Biological Science - Program Advising E-mail

Hello Life Science and Biological Science Students,

I hope that the first quarter of the fall semester has gone well.

This is the third letter I send to you this semester.  It is arguably the most important.  There are courses that are required for your major - your program of study - and there are electives, courses you choose.  BUT – your choices matter.  I hope the following answers some questions you may have.  You can – and should – see a program advisor any time you have a question about what course(s) to take.  Program advisors are listed below.  Please touch base to discuss your academic plan every semester.

Math is required of all Biological Science students.  It is the language of research and applied sciences.

• Take a MATH course every semester! 
• Like any language, if you don’t use it, you lose it.
• It builds your confidence in applying math in your science classes.
• The Biological Science program accepts MATH courses at the level of Calculus II (MATH 171, MATH 182) or beyond (MATH 217, MATH 280, MATH 282, and MATH 284) for program elective credit.

If you placed into Calculus I, or when you complete MATH 165 (Precalculus) you have two options. 

• Option 1 is to take MATH 181: Calculus I.  This is a traditional calculus course for science, math, and engineering majors. It is a prerequisite for MATH 182: Calculus II and for MATH 171: Calculus for Life Science II.
• Option 2 is to take MATH 170: Calculus for Life Science I followed by MATH 171. This calculus sequence is taught from a biologist perspective with examples and explanations describing biological systems. They provide a life science context for learning mathematics.  If you plan to go to University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) this is the option you should choose. UMCP prefers that you take MATH 170 & MATH171.

What other courses should you take?  The answer depends on what you want to do and where you want to go upon transfer.  Completing both semesters of a two course sequence is always recommended.

CHEM 131/132 are required for the degree.

CHEM 203: Organic Chemistry I and CHEM 204: Organic Chemistry II serve as program electives.  Typically, we encourage Life Science and Biological Science majors to take both semester of “organic” at MC.  We have fantastic faculty teaching these courses.

Physics is another option.  You have three physics series options.  I encourage you to talk to your program advisor. Your transfer plans and what math you have taken will influence the decision.

• Option 1 - PHYS 203/204 General Physics I & II.  Although some transfer institutions will accept these courses, many, including UMCP, require a calculus based physics; these courses do not satisfy their requirement.  You will be required to take a calculus-based physics course (paying higher tuition and textbook costs).
• Option II -  PHYS 233/234 Physics for Life Science I & II is your best option, especially you plan to transfer to UMCP.  These calculus-based physics courses are preferably accepted at UMCP and are taught using examples from biological systems. 
• Option III - PHYS 161/262 is also a good option.  Taking the engineering physic sequence also satisfies the calculus physics requirement at most transfer institutions.

Computer programming/coding is a skill that is broadly applied in research and by biological industries.  The Biological Science Program also accepts several computer science courses as program elective credit including:

CMSC 140: Introduction to Programming

CMSC 203: Computer Science I

CMSC 204: Computer Science II

Taking one or more of these courses diversifies your academic profile and may provide you with knowledge and skills valued by a future employer.

You don’t have to go this alone. Talk with a program advisor (see chart below). Talk with your advising counselor.  Talk with me.  Making smart decisions now will save you money and time in the future.

Program Advisors
Program	Germantown	Rockville	Takoma Park/ Silver Spring
Biological Science	Dr. Lori Kelman 240-567-6912	Dr. Antonio Del Castillo-Olivares 240-567-5406	Dr. Valerie Lantz 240-567-3989
Chemistry and Biochemistry	Dr. Don Newlin 240-567-7781	Dr. Thomas Chen 240-567-7633	Dr. Cory Newman 240-567-1413
Environmental Science and Policy	Dr. James Smith 240-567-6964	Dr. Victoria Schneider 240-567-5479	Dr. Alessandra Sagasti 240-567-6964
Biotechnology	Dr. Lori Kelman 240-567-6912

Have a great semester,

Jim

James Sniezek, Ph.D.
Dean of Instruction
Chemical and Biological Science
Montgomery College

240-567-1690

Support Services for DACA Students

* Those whose DACA will expire sometime before March 2018 need to file an extension NOW, before October 5, 2017.

______________________

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE

Office of the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs

September 15, 2017

MEMORANDUM

To:                   Montgomery College Students

From:               Dr. Monica R.M. Brown, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs

Subject:            Support Services for DACA students

As you may have read in the news or in Dr. Pollard’s message to the College community, the federal government announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program will end next year Many of our students have DACA status, and we hope Congress will act swiftly to enact a permanent solution for all individuals who came to this country as a child. I know this is a difficult time and your concerns might make it hard for you to study and learn. It is our mission as an institution and a division to support you, and I want to make you aware of resources at the College and in the community that you may find helpful.

I have DACA status. What do I do now?

Current DACA recipients will be permitted to retain both the period of deferred action and their employment authorization documents (EADs) until they expire. Some basic information about deadlines is available at the Department of Homeland Security:

·         On an individual, case-by-case basis, properly filed pending DACA requests received as of September 5, 2017 will be considered

·         If your DACA status is scheduled to expire between September 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018, you must apply for renewal by October 5, 2017.

·         If your DACA status will expire after March 5, 2018, you retain your status until its expiration

My DACA status made me eligible for county or state tuition rates.  Will that change?

Your tuition rate will not change if your DACA status has not expired. We strongly encourage you to complete the Maryland Dream Act process described at www.montgomerycollege.edu/marylanddream to maintain county or state tuition rates if your DACA status expires. This will also help you maintain lower tuition rates when you transfer to a Maryland college or university. The termination of the DACA program does not affect the Maryland Dream Act regarding tuition rates, because it is a Maryland state law.

Will the College share my DACA status with anyone?

The College protects the confidentiality of all student information and follows the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other applicable laws.

On Campus Resources

·         Enrollment Services Specialists are available at each campus to assist students with questions about their tuition rates and the Maryland Dream Act process.

·         Counselors are available at each campus if you would like to talk and process any emotions that you may be experiencing during this time.

Off-Campus/Community Resources

·         Montgomery County residents are encouraged to contact MC311 (dial 311 by phone) if they are in need of legal resources or other support services.

·         For legal advice, this link to community resources in the State of Maryland may be of assistance.

·         The Intercultural Counseling Connection also has a variety of resources for refugees and immigrants in Montgomery County and throughout the State of Maryland.

·         CASA de Maryland is hosting a series of DACA renewal clinics between now and October 5^th. http://wearecasa.org/events/category/featured/

The Student Senate at the Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus will be hosting an open community conversation on Monday, September 18th from 4 – 6 p.m. The conversation will take place in the Cultural Arts Center, Theatre 1. Additional forums on each campus to answer questions about your DACA status and college enrollment and to assist students with Maryland Dream Act and other paperwork will be held. Dates and times will be announced in all College media.

The faculty and staff in the Student Affairs Division are here to assist and support you should you encounter any challenges or have questions related to this change. Please call 240-567-5000 or visit a Welcome Center on campus to be directed to the most appropriate College resource.