No Images? Click here

BSci NEWS

Hi there,

Welcome to semester 2! In this edition we welcome our newly commencing Bachelor of Science students to the Faculty of Science. We hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter of information, opportunities and events.

If you are in your first year, you can still sign up to the Science Peer Mentoring Program. This program will help you adjust to university life by matching you with a second or third year mentor from the Bachelor of Science. Our mentors will help you feel settled and connected, and you will get to meet other first year students.

Congratulations to team Fundamental Forces who won our Science Day 1 quiz. If you have recently started as a new student and missed Science Day 1, you can listen to the Welcome session here.

Coming up soon is Science Festival, happening 15-19 August. Check the jam-packed program to find out what is on. You will need to register for some events, so make sure you book a spot soon so you don't miss out. 

Heaps more info below, so read on!

 

IN THIS ISSUE

  • Events

  • Top Job

  • Opportunities

  • Become a Science Student Ambassador

  • Tips and Advice

  • Scholarships

  • Services

  • Science in the Media

Events

Science Festival 2016

During the week of 15-19 August there will be free events and activities running all over campus including speeches, trivia nights, movie screenings, workshops, forums, and pop-up demonstrations.

Our keynote speech will be by Prof Tim Flannery on Fri 12 Aug, 5.30pm. Registrations have just opened, but tickets are going fast, so if you are interested book now. Check out the website, for details on all the other events.

Science and Technology Internship Subject SCIE30002

Are you interested in completing an internship over Summer or Semester 1, 2017 for course credit?

Attend an information session to gain an understanding of what you might achieve in this subject and how it differs from other subjects. Prof Janet Hergt will provide you with detailed information, take you through the timeline of key activities in the lead up to both Summer and Semester 1, and outline the support you can access to organise your placement. Tues 9 Aug, 12:15pm – 1:15pm, or 1:15pm – 2:15pm. Click on time to register via Careers Online.

 

Make Experience Matter

Make Experience Matter Week includes more than 35 on-campus activities designed to help you explore a broad range of experiences and build your career story while at university. You can connect to industry professionals, understand the types of skills employers are looking for and how to articulate your experience to future employers. To view the full program please visit the Make Experience Matter Week  website. Runs in Week 3, Mon 8 Aug - Fri 12 Aug.

Our top picks to check out: Resumé Marathon,
Careers Fair and Global Experience Fair.

 

Career Wise Program

This semester the Melbourne Careers Centre is holding a range of programs on three main themes. Click on the Career Wise tab on Careers Online for information and bookings.

Degree to Where? Mon 25 July - Fri 5 Aug
Sessions designed to outline options from undergraduate degrees.

Preparing Yourself for Employment Mon 8 Aug - Fri 19 Aug
Seminars on job search strategies, networking, Australian workplace culture and making direct approaches to employers.

Fine Tune Your Job Search Mon 22 Aug - Fri 2 Sept
Gain all the important skills in using Linkedin, Ultimate Guide to Resumes and Cover Letters.

Bio21 Big Picture Seminar

The Bio21 Big Picture Seminar is on tomorrow, presented by Professor David Wishart. In this presentation ‘Why NMR Matters in Metabolomics’ hear about the recent developments in the field of NMR-based metabolomics and how NMR can be used to match or even exceed the speed, sensitivity and metabolite coverage claimed by various mass spectrometry methods.
Fri 29 Jul, 1 - 2pm followed by afternoon tea. Please register your attendance here.  

 
 

MUGS and SoG Networking Event

Melbourne University Geographical Society and the School of Geography will be hosting a Networking Event on Tues 16 Aug, 6pm in Lab14 Seminar Space. This event hopes to connect undergraduate students to those studying Honours, Masters and PhD courses, as well as potential supervisors for 2017.

The evening will have live music and a guest speaker. Finger food will be provided, and cheap drinks will be available! For more info contact MUGS

 

Master of Nursing Science and Master of Social Work information sessions

Come along to these information sessions to find out about studying the Master of Nursing Science or Social Work at The University of Melbourne. You’ll learn about the course structure, entry requirements, career outcome and what it’s like to be a nurse or social worker.
Master of Nursing Science: Wed 3 Aug, Wed 31 Aug, Wed 28 Sept.
Master of Social Work: Thurs 11 Aug, Wed 7 Sept, Wed 12 Oct. More info here.

A Day in the Life of a Biostatistician

Have you ever wondered what a Biostatistician does? Considering a career as a Biostatistician? Curious what life is like for a Master of Biostatistics student? Come along to this session to get those questions answered. You will be hearing from experts in this field - Associate Professor Julie Simpson and Dr Emily Karahalios. This is definitely an opportunity not to be missed!

Tues 2 Aug, 12:00pm. More info here.

 

International Forestry Careers Event

Interested in learning more about careers in forests and international development? Head along to this careers event at the Clyde Hotel for drinks and nibbles, and make new connections with other students and forest management professionals. Speakers include Michael Pescott (The Forest Trust), Peter Stephen (Independent Consultant) and Alice Muller (World Agroforestry Center).

Mon 8 Aug, 5:30pm. More info here.

 

Top Job

Internships!

Are you looking for an internship over summer?
 
There are over 60 internship opportunities available on Careers Online right now such as:
·         Patent Internship – Davies Collison Cave
·         Chemist Summer Internship – PPG Industries Australia
·         BHP Billiton Internships (Mechatronics, Medical Radiation, Electrical Engineering etc)
·         Analytics – Commonwealth Bank of Australia
·         Software Developer – Jane Street
 
Click here for these internships and more.

 

Opportunities 

The Amazing Spaghetti Machine Content needs you! 

The Melbourne School of Engineering will be running its annual Amazing Spaghetti Machine Contest on Thur 11 Aug and are looking for volunteers to be part of this exciting event. Around 240 Year 10 students will be on campus to showcase their contraptions at Wilson Hall.
Roles include set up, ushering, registration, and engaging with Year 10 students.
If you are interested in lending a hand, please complete this survey by Thurs 4 Aug.

 

 
 

UniMelb StartUp '16

Do you have a winning internet start-up idea? Take part in the UniMelb StartUp ’16 for a chance to win up to $10k in seed funding! This year’s competition also features four preparatory workshops and seminars delivered by experts in the entrepreneurship space – don’t miss out on this opportunity! Attend the launch event on Thurs 4 Aug at 5.30pm to meet and mingle with competition coordinators as well as like-minded students over complimentary drinks and canapés - find out more and register here.

Library Help for New BSci Students

Are you new to the University of Melbourne and not sure where to go to find text books, printers, old exam papers, computers, bookable project rooms, help with reading lists, etc?  Find the answers to all these questions and more here!

The library also has a range of classes and tours for commencing students during orientation. More information here.

 

Become a Science Student Ambassador

Are you passionate about Science and communicating with other people? Become a Science Student Ambassador and complement your studies with the skills that give you a leading edge upon finishing your degree.

As a Science Student Ambassador you will have the opportunity to get involved with different types of activities allowing you to develop skills you already have as well as gain new ones. Our Ambassadors are typically confident, dynamic and strong communicators. Skills may include public speaking, communication and interpersonal skills, presentation skills, team work, and networking.

Participation is voluntary and you will be the face of the University at key events. You will be highly influential in decisions that have a big impact on the University including a student’s decision to study with us. Events may be at the University, Faculty or School level.

Applicants must have completed a minimum of one semester of study in the Faculty of Science with a H3 average.

For more information, and to obtain a copy of the Position Description, email Sarah Cornish or call her on 03 9035 8533. Expressions of interest, including a brief CV and short document outlining the key selection criteria, close soon on Fri 5 Aug. 

 

Tips and Advice

Sci-Comm 101

Each newsletter we feature tips from our very own science communication extraordinaire in the School of Biosciences, Dr Jen Martin. Follow Jen on Twitter @scidocmartin or check out her blog, Espresso Science.

Scicomm Tip #6 How do I tell a story?

Telling a story about science is no different to telling a story about other topics. The key is to capture the heads and hearts of your audience so they are desperate to find out ‘what happens next’. The character of your story could equally be an animal, a red blood cell or a scientist. The trick is to make your audience care! To get some tips on effective storytelling techniques, check out http://www.sparkol.com/engage/8-classic-storytelling-techniques-for-engaging-presentations/

Want to develop your science communication skills further? Jenny Martin coordinates the SCIE90012 Science Communication subject available in Semester 2.

 

BSci Tips

Here is a great tip for making the most of the coming semester!

"Use your time at uni to network, find a mentor and participate! Don't simply focus on study for that mid semester test (MST) or cramming for that assignment, because in the long run, it is the connections you have and the experiences you have outside of coursework that will help differentiate you and improve your prospects in the long run. Take control of your life and by involving yourself in the science community, for example by talking to a lecturer about their research or asking your tutor how they got that job, you not only form a better relationship but perhaps will learn something new. This is my golden tip for making the most of your undergraduate science degree." - Emma Fazzino, BSci student.

We like your tip Emma! So much so that you have received a limited edition Science Hoodie, congratulations!

Have some great tips to share? Email and let us know! The tips that get published will win a 2GB Science USB and our top tip will receive a UoM Science Hoodie. 

 

Scholarships

Westpac Future Leaders Scholarships 

Applications for the Westpac Future Leaders Scholarships for Masters coursework or PhD study commencing in 2017 are now open. The scholarships are valued at up to $120,000 over 2-3 years and may include funding for an international opportunity. Recipients will also take part in a Leadership Development Program and become members of the Westpac Scholars alumni. Applications close Wed 31 Aug. See the guidelines and apply here.

 

Student Engagement Grants are open!

Applications for the Student Engagement Grants (SEGs), inclusive of the Peter McPhee Student Awards, are now open. You can apply for a grant of up to $5,000 to go towards a project that will have a positive community impact. Put your learning and passion into practice and build your skills, create connections and make a difference in the local, national or international community. Applications close midday on Wed 10 Aug. More information and to apply visit the website.

 

Services

Financial Aid

Financial Aid provides student loans, advice and advocacy around Government student payments, grants based on financial need (including housing/rent assistance grants) and welfare support. Book an appointment to speak with a specialist staff member, and access relevant resources on the cost of living and managing your money here.

 

Science in the Media

Obesity link to packaging chemical

In this article read about the new research that is bringing scientists a step closer to understanding how exposure of embryos to BPA, a common chemical found in plastics, could impact our health.

 

 

Unlocking the inner workings of plant growth

An international team of scientists, including Prof Staffan Persson from the School of BioSciences, have identified several proteins that are essential to producing the main component of plant cell walls – cellulose. Find out what this means for sustainable biofuels in this article.

 

What animals can tell us about sleeping

Birds do it and bees do it, but exactly why we sleep is still a relative unknown. Is it time to give the science a wake-up call? Find out more in this article by Annie Aulsebrook from the School of BioSciences.

To stay up to date between editions please like our Science at Melbourne and the Science Student News pages on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

We also welcome your feedback about our BSci Newsletters. Let us know what you think by email.

Until next time we are truly yours,

 

Science News

 

 
Faculty of Science webpage
Facebook
Twitter