<p>D received a nice letter today re: the BioMathematical Sciences Concentration headed up by Smith but comprised of 5 College Consortium members. It looks like a pretty impressive concentration for students interested in the life sciences. Funded to the tune of one million over a 5 year period by NSF-- as a prof myself, I was impressed. The NSF funding for the program (approx 6 courses plus research projects) would appear to be entering its'
2nd year this fall. </p>
<p>If I were able to choose a project I suspect the title "Autonomous Lizard Robot to Study Lizard Mating Behavior" would have a certain draw for me. Ha, to each his own. (It's in the letter!)</p>
<p>On a more serious note-- Parents/students, have any of you had experience with this concentration? It seems pretty exciting to me. It seems like a nice blend of junior and senior faculty are involved. I looked it up on the Smith web site.</p>
<p>My daughter is interested in Biology. And, as you might expect, I've studied the Biology Department.</p>
<p>Thanks for input on the Biomathematical Sciences Concentration.</p>
<p>I laughed when I first read this. It doesn’t sound like a real thing! But I guess it just goes to show you what I know about science, or at least about the biomathematical kind.</p>
<p>Sorry I can’t give you any specifics. The program just isn’t that old. I do remember the press release touting how biomathematics was a new, upcoming field and promoting the fact of the huge funding. It sounded fabulous–but what do I know? If you really want to know more, I’d call a couple of the professors about it; I’m sure they’d be more than happy to share their enthusiasm for such an exciting new field and opportunity for research.</p>
<p>SAP-- Oh, it’s the real thing! Smith and the 5 College Consortium are blending their solid math, life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering programs in this one. I’m certain the big draw for the National Science Foundation to lay out a million is to attract more women into biomath. For an undergrad to be able to get NSF on the resume as she applies to graduate schools and professional schools (MD, VET etc) is a biggie. It looks like a tremendous opportunity to work with faculty on research in the biomath arena. (stipends $). </p>
<p>Hopefully, a BioMath representative will be available at next week’s Open Campus.</p>
<p>I am doing the Biomath concentration currently. It is pretty new (it’s about a year old), so some of the details are still being figured out. What specifically would you like to know about the concentration? My experience, so far, is that the concentration is really molded to fit each student’s individual interests.</p>
<p>McPucks-- Thanks for a response. The first question would revolve around the number of students involved-- a. Apprent total (large vs small), b. Smith numbers vs students from the other consortium schools, c. are the students largely math majors angling toward life sciences or life science majors like Bio,plus Chem or Engineering majors angling toward the Math piece.d. Does this concentration seem to you like a program the schools wish to continue post the first 5 years of funding? e. Do you see your involvement as replacing a Five College “certificate” or a minor as part of your degree?</p>
<p>David, a substantial percentage of research at all top colleges is funded by the NSF, NIH, and/or other prestigious orgs. both private and public. Conducting research funded by the NSF, NIH, et cetera, isn’t unusual. A student can and should include on their resume the research they assisted with was funded by one of aforementioned orgs., however, unless a student’s/professor’s research or grant proposal was instrumental in obtaining funding, it’s prudent to be cautious with the wording on the resume/CV. Integrity cannot be overemphasized.</p>
<p>CrewDad-- The majority of research and creative activities performed at major universities and colleges is not funded by any source other than FTE release time granted to the faculty member as part of their academic assignment. This varies greatly by discipline. Your % ??</p>
<p>Stating on a resume or application for professional or graduate school that the student was funded via stipend by a personel prep or research grant is traditional. As an example, I was funded in this fashion by USOE, RSA, and NIH. There is no “integrity” issue here. The key word is “stipend” not PI or CO-PI. </p>
<p>I agree, the key word is “stipend” to do research. Your original post didn’t say that. Minor misunderstanding. No big deal.
Now, if a student could write the grants proposals-- that would be ‘a biggie.’
I’ve been informed of students who applied to a Ph’D program at an Ivy and submitted r</p>
<p>I have not seen the “petition” but the thought of quality science funding being cut is really depressing (not clinically so). NIH funds personnel prep grants at the doctoral level and this funding being cut would also negatively impact science in some important labs. We seem to be limping thru an anti science period in our Country.</p>
<p>I saw a little quote on a sportsmans forum that I participate on that to me said it all—</p>
<p>“Math and Science will fly you to the moon,-- ideology and religion will fly you into the side of a building.” Anyway, it was meaningful to me!</p>
