“Dalhousie's thriving science programs will offer you a vast range of academic and non academic opportunities, so be open to options that you didn't expect to have and explore possibilities even if they seem unorthodox. I entered my first year with little knowledge about neuroscience but decided to choose it as my major. I’m very happy with my decision now as I begin a master's degree in neurophysiology.”

Aram Abbasian B.Sc. 2015

WORDS OF WISDOM – RECENT ALUMNI

THE WALLACE MCCAIN LEARNING COMMONS A generous donation from the McCain family allowed Dalhousie University to create a new space for students to come together, collaborate and learn from one another. The Wallace McCain Learning Commons (WMLC) is conveniently located in the corridor that connects the Life Sciences Centre to the Chase and Chemistry Buildings, and the Killam Library. Enhanced by Dalhousie staff there to help students succeed, the space boasts bookable meeting rooms for project work, free academic mentoring for extra help in several disciplines and a number of well-equipped computer stations to maximize study time. The Faculty of Science has long been a champion for a common space that will benefit students. In October, the WMLC will officially open. You’ll be invited to the party, so keep an eye out for details.

TIPS FOR FIRST YEAR ORIENTATION WEEK

• Get to know your O-Week

leaders. They’re friendly, knowledgeable, and know how to have fun.

• Don’t be shy. Everyone is

going through the same new experience as you, so say “hello!” and make a friend.

• Go to as many events as you

can. Every event is made to be fun and gives you a chance to meet new people.

STUDYING

• Manage your time effectively. Give yourself lots of time to cover everything you need to know. Don’t procrastinate.

• Get rid of distractions. Get rid

of internal (daydreaming) and external (friends, cell phones, social media) distractions.

• Ask questions. Ask the

professor which areas are important to study, and for clarification on anything you don’t understand.

MONEY SMART

• Budget. Annual budgets are imperative for nearly all students, but especially those who receive lump sum student loans that are meant to last the entire school year.

• Review Spending. Even the

little things, such as daily coffee, can add up.

• Actively cut costs. Try buying

used textbooks, ask about student discounts, and find cheap activities to do.

Read more in Dalhousie’s Live Learn Lead guidebook

IMPORTANT DATES

September 6-9 September 6 September 7 September 8 September 10 September 25

Ø DSU Orientation Week Ø Residence Move-in Ø Labour Day (university closed) Ø Induction Ceremony Ø Classes begin / last day to

register Ø Fees due for fall term Ø Last day for late registration Ø Last day to drop fall term X/Y

courses with no financial implications

Ø Last day to apply for complete

refund Ø Last day to apply for honours

program Ø Last day to change from

Dalhousie to King’s and vice-versa