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Alumnae College 2002

 

[Reunion 2002 Home | Alumnae College | Schedule Of Events | Registration Form (see instructions)]   TAKE A CLASS AT ALUMNAE COLLEGE Studies on Cayuga Whether it’s studying Cayuga Lake through our environmental studies and sciences programs or studying on the shores of Cayuga Lake in our interactive classrooms, the Wells faculty is at the core of our mission. Come meet them during Alumnae College this year. Learn how the college utilizes its natural resources as a living laboratory for students and faculty members alike. Hearing from dynamic faculty members will make you want to come back to college all over again. "The Science of Musical Sound" Scott Heinekamp, professor of physics Sound surrounds us.  What makes sound sound musical?  Discover how to gain an objective (that is to say, scientific) understanding of this highly subjective subject. Through demonstrations and a little bit of mathematics, we will play around with the pentatonic and the diatonic (do-re-mi . . .) scales.  We'll see how they may have been developed, and why these two scales continue to be important examples of a "musical palette" with which musicians create their magic.  Prerequisite: a fondness for sound. References and readings: Accessible via the Web. Copies are available from the Alumnae Office. www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc98/10_10_98/Bob2.htm (about steel drums) www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/Physicsofmusic.html "Breasts and Tests: BRCA (Breast Cancer) Genes, Access, and Empowerment" Candace Collmer, associate professor of biology,  team-teaches with Laura Purdy, professor of philosophy A genetic test is available that can determine whether individuals carry mutations that are known to increase susceptibility to breast cancer. However, the test is not equally useful to all women, and the associated risks may outweigh the benefits for some. In addition, individuals here and abroad are protesting the patenting and exclusive licensing arrangements, which are limiting accessibility. Is this test for you?  References and readings: Many of these can be accessed on the web. Some may be available for free; others might require special access or payment. Copies are available from the Alumnae Office. 1) On the BRCA (breast cancer) genes 1 and 2 and issues related to genetic testing for mutations in breast cancer genes: S.J. Fasouliotis and J.G. Schenker. 2000. BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations: Decision-making dilemmas concerning testing and management. Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey 55(6): 373-384. (Can also access this through PubMed of the National Library of Medicine) K.H. Rothenburg. 1997. Breast cancer, the genetic "quick fix," and the Jewish community. Health Matrix: Journal of Law-Medicine 7(1): 97-124. And there are innumerable articles on the web if you search for "BRCA gene testing", "breast cancer gene testing", etc. 2) On issues related to patenting the BRCA gene test (by Myriad Genetics), and patenting of genes, and tests for them, in general: J.F. Merz et al. 2002. Diagnostic testing fails the test. Nature 415:577-579 (February 7). Frederick E. Allen, "Since When Can You Patent a Gene? (Human Genome Project)," American Heritage, July 2000 Vol. 5, No. 4, p. 20.  E. Richard Gold, "My Body, Your Patent," The Globe and Mail, Monday, October 29, 2001. George Monbiot, "Patent Nonsense," The Guardian, March 12, 2002. Seth Shulman, "Doctors without Patents," Technology Review, October 2001.  "Delineation of the Cayuga Basin: Exercises in Geographical  Information Systems (GIS)" Christopher T. Bailey, professor of chemistry Professor Bailey will lead us through a version of his Environmental Studies Class 203, which is a  directed-inquiry study of the Cayuga Basin. In this class, traditional and newer forms of  measurements, including physical, biological and socio-economic quantities, are combined with   existing databases in order to analyze the relationship between human society and the region’s   ecosystem. Two of his exercises involve learning how to delineate the Cayuga Basin by using the   traditional topographical map and acetate sheets as well as a newer form of inquiry, the   computerized geographic information systems (GIS) exercise.  References and readings: Accessible via the Web. Copies are available from the Alumnae Office. What is GIS? How does a GIS work? (http://www.usgs.gov/research/gis/title.html) This is a brief tutorial put together by the U.S. Geological Survey.  Getting to Know ArcView GIS (3rd. Ed.) by Environmental Systems Research  Institute, 1999 (ISBN 1-879102-46-3). A wonderful book for the novice GIS  user; it comes with an extensive computer tutorial. Websites available for alumnae who want to try these after Professor Bailey’s talk.    a. Topo Map (http://aurora.wells.edu/~ctb/envr/bsnxtnt.doc)    b. Basin Delineation (http://aurora.wells.edu/~ctb/envr/delineation.doc)    c. Land-Use (http://aurora.wells.edu/~ctb/envr/landuse.doc) The following are sources of GIS Data:    a. United States Geological Survey (USGS) (http://edc.usgs.gov)    b. Cornell University Geospatial Information Repository (CUGIR)       (http://cugir.mannlib.cornell.edu)    c. NY State GIS Clearinghouse (http://www.nysgis.state.ny.us) "Making the Connection: Environmental Studies at Wells and the Cayuga Lake Watershed" Niamh O’Leary, assistant professor of environmental studies  team-teaches with Tom Vawter, professor of biology Drawing from the Wells course, The Human Impact on Planet Earth, professors O’Leary and Vawter will discuss human impact on the global water supply and on our own Cayuga Lake watershed. From the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization, "Cayuga Lake’s watershed is the largest of the Finger Lakes, covering 785 square miles (approximately 500,000 acres) of agricultural, residential, industrial, and forest land. The land area of the Cayuga Lake watershed includes six counties and 44 municipalities (cities, towns, and villages), and is home to over 120,000 people. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has identified Cayuga Lake and its tributaries as having impairments to water supply, fishing, fish propagations and survival, aesthetics, boating and bathing. Numerous watershed issues are either directly or indirectly related to these water quality concerns and need to be addressed to maintain the vital economic and natural resources of the Cayuga Lake Watershed for current and future generations" References and readings: Accessible via the Web. Copies are available from the Alumnae Office. www.cayugalake.org. Link to Issues in the Cayuga Lake Watershed www.cayugawatershed.org. Link to Cayuga Lake Watershed www.cayugawatershed.org. Link to Cayuga Lake Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan, then View Cayuga Lake Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan. In addition to being responsible about our environment, the Wells faculty was ranked the #1 teaching faculty in the nation by the Princeton Review’s annual guidebook, The Best 331Colleges. Using rankings based on candid student views of the college, the guide describes Wells faculty members as "amazing," "extremely intelligent," and "approachable."  Come participate in classroom discussions that show why our students feel this way about the faculty. Please indicate on your registration form if you would like to participate so we can send you suggested readings and more information about the scheduled lectures. [Reunion 2002 Home | Alumnae College | Schedule Of Events | Registration Form (see instructions)]

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