College of Sciences
Why the Four Year Plan?
The Four Year Plan allows you to get more involved in the College of Sciences while preparing you for academic achievement and professional growth at UTSA.
To begin your Four Year Journey, we have provided you with an intentional checklist of activities and experiences for you to complete. Doing these activities will ensure you engage with: faculty/staff, industry/research professionals, academic resources, and fellow COS students. Completing the Four Year Plan will position you to be competitive among your peers in the science community towards internships, career placement, graduate and professional school, research opportunities, and leadership roles in the scientific community. The College of Sciences Student Success Center also has built-in recognition tools and checkpoints per year of completion to track and celebrate your achievements.
Skills for Sucess
The Four Year Plan was designed through a partnership of COS Academic Departments and the COS Student Success Center to combine student engagement and student success.
Through a community-based approach to academics, we encourage you to work with faculty and peers to develop new interests while achieving mastery over your field of study.
Through a combination of actions such as utilizing academic resources, building a network of connections, and engaging with the COS community - the Four Year Plan teaches students skills for success in and beyond the classroom. After reaching milestones per year, students will receive commemoratory pins highlighting their achievements. If a student stays on track with the Four Year Plan until their graduation, they are eligible to receive a medal for graduation. By completing the Four Year Plan, students will reach career readiness and become thriving members of the UTSA College of Sciences Community.
College of Sciences // Four Year Plan 1
First Year Pathway
The College of Sciences: First Year Pathway aims to get you adjusted to the culture of being a College of Sciences Student. Our primary focus is for you to start building good habits for your success, such as creating study groups, utilizing your academic resources, and joining student organizations. As an incoming first year, it is imperative that students start getting involved within the campus culture of UTSA and any additional opportunities that interest them.
Our different domains touch on the essence of being an engaged student. By completing the Academic Success domain, you will learn about the various support systems offered to ensure you won’t fall behind in your classes. Our Career Readiness domain starts getting you acclimated with our University Career Center, which provides various internship and career placement services. Our COS Involvement domain introduces you to our College of Sciences Student Success Center and all of the fun and supportive events that we throw for your success.
A highlight of your First Year is that you will meet with your Science Mentor at least three times a semester. Doing this will allow you to get honest advice and mentorship on academic resources, professional development, student engagement, and well-being from an upperclassman who shares your major. Engaging with your Science Mentor is a great way to get a head start on opportunities and ease your transition into your college experience.
In addition to the staple events thrown by the COS Student Success Center, there are various events thrown by other departments for Science majors. This includes Department BootCAMP sessions, Health Professions Day, and Student Organization meetings. The Science Pride domain pushes you to get involved in those events and develop ways to network with more people. As a first-year student, it is good to have fun through the many festive occasions that UTSA hosts. The University Engagement domain encourages you to have fun and build UTSA school spirit by checking out how students celebrate at UTSA.
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ACADEMIC SUCCESS
A Attend Faculty Office Hours
A Attend a SI/TA Session
A Attend the Expert Learning “How To” Series
A Meet with an Academic Advisor
A Meet with an Academic Peer Coach or Student Success Coach
A Use Tutoring Services
CAREER READINESS
A Attend a Career Center Workshop
A Attend Fall Career Fair
A Attend Spring Career Fair
A Create a Handshake Account
A Create a LinkedIn Profile
A Upload Resume on the Vmock Platform
COS INVOLVEMENT
A Attend a Professional Development Event
A Attend a Taste of Success Event
A Attend a Wellness + Recognition Event
A Attend Fall COS SSC Science Semaña
A Attend Spring COS SSC Science Semaña
MENTORSHIP
A Meet with your Science Mentor 3 times in the Fall Semester
A Meet with your Science Mentor 3 times in the Spring Semester
SCIENCE PRIDE
A Take a Picture Outside the COS Student Success Center
A Attend a Science Related Event / Student Organization Meeting
A Attend a Special COS Related Event Ex: Chemfest, Health Professions Day Monster Mash Pumpkin Smash, Viva Science, Rowdyhacks, Undergraduate Research Showcase
UNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT
A Attend an Athletic Sporting Event
A Attend a Special UTSA Event - Ex: BestFest, Dia En La Sombrilla, Light Up the Paseo, Roadrunner Days, RowdyGras
A Become an Active Member in a Student Organization
College of Sciences // Four Year Plan 3
Second Year Pathway
The College of Sciences - Second Year Pathway is focused on building off of your first year at UTSA. During this year, our goal is to further help you discover your Science Identity. We have put further focus into having COS students prepare for the career and research environment. This year we have placed more emphasis on various events, experiences, and opportunities that allow Second Year students to get well-adjusted and involved with the College of Sciences.
As part of your Second year, we want to continue fostering the good habits you have developed during your first year. This includes using resources such as TA sessions, Faculty office hours, meeting with your Academic Advisor, and engaging with your Science Mentor for additional guidance in your journey. We want you to apply and build your skills by being a leader on campus. Part of the Second Year Science Pride domain encourages you to transform your engagement by applying for a campus
leadership position, so you can further develop yourself and others.
A notable change from the First Year Pathway to the Second Year Pathway is our key intention that you will be ready to apply for an internship, research, or clinical job experience that will prepare you for a flourishing career. To make this a possibility, you will meet with a College of Sciences Career Consultant and update and polish your resume. Part of our Mentorship domain requires you to identify a potential faculty mentor and create a Roadrunner Network Profile to facilitate the process of getting you opportunity ready. This will allow you to build rapport with professionals to learn more about your field and facilitate connections that are essential to getting Letters of Recommendation. By the end of your second year, our Career Launcher domain encourages you to apply for professional experiences so that you can get a head start above your other peers.
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ACADEMIC SUCCESS
A Attend Faculty Office Hours
A Attend a SI/TA Session
A Attend the Expert Learning
“How To” Series
A Meet with an Academic Advisor
A Meet with an Academic Peer Coach or Student Success Coach
A Use Tutoring Services
CAREER LAUNCHER
A Apply for an Internship, Research Position, or Clinical Job Experience
A Attend a Company Information Session
A Attend a Mock Interview Session
A Meet with a COS Career Consultant through the University Career Center
CAREER READINESS
A Attend a Career Center Workshop
A Attend Fall Career Fair
A Attend Spring Career Fair
A Update your Handshake Account
A Update your LinkedIn Profile
A Upload Resume on the Vmock Platform
COS INVOLVEMENT
A Attend a Professional Development Event
A Attend a Taste of Success Event
A Attend a Wellness + Recognition Event
A Attend Fall COS SSC Science Semaña
A Attend Spring COS SSC Science Semaña
A Become an Active Member of a COS Student Organization
MENTORSHIP
A Create a Roadrunner Network Profile
A Meet with your Science Mentor
2 times in the Fall Semester
A Meet with your Science Mentor
2 times in the Spring Semester
A Identify Potential Faculty Mentors
SCIENCE PRIDE
A Apply for a Campus Leadership Position
A Attend a Science Related Event / Student Organization Meeting
A Attend a Special COS Related Event - Ex: Chemfest, Health Professions Day Monster Mash Pumpkin Smash, Viva Science, Rowdyhacks, Undergraduate Research Showcase
College of Sciences // Four Year Plan 5
Third Year Pathway
The College of Sciences - Third Year Pathway continues on the momentum from the Second Year Pathway. We want you to continue honing your Science Identity and prepare you for future success. This year we have placed greater emphasis on mentorship and getting you professionally connected.
While we encourage you to continue being involved with College of Sciences events and organizations, the main components of the Third Year Pathway are aimed toward Professional Development. As a College of Sciences student, we want you to talk to faculty and become research-ready. Being involved in research will allow you to gain marketable experience and further learning above that of classes. In addition to research, continued application to internship and clinical job experiences are necessary to be ahead of the curve.
Don’t forget to start engaging with employers who come to campus and attend career fairs. Employers can introduce you to various opportunities that you may have never known about and provide insight into future paths that you have been considering. In addition to employers, engaging with alums through the Roadrunner Network is an excellent opportunity to get insider tips to break into your field and set you up for greater success. Our Third Year pathway builds your professional network and teaches you lifelong skills to connect with others.
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ACADEMIC SUCCESS
A Attend Faculty Office Hours
A Attend a SI/TA Session
A Attend the Expert Learning
“How To” Series
A Meet with an Academic Advisor
A Meet with an Academic Peer Coach or Student Success Coach
A Use Tutoring Services
CAREER LAUNCHER
A Apply/Report on an Internship, Research Position, or Clinical Job Experience
A Attend a Company Information Session
A Attend a Mock Interview Session
A Meet with a COS Career Consultant through the University Career Center
CAREER READINESS
A Attend a Career Center Workshop
A Attend Fall Career Fair
A Attend Spring Career Fair
A Update your Handshake Account
A Update your LinkedIn Profile
A Upload Resume on the Vmock Platform
COS INVOLVEMENT
A Attend a Professional Development Event
A Attend a Taste of Success Event
A Attend a Wellness + Recognition Event
A Attend Fall COS SSC Science Semaña
A Attend Spring COS SSC Science Semaña
A Become an Active Member of a COS Student Organization
MENTORSHIP
A Meet with a Faculty Mentor in the Fall Semester
A Meet with a Faculty Mentor in the Spring Semester
A Meet with a Roadrunner Network Mentor in the Fall Semester
A Meet with a Roadrunner Network Mentor in the Spring Semester
A Meet with your Science Mentor in the Fall Semester
A Meet with your Science Mentor in the Spring Semester
SCIENCE PRIDE
A Apply for a Campus Leadership Position
A Attend a Science Related Event / Student Organization Meeting
A Attend a Special COS Related Event - Ex: Chemfest, Health Professions Day Monster Mash Pumpkin Smash, Viva Science, Rowdyhacks, Undergraduate Research Showcase
College of Sciences // Four Year Plan 7
Fourth Year Pathway
The College of Sciences - Fourth Year Pathway is a collection of closing experiences, events, and opportunities that prepare students to close their undergraduate chapter here at UTSA. The Fourth Year pathway prepares College of Sciences students for further success beyond graduation.
Each domain of the Fourth Year Pathway allows students to cement and follow their plans after graduation. Through the Career Launcher, Career Readiness, and Mentorship domains, students are pushed to utilize all their skills and connections developed during their past years with the UTSA College of Sciences. This includes asking for Letters of Recommendation, applying to full-time opportunities, and updating profiles to let employers know your plans. By participating in the COS Involvement and Science Pride domains, students are immersed in the UTSA College of Sciences Community to continue developing essential experiences and memories. Through the Road Graduation domain, students will be challenged to recall their time as undergraduate students
and create their final plan leading them toward career industry, research, or advanced education. By completing all the domains of the Fourth Year pathway - students will be ready to graduate and distinguish themselves for success.
100% completion of the Fourth Year Pathway allows a student to receive the Fourth Year COS SSC Medal. Students who were able to complete the First Year, Second Year, Third Year, and Fourth Year Pathways of the Four Year Plan will receive this medal to wear during graduation.
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ROAD TO GRADUATION
A Apply for Graduation
A Apply to a Graduate Program
A Attend Grad Fest
A Create a Plan for a Gap Year
A Upload a Graduation Photo
A Write a Reflection on your Experience as a Science Major
CAREER LAUNCHER
A Apply to a Full Time Job
A Apply/Report on a Research Position or Clinical Job Experience
A Attend a Company Information Session
A Attend a Mock Interview Session
A Meet with a COS Career Consultant through the University Career Center
CAREER READINESS
A Attend a Career Center Workshop
A Attend a Career Fair
A Update your Handshake Account
A Update your LinkedIn Profile
A Upload Resume on the Vmock Platform
COS INVOLVEMENT
A Attend a Professional Development Event
A Attend a Taste of Success Event
A Attend a Wellness + Recognition Event
A Attend Fall COS SSC Science Semaña
A Attend Spring COS SSC Science Semaña
MENTORSHIP
A Ask for Letters of Recommendation
A Meet with a Faculty Mentor in the Fall Semester
A Meet with a Faculty Mentor in the Spring Semester
A Meet with a Roadrunner Network Mentor in the Fall Semester
A Meet with a Roadrunner Network Mentor in the Spring Semester
SCIENCE PRIDE
A Attend a Science Related Event / Student Organization Meeting
A Attend a Special COS Related Event - Ex: Chemfest, Health Professions Day Monster Mash Pumpkin Smash, Viva Science, Rowdyhacks, Undergraduate Research Showcase
A Be a Leader of a COS/Professional Student Organization
WaystoAccessyourFour-YearPlan! Please contact the College of Sciences Student Success Center for any questions or concerns. Flawn Science Building 2.03.02 210-458-3702 COS.Success@utsa.edu — OR — 1. Go to https://rowdylink.utsa.edu 2. Login into your profile 3. Scroll Down on the Home Page 4. Go to where the paths are listed 5. Press on the College of Sciences - Year Pathway 1. Go to https://rowdylink.utsa.edu 2. Login into your profile 3. Click on the Profile Icon on the top right 4. Press Path 5. Change the Progress for - into the College of Sciences - Year Pathway