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Science at Barnard

BARNARD

Archive

To all:
Best wishes for a fulfilling end of semester exam period and restful and rejuvinating winter break!

Noteworthy News:

Diane E. Pataki '93 awarded prestigious AGU award--Congratulations!
Only a few years after graduating from Barnard with a major in Environmental Science, and now Assistant Professor at University of California, Irvine, Diane Pataki has just been named a 2008 James B. Macelwane Medalist from the American Geophysical Union, an award given to "outstanding young scientists" (under the age of 36) for their contributions in the field of geological sciences.

Awarded under "the exceptional circumstances on the unanimous vote of the selection committee" for AGU, the medal is named after the 30th president of AGU (1953-1956), James B. Macelwane, a renowned seismologist who had a deep interest in teaching and encouraging young scientists. The award can be given to up to five scholars and this year, Diane Pataki was one of three recipients.

After graduating from Barnard, Diane went on to Duke for her MA, PhD and now teaches at UC, Irvine, with a split appointment as Associate Professor of Earth System Science at the School of Physical Sciences and the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the School of Biological Sciences.

Earlier this year Diane wrote "I'm still pretty much studying the topic of my senior thesis which was the role ot the terrestrial biosphere in the global Carbon cycle, so obviously my stay at Barnard had a major impact!" (Keep that in mind, seniors, as you continue your thesis work next semester...)

See also Irvine's newsletter on Pataki's Macelwane medal and her research of land-atmosphere interactions, biogeochemistry and global change biology, and stay tuned for more info on Diane Pataki's great honor after the AGU Conference finishes.

Check out the latest Department Newsletter! Majors will all receive a copy, but you can also read it on-line. Contact Angelica Patterson, if you have something newsworthy or a great photo! For a complete view of all the published Newsletters, check out the Newsletter archives.

AMNH Exhibit on Climate Change: The Threat to Life and a New Engergy Future, October 18, 2008 - August 16, 2009
Need a break from studying or do you have some time over winter break? Stop by the American Museum of Natural History to see the exhibit which Barnard students studied first-hand on how museum exhibits are developed!
Earth’s climate is changing. Global temperature is rising, weather patterns are shifting and other effects may be on our horizon. While we can’t predict the severity of those impacts in a particular place or time, we can nonetheless see—and measure—many changes. There are special rates for students, so be sure to bring your ID's and your friends.

Courses Newly Added for Spring 2009:
EESC BC3026, Case Studies: Land-use Dynamics, will be taught by Terryanne Maenza-Gmelch (Mondays, 2:40-5:10) and will explore in the field, three case studies of topics related to land-use change and how they impact the living environment. Field work will take place in Black Rock Forest, Sterling Forest, Jamaica Bay, Central Park and Riverside Park. (See detailed flyer.)

EESC BCBC3200, Ecotoxicology, will be taught by Brian Mailloux (Tues/Thurs 1:10-2:25). This course will begin by studying the cycling of contaminants through different ecosystems.  The effects of these contaminants will then be explored on a series of scales including the molecular level (biochemical pathways of metabolism and detoxification), the organismal level (target organs, behavioral effects), and the ecosystem level (species viability).  There will be field trips. (See detailed flyer.)

Environmental Science at Black Rock Forest
Lecturer and Lab Director, Terryanne Maenza-Gmelch with Program Manager, Angelica Patterson took BC1001 students to explore Black Rock Forest, in October.
This summer, Terryanne and Angie taught a two week session of Field Ecology Research methods to eleven High School students, staying in the Black Rock Forest Lodge. As members of the Black Rock Forest Consortium, Barnard and Columbia faculty and students have this beautiful resource at our disposal.

Get quick answers to course credit questions about AP credit, credit for SEA Semester and SEE-U and the credit they carry for the Science Requirement and Major and Minor Requirements by checking the Credit and Placement Page. Or go directly to the Programs page for updates in Major Requirements in Environmental Science (majors and minors), Environmental Policy or Environmental Biology.

Join our E-Mail List:
Interested in receiving e-mails about course announcements and updates, Environmental events, job opportunities, internships? Those not on our student e-mail list should send an e-mail to Catherine Cook, the Departmental Assistant, with your name, year, major (if chosen, or if not, your interest) and we'll add you to the list.

EcoReps, the Res Life-sponsored program piloted this year in First-Year dorms at Barnard now has their own website, barnardecoreps.com and it's fantastic. Check out the EcoReps Newsletter and get involved. For more information about EcoReps or their activities, write to barnardecoreps@gmail.com.

EarthGoogle is an interesting site to check out satelite photos the world over! (You'll need to download the software to use it if you want to.)

Google

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