MCB Advising Program&#039;s Blog

Student Resources, Undergraduate Research

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY IN MICROBIOLOGY LAB

August 15, 2018 tacruz@illinois.edu

There are currently openings for undergraduate student researchers in the lab of Dr. Steven Blanke (Department of Microbiology). The student will work on projects pertaining to the interactions between bacterial pathogens and host cells. Interested students should be able to commit to at least 3 semesters in addition to summer semesters. No research experience necessary; having taken introductory MCB courses is preferred. The student will be involved in laboratory meetings/discussion. Based on progress, the student may receive an independent project. The student will be trained to perform many different techniques relating to molecular biology and microbiology, and also taught the science and rationale behind the experiments. SERIOUS time commitment is required. It is expected that students be able to work flexible hours including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. This position is tailored for those considering research at the graduate level.

Any interested students should email Ami Seeger at <amiy2@illinois.edu>. Please include a cover letter and CV for interview consideration. The cover letter must include how a research position will benefit the applicant and further his/her academic goals. Expected date of graduation must be clearly stated in the CV. Please respond by 5 P.M. Sunday, August 26. No applications can be reviewed after that time. Review of applications will commence August 27 and interviews and acceptances given on a rolling basis. The student will commence laboratory duties immediately this upcoming Fall 2018 semester. Please contact <amiy2@illinois.edu> with any questions/concerns.

Advising, Graduation

School of MCB Ceremony Ticket Lottery

May 8, 2018 tacruz@illinois.edu

Good News! We have enough tickets remaining to offer each registrant for the School of MCB Ceremony up to an additional 2 tickets and to allow you to enter a lottery for even more tickets. If you would like to receive 1 or 2 tickets, in addition to what you requested when you originally registered, please fill out this form prior to 12:00 PM (noon) on Wednesday, May 9. If tickets remain after we provide everyone with an additional 1 or 2, then we will use this form to hold a lottery for any remaining tickets. We will send email confirmations with your total number of tickets by Thursday, May 10 at 5:00 PM. Please watch your email carefully for ticket information.

Please only request additional tickets if you need them for your guests. Tickets cannot be sold under any circumstance. These are being offered to you free of charge, and we appreciate your help in keeping this process fair.

All undergraduates will be asked to take the Illini Success Survey prior to picking up tickets. You should have received an email on April 18 with the subject “Class of May 2018 – What’s next after graduation?”. The email contained your individual link to the survey. If you didn’t receive the email, you can check your account status, or create your own survey account, using this general link.

Advising, Courses

Fall 2018 MCB Course Restrictions Information

April 12, 2018 tacruz@illinois.edu

MCB Course Restrictions for FA18 Registration

MCB 101 – seats are removed from capacity in order to accommodate those on priority lists. As registration progresses seats held for those will be released as they register.

MCB 245 – registration is restricted until April 20. Restrictions will be removed on April 2. Students can add their name to the online waitlist at http://go.illinois.edu/mcb245_FA18_waitlist and will receive an email with registration information once I am able to authorize them.

MCB 301 – registration is restricted to MCB and BIOC seniors and juniors until April 16 when restrictions will be removed.

MCB 354 – registration is restricted to MCB and BIOC seniors and juniors. Students can request authorization from Alejandra via the online form at http://go.illinois.edu/MCB354FA18_AuthorizationRequest

MCB 428 – registration is restricted to MCB and BIOC seniors and juniors until April 16 when restrictions will be removed. When course fills students can add their names to the online waitlist at http://go.illinois.edu/mcb428waitlist_FA18

MCB 450 – registration is not restricted. When course fills students can add their names to the online waitlist at http://go.illinois.edu/mcb450waitlist_FA18

MCB 461 – registration is not restricted. When course fills students can add their names to the online waitlist at http://go.illinois.edu/mcb461waitlist_FA18

MCB 493 ECB – registration is restricted to MCB and BIOC seniors and juniors until April 16. Students can add their names to the online waitlist at http://go.illinois.edu/mcb493ecbwaitlist_FA18

Events, Student Organizations, Student Resources

Student Alumni Ambassadors 2018 Recruiting NOW!

January 30, 2018 tacruz@illinois.edu

SAA is the premier Registered Student Organization on campus which focuses on developing their members professionally and creatively while planning and executing large scale events to engage the campus-community in what it truly means to be an Illini. Some of their feature events include Illinois Sights and Sounds (the Freshmen welcome presentation), iHelp (the fall campus-wide day of service), Homecoming programming, Senior 100 Honorary (an award honoring 100 accomplished graduating seniors), and GradFest (a program to celebrate our graduates). Additionally, SAA provides its members with countless opportunities to engage with campus and grow professionally through Service Requests across many campus units. While giving students an opportunity to engage with campus through their programming, providing countless leadership opportunities, and molding students to be active on this campus in order to become engaged alumni, the Student Alumni Ambassadors is a family that takes great pride in their work and their membership.

2018 Recruitment for the Student Alumni Ambassadors begins with their Information Sessions on January 30th at 7PM in Main Library Room 66. They are looking for mainly motivated freshmen and sophomores who are looking to be a part of a prestigious organization. Furthermore, they are seeking to recruit a new member class that reflects the diversity of the current student population in order to properly serve our university.

Advising, Student Resources

Changes for School of MCB Certificate Programs

January 17, 2018 tacruz@illinois.edu

The School of MCB offers three Certificate Programs for students who are interested in focusing their advanced MCB coursework. Certificates are available in Cell and Developmental Biology, Microbiology and Neuroscience.

To declare a certificate, students must meet with an MCB advisor and complete the online declaration form, available on the respective websites, by the 10th day of their final semester. To earn the certificate, students need to complete and pass all required courses, complete the appropriate certification form and turn in to the MCB Advising Office by the posted deadline. Once requirements have been verified, students will be contacted with options for receiving the printed certificate.

Questions about MCB Certificates should be directed to advising@mcb.illinois.edu.

CHEM 312 Inorganic Chemistry credit: 3 Hours.

Advising, Courses, Registration

Important Information for Students Pursuing the Chemistry Minor

November 14, 2017 tacruz@illinois.edu

If you need advanced hours to complete the chemistry minor, you have a variety of classes to choose which should challenge and interest you.

Please note that some course seats such as CHEM 360 are in high demand by chemistry majors and seats may not be available for student’s pursuing the minor. Restricted seats will be opened according to this website. http://advising.scs.illinois.edu/information-on-chbe-and-chem-courses-restrictions/

Students who are needing advanced hours to complete the chemistry minor can choose any of the following courses:

CHEM 332 Elementary Organic Chem II credit: 4 Hours. – Never Restricted

CHEM 360 Chemistry of the Environment credit: 3 Hours. –Likely will be full before restrictions removed.

CHEM 436 Fundamental Organic Chem II credit: 3 Hours.

CHEM 440 Physical Chemistry Principles credit: 4 Hours. – Never Restricted

CHEM 442 Physical Chemistry I credit: 4 Hours.

CHEM 444 Physical Chemistry II credit: 4 Hours.

CHEM 450 Astrochemistry credit: 4 Hours.

CHEM 474 Drug Discovery & Development credit: 3 Hours. – Never Restricted

CHEM 480 Polymer Chemistry credit: 3 or 4 Hours.

CHEM 482 Polymer Physics credit: 3 or 4 Hours.

CHEM 483 Solid State Structural Anlys credit: 4 Hours.

CHEM 488 Surfaces and Colloids credit: 3 or 4 Hours.

The following courses may not be used to complete the minor: CHEM 315 , CHEM 397, CHEM 420, CHEM 445,CHEM 447, CHEM 492, CHEM 494, CHEM 496, CHEM 497 and CHEM 499.

Advising, Internships, Volunteer/Job Opportunities

Job Opportunity: Abbott Nutrition Operations Management Intern

November 14, 2017 tacruz@illinois.edu

Operations Management Intern

Abbott Nutrition, UIUC Research Park

Job ID Number: 100001

Who We Are:

Abbott is a global healthcare company devoted to improving life through the development of products and technologies that span the breadth of healthcare. With a portfolio of leading, science-based offerings in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic pharmaceuticals, Abbott serves people in more than 150 countries and employs approximately 74,000 people.

Position Summary:

Abbott Nutrition is seeking a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) student to support Abbott’s Research Park site manager with maintaining and improving operations and engagement.

An Operations Management Intern will be responsible for:

Tracking status and deliverables of all research projects
Acting as liaison between site and global R&D to recruit and initiate projects
Conducting annual “Call for Project Proposals” within Nutrition R&D and coordinating proposal review and student alignment with review committee and project investigators
Preparing an annual report based off of events, projects, and deliverables from previous year
Contributing to the design and management of intern deliverables library in Microsoft SharePoint
Collating monthly accomplishments for advisement of senior HR and leadership
Creating materials for internal and external marketing of Abbott Research Park activities

What We Offer to Our Student Employees:

Part-time employment with Abbott at the UIUC Research Park during the academic year
Minimum of 8-10 hrs/week and maximum of 19 hrs per week
Competitive hourly wage commensurate with year in school
Flexible work schedule with 24/7 keycard office access
Personally-assigned workstation in a modern style office space
Valuable experience in the global healthcare industry

Qualifications:

Must be enrolled as a student at UIUC
Must be available to work during the summer
Preferably a sophomore or junior undergraduate
No major restrictions but should preferably be a student interested in a future with Abbott
Experience in Excel is highly recommended
Responds well to feedback
Effective communication and excellent verbal/written English language skills
Self-motivated problem solver that can lead a project from beginning to end

Start Date/Duration: Late in the Fall 2017 semester or at the beginning of the Spring 2018 semester through at least Summer 2018 with a possibility for an extension

Link to more info on Handshake.

Advising, Courses, Registration

Information on MCB Course Restrictions

November 1, 2017 tacruz@illinois.edu

MCB 101 – Interested students should watch the course schedule closely for openings. These will become available sporadically throughout the registration period.

MCB 199, Merit– All seats restricted and managed by Alejandra Stenger. There are request forms available to fill out at http://mcb.illinois.edu/undergrad/opportunities/merit_program/

MCB 247 – Managed via waitlist at http://go.illinois.edu/mcb247_SP18_waitlist. Must be on the waitlist to receive permissions for the course.

MCB 301 – Restricted to MCB and BIOC juniors and seniors until November 13. Restrictions will be removed on November 13.

MCB 354 – Restricted to MCB and BIOC juniors and seniors. Restrictions will not be removed. Non-majors or biology students wanting course should fill out the request form at http://go.illinois.edu/MCB354SP18_AuthorizationRequest

MCB 408 – Restricted to MCB and BIOC juniors and seniors. Non-majors interested in taking the course should email Alejandra Stenger ( astenger@illinois.edu ) to be placed on a waiting list.

MCB 458 – Restricted to MCB and BIOC juniors and seniors. Restrictions will not be removed.

MCB 493 FIP– Restricted to MCB and BIOC seniors. Restrictions will not be removed. Juniors in MCB and BIOC can email Lori Raetzman for permission (raetzman@illinois.edu)

MCB 493 ECB – Restricted to MCB and BIOC juniors and seniors until November 13. Restrictions will be removed on November 13.

BIOC 455 – Effective immediately remaining seats will be restricted to juniors and seniors in Biochemistry. This is to ensure that all biochem students that need the course are able to get it. If seats remain after November 13 the restrictions will be lifted.

Advising, Student Resources

Important Information for International Students: Visa Issuance Bans

October 30, 2017 tacruz@illinois.edu

Over the past month, there has been the continued development of visa issuance bans via both executive order and diplomatic relation issues. The executive order that has been commonly referred to as the ‘travel ban’ now includes Chad, North Korea, and certain individuals from Venezuela, in addition to countries from previous versions of the order which include Syria, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, and Iran. In addition, visa processing has been suspended in Turkey with Turkish citizens currently unable to obtain new nonimmigrant entry visas.

If you are a citizen of any of the aforementioned countries, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) strongly recommends caution if you are considering travel. If you do not have a currently valid entry visa, you would need one to return to the US which may not be possible depending on your country of citizenship. Furthermore, though current entry visas remain valid and should allow for entry to the US, it is reasonable to expect citizens of these countries may experience delays and potentially more serious issues when attempting to enter. ISSS emphasizes that all these issues affect entry to the US only and have no bearing on your ongoing legal nonimmigrant status within the US.

Throughout 2017, we have seen the effect of these bans on our international population. We have seen how it hurts you, especially those of you from the affected countries. We have heard that you feel you are not welcome in the US, and we want you to know that this is not true. The University of Illinois and ISSS are delighted that you are here and proud you chose our campus. We have seen the campus come together in support of international education throughout this year, and that commitment will continue regardless of what bans are placed or revoked.

The university has made a number of statements regarding these issues that can be found here, including an FAQ. The Counseling Center are available for one-on-one counseling if you wish to talk about this or any other issues affecting your mental health. The Graduate College also has statements and resources on this issue, and of course ISSS is always available for one-on-one in person appointments and phone calls: http://www.isss.illinois.edu/