FRACTAL: Background: Quebec - distinct language, culture within - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

FRACTAL: Background: Quebec - distinct language, culture within Canada/North America g g Fr eshman A dvising C onnection for Fr eshman A dvising C onnection for T eaching a nd L earning 1 2 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Background: Quebec Background: Education in Quebec - distinct educational structure within Canada/North /  CEGEP programs are typically two years long CEGEP programs are typically two years long America  secondary school and undergraduate degrees are  official provincial language is French both one year shorter in Quebec relative to elsewhere Canada/North America  educational system which is different from rest of Canada and North America  CEGEP program combines the last year of high CEGEP bi th l t f hi h  students attend high school, and then go to school (Grade 12) with first year university CEGEP (freshman year) elsewhere • CEGEP: Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel 3 4 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University 1

McGill University: officially English Two Entrance Levels into Quebec University  Medium–sized university with 25000 undergraduates d s d v s y w 5 d g d s From Montreal: From Montreal: From From and 8000 graduate students from 160 countries Pittsburgh High school (up to Grade 11) High school (up to Grade 12) CEGEP (2 years) (2 years) U0 year of University U1 year of (freshman) University (sophomore) 5 6 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University McGill’s Two Main Campuses: McGill’s  Macdonald campus in Ste. Anne-de-Bellevue – downtown village/suburban campus in city of Montreal Montreal 7 8 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University 2

McGill’s Two Main Campuses McGill’s Macdonald Campus  Macdonald campus in Ste. Anne-de-Bellevue p Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (FAES) y g ( ) • village/suburban, surrounded by green spaces • a single-faculty campus • total undergraduate enrollment of ~1100 • smaller classes  professors, staff, students have opportunity to get to know each other 9 10 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Degrees Offered in FAES Distinguishing feature of our FAES students:  they pursue studies in y p “they want to do something for the world”  B.Sc. (Ag. Env. Sc.)  B.Sc. (Food. Sc.)  B.Sc. (Nutritional Sc.)  Concurrent B.Sc. (Fd. Sc.)/B.Sc. (Nutr. Sc.)  B.Eng. (Bioresource) 4 12 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University 3

Purpose of Freshman Year Purpose of Freshman Year  Intended for students who come to McGill from  Freshman year provides academic foundation outside of Quebec – basic science background: biology,  Currently have ~130 freshmen chemistry, physics, mathematics  typical enrollment in the Faculty (FAES) is about yp y ( ) – plus Freshman Seminar Courses: mixture plus Freshman Seminar Courses: mixture • 35-40% Canadian of adjustment guidance and exposure to • 35-40% American areas of study and research in Faculty • 20-30% international students 13 14 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Who are we? Freshman Year Courses (U0 Year)  Prof. Marcia Knutt One year similar to a CEGEP science diploma (DEC) without any One year similar to a CEGEP science diploma (DEC) without any of the general education courses  Faculty Lecturer Fall Courses (Sept-Dec) Winter Semester (Jan-April)  Director, Freshman Program General Biology Elective/Cell Biology/Linear Algebra General Chemistry 1 General Chemistry 2/Organic Chemistry Introductory Physics 1 y y Introductory Physics 2 y y Calculus 1 Calculus 2 Freshman Seminar 1 Freshman Seminar 2 Note: there are no non-science courses as is typical of science freshman year in Canada 15 16 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University 4

Prof. Marcia Knutt Who are we?  Prof Alice Cherestes Fac lt Lect rer  Prof. Alice Cherestes, Faculty Lecturer  responsible for administration of overall program  Freshman Advisor (courses, instructors, tutoring, advising, development, recruitment) • responsible for most academic advising • Coach, guide students in their transition  instructor for freshman physics, math as well as upper- from high school to university from high school to university level math courses • Instructor for Chemistry, Biology courses  Academic Advisor for freshman Engineering students 17 18 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Our Background Experience Philosophy of Freshman Program  Training:  to create a supportive, welcoming academic » Prof. Knutt: Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics environment as students adjust to university life » Prof. Cherestes: Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry  Professors with administrative duties at Marianopolis College (private CEGEP-type college) for 10 years prior to  personalized attention and McGill support pp  advising via Freshman Seminar Course 20 19 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University 5

Freshman Seminar 1: Academic Skills Freshman Seminar 1  offered in Fall Semester (Sept  offered in Fall Semester (Sept. –Dec.) Dec )  Incorporates two major formative evaluations: I j f i l i  assists in transition to university  Precalculus Diagnostic Test  Focuses on two main aspects: • Academic skills required to be successful in  Midterm Assessment university studies • Life skills necessary to integrate into wider university community 21 22 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Midterm Assessment Diagnostic Test for U0 Math: Precalculus  summary of progress after the first round of  First class in Calculus is a diagnostic test midterms  Based on results, students get a • Students often do not understand the impact recommendation for course of action and consequences of their midterm grades • Implications for GPA !  Some students are advised to register for Some students are advised to register for Precalculus Lab concurrently with Calculus  alerts students to potential problems in their academic progress 23 24 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University 6

Freshman Seminar 1 : Academic Skills Midterm Assessment  seminar/ orkshop topics on academic e pectations  seminar/workshop topics on academic expectations  encourages students to examine all aspects of their and university standards university life and seek help  How does university differ from high school?  may include a mandatory appointment with their Academic Advisor (Cherestes/Knutt) 25 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University 26 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Freshman Seminar 1 : Academic Skills Freshman Seminar 1: Life Skills  Etiquette/Netiquette Etiq ette/Netiq ette  necessary life skills to assist with integration into the  necessar life skills to assist ith integration into the wider university community  Academic Integrity  Seminar Topics/Workshops:  Test-Taking Strategies  Applied/Professional Ethics  Reading Skills  Time Management  Note-Taking  Stress Management  Mind-Mapping  Careers  Learning Styles  Budgeting  Library 27 28 Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University Dr. M. Knutt & Dr. A. Cherestes, Freshman Program, Macdonald Campus of McGill University 7