What is a Mentor?

Most projects will require you to seek advice and instruction from sources beyond the lecturers and the gsi's in the class.

Many students are able to identify a single person whose interests are so close to their topic they serve as an advisor, or 'mentor'. This relationship can be very similar to the relationship between a grad student and their advisor. Students are able to work within their mentors laboratory and attend lab. meetings etc as appropriate.

If the mentor is a faculty member at UC Berkeley then the 1 unit lab section of students they mentor can be officially assigned to them as a record of their involvement. This is not a requirement and some faculty members chose not to bother. However if the faculty member does sign on as the instructor for the 1 unit lab section they are assigned a unique course control number and will be responsible for assigning a grade for the 1 unit class for the 1 student (although they are encouraged to consult with the es196 staff). If the mentor is not a UC Berkeley Faculty member then, whilst their contribution is still valued, they cannot assign a grade to the students.

Mentors are not required to read or grade student work although we encourage them to attend the end of second semester presentations where students present the results of their projects.

Some students will obtain advice from more than one person and this is normal and encouraged. There is no need to identify any one person as the sole or main mentor except only one (Berkeley Faculty member) can get teaching credit for the 1 unit lab section.

Mentor responsibilities

If the mentor is a Berkely faculty member and agrees to have the 1 unit lab section assigned to them as a record of their teaching then it is important that the grade for this section is submitted promptly at the end of each semester. (Takes approx 2 minutes via bear facts)

Student responsibilities