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CSB/SJU Biology Department Newsletter
Volume 4 Number 12
April 3, 2001
Letter from the
Editor
Well, I'm finally putting the finishing touches on another newsletter. This issue is packed with a variety of summer and other opportunities. If any sound interesting, you should probably look into them very soon, because some have deadlines that are rapidly approaching.
I'm looking forward to a quiet Spring Break- primarily grading. With any luck, I'll be caught up for the final push to the end of the semester. I also plan to continue to collect data from the sugar maple trees that my Plant Physiology class and I tapped a week or so ago. We are involved in a long term study of the sugar production of the trees. I hope everyone has a wonderful break and I look forward to seeing you later this month.
Student News
Congratulations to Josh Barnd (SJU �00) for creating a prizing winning dinosaur website for a ThinkQuest competion. His team, including another teacher and 3 students, took first place in the science category!! They were in Switzerland recently presenting the site to a panel (and touring a chocolate factory and sledding in the alps, of course). For more information check out his web site.
Steven McGreevy (�00) writes that he
will leave for Japan at the end of July to teach English.
Dr. Larry Davis had the following paper has been accepted for presentation at the Geological Society of America regional meetings in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Eves, R., Dyman, T., and Davis, L., 2001, U.S. Geological Survey CD-ROM based national coal assessment for use in undergraduate geology laboratories
Dr.'s Larry Davis and Jim Poff will teach Elderhostel 2001 at CSB. The title of their course is �Minnesota: Land of Lakes; Land of Colorful Granite Quarries�. Participants will learn about the treasures in Minnesota�s lakes and quarries both through the classroom and field trips. They will spend an afternoon fishing on Mille Lacs Lake with a personal guide, visit area quarries, and the largest granite company in the world.
Dr.'s Stephen Saupe and Nick
Zaczkowski recently attended the Minnesota Native Plant Society's annual spring symposium titled "Wild
Harvest - Emerging issues in commercial harvest of native plants".
Curriculum News
Correction for General Physiology
In the Fall 2001 Class Schedule, Chemistry 235 is
incorrectly listed as a prerequisite for Biology 324, General Physiology. The only prerequisites for Biology 324 are Biology 115 and
Biology 116 (as of Fall 1999).
Evolution and Morality
If you need an HMU or a gender flag consider
Dr. Chuck Wright�s course for fall, "Evolution and Morality."
Comparative
Physiology Cancelled Next Year - General Physiology Moves to Fall
Because of Biology Department staffing needs, Comparative Physiology will
NOT be offered next year ('01 - '02). In addition, General Physiology will
move to fall semester and will not be taught during the spring semester as is
typical. Please plan accordingly. For more information, contact Dr. Jeanne Lust, O.S.B, Chair of
the Biology Department.
Calendar
of Events
| April 17 | "Twin Flowers" - Native Plant Slide Show. Wild Ones Meeting, 6:30 pm Heritage Nature Center, St. Cloud. |
| April 18 | "Preserving Minnesota's Biodiversity" - Jenny Brown; CMAS meeting, 7:00 pm, Heritage Nature Center, St. Cloud |
| April 30 | Biology Club Speaker: Dr. Gayle Wolorshak - "The Beauty of Creation" |
| April 30 | Biology Dept. Seminar: Dr. E Bell; Gustavus Adolphus College |
| May 5 | Celebrating Scholarship Day at CSB/SJU. Contact Dr. M. Webster for details. |
| May 19 | St. John's Arboretum Dedication |
Biology Club News
BioClub
Activities
The Biology Club has been quite busy lately.
They recently sponsored speaker Dr. Anne Forester, MIT, who spoke on
�Do Robots have souls?� Gayle Wolorshak, a molecular biologist from Argonne
National lab in Chicago will speak on April 30th.
Her lecture is entitled �The beauty of creation.�
Internships/Scholarships/Jobs
Archaeology Instructor/Naturalist for
Wolf Ridge's Summer Youth Program.
For application materials and more information about the
position contact: Chip Brown; Summer Youth Program Coordinator; 6282 Cranberry
Road; Finland, MN 55603; 800-523-2733 (MN,WI); 218-353-7414; mail@wolf-ridge.org
City of Minneapolis - Environmental
Services, Indoor Environments Internship
The Indoor Environment section of Environmental Services is
responsible for assessing, preventing, and responding to both regulated and
non-regulated environmental issues. Current
programs include Lead, mold/mildew, mercury, indoor air quality, and Healthy
Housing. Other areas covered are: radiation, radon, roaches, asthma, other heavy
metals, and safe drinking water. Interns will have 'exposure' to air quality,
brownfield remediation, watershed protection, and spill response.
While a separate section, Indoor Environments works closely with Animal
Control, Food Safety, and Environmental Management, and provides technical
assistance to other City departments. Interns will be fully integrated
into the work team, and will be guided into performing at a professional level.
For more information contact Mr. Bill Radosevich, Environmental Services,
City of Minneapolis, 250 South 4th Street PSC
401, Minneapolis, MN 55415, 612/
673-3533 v, 612/ 203-0704 p.
Paid Internship Opportunities � News
from the Internship Office
The CSB/SJU Internship Office has recently received
notices for several paid summer and ongoing internships in a variety of
fields. Environmental Possibilities: Enbridge, Inc., Epidemiology and
Environmental Health, Izaak Walton League, Prairie Island Indian Community,
Richardson Nature Center, Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake.
Recreation Possibilities: City of Columbia Heights
NIH
Scholarships
The
NIH offers a competitive service-connected scholarship to undergraduate students
committed to careers in biomedical research. For undergraduate students with a
3.5 GPA, research experience, and financial need (or adisadvantaged background), up to $20,000 a year is available, plus a paid
summer internship in the NIH intramural labs for each year of scholarship
support. Student�s transportation to and from the NIH for the summer is
covered, and they also receive housing in Bethesda. After graduation, students
return to the NIH for 1 year, for each year of scholarship support. Applications will
be accepted until April 27, and they are available
Plant Survey Position � St. John�s
Arboretum
The
St. John�s Arboretum is looking for a student to do the summer plant survey
who is also work-study eligible. If
interested contact Elizabeth Sim; St. John's Arboretum; St. John's University;
Collegeville, MN 56321-3000;320-363-3163; esim@csbsju.edu; website: www.csbsju.edu/arboretum
Internship Opportunities with the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Exotic Species Program
Assist
aquatic biologists with field work in lakes and wetlands around Minnesota.
Positions are available in Brainerd and St. Paul. Work involves surveys, release of insects for the biological
control of purple loosestrife, and data entry of collected field data.
Contact Wendy Crowell, MN
DNR; wendy.crowell@dnr.state.mn.us
or Nicole Hansel-Welch, MN DNR nicole.hansel-welch@dnr.state.mn.us
Aquatic Biologist Intern - Department
of Natural Resources
Internship Opportunities with the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources Exotic Species Program. For
more information contact Wendy Crowell, Minnesota DNR; Division of Ecological
Services, Box 25; 500 Lafayette Rd.; St. Paul, MN 55155-4025; ; 51-282-2508; wendy.crowell@dnr.state.mn.us
or Nicole Hansel-Welch, Minnesota DNR; Division of Ecological Services; 1601
Minnesota Drive; Brainerd MN 56401; 218-828-6132; nicole.hansel-welch@dnr.state.mn.us.
Final deadline for applications for the summer of 2001:
April 15, 2001.
The EPA Intern Program vacancy announcements will be posted in
April 2 - 20, 2001, on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management�s website.
Outdoor Education Internship,
Richardson Nature Center, Hennepin Parks
Hennepin Parks system offers year-round internships for Outdoor Education
Interns. Minimum 12 weeks summer; prefer 20-24 weeks fall and spring. Stipend
and possible housing. Please alert students who may have an interest. To Apply:
Send a letter of interest, current resume with three references, and list of
relevant class work to: Internship
Coordinator; Richardson Nature Center; Hyland Lake Pak Reserve; 8737 E. Bush
Lake Road; Bloomington, MN 55438
Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources
For
programs, call 651-297-1449 in the metro area, or toll-free 1-888-646-63671-888
(MINNDNR). For a complete listing
by geographical area, check the volunteer
newsletter in the DNR home page.
Dodge Nature Center, St. Paul, MN
The Nature Center
is seeking five interns: 1) Naturalist Intern � involved in preparing
instructional materials & curriculum for environmental education programs,
presenting them to various audiences, assisting with seasonal activities, and
daily care of captive raptors and the reptile collection.
2) Natural Resources Management and Restoration Intern � ID &
monitor plant species, survey of herbaceous and woody plants in study plots,
assist with photo monitoring of restored sites, assist with seasonal mapping,
research, and seed collection projects. 3)
Botany Intern � involved in plot location & layout, vascular plant ID,
plant collection, estimating ground cover, assist Foresters with other plot
measurements. 4) Agriculture Intern
� involved with field crops, animal care, teaching, gardening, develop
understanding of sustainable agriculture practices. 5) Horticulture Intern � involved in the gardens, including
tilling, seeding, weeding, harvesting, preparing bedding plants, and assisting
Youth & Family Garden Program. For
more info contact Intern Coordinator at 651-455-4531 or email dodgeinternship@yahoo.com.
Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources, St. Paul, MN
They are offering up to 5 intern positions to assist with a
statewide mussel survey. Interns
will assist DNR Malacologist in mussel surveys of rivers throughout MN, and are
expected to begin in May and end as late as October. Duties include surveying rivers for mussels using qualitative
and quantitative sampling techniques, procure and prepare voucher equipment,
enter data into database, maintain field and SCUBA equipment, operate state
vehicles including boats. This is a
paid, full-time position. For more
information contact Dan Kelner, Division of Ecological Services, at 651-282-2509
or email dan.kelner@dnr.state.mn.us.
River Bend Nature Center, Faribault, MN
The intern would gain extensive experience in developing and
teaching programs for youth environmental day camps serving children from pre-K
to age 12, design and complete an individual project, develop and teach public
weekend programs for all ages. A
summer naturalist would welcome and interact with visitors, assist with facility
and habitat management, design and create displays, contribute to the
newsletter, and assist with creating brochures, flyers, and press releases.
Contact Elaine Lorenz at 507-332-7151 or email loranz@rbnc.org
USA
Educationsm/USA Funds� Scholarship
Program*
This program is open to high school seniors or individuals
who plan to enroll or are enrolled in full-time undergraduate or graduate
coursework at an accredited two-or four-year college, university, or
vocational/technical school. Full-time
students must be enrolled through 1 Feb 2002.
USA Educationsm/USA Funds� Scholarship
Program
will award up to 1,000 renewable scholarships of $1,500 each.
These scholarships will be renewed until graduation or for up to three
years, whichever comes first, as long as the student meets the renewal criteria.
Applicants must have an annual
adjusted gross family income of $35,000 or less, and be a U.S. citizen, or
eligible non-citizen (includes applicants from Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S.
Virgin Islands, and all U.S. Territories and Commonwealths.) Up to 50 percent (500) of the scholarships will be targeted
to applicants who, in addition to showing financial need, are members of an
ethnic minority group or who have a documented physical disability.
Applications, due by 16 April 2001, are available at the External
Scholarships Program Office - HAB 103, CSB.
Applications and information are also available
online.
Saint John's Arboretum Summer Positions
Currently the
Arboretum has three summer work-study positions open working with the Habitat
Restoration Project. These
positions involve restoration work, plant and wildlife surveying, and public
outreach. This will be a great
learning opportunity for anyone interested in environmental studies,
ecology, etc. Students wanting more
information can go to the CSB/SJU summer job postings site, call John Geissler
at 3133, or stop by the Arboetum office at 106 New Science to pick up job
descriptions or drop off a resume.
Metropolitan
Mosquito Control District
Interested in a position this summer as a Mosquito Inspector
or Technical Services Inspector. Contact Laurene Lozoski at 651 643 8393
or llozoski@visi.com for more
information. Click here for their web
site.
2001
Summer Camp Employment Booklet
A comprehensive listing of nationwide camp summer jobs can be
obtained by calling 765 342 8456 (ext 7710) or visit their web
site online.
MN
County Biological Survey - Field Positions
Amphibian, bird and small mammal surveys. Contact Gerda
Nordquist at 651 297 7115, gerda.nordquist@dnr.state.mn.us.
Resident
Children's Naturalist - Lost Lake Lodge
For more infomation contact Timothy Moore (nature@lostlake.com)
or visit their employment website online.
Center
for Environmental Research and Conservation.
Summer ecosystems experience through Columbia
University. Check the website.
Tropical
Botany Course - University of Florida/Fairchild Botanical Garden
For more information contact Dr. Walter S. Judd (wjudd@botany.ufl.edu,
352 392 5135)
Plant
Protection Technician - Gypsy Moth Trapper
Contact Pamela Deerwood for more information (612 725
3678; pamela.m.deerwood@aphis.usda.gov)
Graduate
Research Assistantship Available - Plant Pathology
North Dakota State University has position available for
prospective MS students. Contact Dr. Mohamed Khan at 701 231 8596 or mkhan@ndsuext.nodak.edu.
Preserving Minnesota's
Biodiversity: The Role of the Nature Conservancy
Jenny Brown, Ecologist from the Minnesota Chapter of
the Nature Conservancy will speak at the monthly meeting of the Central
Minnesota Audubon Society on "Preserving Minnesota's Diversity".
The meeting will be held on Wed, April 18, 2001 at 7:00 pm at the Heritage
Nature Center, St. Cloud (across from Wal-Mart). For more information or a
possible ride, contact Dr. Saupe (2782; ssaupe@csbsju.edu)
Twin Flowers - Native Plants
Slideshow: Late Summer Flowers.
The Rubidoux sisters will present a slide show at the monthly
meeting of the Wild Ones which will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at 6:30 pm at
the Heritage Nature Center, St. Cloud (across from Wal-Mart). For more
information contact Dr. Saupe (2782; ssaupe@csbsju.edu)
or Dr. Brian Johnson, CSB/SJU Chemistry Dept (5314).
Biology
Department Seminar Schedule
Dr. Chuck Rodell, the CSB/SJU Biology department seminar
organizer has recently released the seminar schedule for spring semester.
Check the halls for the bright orange fliers. The seminars are all
scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in NEWSC 140. Refreshments and meeting with the speaker
begins at 3:30 p.m. in NEWSC 150 (Museum).
| 30 April | Dr. Ellis Bell (Gustavus Adolphus College) | TBA |
Jonathan Katz Speaks on The
Invention of Heterosexuality
Katz is an independent scholar and historian
of sexuality whose most recent book, The Invention of Heterosexuality
(1995), a history of the heterosexual norm, was acclaimed as thought-provoking,
original, and amusing. In 1976,
Katz's Gay American History: Lesbians and Gay Men in the U.S.A., provided
the first, pioneering glimpse into the hidden history of same-sex love and lust
in this country. The book was
featured in the Whitney Museum's "American Century" show (1999) as one
of the cultural touchstones of the last half of the twentieth century.
This lecture will be Monday,
April 23, 2001, 7:45 p.m. in Centenary Room (Quad 264).
Close Encounters of the Human Kind.
Conversations about our Environment, Evolution, and Experience.
This symposium is part of the U of M President's Sesquicentennial
[150-years] Series. It will be a
5-speaker (including Jared Diamond, Irven DeVore, Steven Feierman, Chief Arvol
Looking Horse, and Juan Williams (moderator).
The symposium features human evolution and the environment and will be
held from 1 to 5:30 on April 11th at Northrup Auditorium.
Click the link
below for more information.
Recent
Seminars
The Biology Department has been the host to some great
seminars recently, including ones on immunology and plant pathology. Dr.
Len Francl from NDSU spoke about their work on tan spot disease of wheat.
He also left a variety of literature about graduate programs at NDSU. If
interested, contact Dr. Saupe for more details.
Miscellaneous
Biology
of the Pacific Northwest - 2001
For more information about this 4 credit,
upper division biology course that will be offered this summer contact Dr. Brown (dgbrown@csbsju.edu,
3175) or Dr. Davis (ldavis@csbsju.edu , x 3328).
This
course satisfies the Group IV requirement for biology. It is a month-long
intensive experience in field biology and natural history. The trip will
run from 15 July - 13 August, 2001and be lead by Dr. Gordon Brown and Dr. Larry
Davis. The cost of the trip is $1700-$2000 (depending upon
enrollment).
Acorn Update � by Catherine
Reed (from the MN Native Plant Society)
Fall 2000 was an excellent time for acorns. I
collected fallen acorns from bur oaks in early to mid-August, red and white oak
acorns from late August to mid-September, and northern pin oak acorns in early
to mid-September. These dates are a bit later than 1998, except for the northern
pin oaks, which produced few acorns in 1998. In 1999 very few oaks of any
species produced acorns.
I soaked the acorns in water for 24 hours, then stored them in plastic bags in the refrigerator. As I write this (March 17), the white oak acorns have long roots, up to 3 inches, the red, northern pin and bur oak acorns are just sprouting with roots under an inch long. I will start potting them soon.
Once again I will be giving away sprouted acorns or potted oak seedlings
to non-profits, Scouts, etc. for planting and ecological restoration. These are
all local St. Paul, Minnesota ecotypes, offspring of the last survivors of our
native vegetation. If you would like some sprouted acorns or seedlings, call me
at 651-644-3765 or e-mail to reedx012@tc.umn.edu. It would be very interesting
to compare observations of acorn crops around the state and metro area.
The Philosophy and Practice of
Osteopathic Medicine.
This is a lecture that was recently presented at CSB/SJU by Dr. Dirck A. Curry, D.O.,
Staff Physician at Mayo Residency Training Program, St. Cloud Hospital Mid
Minnesota Family Practice Center. Dr.
Curry
discussed the philosophy underlying osteopathic medicine, the process of
application to schools of osteopathic medicine, family practice residencies in
Minnesota, life as a resident, and also perform manipulative medicine
demonstrations.
UM Lake Itasca Field Biological
Station, May 21 � June 23, 2001
If you are looking for a summer field course, consider the
programs offered at the UM field station at Lake Itasca. Dr. Saupe will be
teaching Plant Systematics during the first session. For more information,
visit their web site.
St. John�s University Arboretum -
Boardwalk Dedication Celebration - May 19, 2001.
The Arboretum invites you to join the
dedication celebration of the soon-to-be-installed boardwalk.
You will hear from many speakers, including Archbishop Roger Schwietz
from Alaska, Abbot John Klassen, Br. Diedrich Reinhart, and keynote speaker Paul
Gruchow. A tour will follow the
program.
Superior Studies � Summer 2001
Boundary waters canoe trips...
Courses in conservation biology, environmental policy, environmental
ethics... Backpacking on the Superior Hiking Trail...
Courses in environmental journalism, environmental education, Minnesota
natural history... Kayaking for
five weeks on Lake Superior while taking Introduction to
Environmental Science... Bird
banding, forest management, sustainable organic farming internships...Camping
for 5 weeks on the Canadian North Shore while taking Geology of the Lake Superior Region... Part-time jobs at an environmental learning center, historical society, small resort or
plant nursery... Making your own canoe paddle or kayak paddle at a folk
school...
Superior Studies at
Wolf Ridge offers these experiences and more.
Join us in northern Minnesota to earn college credit, take wilderness
trips, speak with policy makers, and add unusual job
or internship experiences to your resume. Wolf
Ridge Environmental Learning Center is an accredited environmental learning school
located in Finland, MN about 65 miles north of Duluth and overlooking Lake
Superior. College courses are
offered through the Superior Studies consortium of which your college is a member. Wilderness trips, unusual jobs or internships, field trips to
sites of environmental importance, and interesting speakers from the area are all
part of the program. With the exception of those out on 5 week trips,
students live in a dormitory setting and eat in a cafeteria (vegetarian option
available). Classes are outdoors
and active. Program costs include
food, lodging, equipment and instruction. Request brochures and applications from Ernie
Diedrich (3518)or email studies@wolf-ridge.org. Make this summer one to remember!
Book
Display
Many thanks for Ahna Brulag and Jessica Sparks for
creating an attractive and enjoyable display of books that were read by Natural
Science Division faculty. The display is in one of the cases in the
entryway of Peter Engel and is a project for their "Editing and Publishing"
class.
Faculty
Display
Many thanks to Dr. Larry Davis, CSB/SJU Biology Department,
for putting together a display of Biology Faculty and interests. The display is
in the case outside of the Microbiology/Virology lab on second floor of the New
Science building.
Web
Sites Worth A Visit
(have you visited any cool sites lately? Send us your suggestions)