Bren 101 for MESM Students— The Nitty Gritty Laura Haston Assistant Dean Corlei Prieto Manager of...

Bren 101 for MESM Students—The Nitty Gritty

Laura HastonAssistant Dean

Corlei PrietoManager of Student Affairs

Chelsea HoudyshellGraduate Advisor

Bren 101 for MESM Students

Information Sources

• http://www.bren.ucsb.edu

– Academic Programs Sectionwww.bren.ucsb.edu/academics

– Services > Student Section– www.bren.ucsb.edu/services/student/index.html

• http://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu– http://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/academic/handbook/

• http://www.registrar.ucsb.edu

http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/

http://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/


Registration

• Do it by the deadline or $50 fine!– See registrar’s Academic Calendar

• Course Descriptions – Bren web: academic programs/courses

• Curriculum Plan for 2007-08– Bren web: academic programs/class schedule

• Bren schedule of classes– www.bren.ucsb.edu/academics/class schedule– Do NOT use University’s printed schedule of classes

for Bren; not up-to-date

http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/academics/class


Registration con’t.

• Must register before the end of your 1st Pass (maximum 12 units)– Don’t forget to add the rest later

• Schedule changes without penalty by the end of 1st week of quarter

• Any changes to schedule after 1st week is $3 per change

• Can drop a class using GOLD up until the last day of classes

• Any additions to schedule during the 2nd and 3rd weeks require an approval code


Registration, con’t.

• Approval Codes– Required to register if:

• Course is restricted• Course enrollment is at max• After the first week of classes

– Email scheduling@bren to obtain code for a Bren class

– Enter when you register on GOLD– You may need an approval code to enroll in a class

offered by another department• Ask instructor of course who you should obtain a code

from• We can only give codes out for Bren classes



• What to do if GOLD says a Bren course is full

– If a course:• email scheduling@bren and let Briny know• She will work to increase enrollment max and move

room to new location, if necessary, so you will be able to enroll

– If a section (i.e. one of a few discussion for a course)• Must enroll in another section; we have to balance sizes• Only exception is if the other classes that you are

taking overlap with all other sections• In this case, you will be given an approval code



• You can not add a class using GOLD after the 3rd week• Must submit a Registrar’s Schedule Adjustment Petition

Copies in the student mail room Get instructor’s signature if possible (out of courtesy

mainly) The only other signature you need is mine (graduate

advisor) Give to Chelsea, she’ll get my signature, and return to

your mailbox Once signed, you turn it into the registrar

• Should rarely, if ever, be necessary • Enrollment counts are frozen after 3rd week so it hurts

us if you don’t register by then



• “Special” Courses– ESM 595 – Group Studies (Seminar Classes)

• Double Letter courses are Ph.D. ONLY (i.e. ESM 595AA)• Only S/U Grading Option

– ESM 596 – Independent Research• Requires petition and instructor approval• bren.ucsb.edu/services/student/ESM596_form.doc• Must enter instructor code when you register

– List of codes on web at academics/class schedule

• Maximum of 4 units of ESM 596 can count toward unit total

http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/services/student/ESM596_form.doc



• Variable Unit Courses– A range of units possible– Many workshops and short courses are variable– Be careful – only register in the number of units

listed on the schedule of classes!– For example, this quarter 299-1, 299-2, 299-3 this

quarter– Note: non-variable units classes can not be variable



• Registration Problems– Guestimate: 20% of students have a registration

problem that they are not aware of• Check your schedule before then end of the third

week!• Check your schedule before the last day of

classes!!– NO CHANGES AFTER THIS DATE

• Retroactive changes are huge hassle for us and you and you run the risk that GRAD DIV won’t approve it



• Questions? Or You Forget?– See “How to Register for Classes and Make

Adjustments to Your Schedule”• www.bren.ucsb.edu/academic/sched.asp

– Still confused? • Contact scheduling@bren or

[email protected]

http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/academic/sched.asp


The Top 2 Student Questions

• Why won’t GOLD let me register for ESM XXX class (that’s not full)?

• The answer depends on when you try during the quarter– Between week 1-3

Answer: You must have an approval codeEmail scheduling

– After week 3You can’t do it using GOLD!; you need to submit

an SAF


Unit Load

• Grads are supposed to enroll in a min of 12 units- No real consequence if at least 8 units though

• Bren students = 13.5/qtr on ave to meet 81 unit requirement

• Generally, not recommended that you enroll in more than 16 unit- Your graduate education also includes activities that

don’t result in units• Do not load up in winter of 1st year

– You have impt & time consuming career development work to do


Unit Load Fall ‘07

• 200 Orientation Case Study Course (0.5)• 203 Earth System Science (4 units)• 201 Ecology of Managed Ecosystems (4 units)• 210 Business and the Environment (4 units)• 206A Statistics and Data Analysis (1 unit)• 251 Introduction to Policy Analysis (2 units)• Total = 15.5

• Plus no-credit career workshop, all need to take• Plus no-credit stats workshop, if needed (probably

most)


Core CoursesFall (‘07)--previous slide

Win (‘08)ESM 202: Env. Biogeochemistry (4 units)ESM 204: Economics of Env. Mgmt (4 units)ESM 206B: Data Analysis/Stats (1 unit)ESM 241: Environmental Politics and Policy (2 units)Total = 11 unitsMany of you will also want to take ESM 437: Writing for Environmental Professionals (2 units), a “LINKS” class to 241

Spring (‘08)ESM 206C: Data Analysis/Stats (2 units)ESM 207: Environmental Law and Policy (4 units)ESM 401A: Group Project (4 units)Total = 10 units


Core Course Waivers

• Waiver of a Core Class– You already have a SUBSTANTIAL portion of the knowledge

& skills – Not a lot of waivers approved BUT definitely pursue if

appropriate– Many courses have waiver policy/procedures posted on

web (academics/courses)– Your responsibility to contact professor and make

arrangements for evaluation– If instructor approves, have him/her sign petition– You must make up units with another class – Special circumstance: since 207 is taught be a visitor,

submit a petition to me


Core Course Deferrals

• The following are NOT deferrable– ESM 251– ESM 206ABC– ESM 401A

• Appropriate only if your load will be too heavy because you need to take electives for your specialization that are only offered biennially– No reason for a deferral this fall

• Must make sure that that you won’t lack prerequisites for important elective classes for specialization– e.g. defer 204 (econ) -> can’t take 245 (cost benefit) - See guide at academics/class schedule


Core CourseDeferrals con’t.

• Submit Bren School petition at least 2 weeks before the start of the quarter

• Policy document on deferrals and waivers: http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/services/student/documents/Deferrals_Waivers_000.doc

• Be clear on the risk:– If you defer a class to your second year, and you

don’t pass the class, you won’t graduate; you will have to come back and re-take the class (no exceptions)

http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/services/student/documents/Deferrals_Waivers_000.doc

http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/services/student/documents/Deferrals_Waivers_000.doc


Grades• Core Courses

– University rule that you must earn at least a “B” in all core course

• Elective Courses– Only “C” or better counts toward degree requirements

• S/U or P/NP– S/U for graduate classes; S = B or better– P/NP for undergraduate classes; P = C or better

• Must take all courses that will count toward 81 unit min requirement for a grade unless only offered as S/U or P/NP


Grades, con’t.• Undergrad course work

– Lower division can’t count toward graduate degree requirements

– Up to 8 units of upper division can count with approval

• In Progress (“IP”)– For sequence classes like 206ABC and 401ABC– Earn IP until last quarter– Grade given last quarter applies to all previous quarters

• Incomplete (“I”)– Must file form before last day of classes– Must have good reason– Grade submitted when work completed and replaces “I”


Grades, con’t.

• No Grade (NG) or No Record (NR)– May have on transcript temporarily if instructor does not

submit grades before reporting deadline• No need to worry; goes away once grades are submitted and

we make sure they are

– Will receive if “I” submitted but no paperwork submitted– Permanently turns into “F” “U” or “NP” if not rectified by

the end of following quarter

• If GPA < 3.0, Grad Div places you on probation– If performance does not improve you can be dismissed


AcademicIntegrity

• The University has standards for academic conduct and Bren expects students to uphold and adhere to these standards

• We are required to report known instances of inappropriate academic conduct

• No collusion– Working together when not allowed– Not following the rules governing group work

• e.g. can only work in pairs• No plagiarism

– Make sure you thoroughly understand what this means– Increasing incidents suggests that many students are

unclear• Info on academic integrity web at services/ASA


Petitions

• Bren School Petition– To address issues governed by Bren School

policy/procedures– http:/www.bren.ucsb.edu/services/documents/

petition_form.doc– Free!

• Graduate Division Petition– To address issues governed by University

policy/procecures– http://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/forms/acad/pdf/

GradPetition.pdf– $20


Class Scheduling

• Extremely difficult; we try very hard to create an overall optimal schedule

• Generally no classes on Fridays except classes with special schedules, labs, field trips, workshops

• Have to overlap some classes; try to choose those that are not likely to be of interest to the same students

• We welcome odd schedules if they allow good opportunities

• Weekends are fair game• Some classes don’t begin until mid-quarter (e.g. ESM

251 and ESM 206 this quarter) • Some classes taught in intensive format (e.g. every day

for week)– 207 will be two 4-day session (incl. weekends)


Special Circumstances

• “3-year program”– Need advise on what to take now and what to take later– Start group project in 2nd year not 1st

– Fee/tuition etc the same price no matter how many units you take so if you take longer it will cost more


Special Circumstances, con’t

• “Early Graduation”– Not recommended or encouraged

• Workload too heavy and too little time to fully participate in the non-course part of your education

– Possible if all requirements are satisfied at the end of winter quarter of 2nd year

– However, students must complete an adequate program of study (POS) for their specialization

– Often not be possible within 5 quarters since some classes are offered biennially in spring

– POS must be academically sound and will not be approved solely to enable and accommodate early graduation

– Policy document at: http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/services/student/documents/EarlyGraduation.doc


Group Projects

• Preliminary group project info meeting– Oct 30; 9:00-10:45; BH 1424

• Begin preparing group project proposals fall quarter

• Project proposals due late Jan (exact date TBA)

– Last year’s info on submitting a suggestion: • On the web at research/group projects• This year’s to be posted soon

– Last year’s project proposals• On the web at research/group projects


Group Projects, con’t.

• Group project selection committee formed in fall, which includes 3-4 students

• Proposal selection and group assignments in winter quarter

• Group project kickoff meeting in late winter– Group project guidelines – http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/services/students/docume

nts• Updated version for your class posted in winter

• Enroll in ESM 401ABC starting Spr ‘ 08 (4,4,4 units)• ESM 401A includes formal class meetings

http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/services/students/documents

http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/services/students/documents


Group Projects con’t.• Defense in mid-winter

– Please go to a few of them this year to gain understanding of what to expect and what’s expected of you

• Final report, policy brief, and draft presentation due at the end of winter quarter

• Practice videotaping and critique finals week of winter quarter

• Grades assigned winter quarter (therefore groups MUST be done)

• Group project public presentations usually 1st week of spring quarter (oral and poster)

• Check out previous years’ briefs and reports:– http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/research/gp_past.html


Group Projects con’t.

Corlei= Group Projectsprojects@bren

corlei@bren


Specializations• MESM students must develop depth in one of six

specialization areas

– CMRM: Coastal Marine Resource Management (Lenihan)– CP: Conservation Planning (Frank Davis)– CEM: Corporate Environmental Management (Gary Libecap)

• Special program within CEM on EcoEntrepreneurship– PEE: Political Economy of the Environment (Matt Kotchen)– PPR Pollution Prevention & Remediation (Trish Holden)– WRM: Water Resources Mgmt (Christina Tague)

• Faculty specialization leaders noted in parentheses• Not sure what do specialize in?

– You need to figure this out soon!– Attend specialization info meetings this fall

• Dates/Times announced soon via email


Program of Study (POS)

• An individual curriculum plan for developing depth in your area of specialization

• Complete a Class of 2009 POS Form– On the web at services/ASA– Must be approved by the specialization leader– Must be submitted to Chelsea by middle of win’ 08– Can be modified with approval

• May include classes in other departments and, in some cases, should


Creating a POS• Guided by the specialization description

– On the web academics/MESM – An advisement and guidance document– Does not dictate the POS precisely– Students in the same specialization will have different POS’s

depending upon their unique background, interests, and goals• Sample programs of study on web

– Academics/MESM & Services/ASA• Your POS form will not will not be a precise list of classes

but a sensible set of possibilities• Too much & too soon to go into depth now, so special

session later– “How to Prepare Your POS Form”

Oct 31, 12:30 pm, BH 1424


Summary ofMESM Degree Requirements

• 81 units minimum• Core courses (32.5 units) • 401ABC (12 units) & group project • An approved set of electives that develop

strength in a specialized area– 36.5 units minimum

• Minimum 3.0 GPA & B or better in all core courses


MESM Advisors

• MESM students don’t have an advisor • MESM not like an academic research degree in

which your work with a particular faculty member who guides your education

• MESM students have– Group project advisor– Specialization leader (SL)

• Approves program of study– Another faculty member(s) (or not) from whom the

student wants to seek advice• Can help you craft your initial POS but only SL can

approve


Who’s Who in theBren School

• Deans– Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker– John Melack, Associate Dean

• Faculty– “Ladder track” / Permanent– Governance/Decision-making– Sabbaticals/Leaves

• Costello (Win & Spr)• Delmas (2007-08)• Keller (Win)• Kolstad (Fall & Spr)• Young (Fall & Spr)

• Faculty Recruitment 2007-08– Env Law, (continuing from last year)– Ecotoxicology– Climate, Energy, and Resources


Who’s Who con’t.

• Adjunct Faculty- Main affiliation elsewhere but involved in teaching and research at UCSB

• Affiliated Faculty- Ladder track faculty in other UCSB dept with 0% appt in Bren because they interact in some way(s)

• Professional Researchers• Visiting Faculty & Lecturers• Visiting Researchers



External Constituents• Advisory Board

– See web at people/advisory board– University-wide Advisory Committee that provides high level

direction– Includes 1 Bren Student Rep

• Dean’s Council– See web at people/Dean’s Council– Conduit between the School and the local community

• Corporate Partners– See web at giving/corporate giving– Mutually beneficial alliances with local and national

corporations and NGOs– More on Wed…



• Faculty Committees of Interest – On the web at people/committees & organizations– MESM Program

• Chair = Davis; Staff Support = Haston/Parker; Student Rep = TBD

– Group Projects• Chair = Tague; Staff Support = Prieto; Melack = liaison to

external clients; Reps for selection = TBD– Recruitment, Admissions & Support (RAS)

• Chair = Lenihan; Staff Support = Houdyshell– Colloquium

• Chair = von Weizsäcker; Staff Support = Danetra; Student Rep = Canepa

• These and other leadership opportunities will be discussed on Wednesday


Who’s Who

• Staff– On the web at people/staff– Org chart at services/administration– Coming soon to the web:

• List of who does what @ services/administration


Info & Assistancefor MESMs

The PRIMARY CONTACT for MESMs students seeking information, advice, and assistance

CHELSEAgradasst@bren

(unless confidential)

When it doubt about who to ask, contact gradasst@bren


Info and Assistancefor MESMs

• With the exception of the following specific matters, use Chelsea at gradasst@bren– Group Projects

• projects@bren– Registration & Scheduling

• scheduling@bren – Computing

• request@bren – Building/Space/Sustainability

• brenhall@bren – Web

• webmaster@bren– Inform or request distribution of newsworthy info

• media@bren• This info on the web at services/administration


Communication

• Bren Aliases– grad2008 = 2nd year MESMs– grad2009 = 1st year MESMs– all-phd = all (Bren and non-Bren) PhD students

housed in Bren– bren-admin = all administrative staff– faculty = all ladder track faculty– allfaculty = faculty + visitors and lecturers

• Bren aliases are for business use only!• Need to voice your opinion, announce a party, sell

something, find a ride, etc– random@bren


• To view who is in an alias– Go to services/computing– Go to alias management system (under email and

scheduling– Type in esm\your name and then your password– Click on view members from alias affiliation– Click on alias of interest; then “view alias” at bottom

of page

Communication, con’t.


Communication con’t.

• Schedule meetings that involve the Dean via the Dean’s Assistant = Doris (doris@bren)– Note: by and large Deans have open door policy but we’re

very busy so if it is important and time sensitive you probably want to schedule a meeting

– Laura’s fall office hours • Mon 230-330 & Wed 130-230• On my people page on the web

• Direct scheduling of faculty with CT not advisable without their permission

• Follow-up after reasonable amount of time with 2nd email if no response

• Use subject line to everyone’s advantage


Communication con’t.

• Forward emails with extreme caution and respect• Be careful what you put in email; you can never be

100% sure who will end up seeing it• Don’t say anything over random@bren that you

personally would not want the world to hear or may reflect poorly on others in the Bren community or the community itself

• Use My Space etc with caution; many employers etc. now use this as part of “background check”


Room Scheduling

• Student “schedulable” rooms– Bonsai & Visitor Center

• Use Corporate Time• Instructions at Services/Academic and Student

Affairs


Bren School Events

• Event calendar on webhttp://www.bren.ucsb.edu/news/events/index.asp

• Event calendar on Corporate Time– View by opening agenda www.bren.event

• Emails/email flyers– Non-public events distributed through all@bren– Open to the public events distributed through bren-

alerts• You’ve automatically been subscribed

– If you have something appropriate for announcement, please send it to media@bren for distribution

http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/news/events/index.asp


Colloquia

• Talks by visitors or Bren faculty/students– MESM students’ colloquia

• $2,000 budget

– Research colloquia• Faculty hosted• Generally high level talks about research in particular

areas of ES & M

– Bren School Colloquia• Arranged by colloquium committee• Generally of broad interest and geared toward a

diverse audience


The BrenWriting Center

• What do employers want more than anything?– Employees that have strong communication skills– If you want a good job after Bren and you want to advance

more quickly into bigger and better positions, invest time now to improve your writing skills

– Most incoming Bren students have adequate skills at best and many have less than adequate

– We are giving you opportunities to move from adequate or less to great; take advantage!

– Tutoring available at the Bren Writing Center• You’ll hear more from Monica Bulger (Co-Director)

tomorrow


Financial Matters

• Myth: You will be paid as a teaching or research asst if you go to graduate school

• Generally, only true for those pursuing a PhD in science or engineering

• Highly unlikely that you will be able to fully finance your education this way

• Only a small percentage of MESM students secure a position and rarely for all 6 quarters

• Most MESM students fund all or a significant portion of their education with loans or savings

• Loans and Financial Aid– Handled by University’s Financial Aid Office not Bren


Financial Matters, con’t.

• First….The Big Question??• Will you have enough time to work?• The MESM program is FULL-TIME and nearly all

consuming• You should expect to be engaged in school work a

minimum of 40 hours/week and at times more• Some students have successfully managed up to 20

hours/week• Most say < 10 is max• Some say no time for any!


Financial Matters

• Teaching Assistant (TA) positions• Provides partial fee remission

– Covers GSHIP and most of fees but not out-of-state tuition

• Provide salary– ~5K /quarter for 50% time position

• Bren has NO TA positions for MESM student– University rules don’t allow MESM student to serve as TA’s

for their peers


Financial Matters

• May be opportunities in other departments although they will give priority to hiring their own graduate students– EEMB, MCDB, Chem, ME, Global Studies, Law and Society,

Writing Program, various language programs, rarely Geol, and Geog

• It’s your responsibility to explore and pursue• We have no power to give or get you a position in

another department• Most likely opportunity is Environmental Studies (since

they don’t have a graduate program)– Normally, appoint all TA’s for year in spring– So… probably limited, if any, opportunity this year



• Research Positions– Funded by extramural contracts and grants secured

by faculty– It’s entirely their decision who they hire;

“administration” can’t award these positions– Most research positions filled by PhD students– Graduate Student Researcher (GSR)

• Salary + full fee/tuition/GSHIP payment• High level and fairly independent work

– Student Assistant • Hourly wage• Assist with lower level tasks



• Student Assistant Administrative/Service Positions– Announced over email if any at Bren

• Work study favored– UCSB Career Center list some student employment

opportunities• http://www.career/ucsb.edu/employment/student_employment

.html– Financial Aid website has a work-study job board

• http://www.finaid.ucsb.edu/index.asp– CLAS (Campus Learning Assistance Services) hires tutors

and in take counselors• http://www.clas/ucsb.edu/index.thm

– Off campus work• Watch Dave’s announcements and let him know you are

looking

http://www.career/ucsb.edu/employment/student_employment.html

http://www.career/ucsb.edu/employment/student_employment.html

http://www.finaid.ucsb.edu/index.asp



• Financial Award Opportunities for 2nd year Students– Fee Fellowship

• Provides one quarter of fee payment • Only eligible if you have filed a FAFSA and have

demonstrated need (University requirement)• See fee fellowship guidelines/application for last year

on web (Services/Student)• Application/guidelines for 2008-09 will be announced in

spring and posted on web



• Bren School Fellowships/Prizes– Recruitment incentives – Awards given in 1st year of program

• Sometimes a portion will be paid in 2nd year but you will be informed of award in your 1st year

• Award will be credited to your BARC• Used to pay fees/GSHIP/Tuition (non-taxable) first and

any extra beyond that paid as stipend (taxable)

– Awardees that secure a TA position should inform Chelsea (gradasst@bren)

• award will be deferred to another quarter or changed from fee payment to stipend



• Doris Duke Conservation Fellows – 5-6 fellowship providing fee/GSHIP/tuition in 2nd year plus a

$5,000 stipend to help with the cost of a summer internship (and a few other benefits)

– Application/guidelines for 2008-09 will be announced in in fall and posted on web



• Internship Funding (20-30K)– Apply in winter/spring– Career Office will send out information and application

email

• Conference Funding (10K)– Apply throughout year– Info and application on web at:

http://www.bren.ucsb/services/student– Priority given to those presenting papers and posters

• Everyone should file a FAFSA!! (Mar 2)

http://www.bren.ucsb/services/student


• Don’t let faculty office hours go unused• Faculty are VERY busy but they want to interact with

you and help you• Develop yourself as a strong cohort• Its up to you to develop strong ties the 2nd year students

(and PhD students) and you will benefit by doing this• Don’t be totally Bren-centric; it’s a big, first-rate

University out there• Meet and interact with visitors• Network, network, network

Some Advice from Laura


• Doing well in your classes is only part of the formula for success

• It is the rare employee that will look at your transcript and care if you got some B’s

• Your primary objective should be to gain knowledge and skills not get straight “A’s”

• One of the most important things you are doing is developing your analytical and problems solving abilities

• Read the readings even if they “won’t be on the test”; you are here to take advantage of opportunities

Some Advice, con’t.


• Career development starts now, is a priority, and must be a continuous activity over the next 2 years

• You are not just a student; you are a developing professional; practice polish

• Have integrity– be 100% true to your word

• Never compromise academic integrity

• Accept fundamental Bren value

– we are not an advocacy organization– we interact with all parties truly interested in improving

their relationship to the environment and finding solutions to problems



• Be a problem solver/solution generator not a complainer• As much as possible, first try to solve problems by

talking directly to the people involved and responsible– i.e. professor going to fast? Tell him/her

• Provide thorough and thoughtful responses to evaluations and year-end surveys

• This is a challenging, extremely stressful time don’t hesitate to or feel embarrassed about seeking help

• Look out for one another; talk to Laura if you are concerned about someone

• You have time!



Thanks for your time and attention!

Bren 101 for MESM Students— The Nitty Gritty Laura Haston Assistant Dean Corlei Prieto Manager of...

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