ADVISING SYLLABUS
University of South Florida
Lauren Albaum, M.Ed.
Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences Advisor
SCA 203
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
(813) 974-3520
Texts/Materials:
Health Professions Website
Chemistry Advising Website
2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog
USF Student Code of Conduct
Communication:
Health Professions Facebook
Department of Chemistry Facebook
Chemistry Advising Facebook
Chemistry Advising Twitter
ACADEMIC & HEALTH PROFESSIONS ADVISING
Advising is an educational process that, by intention and design, facilitates students’
understanding of the meaning and purpose of higher education and fosters their intellectual and
personal development toward academic success and lifelong learning (National Academic
Advising Association, 2004).
Advising is a collaborative educational process whereby students and advisors are partners to
create essential steps for achieving students’ personal, academic, and career goals. Therefore,
joint collaboration between advisor and advisee is necessary for successful partnership. I am
committed to empowering students by providing current and accurate information, and honest
and realistic feedback. Using these methods, I will encourage students to take responsibility for
their own decisions using the resources and advice provided.
CAS Advising Mission: CAS Advisors exist to guide students utilizing the appreciative inquiry
and a learner centered pedagogy on their academic journey that begins with prospective students
and orientation, continues with strategic retention efforts as well as career planning and goal
setting and culminates with graduation.
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CAS Advising Vision: College of Arts and Sciences Advising aspires to be recognized as
national leaders in the scholarship of advising while providing the best advising experience for
USF students.
Health Professions Advising Philosophy: The philosophy of USF HPA is to prepare pre-health
professions students to be competitive at the national rates of matriculation, through
developmental and cognitive-behavioral academic advising.
ADVISING APPOINTMENTS
Pre-health advising appointments can be made my any student, regardless of their major, via
the Escheduler. To schedule a pre-health advisement session, students will select “Health
Professionals- PMS” in the “Area” section of the Escheduler.
Biomedical Science Majors can also make an appointment via the Escheduler for an academic
advising and/or pre-health advising appointment by selecting “Biomedical Sciences” in the
“Area” section of the Escheduler.
Remember, appointments slots open two weeks in advance, with a new day at the end of the twoweek period opening at midnight. Appointments tend to fill up very quickly during peak times
such as registration or orientation.
Cancellations: If you know you will not be able to keep an appointment, please cancel or
reschedule your appointment through the Escheduler. Chemistry Advisors track no-shows and
cancellations. Students are only allowed 2 opportunities to miss a scheduled appointment before
they are blocked and unable to make another appointment. If you need to cancel an appointment,
please do so 2 business days in advance through the online scheduler. This will allow you to
reschedule, and it will open that time slot for another student. Furthermore, if you are late for an
advising appointment, you will need to reschedule.
DEGREES
Health Professions: There is no required or preferred major for any health professional school
although a majority of students will major in science. However, as long as you complete the
required courses for admission into the health professional program of your choice, you can
pursue any major.
Chemistry Department: The Department of Chemistry including the following degrees: B.S. in
Biomedical Sciences, B.S. in Chemistry, B.S. in Interdisciplinary Sciences, B.S. in Medical
Technology, B.A. in Chemistry and B.A. in Chemistry- Biochemistry Emphasis.
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ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
You can expect your advisor to:
 Assist you in defining clear and attainable academic, career, transfer, and personal goals,
and work with you in creating an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
 Provide honest and realistic feedback to help you competitively complete your degree or
coursework for acceptance to a health profession program
 Monitor your progress toward meeting previously defined goals.
 Help you understand the curriculum, graduation requirements, and college policies and
procedures.
 Assist you in understanding the purposes and goals of higher education and its effects on
your life and personal goals.
 Provide you with information and discuss strategies for utilizing available academic
support resources and services on campus.
 Answer your questions through scheduled appointments, walk‐ins, and email while
maintaining confidentiality.
 Assist in your development decision-making skills and skills in assuming responsibility
for their educational plans and achievements.
ADVISEE RESPONSIBILITIES
You are expected to:
 Read and become knowledgeable regarding USF programs, policies, and procedures.
Links have been provided on the first page of this syllabus.
 Schedule and attend advising appointments before you register for classes each semester
through the Escheduler.
 Read your USF email as this is the official method of communication for the institution.
Also, be on the lookout for emails sent through CANVAS which may include important
advising related updates.
 Come prepared to each appointment with questions or material for discussion. Ask
questions if you do not understand an issue or have a specific concern.
 Clarify personal values and goals and provide your advisor with accurate information
regarding your interests and abilities.
 Purposefully and intentionally strive to reach planned goals.
 Practice organizational skills! Keep a personal record of your progress toward meeting
your academic goals and graduation.
 Follow up on recommendations or referrals from your advisor.
 Take responsibility for making your own decisions and meeting academic requirements
and deadlines based on available information and guidance.
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Assistance for Students with Disabilities
As a welcoming and supportive university, the faculty and administration at the University of
South Florida strive to ensure students with disabilities participate in all aspects of university
life. If you are a student with a disability who is requesting accommodations in the learning or
residential environment at the University of South Florida, please make your advisor aware of
such requests. Your advisor will then refer you to the Students with Disabilities Services (SDS)
Office for assistance and more information regarding the documentation of your disability.
You can contact the SDS by calling 813-974-4309. Students with Disabilities Services Student
Handbook: http://www.sds.usf.edu/content/docs/SDS%20Student%20Handbook.pdf.
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