WELCOME!

USC Alpha Alpha Chapter

E-board 2010-2011Student Org Advisor: Dr. Eric Webb

• President: Judy Chen• Vice President: Holly Chu• Secretary: Brenda Niu• Treasurer: Janet Chu• Publicity Chair: Rebekah Romanu• Webmaster/Historian: Christine Choi• Club Student Advisor: Loomee Doo

Dr. Eric Webb. Photo: usc.edu

What is Phi Sigma?

• National biological honors society

• Mission: to promote research and academic excellence in the biological sciences

History of Phi Sigma

• Founded at Ohio State on March 17, 1915– Founded at USC in 1928

• Became member of the Association of College Honor Societies in 1950

• Emblem signifies FELLOWS IN SCIENCE

Phi Sigma emblem. Photos: Sci.uidaho.edu, achsnatl.org

Further Info about Phi Sigma

• Motto: “Truth Shall Spring out of the Earth”

• Coat-of-arms– Black symbolizes

ignorance– Daisy represents Truth,

rising toward the light– Pearl, the Society

jewel, characterizes the scientist’s reward

Phi Sigma Coat-of-arms. Photo: Phisigmasociety.org

What does Phi Sigma do?

• Speaker meetings– Professors from different fields of biology

• Field trips– California Science Center– Potential: Catalina Island!!

• Socials– Finals study break

How do I become a member?

• Associate Freshmen (1st year) Sophomores (2nd year)$30

• Full Juniors (3rd year) Seniors (4th year)$50 ($20 if previously

Associate)

RequirementsMinimum 3.0 GPA

Demonstrated interest in biological sciences & research

Why Become a Member?

• Associate Primary consideration

for Full membership Looks great on resume

early

• FullGraduation cordPhi Sigma pinCertificate Life-long subscription to

Bioscience magazine

Applications

Emailed soon

***DUE on 10/14***(first General Meeting)

Research Opportunities at USC

• How to get involved with research– Attend Beyond Books Research Banquet on

October 18th • https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?

formkey=dDFqZVRPNkxKZjhQVU44QmprVzRfWmc6MQ

– Contact current/former professors– Look at department websites for potential faculty

sponsors• http://college.usc.edu/bisc/people/

Research Opportunities at USC• USC Provost’s Undergraduate Research Fellowships

Research Opportunities at USC

• Student Opportunities for Academic Research (SOAR)

Research Opportunities at USC

• Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF)– Specifically for research in the summer– $3000 stipend– Similar requirements as SOAR– http://college.usc.edu/surf

Research Opportunities at USC

• WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) Undergraduate Research Grants

Research Opportunities at USC

• Directed Research (490x)– Student-proposed, faculty supervised research– 2-8 units of elective credit– Must present work (paper, publication,

presentation)

How do I keep up with Phi Sigma events?

• E-mail: uscphisigma@gmail.com• Website: uscphisigma.weebly.com • Join our group on Facebook!

– Phi Sigma – USC Chapter

THE END!

Questions?