Science
Physics club to
host "sumo
robot" battle
HEATHER WAGNER
physics writer
Transformers just got a lit
tle more real.
The Behrend Physics club
is planning a "sumo robot
contest" in December, open to
any interested students.
The sumo robot contest in
volves the creation of an au
tonomous robot which will
battle other robots to the
death. By death, they mean
run the other robot off the
table. Mercilessly, of course.
But don't get too carried
away here. The rules are strict,
and flamethrowers are ex
pressly prohibited.
It is a contest of ingenuity
and programming skill. There is
merely an entry fee and a few
guidelines.
Think you've got the ball bearings to
throw your robot into the ring?
Check the info between the feet
of the leader of the Decepti
cons, channel some Mac-
Gyver, and prepare for the
robot fight of your life.
For any more infor
mation regarding the
contest, contact
Heather Wagner at
h1w5041«/ psu.edu.
Why be a
math major
Mathematics Reporter
Nichole M. Buczynski
looks into the reality
behind why students
major in mathematics
at Penn State Behrend
like
Myths still fly in regards to one of
the oldest studies at a university:
mathematics. Many assume that
there are no jobs for math majors.
Many people see it as an extremely
difficult major. Some people feel that
math provides little opportunity for
research.
With all of these assumptions, it
can sometimes be hard to sift through
the myths to find the true facts about
being a math major. Ask any of Penn
State Behrend's mathematics majors,
though, and they will set you straight
on their studies.
Jose Sosa, a sophomore math
major, provided a couple of details on
what he feels makes a math major.
Sosa is from Queens, New York and
applied to Penn State Behrend with
SUMO ROBOT
CONTEST
THE WHEN
AND WHERE:
Date: Saturday Dec. 7
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
THE OBJECT:
Run everyone else's robot
off the table.
THE DETAILS:
Any student can enter for a entry fee. Flamethrowers
prohibited, but robotic carnage encouraged.
THE CONTACT INFO:
Heather Wagner, at h1w5041«/ psu.edu
the intent of transferring the Univer-
sity Park: Sosa has changed his mind, Daniel Galinsky Jr., a junior also
due to the fact that Behrend offers a majoring in mathematics, agrees that
lot of opportuni-a math major will
ties for research, "There is a kind of provide many op
the faculty is nice, prestige about it. I feel portunities for
and class sizes the future.
are small. that lam accomplishing "With a
Sosa explained math degree, I
that his favorite something significant in believe that I will
thing about math thegrand scheme be in a great posi
is that it is con- tion to get many
crete and that it of things." different jobs,"
builds upon itself. Galinsky said.
"Being a math Daniel Galinsky Jr. "It is not as
major means that focused as an en
hum), \Lith, , ni.itu , oldp,/
I can solve prob- gineering degree,
lems," he said. "I believe that when which gives me many more opportu
employers look to hire someone, they nities. Also, it is not so broad as to
want problem solvers, people who not give me what I need.
can get the job done."
BEHREND BEACON
November 13, 2009
www.thebehrendbeacon.com
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Science Editor
Brian Carlson
Co-Editors
Andrea Adams, Chase Weaver
Computer Writer
Biology Writers Max Deliso
Andrea Adams Chemistry Writer
Chase Weaver Marie Ebner
Physics Writer Math Writer
Heather niftier Nichol(' Buczynski
"I am very proud of being a math
major... There is a kind of prestige
about it. I feel that I am accomplish
ing something significant in the grand
scheme of things."
Galinsky's plans for the future in
clude possibly doing research -
maybe for the government - and then
going on for a master's degree in
mathematics.
Research opportunities for mathe
matics majors are actually quite nu
merous. There is always a professor
looking for someone to help with re
search. In addition, the job outlook
for mathematicians is actually quite
large. Like Sosa plans to, many end
up working for the government - the
largest employer of mathematics is
the National Security Agency.