The Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) Program at the University of Rochester

Lisa G. Norwood '86, '95
Assistant Dean, Engineering Undergraduate Studies
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and
Coordinator, Kauffman Entrepreneurial Year Program
Director, Women in Science and Engineering Program
Lattimore 306A, RC Box 270076
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY 14627-0076
Phone: 585/275-4155 FAX: 585/461-4735
LNRW@seas.rochester.edu
www.seas.rochester.edu

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This document contains information about:

• The Goals of the Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) Program
• Ongoing WISE activities
• Upcoming WISE Events
• Whom to contact for more information about WISE

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The Goals of the WISE Program

The WISE Program at the University of Rochester supports women's participation in scientific, engineering, and quantitative disciplines at all levels. Established in 1992 by the Dean of the College and directed by Dr. Priscilla Auchincloss (Dean of Sophomores, Senior Lecturer, and Research Associate, Department of Physics and Astronomy), the Program seeks to ensure that women may fully explore science through study, research experience, and career-building opportunities. Scholarship in women's studies continues to provide insight into questions of gender in relation to science, and the WISE Program is engaged in both developing courses and fostering dialogue about diversity across science and humanities disciplines.
 
 

The Mission of the WISE Program is to attract women to, and retain them in, science and science-related fields at UR by:

• Creating the conditions of equal access for the pursuit of science by women
• Educating the University community about the issues of women and science
• Pressing for this as a University priority and guiding the University community and leadership toward this objective

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Current WISE Activities

Classroom Climate Awareness/Improvement: The Physics Department-sponsored annual TA Training Program for incoming graduate teaching assistants in several science departments emphasizes how instructors impact the classroom climate for their students, especially underrepresented groups in science. The Program Director is actively involved in this and other efforts to provide an intellectually supportive environment to women in science programs, and to raise awareness of the often subtle problems women experience in the present climate. Specific problems brought to our attention will be treated with strict confidentiality and on an individual basis.

Pre-College Experience in Physics (PREP):
PREP is a science program for selected young women who have finished 9th and 10th grade in Rochester area public and private high schools. Begun in 1993, the 4-week summer program on the University of Rochester campus provides an introduction to physics through a sequence of hands-on, inquiry-driven laboratory activities with experienced instructors. Tours of many of the University's research facilities and presentations by researchers give PREP students exposure to a range of science and technology careers.   During various years (summers 1994,95,96,97), the program has been funded by the U.S. Department of Energy PREP program, the National Science Foundation, and the US Department of Energy Division of High Energy and Nuclear Physics. Since 1998 it has been funded by the Univesity of Rochester and the CMS Experiment at the Large Hadron Collider.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in Physics: The REU program is a 10-week residential program in which 10-14 sophomores and juniors (50% women and minorities) will have research positions in the laboratories of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The program includes mini-courses on tool-machining and electronics and weekly discussions of research projects underway in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The National Science Foundation is providing the funding for this program.

Undergraduate Teaching Internships in Physics and Astronomy: The Program for Women in Science and Engineering, in conjuction with the Department of Physics and Astronomy, participates in a Teaching and Technology Internship Program. Internships are available for undergraduate students to serve as assistants to the regular TA's in introductory Physics and Astronomy labs (and some reciations). The program's goals are to improve the quality of undergraduate teaching by increasing the number of instructors in physics labs, and to enhance the involvement of women in science and science teaching.

Other activities: The WISE Program co-sponsors visiting speakers and a variety of department- and student-initiated activities, in keeping with its goals. Women in science at the University seeking academic or other kinds of advice are welcome to contact the Director. Our goal is that every woman in science have guidance and support during her years at Rochester.

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Upcoming WISE Events

WISE Co-Sponsors Club Rochester - Friday February 16, 4-6 pm, The Meliora

To kick-off Engineers Week, February 18-24, 2007, the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Program has joined up with the Student Activities Office and all of the engineering undergraduate societies to sponsor this month©ˆs Club Rochester. The first 100 people will receive a special give-away and an official E-Week button. Guest bartenders will include Lisa Norwood, Assistant Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Chair of the Institute of Optics, Wayne Knox, and Biomedical Engineering professor, Scott Seidman.

WISE Brown Bag Lunches - Upper Level of Douglass Dining Center (look for signs)

Wednesday, February 21, 12:00 °©1:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 22, 12:30 °©1:30 p.m.
Friday, April 27, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

These lunches allow female undergraduate science and engineering majors to meet one another as well as seek advice about courses and career options from more experienced students and faculty members. These lunches are free open to the University community. Bring your own lunch and a friend for what are always inspiring networking opportunities.

WISE Networking Dinner - Monday, March 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Hawkins-Carlson Room (tent.)

The advertised job market‹classified ads, trade journals, internet postings, or other vacancy listings‹represent only 25% of all available opportunities. In order to take advantage of the hidden job market, you need to develop extensive informal networks of personal contacts. This interactive workshop is designed to help you begin the networking process by teaching you some useful strategies and introducing you to some influential people: alumnae of our University.

WISE Study Break - Thursday, May 3, Time & location to be determined

Come join us for a much-needed break before finals!
 
 

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Whom to Contact for More Information About the WISE Program

To become involved and/or receive more information, contact:

Lisa G. Norwood '86, '95 Assistant Dean, Engineering Undergraduate Studies School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Coordinator, Kauffman Entrepreneurial Year Program Director, Women in Science and Engineering Program Lattimore 306A, RC Box 270076 University of Rochester Rochester, NY 14627-0076 Phone: 585/275-4155 FAX: 585/461-4735 LNRW@seas.rochester.edu www.seas.rochester.edu

Go to Special Programs page.