NEWS @ COMMONWEALTH COLLEGE

Announcements & Activities

Achievements, Awards & Accolade

1. ComCol Student Is Part of Groundbreaking Research
2. Student Uses Signal Processing To Analyze Investment Choices
3. In Love with Bacteria: Research Grant Helps Microbiology Student

$cholarships and $upport

1. CREW Network 2009/2010 Scholarship Applications
2. 2009 Awards for Outstanding Community Service

Internships & Employment

Academic Opportunities

1. Edinburgh Fringe Festival
2. Apply to the Citizen Scholars Program by March 30

Campus & Community Events

1. Students Needed For MIT Synthetic Biology Competition
2. Interested In Grad School In Public Health And Health Sciences?
3. 2009 Senior Campaign Trivia Nights

— ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACTIVITIES —

THE LIBRARIAN IS IN!
Emily Alling, librarian for Commonwealth College, will be in the ComCol Lounge for one hour per week from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Stop by with any research you might be working on, or just to say hi and learn more about what the Libraries have to offer. Dates are as follows:
Tue Mar 24
Wed Apr 1
Tue Apr 7
Wed Apr 15
Tue Apr 21
Wed Apr 29
Tue May 5

—ACHIEVEMENTS, AWARDS & ACCOLADES—

COMCOL STUDENT IS PART OF GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH
Jesse Punch, a Commonwealth College student, was credited as one of the authors of a paper published February in Current Biology. The research, led by assistant professor Wei-lih Lee, broke new ground in the mechanics of how cells divide.
Read More.


STUDENT USES SIGNAL PROCESSING TO ANALYZE INVESTMENT CHOICES
Taking a page from quantitative financial analysis in the news lately, senior Electrical Engineering major and fellow ComCol student, Ivan Bercovich is conducting an experiment for his honors capstone thesis using an engineering technique known as signal processing to compare stock market investment strategies. Read More.

— $CHOLARSHIPS AND $UPPORT —

CREW NETWORK 2009/2010 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
Up to ten $10,000 scholarships are available to be awarded annually to junior or senior level female undergraduate students to cover the costs of tuition and books. More Information.

2009 AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE
The UMass Office of Community Service Learning at Commonwealth College calls for nominations for the 2009 Awards for Outstanding Community Service and Engagement. More Information.

— INTERNSHIPS & EMPLOYMENT —

— ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES —

EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL
A fabulous opportunity for a short summer abroad course!
“Alternative Theatres: Navigating the Edinburgh Fringe Theatre Festival” is offered by the University of Massachusetts English Department in cooperation with the International Programs Office. This short summer abroad course is currently open to students in all majors who are currently registered at any college or university. The course carries 3-4 hours of transferable credits, and as many as 6 credits with an independent study option.
After its highly successful pilot year, the 2009 class is limited to 12 students. The priority deadline for sign-up is March 15, 2009 but the course will stay open until it fills. More information and course application forms can be found at http://www.edinburghfestivalcourse.com. Click here for PDF announcement.

APPLY TO THE CITIZEN SCHOLARS PROGRAM BY MARCH 30
The Citizen Scholars Program (CSP) offers you a chance to be part of a community of students, faculty and staff who think critically about social issues and act collaboratively to produce change. In this two-year academic service learning program, you develop knowledge and skills needed to be an effective community leader—one who can work creatively with others for social change.
   CSP combines five honors courses with community-based service and projects. The final two program courses fulfill the ComCol Honors Capstone Experience requirement. Eligible students must have at least four semesters remaining on campus as of Fall 2009. For information and applications, visit http://www.comcol.umass.edu/academics/csl/students/citizenScholars.html.

— CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EVENTS —

STUDENTS NEEDED FOR MIT SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY COMPETITION
Calling all interested students who would like to participate in a prestigious competition hosted by MIT. Team members will work in a lab at UMass over the summer, genetically engineering microbes to do new and exciting things. During the fall, all iGEM teams meet up at MIT to present their projects to each other and to the public. Past projects include arsenic sensing to warn potential drinkers of its presence in ground water, engineering photographic biofilms, and engineering E. coli to smell like banana or wintergreen.
    Students of all majors are invited to apply, including those in non-science majors such as business, since the team will need help networking with biotech companies and getting sponsors. Please visit umassigem.org for more information.

INTERESTED IN GRAD SCHOOL IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SCIENCES?
The School of Public Health and Health Sciences will hold its 12th Annual Research Day on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 9:30-11:00 a.m., in the Campus Center Auditorium.
   A special feature this year will be an information session, “Interested in Graduate School in Public Health and Health Sciences?” about educational opportunities in public health and health sciences. The School includes the departments of Communication Disorders, Kinesiology, Nutrition and Public Health (Biostatistics, Community Health Education, Epidemiology, Environmental Health Sciences, Health Policy & Management).
   Professors from each department will highlight their programs and be available for small group or one-on-one discussions with students. Additionally, students will be able to sit in on classes held during the day.
More Information.

2009 SENIOR CAMPAIGN TRIVIA NIGHTS
Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26, 2009
9:00 - 11:00 p.m. in the Grad Lounge in the Campus Center
The 2009 Senior Campaign Committee will be kicking off the fundraising portion of the Senior Campaign to raise money for the 2009 Class Gift with back-to-back TRIVIA NIGHTS! There will be free food, prizes for the winning teams and complimentary 2009 pint glasses.
   The event is only open to the first 60 trivia teams, so register today!
Join the UMass Amherst Class of 2009 Facebook group today. For more information about the 2009 Class Gift, visit www.umass.edu/seniorcampaign.