Blog Archives

"Data Presentation: The Dos and Don’ts of Figures, Plots, Images" presented by O. Marcelo Suárez.

8/30/2015

Abstract
A key constituent in science dissemination through manuscript constructs is data presentation. Normally publishing houses provide specific guidelines for figures, plots, charts, and diagrams. Yet, we deem important that students involved in research acquire an overall understanding of the underpinning of data presentation in theses and, more importantly, manuscripts. This seminar addresses the gray areas left by those guidelines and specifics about figures, scientific charts, and plots. From font size and types to x-y scale selections, charts deserve a close look to make them clear, readable and self-explanatory. Furthermore, figures obtained by imaging devices (cameras, sensors, etc.) demand proper scaling to enable exacting measurements. These topics along with figure formatting (resolution, size, type, i.e. TIFF, PNG, JPG) will also be addressed. Ancillary issues to discuss include 'the table and plot dichotomy,' 'copyrights of reproductions,' 'labeling and colors' among others.

This is pre-seminar to the one on scientific publications to be presented during the Mech. Eng. Graduate Seminar on Sept. 10. It is organized by the Material Advantage UPRM Chapter and co-hosted the Nanotechnology Center CREST.

When: Thursday Sept. 3, 10:30-11:45 (universal hour)
Where: Stéfani S-303

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Invitación a Charla Vanderbilt University

8/23/2015

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Estudiantes 4to, 5to y 6to año Programas de Ingeniería:

Les queremos informar a todos los estudiantes de Ingeniería que el jueves, 27 de agosto a las 10:30 am en el salón Stefani 230 nos estará visitando la Universidad de Vanderbilt de Nashville, Tennessee para promover sus programas graduados.

Les exhortamos a todos los interesados para que asisten y se informen de sus programas y oportunidades con tiempo!

Agradecemos confirme su asistencia a la charla comunicándose con la Sra. Virginia D. Figueroa, Oficial Administrativo II al correo electrónico virginia.figueroa1@upr.edu.

Habrá pizza y refrigerios para los participantes. Los esperamos.

Nota: Aquí se les incluye información de los programas de Vanderbilt University;

The Vanderbilt University School of Engineering’s graduate programs emphasize innovative, rigorous multidisciplinary study and in-depth instruction. As a graduate student you would be part of a world-class research institution but with the intimacy and faculty contact of a small private university. Our faculty is committed to teaching and working with the next generation of engineering students and you can expect to enjoy the richness of collaboration and long-term relationships at Vanderbilt University

Master’s and Ph.D. programs are offered in:

• Biomedical Engineering

• Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

• Civil Engineering

• Computer Science

• Electrical Engineering

• Environmental Engineering

• Interdisciplinary Program in Material Science

• Mechanical Engineering

For more information about our programs visit http://engineering.vanderbilt.edu/gradschool.

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Webinar for Women in Engineering

8/23/2015

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On September 2nd at 2:00 PM EDT, the ASM Women in Materials Engineering Committee is proud to present, "Love Your Job More." In this webinar, you will learn how society and culture impact women’s self efficacy – their belief in themselves to achieve - and how it is especially difficult for women to believe in themselves in technology-driven, male dominated organizations. At the conclusion of this session you will understand that self efficacy is not the only determinate of your achievements, and believing in yourself is critical for navigating the organization as well as your life outside of your work. We will end by providing multiple examples of how to further improve one’s level of self efficacy so that each participant finds ways to thrive and flourish in her career and in her life.

Webinar Registration

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Advance to a Higher Degree by Purdue University

8/19/2015

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Ever wonder what graduate school is really like? When you transition from undergraduate to graduate school, there are some key differences you may encounter:

In graduate school, you spend less time in class but more time preparing for class by reading and preparing for discussions. Graduate classes are typically smaller, which means you often have to participate actively in discussions. Depending on your field of study, you might spend most of your time in a lab, field setting, or library doing research, instead of in a traditional classroom.
As an undergraduate student, you learn a little about a variety of subjects. As a graduate student, your study becomes more focused and you develop a deeper understanding of a particular niche. You may be expected to develop an area of expertise that you help advance through your own research. The need for original research is especially true at the doctoral level.
There may be more money to support your education in graduate school. Many graduate students are "paid" to go to school through research or teaching assistantships. In return, they work part-time for the institution. More than 70% of full-time graduate students at Purdue University receive funding by or through the University.
Unlike your undergraduate studies, you should treat graduate school like a job. Because graduate students are in class fewer hours, you must have excellent time management skills and discipline to use your time outside of class wisely. Balancing coursework with a teaching or research assistantship is a full time job!

Understanding some of the differences between undergraduate and graduate school can help prepare you for that transition when the time comes. Good luck!

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BERKELEY EDGE CONFERENCE 2015

8/14/2015

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Please save the date! Berkeley Edge Conference 2015 has been announced along with the deadline date for nominations. This is a great opportunity for under represented students to receive the University of California, Berkeley experience and learn what opportunities are available at a top ranked research institution. The Berkeley Edge Program is geared towards students studying mathematics, electrical engineering-computer science and the physical sciences.

The following is a list of programs that are encouraged to apply to the Berkeley Edge Conference 2015:

Mathematics/Applied Mathematics
Electrical Engineering-Computer Science
Materials Science Engineering
Chemistry/Chemical Biology
Chemical and Bio-molecular Engineering
Physics
Earth and Planetary Science
Geophysics
Geology
Statistics
Astronomy
Astrophysics

What: Sixteenth Annual Berkeley Edge Conference

When: Nov. 5 - 7, 2015

Where: The University of California, Berkeley

Nomination deadline: September 25, 2015

To learn more about the Berkeley Edge Conference and to apply, please
visit : http://bsn.berkeley.edu/bec2013 <http://bsn.berkeley.edu/bec2013>

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TRANSFORMATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, YOU CAN DO IT! By Marvi ann Matos

8/14/2015

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When talking to scientists in industry and academia, I always ask: “How is it that you got involved in Research? What inspired you to follow a path as a Scientist? When did you decide that you would continue a PhD?” While an interest in Science and Math typically starts early on in school and prior to college, the passion that propels many of these individuals to pursue a PhD stems from transformational research opportunities. Many times, the answers to all my questions converge into: “it was that summer research opportunity that inspired me to dream higher”. My life as an engineer and scientist and my motivation were not different. I was inspired to pursue a PhD in Chemical Engineering after participating in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. Take notes NSF Program Managers, your REUs actually work and they are inspiring Latinos all across the US.

However, I am not writing this article for the Program Managers, I am writing this article for YOU, the student. This is my strategic way to say, YOU NEED TO SEND YOUR APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS NOW, DEADLINES ARE TYPICALLY BETWEEN DECEMBER AND JANUARY! By the way, YES, THEY WILL PAY FOR YOUR WORK. And, regardless if you are planning to pursue graduate school or not, summer research or internship experiences are strategic jobs that can later help you to be considered for interviews and more permanent positions.

Lost? Here are some tips for you.

There are many ways you can look for information on available programs in different fields. To find programs funded by NSF in your field go to:

http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm

This link will take you to REUs funded by NSF and you can search the field of your choice in the website.

Once you have found which universities are funded, you can follow the virtual path to the University and find the application forms.

Let’s say, you have no clue on where to apply, well, if you would like to know the University rankings to get a better idea, go to:

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools

This link will show for free the best 10 schools within a discipline (for the full list a subscription to US News is required, but it is possible that your school library carries the subscription). The reason why the search in the provided link above is focused on best graduate schools instead of College is because for a research focus you want to see how universities are ranked based on their graduate programs. Why to focus on great schools? Remember your summer experience will be in your resume, it will help you to get into graduate school and it will help you to find a job in the future, you want to maximize the impact of that summer research experience in your professional life.

For REU Opportunities in Engineering, you can look in the NSF website under Engineering. For Engineering Internships a useful link is:

http://www.internmatch.com/s/engineering-internship

The link offers the positions description along with the organization or companies’ name.

Other ways to find research opportunities is through foundations. An example is the Amgen Scholars Program. In this particular application you will select the site/university of your choice. Universities including MIT, Stanford, CalTech, among several others, are participants in Amgen Scholars.

If you are interested in working with a particular company for the summer the time to apply for these opportunities is in THE FALL. Go to the Careers website within your company of interest and search for internship programs, requisitions or job postings.

For those of you who are thinking about graduate school in STEM here are my very simple* tips:

*simple might include long hours of study and work to ensure a reasonably high GPA, GRE and great recommendations from professors and employers.

Tips for College and to Apply to Grad School:

- Focus on your studies and get the best grades you can, but ALSO,

- Discover the research in your field, search who is working what in your school

- Find out which professors are taking undergraduates, find if they can pay for your research or if you can get scholarships that will pay you while you work on extracurricular research or get credit for it

in the fall, start searching for summer research and internship opportunities in other institutions and/or companies

- As you complete your courses, while maintaining a high GPA, build your resume with research experiences and also internships if possible

- Build a professional social media profile

If interested in graduate school, the last year of college in the FALL:

- Check on USNews for rankings:

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools

- Checkout the University programs online, what do they have to offer?

- Use programs like Project 1000 to apply to as many schools as possible, waiving your application fees if you are eligible

- Select those universities you wish to apply and apply to those programs with full fellowships, tuition and stipend

- My personal recommendation is to apply to at least 10 programs in a wide range of rakings to ensure that you will get into a school

- Challenge yourself, apply to GREAT schools, you never know

The application materials will require letters of recommendation; this is why it is so important to have research experiences and to do really well on courses.

AND APPLY TO SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAMS OR INTERNSHIPS!

Original post by http://www.cienciapr.org/en/blogs/equipo-informa/transformational-opportunities-you-can-do-it

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