ISF Weekly 
Issue: #37
February 11, 2015
 
In Today's Weekly
ISF Faculty Advisory Board
ISF Faculty Advisor Office Hours
New ISF Research Fields
Townsend Course Threads
Changes in ISF
Research Opportunities
Scholarships, Fellowships & Prizes
L&S Advising Workshops
Career Center Events
 

ISF Faculty Advisory Board - Office Hours for 2015

 

The ISF Advisory Board is made up of distinguished faculty from across the social sciences and humanities, and will be working with ISF Director Peter Sahlins to further enhance the quality of the ISF major.  Its members will also serve as second readers for Honors Students, and will be available to assist students enrolled in ISF 190 in refining their research questions, identify sources, and test their theories. http://isf.ugis.berkeley.edu/advisory-board)

 

Rakesh Bhandari

270 Evans, 664-4420, E-mail: bhandari@berkeley.edu

Office Hours: Drop-in and by appointment: TuTh 3:40-4:40PM, Friday 10-12, & by appointment. Additional OH will be occasionally posted. 

Note: Prof. Bhandari will serve as the advisor for Prof. Sahlin's students this semester.

 

Robert Ehrlich

Rm 269 Evans, 642-0660, E-mail:  behrlich@berkeley.edu
 (Office hours are drop-in & by appointment. Contact Prof. Ehrlich directly to schedule)
 Mondays: 4:15-5, Tuesdays: 3:30-5, Wednesdays: 9:45-11:45, Thursdays: 3:30-4:15, 

Fri: 1:30-3:30
  

Earl Klee

Rm 267 Evans, 642-1344, E-mail: eklee@berkeley.edu

Office Hours (drop-in): Mon, Tue, Wed, Thurs, 1-3:30

 

Gary Wren

Rm 239 Evans, 642-2087, E-mail: gwren@berkeley.edu

Office Hours: M: 11-12, 2-4; Tu: 2-4; W: 11-12, 2-4; F: 11-12, 1-2

Note: Prof. Wren is not taking any new student advisees this semester. 

ISF Research Fields

 

ISF has identified a number of Interdisciplinary Research Fields that have engendered excellent scholarship and attracted students across campus.  Although ISF students may pursue other research fields identified in consultation with ISF faculty and academic advisors, these ISF Research Fields provide models and resources about scholarly interests shared by many ISF students and associated faculty. Research fields are dynamic bodies of knowledge that form and develop...read more

Townsend Course Threads

The Townsend Course Threads may be used to help students find classes for their ISF Course of Study, and are a wonderful resource to assist students with their ISF Research Program. 

ISF 190 Not Offered During Summer Semester

Beginning summer 2015, ISF 190 will no longer be offered during any summer semester.

Announcement Regarding ISF 189

ISF 189 is a required ISF course for all students who submitted applications to the major after June 1, 2014. For these applicants, ISF 189 will need to be completed before a student begins ISF 190, the Senior Thesis Seminar.

Students who have already taken one of the following courses and received a B- or better can place out of the requirement to take ISF 189:

  • International and Area Studies 102 (Scope and Methods in International and Area Studies)
  • Political Science 3 (Introduction to Empirical Analysis and Quantitative Methods)
  • Sociology 5 (Evaluation of Evidence)
  • Anthropology 169B (Research Theory and Methods in Social and Cultural Anthropology)
  • History 104 (The Craft of History). 
*Note: If you are already a declared ISF major or your application is in process, this does not apply to you. This change only applies to ISF major declaration applications submitted after June 1, 2014.
Research Opportunities

Dear Undergraduates,

 

We hope that despite your rigorous academic commitments, you will continue to be aware of the great opportunities to get involved in undergraduate research at Berkeley and elsewhere!   Most of the undergraduate research deadlines -- at Berkeley and at other institutions -- are in the early spring.  Summer research deadlines are also approaching, meaning that if you're intending to apply to a summer program, you should calendar these important deadlines in order to not miss out on these opportunities.

 

You are receiving this message because your advisor has forwarded it to you, but if you'd like to receive weekly newsletters, please sign up for our listserv by filling out this form:

 

https://docs.google.com/a/berkeley.edu/forms/d/1MvgMAJdhsBHf510keyimWSF3nvZtI86FPykR67HdZ4g/viewform

 

 

Below you'll find:

 

1) A list of workshops, information sessions, and events related to undergraduate research. Note that quite a few new workshops and info sessions have been added since the last newsletter.

 

2) Deadlines for UCBerkeley programs January through 

early March  (note: there are more! See the "opportunities" page of http://research.berkeley.edu for later deadlines

 

 

3) Information for The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Application for Spring 2015


 

4)  Call for layout editors for the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal (social sciences and humanities) 

 

5 ) Information for a student research internship program called Bio-Manufacturing to Market

 

6 ) Links to find summer undergraduate research programs on other campuses

 

----------------------------------------

 

I.  Workshops, Info sessions, and Events

______________________________________________

A Senior Capstone Experience For All Majors -   The Robert and Colleen Haas Scholars Program

Information Session | February 11 | 4-5 p.m. | 9 Durant Hall

 

Applications Now Open for the 2015-2016 Cohort!


Each year, twenty highly qualified, academically talented undergraduates come together to build a supportive intellectual community during their final year at UC-Berkeley as they prepare a senior thesis/final creative project.  Haas Scholars come from all walks of life and every major on campus, but they are united by their desire to strive for excellence--both in their individual academic pursuits, and as an interdisciplinary cohort.  As a Haas Scholar, you receive close mentoring from our faculty sponsors, seminars to help you with your senior project, connections with our large alumni network, and up to $12,600 in financial support. 


 

Check your eligibility here, and feel free to attend some of our workshops to help you prepare your application.  

 

The deadline is March 10, 2015, and you can access the application here.

 

____________________________________________________________

UC Berkeley Washington (UCDC) Program Info Session

Information Session | February 11 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Barrows Hall, Rm. 791

____________________________________________________________

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Infosession

Information Session | February 12 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Hearst Field Annex, D-37, Multicultural Community Center

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How to Write a Research/Grant Proposal in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Workshop: grant proposal writing | February 12 | 3-4:30 p.m. | 9 Durant Hall

 

Workshop given by SURF Social Science and Humanities advisor Kristi Govella; open to all.

SURF deadline February 25

Application now open!

 

____________________________________________________________


Choosing a Research Topic 

Workshop: Workshops: grant proposal writing | February 13 | 4-5 p.m. | 9 Durant Hall

Note date change 

 

____________________________________________________________


How to Write a Research/Grant Proposal in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Workshop: grant proposal writing | February 16 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | 9 Durant Hall

 

Workshop given by SURF Social Science and Humanities advisor Kristi Govella; open to all.

SURF deadline February 25

Application now open!

 

____________________________________________________________

How to Write a Research/Grant Proposal in STEM Fields

Workshop: grant proposal writing | February 17 | 4:30-6 p.m. | 9 Durant Hall

 

Workshop given by SURF STEM advisor Tim Siauw; open to all. 

SURF deadline February 25

Application now open!

 

____________________________________________________________

How to Write a Research/Grant Proposal

Workshop: grant proposal writing | February 19 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | 9 Durant Hall

____________________________________________________________

Finding a Faculty Sponsor for Undergraduate Research

Workshop: Workshops | February 20 | 3-4 p.m. | 9 Durant Hall

____________________________________________________________

Professional Email Communication: (or: how to email your professor so you get a favorable response!)

Workshop: Workshops | February 23 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | 9 Durant Hall

____________________________________________________________

Choosing a Research Topic

Workshop: Workshops: grant proposal writing | February 23 | 3-4 p.m. | 9 Durant Hall

____________________________________________________________

How to Write a Research/Grant Proposal

Workshop: grant proposal writing | March 2 | 4-5 p.m. | 9 Durant Hall

 

____________________________________________________________

 

 

II.  Deadlines for UC Berkeley undergraduate research programs between now and mid-February 

(*indicates an estimated deadline)

 

 

SUPERB: Information Technology for Sustainability

02/15/2015

 

Human Rights Center Student Fellowships

2/20/2015

 

Joseph A. Myers Center for Research on Native American Issues Undergraduate Mini-grant Program

2/23/2015

 

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) L&S

2/25/2015

 

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships/Rose Hills (science/engineering,soph+jr+Sr )

2/25/2015

 

UCDC (internship in DC w/ associated research)

2/25/2015 by 4pm

 

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (pre-PhD, SocSci/Hum, pref. 2 yrs to go)

See description below. 

02/27/2015

Open until filled

 

SMART (Student Mentoring and Research Teams)

02/27/2015

 

STEER Program: Short Term Educational Experiences for Research in Environmental Health Sciences for Undergraduate Students

02/27/2015 

by 5 PM

 

TRUST-REU (engineering summer apprenticeship on computer security)

02/28/2015

 

STRONACH BACCALAUREATE PRIZE (JUDITH LEE STRONACH)--for after graduation

03/02/2015

 

CENTER FOR RACE AND GENDER (independent projects, 2 deadlines/year)

03/02/2015 by 3PM

 

Institute of International Studies Undergraduate Conference Travel Grant

rolling deadline

 

Semiconductor Research Corporation Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program

rolling deadline

 

Student Opportunity Funds (SOF)-- all majors

rolling deadline

 

HISTORY UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH GRANT (for history majors' senior theses)

rolling deadline

 

 

III.   Information for The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Application for Spring 2015

 

The UC Berkeley Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) program selects students who show exceptionally high academic promise, motivation and maturity for graduate study, and leadership as a mentor to African American, Chicano/Latino, Native American, and other underrepresented students.   

 

This program accepts students in the humanities and social sciences.  As an undergraduate Mellon Fellow, benefits include academic year stipends of $3,600, two summer stipends of $3,900, travel and research grants, GRE preparation assistance, and up to $10,000 of undergraduate loan repayment.

 

The application deadline for all materials is February 27, 2015.

 

Upcoming info sessions are listed in part I of this newsletter. 

 

Please visit  http://mellonmays.berkeley.edu/ for more information. 

 


IV. Berkeley Undergraduate Journal Layout Positions Available

 

Since 1987, the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal (BUJ) has published academic research papers written by UC Berkeley students in the humanities and social sciences disciplines. Today, the BUJ is run entirely by UC Berkeley undergraduates, operates under the guidance of the Office of Undergraduate Research, and has blossomed into one of the most prestigious journals on campus.

 

The Berkeley Undergraduate Journal is now looking for assistant layout editors. Editors will format research papers using InDesign to publish both electronic and print versions. Training will take place during the semester, with much of the editing work occurring near the end of the semester. The deadline to email Ailsa Menezes (ailsam@berkeley.edu) of your interest is February 13, 2015. Potential layout editors must have proficiency with InDesign, and preferably be available on Thursdays at 6-7pm.

 

For more information on what we do, please see learning.berkeley.edu/buj. Questions can be directed to Ailsa Menezes (ailsam@berkeley.edu) or Hailey Choi (hyunyungchoi@berkeley.edu).

 

V. Information for a student internship program Bio-Manufacturing to Market

 

Bio-Manufacturing to Market program creates multi-disciplinary, team-based PAID internships for science and engineering undergrads at UC Berkeley with industry partners in our East Bay.

 

There will be a wide variety of science and engineering opportunities for Spring 2015, from biomass pre-treatment engineers to molecular biologists to software designers and programmers to digital social media and marketing positions, and many more! NOW accepting student applications on-line (deadline February 19th).Spring semester opportunities can be found at: http://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/bio2market/spring-2015-opportunities

 

 

VI .  Links for undergraduate research opportunities at other institutions -- note that most of these have early spring deadlines  

 

National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates -- searchable online database of hundreds of programs nationwide for STEM disciplines as well as social and behavioral science

http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/index.jsp

 

Listing of opportunities specifically for humanities and social science students

http://mellonmays.berkeley.edu/resources.html

 

Listing of summer research opportunities worldwide in all disciplines:

http://research.berkeley.edu/otheropps/summer3.html

 

Pathways to Science database of summer opportunities

http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/Summerresearch.asp

 

More links, including to local labs such as LBNL, CHORI, and UCSF, can be found on this page: 

Scholarships / Fellowships / Prizes

 

 

Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

 

Funding Series: Undergraduate Funding

 

The Institute of International Studies (IIS) Undergraduate Merit Scholarship supports undergraduate research in any area of international studies.  Research may be conducted independently, in congruence with an honors thesis, or while studying abroad.  The scholarship recipients will be called IIS Junior Scholars.  After completing their research projects, Junior Scholars are required to submit a four-page research summary and attend the IIS Junior Scholars Conference held in May 2015.  Junior Scholars will present their work in poster format at the conference.  Students with the strongest research project, as determined by an IIS faculty panel, will each receive an additional $1000 prize.  There will also be an opportunity to compete for the Best Poster Award, an additional $250 prize. 

  

*Application Details

*Eligibility

*Award Amount

 

Applicants must submit a one-page research proposal that addresses:

 

1. The research question;

2. Why it is important to the field of study;

3. Qualification to conduct the research (i.e. related past or planned coursework, languages, etc.);

4. A preliminary research plan (including the format for research, i.e. during EAP, as an independent study, etc.).

 

In addition, applications must include an unofficial transcript and one letter of recommendation, which can come from a GSI or faculty member.  Please ask your recommender to e-mail the recommendation letter directly to: iis.grants@berkeley.edu.  

 

The application webform can be found here. 

 

 

European Union Center of Excellence Undergraduate Senior Thesis Research Fellowship 

 

Application forms may be obtained from the web site of the European Union Center of Excellence(http://eucenter.berkeley.edu/grants.html) or directly from the EU Center office.

 

Please send applications as both hard copies and electronic files. Electronic applications should be mailed to eucenter@berkeley.edu and faxed copies sent to (510) 643-3372.

 

Please address all other questions to Noga Wizansky at eucenter@berkeley.edu.



 

ASUC Academic Opportunity Fund (open to all majors)

 

The Academic Opportunity Fund awards grants for academic travel that enhances student access to valuable educational experiences beyond the classroom. The program provides opportunities for individuals and student groups to represent and further UC Berkeley's academic prestige and dedication to education. While most ASUC funding is restricted to on-campus activities, the Academic Opportunity Fund subsidizes off-campus academic pursuits - professional meetings, research conferences, academic competitions, and independent research.

For more info: https://callink.berkeley.edu/organization/aavpgacademicopportunityfund/about

 

 

Institute for International Studies Undergraduate Conference Travel Grant

 

The Institute of International Studies (IIS) Undergraduate Conference Travel Grant supports undergraduate students who plan on traveling to a conference to present a research project, paper, or poster on any topic related to international affairs. (rolling deadline) 

 

Students from all departments are eligible and IIS encourages applications from a wide range of disciplines. The travel grant provides opportunities for individuals to gain valuable educational experience beyond the classroom and recognizes that many UC Berkeley undergraduate students engage in research projects that may require travel to national or international conferences.  Grant amounts will depend on the location of the conference (domestic or international).  Students must be registered for the term in which they are planning to attend their conference and be presenting a paper or poster at the conference.

For more info: http://iis.berkeley.edu/funding-opportunities/undergraduate-conference-travel-grant

 

 

Student Opportunity Funds (SOF)
 
The Student Opportunity Fund is designed to provide support for events/activities both co-curricular and academic planned by and for Cal students. One of the objectives of the Student Opportunity Fund is to support programs that foster a greater sense of campus community and that are conducive to free intellectual exchange. Another goal is to encourage more interaction and educational experiences for students outside of the classroom, such as visiting speakers, forums on topics of general interest, and special campus panel discussions. (rolling deadline)

 


 

URAP: Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program 


The URAP program provides undergraduates with the opportunity to work with faculty on the cutting-edge research projects for which UC-Berkeley is world-renowned. Faculty who want to involve undergraduate students in their research post opportunities through the URAP program; students who are interested can apply for up to three projects. Research opportunities are posted twice a year near the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters.  

 

 

Haas Scholars Program -- a senior capstone experience for all majors


Each year, twenty highly qualified, academically talented undergraduates with financial need come together to build a supportive intellectual community during their final year at UC-Berkeley. Applicants are evaluated primarily on the merit and originality of their proposal for an independent research or creative project that will serve as the basis for a senior or honors thesis. Eligibility: 3.450+ gpa, financial need (AB540 and international OK), and graduating Fall 2014 or Spring/Summer 2015. Once selected, Haas Scholars receive close mentoring from members of the UC-Berkeley faculty, seminars and workshops to assist them in the research and writing process, the opportunity to present their work at a professional conference, and up to $12,600 each in financial support. Deadline is traditionally the last Monday in February.

 

 

Prestigious Scholarships 


The Office of Undergraduate Research and Prestigious Scholarships manages the Scholarship Connection website, UC Berkeley's clearinghouse for information on scholarships that are funded by sources outside the University. Competition for these awards may be local, national, or international in scope, and scholarship deadlines and requirements vary. Students may search for scholarships on the Scholarship Connection online database. To stay up to date on available awards, enrolled UC Berkeley students may also subscribe to the Scholarship Connection listserv. Subscribers receive biweekly e-mail updates on scholarships and related opportunities. In addition, the coordinator, Alicia Hayes serves as the campus representative of several national highly competitive and prestigious scholarships. Among these are the Rhodes, Marshall, and Truman Scholarships. Most of these awards require a campus endorsement before the applications can be forwarded to the final levels of competition. The office offers workshops and individual advising to help applicants prepare competitive applications for these awards.  

More research program deadlines -- most are in the early spring -- appear at:  http://research.berkeley.edu/opportunities.php?option=bab# 
 
Note that the list can be sorted by deadline or in alphabetical order by program name. Also note the search button on the left side of the page.
L&S Advising Workshops for Students in Academic Difficulty

Save Your Semester Workshops (for all L&S undergraduate students).

This workshop focuses on College policies and procedures students can make use of in saving their semesters, such as P/NP, the exceptional change petition process, incompletes, and withdrawal.  We do discuss other resources, but this is NOT a study skills workshop.

 

Tuesday, March 31                 3:30pm-4:30pm, 262 Evans Hall

 

Wednesday, April 1                 6:30pm-7:30pm, Unit 1 All Purpose Room

Career Center Events

 

 

Spring 2015 Special Event Series

 

Workshops, panels, and career fairs in these areas of interest:



Career Fairs - Spring 2015

 

Feb 18-19, 11a-3p

Internship & Summer Job Fair

 

Mar 12, 3p-7p

CED Career Fair


 

Apr 15-16, 11a-3p

Just in Time Job Fair


 

To see who's coming to a fair, login to Callisto approx. 3 weeks before the date of the fair.


 

You can also view past directories to see who came to previous fairs.