Spring Semester '98                                          Volume 5.2  

What does your college education mean to you?  Is it merely four years of study you must spend to earn the baccalaureate degree?  Is it what friends and family expected you to get after high school?  Is it a sometimes grueling, sometimes fun, sometimes frustrating, sometimes disappointing, sometimes exhilarating experience?  For many students, the answer may be a little bit of all of the above.  If so, perhaps it’s time to think of your college education in different terms.  Never again are you likely to have the opportunity and freedom to do so many challenging and potentially exciting things as are offered to you at this moment through Penn State.  Let’s take a look at just a few of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.  First, think of the chance to participate in research.  Penn State is a major research university, and as such, affords undergraduates the possibility of being involved in the discovery of new information and insights not previously understood.  Second, consider the “real life” experience that comes from cooperative education with industry.  Think of it, even before you have earned a degree, you have accumulated working experience that will give you a significant advantage over other applicants who apply for a position in industry.  Third, try to envision the excitement and stimulation that comes from studying abroad.  To live in another culture, to see history and current events from another point of view, to personally visit places and see things you have only studied in school, to form new, cross-cultural friendships that may last a lifetime ? these are a few of the more obvious advantages of study abroad.  Now, ask yourself, when in the rest of your lifetime are you likely to have the opportunity to do any or, at best, a few of these things?  Isn’t it time to stop thinking about how many more years and how many more courses you must go through until you receive your degree and to start thinking of how little time you have to take advantage of all the opportunities available at Penn State that you will probably never have again?  Don’t find yourself regretting lost opportunities!  To borrow a few catchy phrases from the world of sports . . .Go for it. . .Just do it!!

Some Fall Semester Scheduling Advice

As registration for the Fall 1998 Semester begins, there are a few scheduling matters that potentially could cause problems, particularly for junior and senior BMB majors. Please note - 3, rather than 2, sections of BMB 443W will be offered in Fall '98. However, there are schedule conflicts with BMB 400 and Chem 451 that will need to be avoided. It is recommended that students who plan to return for the Fall '99 semester schedule BMB 400 and/or Chem 451 in Fall '98 and BMB 443W in Fall '99. Students who plan to graduate in Fall '98 or Spring '99 who have a conflict with BMB 443W and one or both of the other courses should contact Dr. Daniel (266 NF) as soon as possible.

For junior and senior Microbiology majors, a potential conflict exists between Micrb 421W and Micrb 450. While Micrb 421W is a required course in the curriculum, Micrb 450 is on a list of 5 courses from which students must select four. Students who need or want to take both of these courses should see Dr. Mohr at their earliest convenience.

. . .and a few additional reminders. . .

For Freshmen - Biol 222 is offered ONLY in fall semester and only sections 1 or 2 are open to BIOTC/BMB/MICRB majors.

For Schreyer Scholars - A separate section of BMB 251H is now offered, but only in fall semester.

For Junior BMB majors - Chem 458 is no longer offered. You may still schedule Chem 457 for 2 credits OR you may take the new Chem 426 for 3 credits.

For Junior Microbiology majors - In case you are still using an older version of the recommended schedule of courses, BMB 428 is a fall semester course ONLY. Therefore, if you are planning to graduate in the Spring of '99, you must schedule BMB 428, which is required for graduation, this coming fall.
 
 

ATTENTION SCHREYER SCHOLARS

The BMB Department is pleased to announce the availability of a $2500 award provided by Merck and Co., Inc., to support a scholar in his/her research over the coming summer. The award is provided to cover living expenses incurred while conducting research in the summer. Application forms are available in 108 Althouse. The deadline for submitting the application is March 31.
 
 

BMB WELCOMES NEW FACULTY

The BMB Department is pleased to have three new members join its faculty. Dr. Joseph Reese did his undergraduate study at Boston University and his graduate work at the University of Illinois. He did post-doctoral research at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center before coming to Penn State. His research is in the biochemical and genetic analysis of the yeast TATA box-binding protein associated factors. His office is in 203 Althouse.

Dr. Davis Ng comes to Penn State from a post-doctoral position at the University of California Medical School, San Francisco. Dr. Ng did his undergraduate work at the University of California, Berkeley and his graduate study at Northwestern University. Dr. Ng's research is in the area of the biogenesis and maintenance of the endoplasmic reticulum using the yeast system as his model. Dr. Ng's office is located in 408 South Frear.

Dr. Craig Cameron completed his bachelor's degree at Howard University, magna cum laude. He moved to Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland for his Ph.D., and he has just completed his postdoctoral studies with Dr. Steven Benkovic in Chemistry here at Penn State. Dr. Cameron's research focuses on genome replication of hepatitis C virus. His office is located in 201 Althouse.

We extend a warm welcome to Drs. Reese, Cameron, and Ng, and we look forward to their work with undergraduates in the research lab and in the classroom.
 
 
 

ARE YOU CHARTING YOUR ACADEMIC PROGRESS ?

For the past several years, the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has been sending sixth semester students a hand-written copy of their academic progress based on the Department's major checksheets. This has been a practice undertaken in order to comply with Senate Policy 32-80.
 

Senate Policy 32-80 Audit of Unfulfilled Requirements

According to the procedures of the college where the candidate is enrolled, the candidate must be given a list of all unfulfilled requirements, usually prior to the seventh semester of studies for a baccalaureate degree candidate or the third semester of studies for an associate degree candidate, but no later than two semesters before graduation. This list of unfulfilled requirements is an advising tool and does not alter the fact that it is the candidate's responsibility to fulfill all requirements and that the official transcript - and not this list - is the official record of completed work.

With the introduction of the computerized audit, its subsequent use, and ready access on the CAAIS system, hand-written checksheets are becoming a tool of the past. Students now have the capability to print their own audits and transcripts from the WWW. The audits are also available in the Department Office each semester, and we've begun to send notices to students as soon as the audits are available for pick-up.

As a result of these additional services, it has become redundant for the Department to continue providing the audits by mail. If you still enjoy using the checksheets to track your academic progress, do not be alarmed, we will continue to make the handouts available in the lobby of Althouse, the hallway of South Frear, and on the Department web page at www.bmb.psu.edu.
 
 

Still Looking for Fall Courses????

If you are in need of another course to complete your fall schedule, you may wish to consider BMB 497B which was offered last year for the first time and was inadvertently omitted from the fall schedule of classes for next fall.

BMB 497B - Metals in Biology

Prof. John Golbeck will be teaching this 2 credit course that deals with the very important role metals play in living systems. Metals are critical to such fundamental processes of life as electron transport, oxygen transport, photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation. Trace metals are also involved in some key metabolic reactions in the cell. Dr. Golbeck will cover techniques and instrumentation used to study the role of metals in living things. Because of the advanced nature of this subject, Chem 39 is a prerequisite and 2-3 credits of biochemistry is recommended. The class meets on TR at 9:05-9:55 and the schedule number is 479247.

MICRB 413 - Microbial Diversity

Also being offered for just the second time is the revised Micrb 413. Reprinted here is the description for the course appearing in the Fall 1997 Newsletter.

Ever wonder about those strange bacteria that live in extreme environments like Antarctica, Salt Lake, thermal pools, deep sea hydrothermal vents or acid mine drainage? Did you know that some bacteria carry their own magnetic compass, are a major problem for ocean-going vessels, or (Ghost-Busters notwithstanding) are the champions of slime production? Would you like to know the current and potential role of these bacteria in biotechnology, plant pathology, bioremediation and medicine? If so, you really ought to plan to take Microbial Diversity. Dr. Stephen Knabel will be teaching this 2 credit course on TR at 1:25-2:15 in 105 Wartik. The prerequisites are Micrb 201 and 202.

This publication is available in alternative media on request.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. The Pennsylvania State University does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park, PA 16802-2801; tel. (814) 863-0471; TDD (814) 865-3175.

BMB Undergraduate Newsletter is a publication of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Items for inclusion in the newsletter should be sent to BMB Undergraduate Newsletter, 108 Althouse Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802. Tel. (814) 865-5497; FAX. (814) 863-7024.

U.Ed. SCI 98-102

Editors: - Philip W. Mohr, Ph.D., PWM1@PSU.EDU, Mardi D. Hockenberry, MDH1@PSU.EDU