 |
Table of contents |
|
Next section |
|
Previous section |
 |
CELS home page |
 |
Advising Undergraduate StudentsFaculty in the biological sciences can turn to their professional societies for help in advising undergraduate students as they develop academically and professionally. Several professional societies in the life sciences provide extensive lists of undergraduate and graduate academic programs. Excellent compilations of academic programs are available from these societies, for example: American Association of Anatomists American Phytopathological Society American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics American Society for Photobiology American Society of Human Genetics American Society of Limnology and Oceanography Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs Council on Undergraduate Research North American Association for Environmental Education A clearinghouse of job opportunities in particular disciplines is a common service of many professional societies in the life sciences. Undergraduate students and their advisors can contact the headquarters office, read the society's newsletter, or view online job opportunities at the web sites of a large number of societies. Detailed advice and resources on career and job searches are available through: American Association for the Advancement of Science Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Career brochures targeted to college students are excellent resources for advisors and their students. Brochures often give both specific and general examples of careers that are possible with an academic degree in a particular discipline. Increasingly, the brochures are accessible through the web pages of the professional societies as well as available in paper form. Some of the professional societies in the life sciences that produce resources on career opportunities are: American Association of Physical Anthropologists American Institute of Biological Sciences American Physiological Society American Phytopathological Society American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology American Society for Photobiology American Society of Human Genetics American Society of Limnology and Oceanography American Society of Mammalogists American Society of Parasitologists American Society of Plant Taxonomists Council for Agricultural Science and Technology Crop Science Society of America Entomological Society of America Soil Science Society of America Universities Council on Water Resources A few professional societies work closely with faculty mentors to sponsor student chapters, which provide for interactions with professional biologists throughout the academic year. Other professional societies compile lists of summer research opportunities available in their discipline. Representative societies that support distinctive undergraduate advising activities are listed below:
The American Society of Agronomy sponsors student chapters on campuses across the nation. In a cooperative program with the Crop Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of America, the society provides for interactions among agronomists, crop scientists, soil scientists, and students, leading toward excellence in educational and professional development. The American Society for Cell Biology compiles an annual listing of summer research programs in biology for undergraduate students. Undergraduate students in the American Society for Horticultural Science are affiliated with the Association of Collegiate Branches. This association of student clubs has compiled several resources, including a career options brochure and an undergraduate primer. Student chapters are recognized by the American Society for Microbiology through its regional branches. In addition, the society's Visiting Scientist Program aims to stimulate minority students' interest in scientific research and establish ongoing networks between the visiting scientists' home institutions and host institutions. "How to Make a Great Poster," an instructional resource produced in conjunction with the American Society of Plant Physiologists, helps undergraduate students improve their poster displays. The Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs coordinates a clearinghouse of summer research opportunities in neuroscience for undergraduate students. The Phycological Society of America publicizes summer field courses open to undergraduate students to enhance their knowledge of algae and related organisms. |
