2011 UW iGEM team presentation, Monday Oct 3, 5pm

UW's iGEM team will be sharing the results of their summer project* on Monday Oct 3. The annual iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machines) competition is an exciting venue for the growing field of synthetic biology. It brings together undergraduate students from science, engineering, and social sciences to engineer living systems to try to tackle some of the world's most pressing problems.

Presentation details:
When & where:
Next Monday @ 5 pm
Health Sciences Building, Room T-639
*Making diesel fuel and magnets in E. coli and engineering an enzyme to battle gluten intolerance.

UW has hosted an iGEM team since 2008. It's a lot of fun and a great learning experience for everyone involved. Last year's UW team won the award for "Best Health or Medicine Project" (see http://2010.igem.org/Team:Washington) among over 100 teams from all over the world!

See attached flyers for more details and feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Rob Egbert

P.S. We're always looking for more participation from undergrads as well as grad students who are interested in being team advisors.

EE Autumn BBQ - October 7th!

IEEE, HKN and EEGSA will be hosting a BBQ next Friday in Sylvan Grove.

Food and Drinks will be served with a healthy side of conversation and camaraderie.

What: EE Fall BBQ
When: October 7th @ 4:30
Where: Sylvan Grove (Next to the pillars)
Cost: NONE (Free Food! Free Drinks!)

Qualcomm has graciously sponsored the event and will be attending. T-shirts will be available for purchase from HKN.

October scholarship deadlines and information sessions

SELECTED OCTOBER SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES

(See our website for additional upcoming deadlines.)

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship: National deadline Oct. 4, 2011 for study abroad programs beginning between December 15, 2011 and April 15, 2012
• Freeman Awards for Study in Asia: National deadline Oct. 12, 2011 for study abroad programs beginning between December 2011 to April 2012.

·         Gates-Cambridge Scholarship: National deadline Oct. 15, 2011

·         Mary Gates Endowment Leadership Scholarship: Campus deadline Oct. 17, 2011

• Mary Gates Endowment Research Scholarship: Campus deadline Oct. 21, 2011
• Merage Fellowship for the American Dream: Campus deadline Oct. 19, 2011

·         Carnegie Endowment Jr. Fellowship: Campus deadline: Oct. 27, 2011

OCTOBER SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION SESSIONS

All information sessions will provide students with essential information needed to determine interest, eligibility and suitability for these competitive scholarship programs. Sessions will also contain information about the campus application processes for those scholarships requiring nomination. Additional information sessions will be held throughout fall quarter.

Boren Undergraduate Scholarship & Critical Language Scholarship Information Sessions:

• 3:30 – 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011, Mary Gates Hall 258
• 3:30 – 5:00 p.m., Thurs., Oct. 20, 2011, Mary Gates Hall 171 Multipurpose Room

National deadline for Critical Language Scholarship: Nov. 15, 2011

Campus deadline for Boren Undergraduate Scholarship: Jan. 12, 2012

Boren Awards provide a unique funding opportunity for U.S. students to study world regions critical to U.S. interests (including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East). The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are excluded. The Boren Scholarship provides undergraduate students up to $20,000 for an academic year abroad. Boren Scholars represent a variety of academic backgrounds, but all are interested in studying less commonly taught languages, including but not limited to Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Swahili. Additional information on preferred geographic regions, languages, fields of study, federal service commitment and application procedures can be found at www.borenawards.org.

The Critical Language Scholarship Program provides fully-funded group-based intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences for eight to ten weeks for U.S. citizen undergraduate and graduate students. Students in all disciplines, including business, engineering, law, medicine, sciences, and humanities are encouraged to apply. Languages included are: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla/Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish, and Urdu. Additional information is at http://clscholarship.org/index.html.

Merage American Dream Fellowship Information Sessions:

·         Oct. 6, 2011, 2:30pm, MGH 171 Team Room

·         Oct. 12, 2011, 3:00pm, MGH 171 Team Room

Campus deadline: Oct. 18, 2011

https://www.washington.edu/students/ugrad/scholar/scholarships/s/merage

The Merage American Dream Fellowship is dedicated to promoting expanded opportunities for immigrants to achieve their American Dream. Each year, the Foundation will choose a number of promising immigrant students in their graduating year of college to participate in the Merage Foundation Fellows Program. The selected Fellows will be immigrant students who reflect both a strong desire and a real capacity to achieve leadership roles in business, science, education, public service, culture, and the arts. Each Merage Foundation Fellow will receive a $10,000 stipend per year for two years. Fellows may spend the funds on the following kinds of activities: graduate education; strategic travel related to professional development; participation in specific skill building training programs; use of consultants to develop and carry out business or professional plans; personal or family support associated with internships, etc. 

 

Carnegie Endowment Jr. Fellowship Information Sessions:

·         Oct. 5, 2011, 4:30pm, Thomson 317 

·         Oct. 11, 2011, 4:30pm, MGH 171 Multipurpose Room

Campus deadline: Oct. 27, 2011

https://www.washington.edu/students/ugrad/scholar/scholarships/s/carnegie

Each year the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace offers 8-10 one-year fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year. They are selected from a pool of nominees from close to 400 participating colleges. Carnegie Junior Fellows work as research assistants to the Endowment's senior associates. Those who have begun graduate studies are not eligible for consideration. Positions are paid, full-time positions for one year. Junior fellows are currently paid a gross salary of $3,000 per month ($36,000 per year). A full benefits package is also provided.

 

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Information Sessions:

·         Oct. 3, 2:30pm, MGH 171 Conference Room

·         Oct. 11, 4:00pm, MGH 171 Conference Room

• Oct. 27, 3:30pm, MGH 171 Conference Room

Campus deadline: Nov. 8, 2011

https://www.washington.edu/students/ugrad/scholar/scholarships/s/goldwater

The Goldwater Foundation awards undergraduate scholarships to outstanding students with demonstrated potential for and commitment to careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering.  The one or two year scholarship covers the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.

 

Morris K. Udall Scholarship Information Sessions:

·         Oct. 11, 2011, 1:30pm, MGH 171 Team Room

·         Oct. 19, 2011, 3:00pm, MGH 171 Team Room

• Oct. 31, 2011, 2:30pm, MGH 171 Team Room

Campus deadline: Nov. 8, 2011

https://www.washington.edu/students/ugrad/scholar/scholarships/s/morrisundergraduate

The Udall Scholarship awards undergraduate scholarships of up to $5000.  Selected students must have strong commitment to improving or preserving the environment; or a strong commitment to health care or tribal public policy and potential for significant future contribution in his or her chosen field.  The Foundation will award approximately 75 scholarships plus 50 honorable mentions. 

 

Harry S. Truman Scholarship Information Sessions:

·         Oct. 11, 2011, 1:30pm, MGH 171 Team Room

·         Oct. 19, 2011, 3:00pm, MGH 171 Team Room

• Oct. 31, 2011, 2:30pm, MGH 171 Team Room

Campus deadline: Nov. 8, 2011

https://www.washington.edu/students/ugrad/scholar/scholarships/s/truman

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship looks to support students currently actively engaged in leadership activities on campuses and/or in their communities. The Truman Scholarship awards students who are juniors or seniors with one year of undergraduate work left to complete beginning fall 2011.  The scholarship is awarded to students who wish to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government or elsewhere in public service. 

FALL QUARTER SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOPS

Scholarships 101: Getting Started in the Search for Scholarships

• 3:30-4:20pm, Tuesday, October 18, 2011, MGH 171 Multipurpose Room
• 2:30-3:20pm, Wednesday, November 2, 2011, MGH 171 Multipurpose Room
• 4:30-5:20pm, Thursday, November 17, 2011, MGH 171 Multipurpose Room

Specifically designed for freshmen or first-quarter sophomores, this introductory workshop provides students with information to begin the scholarship search and to develop a competitive edge for merit-based scholarships.

Please RSVP to attend any of the sessions at https://expo.uw.edu/expo/rsvp/event/244, though drop-ins are also welcome!

Scholarships 201 for Continuing Students: The Search for Undergraduate Scholarships & Graduate Fellowships

• 1:30-2:20pm, Thursday, October 27, 2011, MGH 171 Multipurpose Room
• 12:30-1:20pm, Monday, November 14, 2011, MGH 171 Multipurpose Room
• 4:30-5:20pm, Tuesday, November 29, 2011, MGH 171 Multipurpose Room
  
  

This workshop provides assistance to continuing undergraduate students looking to fund undergraduate academic years and graduate school. This will include information on discipline specific scholarships, campus funding opportunities, scholarship search sites, and tips to develop competitive applications.

Please RSVP to attend any of the sessions at https://expo.uw.edu/expo/rsvp/event/245, though drop-ins are also welcome.

CV/Resume Writing Workshops:

·         3:30-5:00pm, Monday, October 24, 2011, MGH 171 Multipurpose Room

·         2:30-4:00pm, Tuesday, November 15, 2011, MGH 171 Multipurpose Room

·         1:30pm to 3:00pm, Wednesday, November 30, 2011, MGH 171 Multipurpose Room

Develop your undergraduate CV/Resume for use in scholarship, fellowship, research opportunities, and graduate school applications! A Curriculum Vitae ("CV" or "vitae") is a comprehensive, biographical statement emphasizing your professional qualifications and activities. A CV is similar to a resume, but an advantage to the CV format is the significant freedom to choose the headings and categories for your information and the strength reflected in their arrangement.

Bring a working draft, such as an existing resume, and a list of activities including: Honors, Awards & Prizes received no longer than 5 years ago, Academic and Research Activities, Community Service Involvement, Work History, and Activities outside of the Academic Environment. In this workshop you will have the opportunity to work with Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards staff to develop and strengthen a draft of your CV!

Please RSVP to attend at https://expo.uw.edu/expo/rsvp/event/237.

Personal Statement Writing Workshops:

• 3:30-5:00pm, Tuesday, October 25, 2011, MGH 258
• 3:30-5:00pm, Wednesday, November 16, 2011, MGH 171 Multipurpose Room
• 1:30-3:00pm, December 1, 2011, MGH 136

The Personal Statement is an important part of an application package. Applying for scholarships, internships, and graduate/professional programs often requires a personal statement or application letter. This type of writing requires you to outline your strengths confidently and concisely, which can be challenging.

Personal Statement Workshops will provide students with essential information to develop an understanding of not only writing about their interests, eligibility and suitability for applications, but also to learn how their statements provide evidence of their achievements that aren’t reflected in other parts of an application.

Please RSVP to attend any of the sessions at https://expo.uw.edu/expo/rsvp/event/236.

OTHER OCTOBER EVENTS

Study Abroad Fair

Come see us at the UW Study Abroad Fair, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 10am-2pm in the MGH Commons! A workshop on Funding Your Study Abroad will be held from 1-2pm in MGH 206.

Undergraduate Research Opportunity: Optimization for integration of renewable energy sources

Contact name: Prof. Daniel Kirschen (kirschen@uw.edu)

Project Description: Our research group carries out several research projects related to the integration of renewable energy sources in the grid. The aim of this research is to maximize the amount of renewable energy that can be produced while maintaining the reliability of the energy supply and keeping the cost under control.

Job description: The undergraduate students involved will carry out optimization computations and perform data analysis.

Requirements: Junior and Senior with a high GPA, experience in Matlab, C, C++ or other programming language. Preference will be given to students who have already taken or who are currently taking some of the power system classes (EE351, EE451-EE457).

Electrical Engineer position at UW Capital Projects

To apply for this position, go to the UW's employment site and search for job #76901:
https://uwhires.admin.washington.edu/ENG/candidates/



The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation's premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The Capital Projects Office is responsible for the planning, design, budgeting, scheduling and construction of public works projects at all of the University's campuses. We have an opportunity for a part-time (50% FTE), 6-12 month project appointment for an Electrical Engineer. The Electrical Engineer provides professional engineering design and completes complex engineering tasks for a wide range of University-wide building and system modification projects. Project examples include renovation to general office space, classrooms, lecture halls, laboratories, libraries, residence halls and hospitals with particular emphasis on special design issues involving prototypical research facilities.

The Electrical Engineer position is responsible for applying current methods, materials, codes, standards and practices in the planning and conducting of engineering assignments, and for stamping and signing as a Registered Professional Engineer for completed work projects. The Electrical Engineer will independently evaluate, select and apply standard engineering techniques, procedures and criteria in making adaptations and modifications as required.

Specific responsibilities include the following:

Technical Direction and Programming

·  Work with and provide direct service to clients, including development of project program, resolution of client questions and concerns, and provision of project status updates to the client.

·  Investigate and analyze existing building systems, with particular attention to legacy systems, to specify and achieve appropriate designs that minimize present and future facility modification, operation and maintenance costs.

·  Consult with colleagues to assure a consistent design approach across campus facilities.

·  Provide written technical direction/programming where required.

Design

·  Prepare project designs.

·  Perform site examinations, which involves monitoring and investigation of electrical systems and taking field notes and sketches.

·  Prepare purchase order bills of materials and technical specifications.

·  Prepare working drawings using computer-aided design (CAD) and manual techniques.

Project Management

·  Act as project lead for projects that have an electrical engineering emphasis. Develop a project plan, communicate and coordinate design issues with other disciplines, and complete projects within established budgets and schedules.

·  Work with and provide direct service to clients, resolve client questions and concerns, and keep clients informed of project status.

Project Support

·  Review and approve engineering documents such as construction submittals and change orders.

·  Review and approve payments for contract completion.

·  Investigate and solve problems related to the addition, alterations, or repair of University facilities, and prepare technical reports as required. Mediate disputes or disagreements between clients, contractors, consultants or other persons involved in projects.

·  Inspect construction progress to resolve problems, verify conformity to project plans and specifications, and approve construction.

·  Confer and consult with colleagues regarding technical aspects of large capital projects, which may be related by type, location, and/or schedule to Design Services projects.

Records and Standards Support

·  Investigate existing conditions during the design process and prepare, and/or update as-built records of engineering documents.

Core Competencies

The Capital Projects Office has adopted a set of core competencies that are central to the fulfillment of our mission: assessment and analysis, problem solving, flexibility, teamwork and collaboration, managing oneself, communication, organizational awareness, and personal character. For this position, key examples of core competency behaviors include:

·  Creating and maintaining productive working relationships with customers and CPO team members.

·  Exhibiting attention to detail and thoroughness in completing tasks and deliverables.

·  Managing and prioritizing workload independently.

·  Expressing ideas clearly and concisely in verbal and written form.

·  Working under pressure to meet internal and external deadlines.

·  Understanding and complying with relevant external procedures and regulations (University and State).

·  Employing functional expertise to generate innovative solutions to complex problems.



REQUIREMENTS

·  This position requires a Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering AND five years experience. Certification as a registered professional electrical engineer in the State of Washington is required.

·  Broad experience in coordinating other design disciplines, such as construction and building design.

·  Comprehensive knowledge of public works contract documents.

·  Knowledge of relevant codes, such as building, fire and access.

·  A demonstrated ability to work with regulatory agencies.

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information Sessions

We will offer the following sessions this week:

Wednesday, September 28, 2:30-3:20, CMU 202
Thursday, September 29, 2:30-3:20, CMU 202
Limited seating, so please come on time

NSF's GRFP is one of the premier opportunities to fund your graduate study.  It provides 3 years of funding that you can use in a 5 year time frame.  This includes a $30,000 annual stipend and full cost of tuition/fees covered.  For UW graduate students, GAIP health insurance is also covered.

The information sessions will cover the application process, strategies for successful applications and more details regarding how the fellowship operates.  Application deadlines range from November 14 - 18, 2011.  November sounds far away, but it isn't!  Early preparation is essential to a successful application!!

Full information on the NSF GRFP, including a link to the official program solicitation, is here:  http://www.nsfgrfp.org/

Basic eligibility criteria:

*research in an eligible NSF research area (includes several of the social sciences)
*US citizens or permanent residents by the application deadline
*students in their first year of graduate study or at the beginning of their second year of graduate study (with some limitations)
*students who have not earned a previous graduate degree
*graduating senior undergraduates who plan to apply to and begin graduate student by next fall

Full eligibility information is detailed in the program solicitation:  http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11582/nsf11582.htm

Study Abroad Fair--Wed, Oct 19, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mary Gates Hall

We are busy preparing for our 11^th annual Study Abroad Fair which will be held in Mary Gates Hall Commons on Wednesday, October 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  More than 600 approved study abroad opportunities will be represented at the fair making this an ideal venue for both graduate and undergraduate students to learn more about their options for education and research abroad.  We are expecting exhibitors from 12 university exchanges, 23 UW academic departments, and 10 study abroad and internship organizations, in addition to a number of UW administrative departments that support study abroad.  

We are particularly excited to have a number of newly-affiliated program partners at the fair, including Tel Aviv University International Program,  Ben Gurion University of the Negev (Israel), School for Field Studies, School of Russian and Asian Studies, IES Abroad, as well as new UW (faculty-led) programs.

Students will have the opportunity to talk directly with study abroad program representatives as well as staff from UW International Programs and Exchanges.  We have also organized a number of workshops, also to be held in Mary Gates Hall, that will take place during the fair.

10:30 - 11:30:  Study, Funding, and Work Opportunities in Japan-MGH 258
11:30 - 12:30  Study Abroad Workshop for UW advisors-MGH 258
11:30 - 12:30 Opportunities for Long-Term Study Abroad-Honors Seminar Room MGH 211 B
12:30 - 1:30:  Study Abroad 101-MGH 258
12:30 - 1   Exploration Seminars-MGH 206
12:30 - 1:30  Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) program-Honors Seminar Room MGH 211B
1:00  - 2:00  Funding your Study Abroad-MGH Room 206
1:30 - 2:30  International Internships-MGH 258

Kaplan Grad School Exam Prep discounts

Kaplan is currently having it's biggest sale of the year!  We are offering a great promotion from 9/26-9/30 students can enroll in any of our courses and get a $150 rebate...but that's not even the best part, this discount is also stackable with our current Buy Now Get More promotion which (depending on product) gives students up to $1500 in additional prep materials for FREE.  Regardless of the student's exam date now is the best time to buy.  Students can enroll now for classes starting next year to take advantage of this sale!

Lauren Silva
Campus Manager, Washington
Graduate Programs
Kaplan Test Prep
www.kaptest.com
Phone: 206-499-1602
Skype: lauren_silva2

Become a GPSS Senator!

The Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) is the official student government for all graduate and professional students at UW-Seattle.  GPSS represents students to the UW administration and state and federal governments and puts on regular social events. Each UW department sends two Senators to a monthly meeting.

*Responsibility of Senators*:

*Attend at least two Senate meetings per quarter
*Get input from students in your department
*Relay information from the Senate to students in your department

 *Fall Quarter 2011 Meetings:  *

*Wed October 5th
*Wed November 2nd
*Wed November 30th

All meetings are 5:30pm in Condon Hall room 109, 1100 NE Campus Parkway.

*Why become a Senator?*

*Ensure students in your department are heard
*Meet people from other parts of campus
*Boost your resume

 *If you're interested:*

Talk to your Graduate Program Advisor about the process for becoming a
Senator in your department.

 *Questions*?  Contact GPSS Secretary Melanie Mayock:  gpsssec@uw.edu, (206)
543-8576.

GPSS Website:  http://gpss.washington.edu.

Global Opportunities scholarships

We're writing to provide some quick updates on the Global Opportunities program and two study abroad scholarships available to UW students.  Here's what Global Opportunities offers:

GO! Scholarship - available to students of all majors, applicants must be eligible for Pell Grants or Husky Promise and must be Washington residents

Fritz Scholarship - applicants must be declared social science or humanities majors and have at least a 3.0 average GPA

The deadline for fall quarter applications for GO! and Fritz scholarships is November 3 at 5pm. 
Students planning to study abroad during winter or spring quarter 2012 should apply now; those planning to study abroad in summer, early fall, or fall quarters should apply at our April deadline. 

We're offering 7 information sessions this fall as well as drop-in advising. 
AWe encourage any student interested in study abroad to attend these sessions.  We also provide advising for additional study abroad scholarships such as the DAAD, Freeman, and Gilman awards.  We'll provide information sessions for DAAD and Freeman in November.  The deadline for the Gilman is October 4^th - please send interested Pell Grant-eligible students to www.iie.org/gilman for more information.

You'll also want to check out our newly-updated website, www.goglobal.uw.edu, which includes a Student Scrapbook with work by GO! and Fritz Scholars, and our new Facebook page, www.facebook.com/UWGlobalOpportunities.

 Feel free to email or call if you have questions.  You can reach us via email at goglobal@uw.edu or by phone at 206.543.4170.

SAT and GRE Prep and Self Defense Classes

The UW Women's Center offers a series of classes during Autumn Quarter for SAT and GRE Prep and Self-Defense 101. For more information, http://depts.washington.edu/womenctr/programs/lifelong-learning/programoverview/

NME 498 Molecular Engineering & Science

Tuesday and Thursday 1:30 - 2:50
Smith 407
4 credits

This is an interdisciplinary course for graduate and senior undergraduate student in the physical, chemical and biological sciences, and in engineering at the University of Washington. Students are introduced by leaders in the field to multiple aspects of molecular sciences and their transformative impact.

More details at:  http://courses.washington.edu/overney/ChemE599/ChemE599%20Program&Dates.htm