CSB/SJU Biology Department Newsletter

Volume 3 Number 6;  October 22, 1999

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1. Message from the Chair

I assume that everyone is familiar with the recent decision by the Kansas Board of Education that will have the effect of removing mention of evolution from the statewide biology curriculum. Sadly, the creationists are at it again – and this time it’s right here in Minnesota! According to the St. Cloud Times (Sunday, October 17, 1999) a teacher in Faribault has filed a lawsuit against the school board for not allowing him to present scientific evidence opposing evolution in his 10^th grade biology class. Much to their credit, the school board is fighting hard to keep evolution the unifying theme of their 10^th-grade biology curriculum. Let’s hope that the courts agree.

2. Student News:

Patty Hunt (CSB ’99), Theresa Hannish (CSB ’99)and Amanda Siness (CSB ’99) participated in the first-year medical students "white coat ceremony" at University of North Dakota School of Medicine.

Faculty News:

4.Curriculum News

Spring Registration - It’s time to starting thinking about Spring 2000 registration. Spring 2000 courses are now available for viewing on WEBSTER - click on the Class Schedule Icon and select Spring 2000. The printed version of the Spring Class Schedule should be delivered to your PO Box the end of October. Spring registration runs November 2 through November 19.

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Curriculum Revision – The department is considering revising the curriculum required for the Biology major. Many models for how to best educate a biology major have been proposed during our discussions. For example, one model features a one semester "intro" course followed by 7 upper division courses. At the other extreme, we have a four-course "intro" sequence followed by 4 upper division courses. No matter whether we change our curriculum or keep it the same, our discussions have been very positive and have reaffirmed our department’s commitment to providing an excellent education for all of our students. We welcome your comments and suggestions about the biology major requirements. Please forward them to any member of the department.

5. Biology Club News:

6. Calendar of Events:

Oct 25 "Colon Cancer" lecture - Barbara Hansmeier, SJU Sexton 200

Oct 25 "Avoiding Uneconomic Growth" - The 1999 Clemens Lecture by Professor Herman Daly; University of Maryland; 8 P.M.; Monday, October 25^th; Stephen B. Humphrey Auditorium.

Oct 30 Halloween Science - Biology Club program for elementary kids; New Science Center

Nov 1 "The Public Health Burden of Physical Inactivity" - Dr. Steven N. Blair, 7:30 pm, Kimberly Ritsche Auditorium, St. Cloud State University.

Nov 2 "Careers Working with the Environment"-TRC@CSB-7:00 PM

Nov 3-5 International Conference on Ethnomedicine and Drug Discovery

Nov 4 NSF Applications are due

Nov 9 Meet Some Pro’s – Alumnae Hall, Haehn, 6:30 – 8:30 pm; chat with alums about their positions, req’s for careers, etc.

Nov 11 "Microbial Magic: The Production of New Drugs by Combinatorial Biology"; Dr. David Sherman, University of Minnesota; Department of Microbiology

Nov 11 Dr. Sherman will meet with interested students from 3:00 - 3:45 p.m., in the Science Museum, NSC, to discuss graduation school, research, etc.

Nov 17 "Seed Dispersal" – Ron Weinhold, 8:00 p.m., St. John’s Arboretum

Nov 19 Entries in the Bean Counter and Seed Identification Contest Due. Submit them in the box in the Herbarium (SC 329).

Dec 2 "The South African Study Abroad Program 1999: What Really Went On?" Dr. Stephen G. Saupe; College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University; Biology Department; SC 325; 4:00 PM

Feb 15 Deadline for Claire Booth Luce Scholarship Applications

7.Internships/Scholarships/Jobs

Claire Booth Luce Scholarship - Here’s some very exciting news for female, second-year students in the natural sciences: CSB has received a major grant to fund up to four, free-ride (covers tuition, room and board), scholarships for the junior and senior years. These scholarships are for specifically destined for women who are not planning a career in medicine. The application deadline will be February 15, 2000. More details will soon be available.

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Careers Working with the Environment - this panel of folks is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 2, 7-8p.m. in the Teresa Reception Center, CSB. Great way for folks to learn about related careers and to ask questions.

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Meet Some Pros – Mary Harlander-Locke, CSB Career Office reports that they will have approximately 20 alums available to talk with students related to majors and careers. TWO of these alums are biology/natural science folks and they will be available on Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Alumnae Hall, Haehn Campus Center. Students can come and talk with these alums (as well as any of the others) during this time period. Alums will be sitting at tables and students can move around on their own. Last year, the biology alum we invited was excited to come, but disappointed when NO ONE came to talk with her. This is a good time to learn more a choosing a major, getting related experience, doing research, etc.

8. Seminars/Lectures/Symposia:>

There are some great seminars coming in the next few months (see Calendar of Events). Mark your calendars now.

"The Public Health Burden of Physical Inactivity" - Dr. Steven N. Blair, November 1, 1999, 7:30 pm, Kimberly Ritsche Auditorium, St. Cloud State University. Dr. Blair is the Director of Research at the Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research. He was the senior scientific editor of the 1996 Surgeon General’s report on Physical Activity and Health. According to a recent article in the St. Cloud Times, he will "discuss research that points toward physical activity as a primary contributor to the physical well-being of the general public". Sounds like a great presentation. Mark your calendar.

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"Avoiding Uneconomic Growth" - The 1999 Clemens Lecture by Professor Herman Daly; University of Maryland; 8 P.M.; Monday, October 25^th; Stephen B. Humphrey Auditorium.

Herman Daly is the leading environmental economist in the U.S., credited with founding the movement of "ecological economics" within economic science. He will explain - with a lecture geared for those without previous training in economics - how economists (and most of the rest of our society) tend to overstate the value of everyday economic growth by largely ignoring the environmental costs of such "development." Daly has endorsed "ecological tax reform," meaning that we should lower the income tax (since a tax on work leads people to do less of it) and increase the taxes on resource use, especially carbon-based fuels (which would lead people to conserve). He argues that we must learn to think of the economy as a system embedded in the broader ecological system and alter our economic policies in light of this fundamental fact.

9. Miscellaneous

Bean Counter Contest – We are sponsoring a contest to guess the number of seeds in the gumball container that is in the Herbarium. If you guess the correct number you will win a brand new introductory biology textbook. All entries must be submitted by November 19th. Place your entry on a scrap of paper and put it in the box in the Herbarium. The winner will be contacted by November 9.

Identify the Seed Contest – If you correctly identify the species of seeds in the gumball container in the Herbarium (common name, scientific name, family) you will win an introductory biology test. Entries must be submitted by November 19th and placed in the box in the Herbarium. The winner will be contacted by November 9.

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Test your environmental knowledge - Studies show that many American adults are failing the environmental IQ test - and that many are drowning in environmental myths. How do you measure up? Check the website:

http://www.enn.com/features/1999/10/101599/iqtest_6080.asp

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Among American women breast cancer is the most common form of cancer (excluding skin cancer), accounting for more than 30% of all cancers in women. About 180,000 American women will develop breast cancer this year, and about 44,000 American women will die because of breast cancer.

Over her lifetime, a woman has a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer. Reflect on the fact that the woman affected could be your mother, your sister, your girlfriend, your best friend. . .or even you. Keep on the lookout for a variety of related educational opportunities on campus.

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Scholarship Information

Contact Ms. Johanna Davis, CSB

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GRE TEST DATES- GRE SUBJECT tests (i.e., Biology) are given on Nov. 6, Dec. 11, and April 8. The GRE General Test is now given on a computer basis only and by appointment at a local test center. The GRE Subjects are still given on a paper-pencil basis. More for information contact the Career Resource Office on either campus.

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10. Web Sites Worth a Visit: (have you visited any cool sites lately? Let us know so we can post them here!)

Are You Interested in Pre-Med?

Check the web site for information: http://www.users.csbsju.edu/~premed/

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Biology Department Web Site

Don’t forget to visit the department’s web site at: http://www.csbsju.edu/biology/.

11. Joke of the week: (we welcome your jokes and other contributions!!)

I want to thank Dr. Linda Mealey, Psychology Department, for sharing the following with me. It’s certainly not a joke, but has a great message.

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Note: Erma Bombeck needed an organ transplant, and even though she could have been moved to the head of the waiting list, due to her prominence and wealth, she refused to do such, and subsequently, died from organ failure.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER by Erma Bombeck

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television-and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's".. more "I'm sorry's"... but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it .. live it...and never give it back.

Stop sweating the small stuff. Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.

Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who Do love us.

Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with.

And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually.

Life is too short to let it pass you by.

We only have one shot at this and then it's gone.

I hope you all have a blessed day.

12. Frequently Asked Questions: