CSB/SJU Biology Department Newsletter
Volume 3 Number 15
February 22, 2000
1. Message from the Chair
This issue of the newsletter is one of the longest ones ever largely because we didnt send out a newsletter last week and there have been many great opportunities for jobs, internships, etc. that have come in since the last issue.
Well, Im going to keep this short so I can finally send this off. Have a great week!
2. Student News:
Amy Haupert (CSB 99) writes that she will be at the Ecolab booth at the
Minnesota Private Colleges Job Fair on Feb. 22. She said that "If you know of any
students going, send them my way"
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Patrick Breen (SJU 99) is now teaching 10th grade biology at Willmar Sr. High
3. Faculty News:
Drs Manuel Campos and Marcus Webster gave a presentation on using
multimedia in the classroom at a Learning Enhancement Service program.
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Dr. Larry Davis gave a presentation on water for the LES Faculty Development
Colloquium.
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Dr. Stephen Saupe shared his South African experience at the St. Cloud Unitarian
Universalistic Fellowship on January 16, 2000. The program touched on the natural history,
and environmental and social issues in modern South Africa.
4. Curriculum News:
Mathematical Biology
Dr. Tom Sibley in the CSB/SJU Math Department will teach a new
course during fall 2000 semester called Mathematical Biology. It will be cross-listed as
an upper division biology course and will course toward the major (as an elective).
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Biology of Insects (Biol309) - Sadly, this course wont be
offered Fall 2000 because Dr. Poff will be on sabbatical.
5. Biology/Geology/Arboretum Club News:
Wolf Excursion at the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake by Lyz Anderson
The Arboretum Club is going to take a field
trip to study wolves at the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake on Saturday, February
26. Meet at the bell banner at 2:00 p.m. There will be 2 SJU vans (30 places)
available for transportation. This activity is free to students, because of student
activity funding, but a cost of $10 for non-students is in effect. (But we would love to
have any fun faculty members there, too). We will talk with the people who work there and
then observe and listen to the wolves howl, and learn fun facts, and maybe eat
smores. We should get back at around 8:30 pm. People can sign up at Sexton Commons,
and can contact Lyz Anderson @ 5760 or Ken Graeve @ 2479. This is a function of the
Arboretum Club.
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Got Rocks?
A Geology Club is in the formative stages. For more details contact
Kelly Deutsch, Chris Condon or Dr. Larry Davis.
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6. Calendar of Events:
Feb 22, 23 Learning Communities Meeting contact Dr. Poff
Feb 28 "Feminist Therapies for Low-Birth Weight Babies" Schirber Lecture;
7:30 PM; Alumnae Hall, HCC; College of Saint Benedict.
Feb 29 "Applications of Biology: Patent Attorney" Seminar; 4:00 pm, NSC 140.
Feb 29 Plant Puzzler Entries due
Mar 1 Summer Jobs/Internship Fair, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Alumnae Hall, Haehn
Mar 8 Forensics Seminar; ASC 142; 430 pm
Mar 8 Student Employee Job Fair Bro. Willies Pub
Mar 10 Lil Sibs Weekend
Mar 10 Registration Deadline for April 8 MCAT exam
Mar 14 Careers in Science Panel; 7 pm; Teresa Reception Center
Mar 16 Dr. Paula Hicks Metabolic Engineering of Bacterial Cells; Biology Department
Seminar 4:00 pm
Mar 18 MN Native Plant Symposium Restoration Issues
Mar 31 CSB Senior Parent Weekend
Mar 7 Internship Workshop 7:30 pm. HAB 009
April 1 SJU Mother-Son Dance
April 8 Biology Subject Test GRE
April 11 St. Cloud State Undergraduate Research Conference
April 15 MCAT Exam
April 28, 29 Minnesota Academy of Science Meeting Moorhead
April 29 Pinestock
May 2 Stearns County Environmental Education Day want to help? contact Dr. Saupe
(x2782)
May 6 Greening the Campus Conference
7.Internships/Scholarships/Jobs:
The CSB/SJU Biology Department announces the 2000 Summer Undergraduate Research Program!
What is it?
What about finances?
Why should I be interested?
Who can I work for?
These members of the department are interested in having students this summer (see the SURB web page for a description of research interests):
How can I apply?
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High Arctic Graduate Research Assistantship
A graduate student assistantship is available for a highly motivated
and qualified graduate student to carry out research in the Canadian High Arctic as part
of a NSF-funded study of arctic plant and ecosystem responses to simulated climate change.
The focus of the project will be to quantify growing season carbon and water vapor flux of
three ecosystems found in a polar oasis at Alexandra Fiord, Ellesmere Island. The
successful candidate will be expected to qualify for admittance to the University of
Wyoming Graduate School. Funding is currently available for up to three years. Please send
by March 10th a letter of interest describing experiences which are relevant to the
research area, copies of any published works, and the name, email address and phone number
of three references to: Jeff Welker; Dept. of Renewable Resources; University of Wyoming;
Laramie, WY; 82071 or visit their web page at http://sif.uwyo.edu.
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MN DNR Burn Crew - full time temporary employment from Apr 10 May 19.
For more information contact Ms. Ellen Fuge at 1- 888-646-6367. Applications are due Feb
22.
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Dauphin Island Sea Lab - Research Experiences for Undergraduates
Alabama's Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) will offer seven undergraduate fellowships
in marine science during the Fall Semester, 2000 as part of the National Science
Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. This program is for
undergraduate students interested in pursuing careers or graduate studies in Marine
Sciences. Students selected for the program will participate in an intensive 12-week
research experience in which they work within a faculty research group and develop and
complete their own independent research project. In addition, participants will
participate in a series of workshops on professional skills, and attend lectures by
outstanding visiting speakers. The Sea Lab will award academic credit for this experience
with prior approval from the student's home campus. Applications are invited from
undergraduates in their junior and senior years with interests in biology, chemistry,
geology and environmental sciences. Students cannot have already graduated at the time of
the fellowship. Participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and
its possessions. Stipends of $3,000 will be provided for the 12-week full-time program. In
addition, students will be provided on-campus housing and a food allowance, by the Dauphin
Island Sea Lab. Students from outside the Mobile, Alabama area may also apply for limited
travel assistance. For Applications and Additional Information Contact: Mrs. Jenny Foster,
Registrar; Dauphin Island Sea Lab; 101 Bienville Blvd. Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528;
Office: (334)861-7502; E-Mail: jfoster@disl.org.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2000
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Yanmar/Sae Scholarship
Eligible applicants will be citizens of North
America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) and will be entering their senior year of undergraduate
engineering or enrolled in a postgraduate engineering or related science program.
Applicants must be pursuing a course of study or research related to the conservation of
energy in transportation, agriculture & construction, and power generation.
Applications are due by 1 April and are available from the External Scholarship Programs
office, HAB 103 - CBS, or on-line at www.sae.org/students/yanmar.htm.
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Receive A $1000 Scholarship For Your Essay Or Poem
CSM Education, Inc. is offering $1000 scholarships to students
who write the best essays in February 2000. Essays and poems will be carefully reviewed
for spelling, punctuation and grammar, originality, creativity, and interest. All essays
must contain three paragraphs only. Poems must not exceed twenty lines. While all entries must
be submitted directly on the CSM Education, Inc. website, http://www.csmeducation.com,
on or before 29 February 2000, additional information is available at the External
Scholarship Programs office, HAB 103 - CSB. The list of winners will be posted on the CSM
website starting 5 March 2000.
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Fellowships in Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation- Willowbrook Wildlife
Foundation - Email: Spihera@dupageforest.com
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Student Employee Job Fair- Wed, March 8, 2000 @ Br. Willies Pub, SJU;
10:30 A.M to 2:30 P.M.
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Summer Internships Available- the Pelican Watershed District
student internships for the summer months in the Detroit Lakes area. Internship activities
may include: lake sampling, calculations of pollutant loadings, GIS, and mapping land use
and aquatic plants. Email: rhecock@lakeesnet.net
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Youth in Natural Rescources-2000 Summer Job Announcement Position: Metro
YINR Coordinator. Applications are due April 3,2000. www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/mcc/mccyinr.html
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MCAT Information from Dr. Manuel Campos
The MCAT exam will be administered April 15 and August 19. Registration deadlines are
March 10 and July 14, respectively. Students planning to apply to the class of 2001 are
strongly encouraged students to take the April test.
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CSB/SJU Biology Department Student Worker Positions for 2000 2001.
The Biology is currently hiring student workers for the 2000-2001 academic year.
Applications are available from me (NSC 218), and must be submitted to me by March
17. Students who are hired will be notified by their prospective supervisors by April
7. All applications will be kept on file in case other positions become available later.
Positions available include: (1) Teaching Assistants in Human Anatomy and
Physiology, Biochemistry, Comparative Anatomy, Concepts of Biology, and Physiology; (2)
Lab Assistants in Microbiology, Histology/Cell Biology, and the Learning Communities
Project; (3) Lab Assistant/Clerical Assistant in ecology; and (4) Research
Assistant for Dr. Poff and Dr. Webster.
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Careers in Science
Panel presentation to be held on Mar 14 at 7 p.m. in Teresa Reception Center, CSB
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Pfizer Summer Research Fellowship by Dr. Michael Reagan
This year, for the first time, CSB/SJU have been invited to nominate students for
the Pfizer Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship for Molecular Biology. This fellowship
allows a student to do research in the general area of molecular biology in a lab here at
CSB/SJU for the summer. The fellowship will pay $3,500 to the student for the summer, and
the student and faculty mentor will visit Pfizer Central Research in the fall for an award
ceremony and to present the results of their research project in a poster session. Pfizer
will give preference to juniors. The Biology department will nominate up to two students
to Pfizer for this fellowship. Awards will be announced March 29. Interested students
should pick up information from Dr. Reagan (NSC 216) and should contact and discuss
potential projects with a faculty mentor. The student will have to submit to Dr. Reagan:
1) a short (one-page) statement describing the importance of this opportunity to your
personal and career plans and a brief explanation of the project, 2) a letter of
recommendation from the faculty mentor, and 3) a copy of your transcript. A Biology
Department committee will decide the nominees from the department, and the student will
then complete the application process.
The application to Pfizer, due March 1, will have to include, in addition to the
material described above, a description of the proposed research project written in
collaboration with your faculty mentor. Contact Dr. Reagan for due dates.
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Field Assistant in Ecological Restoration- Minnesota DNR
The Field Assistant in Ecological Restoration will be primarily responsible for
monitoring the progress of upland ecological restoration projects throughout the Metro
Region. Duties will include plant surveys at numerous ecological restoration sites in the
Conservation Partners program (Metro Region), assessing the success on the basis of select
criteria and project goals/objectives; entering field data into a relational database; and
conducting interviews with grant. The starting date is somewhat flexible, but the
internship period will be 10 to 12 weeks during the summer of 2000. Pay will be negotiable
between $9 and $11/hour. To apply: contact Meredith Cornett, DNR Forestry, 1200 Warner
Road, St. Paul, MN 55106 or call (651) 772-7574 or 772-7925, for more information.
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"A Feeling For The Organism: Undergraduate Summer Research In Organismal
Biology"
Baylor University offers an outstanding educational opportunity for college
sophomores and juniors to spend a summer working closely with a faculty mentor in the
Department of Biology on an independent research project involving whole organisms. The
program aims to foster "a feeling for the organism" by introducing participants
to the diversity of life and the works of great naturalists like E. O. Wilson and Barbara
McClintock, as well as by immersing them in a specific research question in organismal
biology.
Each participant will receive a $3000 stipend for the 10-week program that will begin on May 30. Apartment housing will be provided and the use of Baylor's library, computer facilities, and student life center will be available to all participants. Travel will be reimbursed up to $500.
For additional information check their web page at: http://www.baylor.edu/~Biology/Home_Page.html.
Additional questions may be directed to one of the program co-directors via email: Dr. Ann
E. Rushing (Ann_Rushing@baylor.edu) or Dr. Wendy E. Sera (Wendy_Sera@baylor.edu).
Applications are due March 20.
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Summer! Job?- www.greatsummerjobs.com
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Southwestern Research Station American Museum of Natural History Volunteer Program
Thirty or forty volunteer positions are opening in 2000 at the museum n Portal,
Arizona. The program is run annually and offers students in biological sciences
outstanding opportunities to observe and become involved with scientists doing field
research. For applications: swrs@amnh.org
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Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Molecular Biotechnology @ Iowa
State University. email:reu@iastate.edu
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Resident Childrens Naturalist working with children ages 3 through 9 at
the Lost Lake Lodge on the Gull Lake Narrows. Lost Lake Lodge is a small family owned
resort with 10 cottages and private located 140 miles north of Minneapolis. For further
information email: nature@lostlake.com
8. Seminars/Lectures/Symposia:
Applications of Biology: Patent Attorney
Our first CSB/SJU Biology Department Seminar speaker will be Dr. Mark Skoog, J.D.,
from Merchant & Gould Law Firm, Minneapolis, MN. On Tuesday, February 29, at 4:00
p.m., in NSC 140, he will give a presentation entitled, "Applications of Biology:
Patent Attorney". There will be refreshments available and students will have an
opportunity to meet with Dr. Skoog at 3:00 before the presentation. For more information
contact Dr. David Mitchell.
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Biology Department Seminar
Dr. Paula Hicks, from Cargill, is our second scheduled seminar speaker. Her
seminar will be held on Mar 16 at 4:00 pm. and she will metabolic engineering of bacterial
cells.
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St. Cloud State Undergraduate Student Research Conference
This conference will be held April 11th and students from all
disciplines are invited. Funds are available to support your attendance at this meeting.
Several students from the Biology Department are planning to present the results of their
research.
The goal for this colloquium is to bring together students, faculty, and alumni involved in scholarly and artistic activities representing a range of disciplines, including Creative Arts, Mathematics, Business, Social Science, Education, Humanities, Physical and Life Sciences, and Engineering, among others. Additional goals involve promoting research, scholarship, and creative activity in collaboration with faculty as a vital component of higher education. Oral and performance presentations will start at around 11 a.m. Janis Tweedy, a forensic science supervisor will be the keynote speaker at 1:00 p.m.
For more information contact Dr. Marcus Webster, Biology Department
(MWebster@csbsju.edu), or Mary Jo Waggoner, Academic Affairs, Office of the Dean
(MJWaggoner).
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Minnesota Academy of Science Annual Spring Meeting
This meeting will be held on April 28 & 29 in Moorhead, MN. It will be a joint
meeting of the North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota State Academies. For more
information check out their web site at www.mnacadsci.org or contact Dr. Reagan or Dr.
Saupe.
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"Greening the Campus" 6 May, 2000
This conference sponsored by the University of St. Thomas and the Minnesota Office
of Environmental Assistance will feature how to "green up" all elements of the
campus, including building design, maintenance and purchasing, and the general curriculum.
You can review the program and agenda by going to the UST-ES website at: http://department.stthomas.edu/scs/Environment/default.htm.
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Native Plant Restoration Symposium
The MN Native Plant Societys annual spring symposium will be held Saturday,
March 18, 2000, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, at the Minnesota Valley Refuge Visitor Center on your
calendars today! The title of day-long symposium is" Rare plants and local ecotypes:
Emerging Issues in Native Plant Restoration". The morning's keynote speaker is Dr.
Kayri Havens, Manager of Endangered Plant Research at the Chicago Botanical Garden,
followed by a panel discussion of the legal framework for rare plant protection and seed
certification in Minnesota. Afternoon sessions include an overview of Minnesota landscape
ecoregions, development of ecoregionally appropriate species lists, a presentation on the
Iowa Ecotype Project, and a discussion examining several case examples of Minnesota
restorations. For more information on the symposium call (651) 772-7574 after January 28.
To volunteer call (612) 721-4803 and leave a message on the answering machine.
9. Miscellaneous:
Extending the Classroom Walls
Biology of the Southeast
Unique Biology Course/Research/Travel/Field Experience
Informational Meetings
7:00 pm, Tuesday, February 22
5:00 pm, Wednesday, February 23
SC 373
Students who enroll in the program will spend the first half of the term on campus studying evolutionary ecology, field research methods, writing, and a related Upper Division Humanities or Senior Seminar. During the second half of the term we will travel to the southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina where we will spend five weeks at the Highlands Biological Station doing field research in this ecologically fascinating area. We will also spend a week on the coastal islands of the Carolinas or Georgia, examining a very different ecological setting.
If this program sounds interesting but you cant attend the Meetings?
If this program sounds interesting, it is important to let Dr. Poff know as soon as
possible. (Phone 3179; email jpoff). This is a truly unique course offering and although
it is nearly a year away planning has to begin now. We are now putting together a student
list, so we must know now if you are interested.
Update: In response to several student inquiries about cost, we
are pleased to be able to tell you that because of the generous support of the Bush Grant,
the cost of this program should be the same as the cost of a semester spent on campus.
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Stearns County Environmental Education Day May 2, 2000
The First Annual Stearns County Environmental Education Day is scheduled for May 2nd
from 9:00 3:00 p.m. The current plan is to set up 8 different stations at the farm
of John and Linda Peck in Rockville and allow local 5th graders to visit the
various stations. Volunteers are needed to help staff the stations, with registration,
etc. Dr. Saupe has been involved in discussions concerning this activity. If you are
interested in helping for all or part of the day, please contact Dr. Saupe (ssaupe@csbsju.edu; 2782).
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Plant Puzzler: The Case of the Rapidly Appearing Weeds.
The Puzzler: Consider a garden. Have you ever noticed that once the soil is turned
over a new crop of weeds develops quickly? Why?
To enter the competition, simply send your answer (anyone can participate!) to Dr.
S. Saupe via email (ssaupe@csbsju.edu, or snail
mail, c/o Biology Department, St. Johns University, Collegeville, MN 56321, campus
mail, or simply slide the entry under my office door, SC335). The winner will be selected
randomly from among the correct entries. The winner will receive an official CSB/SJU
Herbarium Magnet. Entries are due February 29, 2000.
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Science Fair Judges Wanted
The 50th Annual Central Minnesota Regional Science Fair and Research Paper Program
will take place on Saturday, February 26 in the Atwood Center Ballroom at St. Cloud State
University. Approximately 500 central Minnesota students in grades 6-12 will be
participating. Judges are welcome in all areas. If you are able to volunteer, contact Dr.
Anna McKenna, CSB/SJU Chemistry Department asap
10. Web Sites Worth a Visit:
(have you visited any cool sites lately? Let us know so we can post them here!)Biology Department Newsletter: http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe/Newsletters/biology_department_newsletters.htm
CSB/SJU Pre-Med Web Site: http://www.users.csbsju.edu/~premed/
CSB/SJU Biology Dept. Web Site: http://www.csbsju.edu/biology/.
CSB/SJU Summer 2000 Research Program: http://employees.csbsju.edu/MCAMPOS/summer2000/announcement.htm
The CSB/SJU External Scholarships Program: http//:www.csbsju.edu/scholarships
DNR Volunteer Opportunities: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us
CSB/SJU Library News: http://www.csbsju.edu/library/news/news.html
Summer Research at various institutions: (see websites in previous edition
of newsletter; only new entries are provided here):
11. Joke of the Week:
(we welcome your jokes and other contributions! )Some Random Thoughts for Those Who Take Life Too Seriously
Faculty Editor: Dr. Stephen G. Saupe Chair & Professor Biology Department College of St. Benedict/St. John's University Collegeville, MN 56321 (320) 363-2782; (320) 363-3202 (fax); ssaupe@csbsju.edu |
Student
Editor: Ms. A. Wawra Biology Major College of St. Benedict St. Joseph, MN 56374 |
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