The following e-mail message was sent to all current Biology majors on 28 February 2007:

I have some announcements about summer opportunities but first some information about Fall courses.

New Course - BIOL 275 Microbiology
MW 3:30 - 5:00
Daldal, Pohlschroder, and Goulian
Microbiology plays a central role in diverse areas of human life such as infectious disease, ecology and biotechnology. This course will cover aspects of modern microbiology with an emphasis on prokaryotic organisms. The topics will include among others, basic aspects of microbial diversity, genetics and pathogenesis as well as examples of applied microbiology.
Note: This course will alternate with BIOL 475 Microbiology & Biotechnology. BIOL 275 will be offered the fall of odd years and BIOL 475 will be offered the fall of even years. BIOL 475 will be an advanced seminar course using the primary literature to explore topics in microbial molecular biology and important biotechnology processes related to microbial research. BIOL 275 is intended to satisfy the requirements of some post-bac programs (including veterinary and dental schools) for a microbiology course. BIOL 476 will continue to be offered every fall for those that need a microbiology lab course.

No plans next week? Maybe it's not too late...
Alternate Spring Break has 4 openings that will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in ASB or if you have friends interested in ASB, please respond to/forward the following information:

San Juan, TX:  2 SPOTS
Work with La Unidad del Pueblo Enterro (LUPE) to help immigrant workers earn a political voice. Distribute pamphlets and meet community members, learning about issues that are important to the immigrant demographic of the population. Knowledge of Spanish is helpful, but not required. $375
Charleston, SC:  2 SPOTS
Build a home with Habitat for Humanity in Charleston, SC, a charming southern city full of historical sites and 20 minutes from the beach. Work with families who earn 25-50% of the median income for the area. Plenty of sight-seeing with the advantage of an urban location. $270

All trips are Saturday to Saturday, March 03-10
Prices are all-inclusive (you won't have to spend a cent more!)
Undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent alumni are welcome
Are you 21+ and have a driver's license? Be a driver, get a discount!
    **Drivers encouraged to apply.

Summer Internships:
Oooops - deadline is March 1st (but the application process is easy)
Valley Forge National Historic Park Natural Resource Management Internship
The Valley Forge National Historic Park is hiring summer interns in vegetation management, wildlife management, water resources, data management, or park planning. Internships are early-May to late-August, usually M-F but some Saturdays may be required. Minimum GPA of 2.5 and valid driver's license are required. Housing is provided along with a $100/week stipend. Send a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, writing sample indicating what you hope to gain from the internship experience (no more than 1 page) and the contact information for two references to:

Ernestine M. White, Volunteer Coordinator
Valley Forge National Historical Park
1400 North Outer Line Drive
King of Prussia PA 19406
610.783.1065

Environmental Concern Inc. Internship Opportunity Summer 2007
Native Wetlands Wholesale Plant Nursery is hiring summer interns interested in horticulture and nursery industry. Interns will gain experience in plant propagation, plant health care, and in the wholesale plant nursery industry. Interns must have a strong interest in plant science and should be capable of rigorous outdoor work. Must have reliable transportation to and from work. For more information visit http://www.wetland.org/EC%20main/ecnurs_news.htm or contact Leslie Hunter-Cario at horticulture@wetland.org Application deadline is April 15, 2007.

NSF REU - Impacts of Climate Change Science
A creative, meticulous, and motivated undergraduate is needed to assist with a large, collaborative project to better understand the impact of global climate change on the organic carbon balance in terrestrial ecosystems. The starting date is shortly after the end of Spring semester. Submit a cover letter, a current CV, a copy of the most recent course transcripts, and one letter of recommendation (sent under separate cover) to Dr. Alain Plante, Dept. of Earth & Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, 254B Hayden Hall, 240 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia PA 19104-6316. Application materials may be submitted electronically to aplante@sas.upenn.edu No deadline is given but applicants should submit materials as soon as possible to be guaranteed full consideration.

NSF REU - Bacterial Symbiosis, Woods Hole, MA
This project will be studying the population dynamics and functions of bacterial endosymbionts associated with ants. This is a 10-week postion but is contingent upon receipt of funding. For more information visit http://www.mbl.edu/hr/employment.html and browse for "summer" positions.

Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium at Columbia University
The editors of the Columbia Undergraduate Science Journal invite Penn students to present their research at the Research Symposium on April 6, 11am - 4pm. Interested students should submit an abstract on the CUSJ website at http://cusj.columbia.edu/symposium.shtml The final submission deadline is Friday, March 23 at midnight. Presented abstracts will be published as the Proceedings of the 2007 CUSURS. If you have any other questions, please contact Gabriel Morris at symposium.coordinator@cusj.net

Employment opportunities:
An education software developer is looking for an assistant to help with the design of "computer programs to enhance the comprehension of Biology." If interested, send an e-mail to Sat Virk at cog.sci@hotmail.com (Note: this is a from an e-mail sent to the department - I have no information on this person. Please use caution when sending any personal information.)

The Los Angeles Unified School District is seeking secondary education teachers for Science and Math. They offer a tuition-free alternative certification program. Recruiters will be in the Philadelphia area on March 17. Please e-mail Vicki Shenkman at vicki.shenkman@lausd.net if you would like to schedule an interview.

The Southern Teachers Agency is hiring a Biology teacher for a private, college-preparatory school in Florida. Requires a Bachelor's degree in biology, excellent communication skills and a strong academic record. Teacher certification is not required. Applications are available online at http://www.southernteachers.com/

West Virginia University offers a Masters Program in Industrial Hygiene "an amalgamation of management, medicine, engineering, and law." Graduates of this program have taken jobs with both local government agencies and large oil companies. More information is available on their website at http://www.imse.cemr.wvu.edu/grad/degree-info.php?degree=msih