ChE 411 Undergraduate Seminar

Instructors: Paul Scovazzo, P. Sukanek, et al.
Office Number: 138 Anderson
E-mail address: scovazzo@olemiss.edu
Phone: 915-5354
Class Meeting Times/Dates: Thursdays; 11:00 – 12:15 p.m.
Office Hours: All day (Open Door Policy). I will place my schedule on my office door indicating any excluded times from the Open Door Policy.

Prerequisite: Senior Standing

Texts: None

Course Objectives & Outcomes
Objective: To provide undergraduate students with guidance and experience in communication skills necessary for professional development and advancement.

Desired Outcomes:

Plan, create, and deliver a technical presentation using appropriate technology. The presentation will be evaluated for content, organization, and delivery.
Write an effective resume suitable to immediate career goals.
Write an effective letter of inquiry.
Research an engineering safety topic, summarize, and communicate the results.

Course Topics (Tentative Class Periods, not necessarily in this order):
Introduction 1 Class
Cover Letter/Resume writing 3 Class
Networking 1 Class
Interviewing 1 Class
Job/Office Skills 1 Class
First Student Presentations 4 Classes
Second Student Presentations 4 Classes
Final Exam => 2 Job Offers = A, 1 Job Offer = B, No Job = C

Overall Course Grading

20%- Homework (All assignments will count)
15%- First Presentation
30% Second Group Project
20% Class Participation – Written and oral evaluations of your classmates
15%- Final Exam

The target average score for every exam will be at least 75%. If the average score of those taking the exam falls below a 75%, grades will be “curved” to make the average 75%. Grades will not be curved down.

Student Profiles:

Communications is part of engineering. For this reason, the first course assignment will be a one paragraph profile with a passport size photograph. Follow the instructor's example. The instructor's intention is not to teach technical writing but to get to know the students.

Policies and Procedures

Classroom Atmosphere and Class Representative:

Students are encouraged to be active class members and to make suggestions regarding improvements in the course as it proceeds. I hope to have an "environment" in which students are free to ask questions or say what is on their mind. In addition, I would like to have a class representative who will meet with me to discuss group concerns and suggestions.

Excuses

No late homework will be accepted ! No excuses for missed exams will be accepted other than certified medical or immediate family death.