1. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

2. Overview Course registration, Transfer courses, Academic advising, Internships/student clubs. Orientation consists of a university segment, a college segment and a departmental segment. In this college segment, we will cover the following topics in general terms: After you complete your on-line orientation you will call us to learn how to contact an adviser in the department of your major. You should discuss the following items with an adviser: your class schedule for next semester and how to register for those classes, your transfer courses and how they will be applied to the departmental requirements, the course requirements remaining to complete your degree.

3. Registration After completing your on-line orientation you should call either Terry or Mickie at 515-294-2766 to receive contact information for an adviser in your major. You should then contact that adviser to discuss course registration for next semester. Please recognize that registration commits you to Iowa State University. If something happens after registration that prohibits you from attending next semester, you must call the Registrar’s office (515-294-1840) to cancel your registration prior to the Friday before classes begin. If you do not attend and do not cancel your registration, you will continue to be billed and you will receive grades at the end of the semester.

4. Transfer courses Iowa State has a two step transfer process. In the first step, the ISU Admissions Office determines if your courses are college level and then translates them into ISU course numbers. When the Admissions Office sends that information to you, they also send it to your major where an adviser determines how your courses will be used in your degree program. If you have questions about how your courses transferred, contact the Admissions Office, 800-262-3810. If you have questions about how your courses are applied to your degree, talk to your adviser.

5. Monitoring degree progress Each semester you will receive a printed degree audit. The audits tell you what requirements you have met and what requirements remain. Your first degree audit should reflect the application of transfer credits that you and your adviser discussed. If it does not or if you have questions about using courses in the electives area to meet requirements, direct those questions to your academic adviser.

6. Academic Advising Numerous references have been made to your academic adviser. Your adviser is a faculty or staff member in the department of your major. Initially you will be assigned an adviser but you may change your adviser later. Your adviser has several resources to use. The most important resource is you. It is strongly recommended that you get to know your adviser and allow him/her to get to know you. At a minimum, you must meet with your adviser each semester before you register for classes. We strongly recommend that you make an appointment to visit with your adviser during your first month on campus. You should seek your advisers counsel before changing your schedule or whenever you have questions about or need assistance with course scheduling or university policies and procedures. Your adviser can serve as an important resource to you when setting academic and career goals.

7. Student Clubs Your Iowa State experience will be much more enjoyable and productive if you become part of the ISU community. An easy way to begin that process is by joining your departmental club. Your adviser will be able to help you do so. Most employers place a high value on communication and interpersonal skills. You improve these skills like most others through practice. Student clubs provide you with numerous opportunities to practice those skills in environments related to your eventual career. In addition, students clubs help you begin to develop a professional network that will last your lifetime.

8. Study Abroad The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offers study abroad opportunities on nearly every continent on the globe. Some opportunities allow you to practice a second language while others are in English-speaking countries. Study abroad experiences help make your courses relevant to you by showing you how your future profession is practiced in other countries. Also, international experiences are frequently valued by employers. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has scholarships available to reduce the costs associated with studying in another country. For more information go to: www.agstudyabroad.iastate.edu/. www.agstudyabroad.iastate.edu/

9. Internships All of our degree programs strongly encourage internships. Some programs even require them. In the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences you have the opportunity to participate in on-campus internships through Science with Practice, as well as through the more traditional off-campus internships. To learn more about Science with Practice, go to the following web site: www.ageds.iastate.edu/SWP/.www.ageds.iastate.edu/SWP/ Most students begin their search for off-campus internships at the College’s career fair. To learn more about the October or February career fairs and how to use Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Career Services office, go to their website at www.career.ag.iastate.eduwww.career.ag.iastate.edu. Most transfer students have only one summer for an off-campus internship. Therefore, you need to begin your search soon after arriving on campus. It is strongly recommended that you visit the College’s Career Services Office in room 141 Curtiss Hall within your first month on campus. You can hear students tell about their internships and study abroad experiences at: OpenOptions.rmvbOpenOptions.rmvb

10. Orientation course All students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are required to complete a course in their major numbered 110. The 110 courses continue your orientation to ISU and your major. They will cover topics ranging from career choices to informing you about university policies and teaching you how to register for the next semester.

11. Have Questions? If you have questions that were not covered here or want more in depth information, contact us at: 515 294-2766 or 1 800 262-3810 Ext. 2766 or agstudent@iastate.edu