In total, we raised $409 in monetary donations, and collected over 1200 canned food items. On March 1st, we invited the Daily Gleaner and the Fredericton Foodbank to the campus for a presentation of the cheque and donation pick-up in the science concourse. The entire Science Faculty was invited.

You can check out more of the photos on our Facebook page, Faculty of Science at UNB.

Special thanks to our sponsors:  Sodexo, UNB Bookstore, Dooly’s, SUB Styles, SUBTowne, The Snooty Fox, The Cellar Pub, Jungle Jim’s, The Regent Mall, Crowne Plaza, and the Science Student Leadership Program (formerly, Science Peer Mentor Program).

So some of you may know that I spent an AMAZING summer in Montreal (also my first time away from home). For three months, I worked as a summer research assistant at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC).

The position is offered through an internship program at IRIC, it’s called the “Next Generation Internship Award”. You can check out the details on how to apply at this link: http://www.iric.ca/EtudierIRIC/bourses_EN.html

I’ve received a lot of questions about my experience, so here goes.

Q: Do you need to be fluent in French?

A: Nope! You can write your motivational letter in English or French (whatever you are comfortable with).  However, just be aware that, if your letter is written in French, the expectation is that you are able to speak French. However, most of the PI’s (Principle Investigators) can speak both French and English.  The city itself is also very bilingual. So don’t worry about it!

Q: What was it like?

A: Umm…AMAZING. I can’t describe it really. I’m actually kind of known as a quiet person on campus here at UNB. So, as cliché as it sounds, I was able to start over somewhere new. I don’t know if any of you ever feel like whoever you were in high school defines who you will be later on…but it won’t. So I made the most of it.

Q: Where did you live? Was it expensive?

A: I lived on campus in one of the residences. IRIC is actually affiliated with l’Université de Montreal, which is a francophone university.  I recommend living on campus especially if you don’t know anyone or aren’t familiar with the area. It’s about a 5-10 minute walk from IRIC. Here is the link: http://www.residences-etu.ca/tarifs.php?lang=en&d=t

*Note, for rates, look at the tab that says “stagiaires” or in English “trainee”. I’ve spent 12 years in French immersion and had no idea what “stagiare” was and I thought “trainee” sounded weird. But yah, that’s you.

Q: Was it easy to meet people? Did you have a social life?

A: Yes! It’s actually quite common to have other undergrads working for the summer at IRIC, so you won’t be the only “new” guy or girl. IRIC also hosts a lot of BBQ’s and seminars. Every Friday, they have a summer seminar where a grad student from the lab will present their research. Afterwards, there is a little get together over beer and refreshments. I think that’s where I met most people.

Patrick (the coordinator of the IRIC Next Gen. Internship) also sends out emails to all the interns. So it’s easy and completely not awkward to email each other. Last year, eight people were from out of town so you aren’t the only one who’s new to the city. I think the majority were Anglophone and spoke only a little French.  In fact, if you’re curious, you can check out the recipients of last year’s internship, each of their projects and what university they came from at this link: http://www.iric.ca/BoursesScientifiquesDemain_Juin11_EN.htm

Q: Any tips on what they look for in candidates?

A: The website shows the weighting of each section of the application and as you can see the motivational letter holds a lot of weight. There is a “bank” of projects on their website. I would suggest researching and reading some of the papers there as PI’s are always looking for students who are interested in their work. This doesn’t mean you have to know everything about science, just explain what it is about cancer research you are passionate about and what specifically you find interesting about their research.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below!

I hope your holiday went fantastically and that, for those of you in high school, you didn’t procrastinate too much–what with exams coming up and all. In university, your exams end before Christmas so it’s a bit more relaxing.

I spent most of my holiday volunteering at a local pharmacy (which I definitely recommend!) and finishing up applications to pharmacy schools. Judging from the number of new students I met at orientation last fall who were interested in pharmacy as a career, I imagine that many of you high school students are thinking along the same lines. So, here are a few tips:

1. Research pharmacy schools EARLY. (This summer even.)

It takes a few hours to research all seven pharmacy schools in Canada on the internet. Because you aren’t in university yet, I would look closely at the prerequisite courses. Pharmacy schools require a specific set of courses so make sure that, when you register for your science courses, you take all of them. Pharmacy schools won’t even look at your application if you don’t have prerequisites. The UNB Fredericton science program is structured to take that into account; often it is very easy for you to get the courses you need scheduled in a good timetable.

2. Get good references.

Most pharmacy schools require at least two references. These cannot be from a friend or family member. The best references are usually from professors, work supervisors, or even a pharmacist/doctor.

3. Look for relevant work experience.

In university, you have four months of summer break where you have NO school. Most students capitalize on this opportunity to look for summer employment. Yes, technically you could work at Burger King but try to look for summer jobs in a research lab. Not only will you get hands on research experience in a lab, but you will also get a good reference from a professor. And trust me, pharmacy schools definitely like that. The pay is usually above minimum wage and the work is not too difficult.

If you are in university now, I would suggest looking for summer employment in a lab…now. If you wait until April, most of the research positions will be long gone. So just email different profs, read up on their research, and just be clear when you explain WHY you are interested. Also, include a copy of your CV and transcripts.

You could also ask to volunteer or work in a pharmacy. I visited three different pharmacies before I was accepted as a volunteer. I am VERY thankful. It is an excellent experience and could make all the difference if the pharmacy school is deciding between two very similar applicants. The real life work experience offers realistic expectations of what you can expect in your career and documented practical experience that you can add to your resume. It may also help with the interviews. Often, the people interviewing you are pharmacists themselves and they just want to know that you understand what the profession entails.

Have any questions about preparing for pharmacy school? Just let me know in the comments below!

a) Access to food

b) Overall ambiance

c) Cubicle/study space

Harriet Irving Library aka “The HIL”

Outside of the HIL	Comfy chairs in the lounge area	Commons Café for your Starbucks needs

Pros:

• Quiet
• Large cubicles: if you go to the fourth floor they have large cubicles so you can spread all your junk around (which I need, none of this cramped business).
• The girl’s bathroom is on the other side of the library so you can stretch your legs a bit and call it exercise each time you go.
• There are also study rooms you can book and an awesome computer lab with a help desk right there.
• Little known fact: there are lockers you can sign out for free to store all your heavy textbooks between classes

Con:

• The HIL is kind of a pun because it’s at the top of the…hill. The same one that 50% of this side of Fredericton is on.  When there’s ten feet of snow on the ground, it can be a hassle trying to get up there.

Science Library aka “Sci Li”

Outside of the of the Sci Li	Comfy chairs

I was originally not a fan of the Science Library. The reason is that everywhere you go you will see someone from your classes, or god forbid some of your friends, and they will distract you/make you feel like you are being judged for looking like a hobo during exam time.

Pros:

• There are really large windows all along one side so you can see the sun every once in a while.
• Sometimes Lisa Sharp (the assistant dean) will come by with a bag of candy to hand out to everyone. (Thanks, Lisa!!!)
• The Sci Li is also the heart of the Science Faculty. You pretty much never have to step outside as it is connected to the bio, physics and chemistry buildings.
• Little known fact: if you forget your heavy textbook you can actually check it out from the library help desk on reserve.
• Bonus: they have a coloring station.

Cons:

• The Sci Li has a curious combination of cubicles and tables. I personally find the cubicles too small. I have a lot of notes and textbooks so I prefer a larger space.
• There is no food nearby!!! Only vending machines and sometimes a little canteen is open but usually only for a couple of hours.
• I would also like to complain about the aesthetic appeal about the Sci Li concourse and it’s tragic chairs and pink and aqua/turquoise walls. But you can keep the No dogs allowed sign. It’s slightly bonkers but I like it for some reason…

Engineering Library aka…Engineering Library???

Outside of Head Hall

I don’t know the slang name for the Engineering Library having not spent too much time down there. I think it qualifies as mostly a lounge area.

Pros:

• There is a quiet section but it’s basically a tiny classroom.
• The Head Rest café is close by
• It is right next to a SafeRide stop which is a total pro.

Cons:

• Cubicles are too high: I don’t know what it is about that place but the cubicle literally sits at my shoulders. I know there probably aren’t a lot of women in the engineering faculty as a whole but give me a break, guys aren’t THAT tall.
• No study rooms
• The computer labs are in separate area away from the library.

Student Union Building aka “The SUB”

Outside of the SUB

Pro:

• Well…there’s a lot of food choice (Tim Hortons, Pizza Pizza, Mr. SUB, Senora Grill) and easy access to coffee (Tim Hortons). Otherwise, I don’t know, would you study in a cafeteria?

Con:

• I’m not quite sure I understand why people study there…it seems like everyone is basically checking everyone else out. Who has time for this when…[rant]

Q&A with Jassy’s sister

Q: What is Saferide?

A: It’s this awesome service powered by the Student Union that drives you home for free.

More information can be found here: http://www.unbsu.ca/content/239135

Q: What can you do with a science degree?

Okay now, this is just a sneaky question masquerading as a “what are you going to do after you graduate?” type deal. I’ve been getting this question from a lot of people…and my answer changes depending on how I feel at that particular moment.

A) Medical school (I’ve applied to UOttawa and McGill)

B) Pharmacy school (Dalhousie/UofT/UBC/Waterloo/UofA)

C) Graduate school (McGill)

Yah…not fun applying to all of those. Honours thesis projects are, however, excellent because they not only give you research experience, but also references. Every single one of the above schools asks for at least 2; some even state that they want a professor as your reference. So keep an eye out for those. At the present moment I prefer pharmacy. (I’m limited to 500 words here so I’ll tell you about it in the next post!)

Don’t get the wrong idea though; getting a Science degree doesn’t mean you have to take more school afterwards!

Check out the UNB Fredericton Career Connections website for some career examples if you decide to major in:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Geology
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Physics
• Psychology

There are a lot of things you can do with a science degree!

Hope that helps,

Since this is my first post, I should probably tell you a little bit about myself and how I ended up at UNB.

So as you may have noticed, I’m Chinese. You are probably wondering how I ended up somewhere across the ocean where 2 billion other people live to this tiny town on the eastern side of Canada.

UNB.

Yes, that’s right. UNB actually offered my dad a full scholarship back in the 1980’s for his PhD in forest engineering. UNB then offered my dad a professorship (is that a word?) which partially explains why I am still here 21 years later. (Faculty get a 50% discount on tuition.)

Okay, so why the sciences?

I knew wanted a career that will change with me. In ten years I don’t expect to be the same person I am now, so why should I expect my future career to be any different? Science will always be evolving with new theories, new techniques and new concepts to discover everyday. I don’t think anyone can say they know all there is to know about the natural word. Science definitely gives the opportunity to discover something new that no else has ever seen before- and scientists can actually win Nobel prizes. 

Okay, so why UNB science?

UNB has great class sizes. This means your professors will get to know you and you’ll get to know them. You won’t simply be a number or a grade. I have friends from high school who went on to the bigger universities which have huge class sizes of 500. Most  have never spoken to their professors. I think the students who get the A’s and A+ are usually the ones who aren’t afraid to ask questions. I also think you get a great support network which makes it possible to get a competitive gpa. (And if your considering med school, I’m sure that’s something that’ll appeal to you.)

I’d like to finish by saying that I  hope this blog can give any seniors in high school or other UNB science students some insight as to what it’s like to be a upper year science student. I’m also a science peer mentor so I will probably also be shamelessly advertising all the fun events we have coming up. So stay tuned!