CSB/SJU Biology Department Newsletter
Volume 5    Number 3                                           
October 29, 2001

Letter from the Editor (top)

       Hi.....I hope that you all is well with you and that you enjoy this issue of the newsletter.  

Student News (top)

Heather Laflin (CSB '99) has recently begun a graduate program in Plant Protection and Pest Management at UC-Davis.  She will study integrated pest management techniques for controlling mealy bugs on nursery roses.

Faculty News (top)

Dr.�s Jeanne Lust, OSB and Charles Rodell attended the annual Developmental Biology conference at the University of Minnesota.  Stem cells were the featured topic of the conference.

Dr. Stephen Saupe was interviewed on WJON by JG Preston concerning autumn leaf color.

Dr.�s J Poff, C Rodell, and S Saupe participated in the annual Biology Club Brat Sale on Homecoming.   

Curriculum News  (top)

 Specialty Area Advisors:  2001 - 2002 -  looking for an adviser?  Here's a listing of some of the specialty area advisors.

Academic Planning 
    Next year we will probably not offer some of the courses that we typically offer because Dr. Poff will be directing a study abroad program in the spring and Dr's. Saupe and Webster have applied for sabbatical leave.  As a result, Dr. Poff's Behavioral Ecology will likely not be offered in Spring '03 and Dr. Saupe's Plant Physiology course will not be offered Spring '03.  If you want to take these classes you may want to do so this coming spring.  For more details contact Sister Jeanne Lust, Biology Department Chair.

Calendar of Events (top)

Biology Club News (top)

Biology Club Brat Sale
   The annual Homecoming brat sale was great fun, as always.  Many thanks to all the helpers including the executive board of the club (Breeanne, Greg, Matt and Amanda), Jon Ploeger, Mark Zenzen, Susan Matthees, Krista Gustad, Megan Baxter, Alissa Hulstrand, Katerina Cronin, and Stephanie Lucht.  Dr. Poff was the burgermeister extraordinaire and while Dr.�s C Rodell and S Saupe rolled some hot and juicy brats off the grill.  Although the weather was dreary and cold, it didn�t dampen the spirits of the helpers who had a terrific time.

Scholarships/Jobs/Internships (top)

Restoration Ecologist 
    Responsible for ecological management and restoration of forest preserve lands, with an emphasis on flora, fauna, and natural communities using a well-developed knowledge of Midwest natural communities and natural history, and ecological principles. Acts as project manager coordinating land management, restoration, inventory, and assessment projects for forest preserve holdings.    Submit a resume and salary history or completed Forest Preserve employment application (which is available online) to Lake County Forest Preserve District, Human Resources Department, 2000 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Libertyville, IL  60048, 847/367-6640, and must be received by November 16, 2001. 

ShopKo Scholarship
            For hard-working college students whose academic records, work history and dedication to community service set them apart.  Applications, which are due by 1 December 2001and are available at the External Scholarships Program Office - HAB 103, CSB or online at http://www.shopko.com/giving.html.

Live and work on Capitol Hill from February to mid-May!
    The SCA (website) is offering these paid internship opportunities for Spring 2002. Live and work on Capitol Hill from February to mid-May. Duties will differ depending on the assigned congressional office, but interns will be exposed to the busy daily schedule of a congressperson sitting on committees effecting environmental conservation policy, and his or her legislative responsibilities. Interns will then leave Capitol Hill and public policy creation to get into the field and see that policy in action as they serve in a National Park (site to be determined) from late May to early August.   Primarily stationed at park headquarters, interns will participate in specialized duties for the duration of their positions depending on their interests and major. Each experience will truly be customized to the individual intern's interests! While on Capitol Hill interns receive a generous stipend of $450/week (housing will be located and secured by SCA). While at a National Park interns will receive a transportation stipend, free housing and a living allowance for food. Interns are also eligible for an AmeriCorps educational award of $1,180 which may be used for college tuition or student loans. Protection by SCA's 24-hour accident and injury insurance, and access to SCA staff for support and career services round out the package. The "intangible" benefits of networking and professional experience will last a lifetime.  To Apply:  Download and submit an SCA Conservation Internship.

Seminars/Symposia/Field Trips (top)

Biology Department Seminar Program
    The Biology Department Seminar schedule for Fall semester is currently being formalized.  The following two seminars are confirmed with titles of presentation to come.  The seminars typically meet at 4:00 pm in NEWSC 140.  A meeting (with refreshments) precedes the presentation at 3:30 pm in the Science Museum.

Women and Sustaining Environment Conference
    On October 19-21, the University of St. Thomas will host a conference entitled "Women Sustaining Environment Sustaining Women: Dialogues and Discussions on Women and the Environment."  Featured speakers include Ann Bancroft, Carol Browner (former EPA Secretary), and Rep. Betty McCollum.  For more information, visit the conference website.  

Miscellaneous  (top)

Concepts Review Sessions
    Sessions will be held on Tuesday evenings, CSB, Ardolf Room 105, 7:30-8:30 PM and Thursday evenings at SJU in Quad  247 from 7:30-8:30PM .  These sessions are not just for people in trouble, they are for everyone and will provide time for review and practice sessions.  The sessions are designed to be interactive and not just "pre-test cram sessions.  Each session will last an hour or so.  For more information, contact a Concepts lecture instructor or the Concepts course director, Dr. Michael Reagan.  
Concepts Students
            Several students have reported that the binding of their brand-new Concepts textbook is falling apart.  The publisher has offered to replace defective books free of charge.  Contact your instructor for information on how to obtain a replacement.

NCUR Conference
    The National Conference on Undergraduate Research will be held at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, this year (April 25-27). (Whitewater is a relatively short drive from the Twin Cities, so we should take advantage of this opportunity to participate.

CUR Summer Fellowships for Faculty
    The Council on Undergraduate Research announces it is accepting applications for our 2002 Summer Fellowships.  Faculty applies electronically.  Deadline for application: November 22, 2001.  Criteria used for selecting awardees include the overall quality of the project, of the research environment, and of the faculty member. The deadline for the 2002 applications is November 22, 2001. Awards will be $3000 to $4000 for the 8 - 10 week summer research fellowship with a minimum of $3000 designated for the student stipend. The balance of the award, if available from the donor, may be used for supplies and/or travel.  CUR specifically encourages proposals that represent new research activities for the faculty applicant, which may range from initiation of a research program for a new faculty member to re-igniting the research program of a senior faculty member. Directions and the application can be found on the CUR website.  

CUR Posters on the Hill Program
    CUR is accepting applications for the 2002 Posters on the Hill program.  Students apply electronically.  Deadline for submission: November 22, 2001.  On Thursday, April 18, 2002, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) will host its 6th annual undergraduate poster session on Capitol Hill. This event will help members of Congress understand the importance of undergraduate research by talking directly with the students whom these programs impact.  Criteria for selection and directions for submitting an abstract can be found on the CUR website.

GIS Demo
    Tom Kroll and the Arboretum have arranged a demonstration of ArcView, a leading GIS package, for all interested parties the morning of Tuesday, October 25, 10:00 AM-1:30 PM in New Science 150.  People will be demonstrating the industry-leading application ArcView, the state's own EPIC system, and possibly the Manifold system that we currently own.  The day will offer a drop-in demo session from 10-2:30pm so people can stop by as their schedules allow.  For more information, contact the Arboretum.  NOTE - the change in date/time

Web Sites Worth A Visit  (top)
(have you visited any cool sites lately?  Send us your suggestions)

• CSB/SJU Pre-professional Health Programs:

• Biology Department Newsletter – On Line:  

• DNR Volunteer Opportunities

• CSB/SJU Career Services Home Page

• Connections Bulletin Board

• Scholarship Office

• CSB/SJU Geology program 

• Dr. Mom's Guide to College

New Additions:

• BBC Litmus Test: A Science Quiz Challenge  - test your knowledge  

Puzzler of the Week (top)
(Do you know any good puzzlers?  Please send us your ideas)

Joke of the Week  (top)
(Have you heard any good jokes?  Please share them with us)

A Kids Bible (thanks to Dr. Larry Davis for sharing this one)

This comes from a Catholic elementary school. Kids were asked questions about the Old and New Testaments. The following statements about the Bible were written by children. They have not been retouched or corrected (i.e., incorrect spelling has been left in.)  

1. In the first book of the bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off.

2. Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark. Noah built an ark, which the animals come on to in pears.

3. Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night. 

4. The Jews were a proud people and throughout history they had trouble with the unsympathetic Genitals.

5. Samson was a strongman who let himself be led astray by a Jezebel like Delilah.

6. Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles.

7. Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients.

8. The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten ammendments.

9. The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple. 

10. The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.

11. Moses died before he ever reached Canada. Then Joshua led the hebrews in the battle of Geritol. 

12. The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.

13. David was a hebrew king skilled at playing the liar. he fought with the Finklesteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times.

14. Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines. 

15. When Mary heard that she was the mother of Jesus, she  sang the Magna Carta.

16. When the three wise guys from the east side arrived, they found Jesus in the manager.

17. Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.

18. St. John the blacksmith dumped water on his head. 

19. Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says to do one to others before they do one to you. He also  explained, "a man doth not live by sweat alone." 

20. It was a miracle when Jesus rose from the dead and  managed to get the tombstone off the entrance.

21. The people who followed the lord were called the 12 decibels.

22. The epistles were the wives of the apostles.

23. One of the opossums was St. Matthew who was also a taximan.

24. St. Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached holy acrimony, which is another name for marriage.

25. Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.

Frequently Asked Questions  (top)

What is the difference between botany, plant molecular biology, plant pathology, plant physiology and horticulture?
    Botany is the general study of plants and includes everything from morphology to anatomy to physiology to molecular biology.  Plant molecular biology specifically looks at genes/proteins and expression in plants.  Plant pathology features studies of plant disease (be a plant doctor!).  Plant physiology looks at how plants work (i.e., metabolism, water transport, hormones, growth) especially at chemical/molecular/cellular level.  Horticulture focuses on how to grow plants.  In actuality, there is much overlap between the disciplines.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Stephen G. Saupe
Professor & Herbarium Curator
Biology Department
College of St. Benedict/St. John's University
Collegeville, MN 56321
(320) 363-2782; (320) 363-3202 (fax); ssaupe@csbsju.edu

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