The International Students and Scholars Office provides international students with much information. Use their New Student webpage to access much valuable information including these links on:

• Pre-Arrival Information
• Before Entering the U.S.
• Entering the U.S.
• Immunization information
• Transportation from the Des Moines Airport
• Temporary Housing upon Arrival

You will not be sorry you took the time to read their pre-arrival information !!

On-campus housing - The University offers housing options to students which you can view here. You can register for University housing via your AccessPlus account. Create your AccessPlus account by using your University ID as your Login ID (the BCB program can give you this number) and as your initial password, use your birth month and day in a four digit format. For instance, if you were born Nov. 10, your password would be 1110. If you have any issues logging into Access Plus, please call the Solution Center, 515-294-4000, and they will be able to reset your password over the phone and grant you access. Communicate with University housing officials by email at: housing@iastate.edu.

Off-campus housing - Available apartments or homes may be located through realtors, the Ames Tribune, the Ames Advertiser, the Iowa State Daily, and online at www.rentiowa.com.

Cy-Ride is the bus system in Ames. If you are without a car, it is quite convenient to travel around Ames in most locations. As you search for an apartment in Ames, you may want to check Cy-Ride routes and schedules to make sure you can easily access Cy-Ride from where you choose to live.

Create your AccessPlus account by using your University ID as your Login ID (the BCB program can give you this number) and as your initial password, use your birth month and day in a four digit format. For instance, if you were born Nov. 10, your password would be 1110. If you have any issues logging into Access Plus, please call the Solution Center, 515-294-4000, and they will be able to reset your password over the phone and grant you access.

All new students are required to show proof of immunization against Measles (rubeola). International students must receive a TB test which is typically part of the ISS orientation.

Your immunization records can be obtained from your health care provider’s office. They may also be available from the colleges or universities you have attended. Public health department records or military records may also have this information. Immunization dates and tests must include the month, day, and year. A photocopy of your immunization record is acceptable and may be attached to the immunization form.

The Thielen Student Health Center is located on the northeast corner of Union Drive and Sheldon Avenue, just west of Beyer Hall. Their website is located here: http://www.health.iastate.edu/ .

New students are eligible for vaccinations and other services beginning the week prior to classes. Rubeola titers (blood test) and Tuberculosis (TB) skin tests are also available. Please note that there are charges for health center services, although most are provided at a reduced rate. You may also visit your current health care provider for a measles vaccination.

Here are BCB 567, BCB 568, BCB 569 and BCB 570 core course descriptions with additional information for you in each document.

Stat 430 and BCB 567 are two first-semester required courses.

Concepts described in these two courses will be helpful for students to have preparation for Stat 430:

Stat 330. Probability and Statistics for Computer Science. Topics from probability and statistics applicable to computer science. Basic probability; Random variables and their distributions; Elementary probabilistic simulation; Queuing models; Basic statistical inference; Introduction to regression.

Stat 341. Introduction to the Theory of Probability and Statistics I. Probability; distribution functions and their properties; classical discrete and continuous distribution functions; multivariate probability distributions and their properties; moment generating functions; simulation of random variables and use of the R statistical package. Credit for both Stat 341 and 447 may not be applied toward graduation.

BCB 567 has used Cormen's Introduction to Algorithms, 3rd edition. For your review, Chapters 2, 3 and 4 are most helpful.

International Students must check in with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) upon arrival at Iowa State. If you arrive before August 10, you may be able to check in early with them. To assist them in planning for these early check-in sessions, make a reservation on line by going to their Events link. ISSO's office is in Room 3248 Memorial Union. For your appointment with them, bring your passport, visa, I-94 Card and I-20. More details about early check-in are here.

If you don't arrive before August 10, check-in with them will occur on Wednesday, August 15, from 8 a.m. to noon, Pioneer and Gallery Rooms in the Memorial Union.

International students who do not yet have a Social Security number should wait at least two weeks after their arrival in the United States to apply for a Social Security number. Both IES and Payroll officials at ISU emphasize the importance of waiting this period of time. Applying too early will initiate paper processing of your Social Security number which can take up to five months. After two weeks of being in the United States, go to the Social Security Administration Office at 600 5th Street in Ames to apply for your number. You will need to take passport/visa, I-20, and documents showing that you will be receiving an assistantship or Fellowship (letter of intent).

Your SS number will be sent to the Tuition and Fees Office at ISU located in 0460 Beardshear Hall. They will email you when your card arrives and you can pick it up by showing them a picture ID like your ISU ID. Take the number to the Human Resources office in 3810 Beardshear Hall so your payroll processing can be completed. Also, give your number to the BCB office in 2014 Molecular Biology Building.

Fill Out Paperwork To Get Paid

International students should fill out an I-9 form during the check-in with IES. This form verifies your eligibility for payroll. The I-9 needs to be filed on or before the 1st day of employment listed on your letter of intent. Also, you may be eligible for a Tax Treaty exemption which will lower the amount of U.S. taxes you must pay. Find out if you are eligible by checking this webpage: http://www.controller.iastate.edu/payroll/stdtreat.htm . If you are eligible, each year you should fill out Form 8233 and the attachment. The forms to claim Tax Treaty exemption may be completed in Payroll, 1st Floor Administrative Services Building.

U.S. students and permanent residents can download the payroll Sign-Up Packet, which includes the I-9. Fill it out and take it directly to the Records Management office, 3810 Beardshear Hall or pick up a packet in that office to fill out.

Information on the payroll forms can be found at www.hrs.iastate.edu/records/. Please bring a photo ID and your social security card, birth certificate, or passport to sign up for payroll.

Health insurance is provided as part of your assistantship. Enroll on line through your AccessPlus account.

For complete information on your health care, visit ISU's Health Insurance website.

Non-native English speakers must take the English Placement Test. Here is the website with all the details.

Students may not need to take the test if:

1) they received a bachelor’s, master’s or Ph.D. degree from an English-speaking university in the U.S.A., Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, or Australia;

2) they received a TOEFL score of 640 or above (paper-based TOEFL), 270 or above (computer-based TOEFL), or 105 and above (internet-based TOEFL); or

3) they received a score of 8.0 or above on the IELTS.

You must file a Graduate English Requirement approval form if you meet one of the exemptions above. The English Requirement Approval form can be downloaded from the Graduate College forms site here: http://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/forms/forms.html . Take it or mail it to Room 1137 in Pearson Hall.

If you are an international student, please attend as much of the International Student Scholars Orientation as you can. It begins Monday, August 19. Here is the schedule from last year to give you an idea of what has been planned in previous years. BCB orientation activities will be shaped around theirs.

However, please ask for a health appointment that will accommodate BCB activities. There are several choices for health appointments so be sure to speak up and ask for an appointment which will allow you to attend all BCB orientation activities.

The Undergraduate Orientation Handbook contains some general information that may be helpful in explaining academic practices, as well as campus and community resources and services at ISU. It is located here:

http://www.admissions.iastate.edu/orientation/after/handbook.php

The BCB Program has a handbook to help BCB students successfully navigate academic and administrative policies and procedures specific to this program. A 2013 Handbook will be available soon.