Page 6 - The Behrend College Collegian Mathematical Seduction by Daniel D. Ester guest columnist Yes, my major is in fact. Math, but here I am, writing an article. Why, you ask, is a math-person invading your precious Collegian ? Am I not busy all day color-coding my notes and cleaning my pocket-protector? Don’t I have a computer 1 need to get to? Isn’t there someone with an English or Creative Writing major I could be criticizing, asking if they’ll be satisfied with their job at Burger King when they graduate? But I’m not doing any of those things, and for good reason! I’m here to review a seminar-the first of the Mathematics Seminar Series— which was Thursday, September 12, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Reed Lecture Hall. Behrend’s very own Dr. Richard Bertram was the guest speaker, and the topic was, “Electrical Signalling in Nerve Cells and the Marriage of Biology and Mathematics.” Although I’m sure you’d rather walk through the fires of hell wearing nothing brochure containing six recipes and a number of tips for use outside the salad bowl. Send a self-addressed, • the Behrend magazine of literature and the arts • Call for submissions of: poetry, Action, non-Action, art work, and photographs Guidelines > all submissions must be typed > fiction and non-fiction will be double spaced with a 15 page limit > poetry will be single spaced > name, phone #, and box # will appear on the text along with a title > no limit on quantity Don’t wait until the last minute or you may be too late Only high quality pieces will be accepted Place submissions in the Tempus mailbox in the SGA office (Reed) but tissue paper than go to a mathematics slash-biology seminar, I think that you may have found this one interesting. Dr. Bertram is a new instructor at Behrend (and he has a nice cushy office inside the Nick building, even though there are many other instructors whose offices are out BACK in the trailer-trash section-instructors who have been here ever since Behrend was a FARM-and all because of three magic letters: Ph.D.). Anyway, as I was saying, Dr. Bertram is new at Behrend, and, among other things, he teaches the undergraduate class MTHBD 420.1 (which is Penn State University Registrar Secret Code for Real Analysis). Further, I happen to be enrolled in that very same class (and I love the class and I think that the instructor is excellent and he’s really really nice and has a good sense of humor and is handsome and talented). Dr. Bertram’s seminar, “Electrical Signalling. . ~” was not at all what I’d expected. Yes, I probably wouldn’t have gone to the seminar had two of my instructors not bribed me with extra credit size) envelope to: Radish Council, 49 East 21st Street, Bth Floor, New York, NY. 10010. Tempus Deadline for submissions is Nov. 25 • • pinion (one instructor required a short write-up while the second simply wanted his students to sign a piece of paper. A-duh, like I’m going to pass up extra credit because I’m too stinking lazy to sign my name and write a simple report. So I went to this seminar, seduced by bonus points. Is that so wrong? Have we just witnessed the creation of Mathematical Seduction? It will be called MTH SED 101: Coaxing Your Students Into Attending Lectures Which Aren't Required. ANYWAY, after a brief and surprisingly interesting history of the study of the brain, Dr. Bertram was underway with the main topic, a taste of how computational neurologists use mathematical equations to describe the electrical signalling process in a neuron. Nerve cell functioning has been studied by these mathematical models for over 40 years, and the 1980’s computer revolution advanced this area incredibly. I must say that I left the seminar feeling infinitely more satisfied than when I went in (or would that be “more satisfied” to the 00 power?). The lecture was easy to POACHED SALMON WITH RADISH VINAIGRETTE 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup dry sherry 11/2 teaspoons salt, divided V 2 teaspoon ground black pep per, divided 1/4 cup dry white wine 8 (4 ounces each) salmon fillets 21/2 cups trimmed radishes cut in wedges (10 ounces) 2 quarts (6 ounces) mesclun salad greens or baby salad greens In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, sherry, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; set aside. In a skillet, bring to a boil 1 quart water, white wine and remain ing I h teaspoon salt and t/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Place salmon fillets in boiling Postal Information: The collegian is published weeklyby the students of Penn State Erie, The Behrwd CoUege; First Ftoor. The J. Elmer Reed Union Butting, Station Road, Erie, PA The Coileglan can bereached by calling (814) EBB • 6488 or (814) 898-0018 (fax). ISSN 1071-9238 Letter Policy: The Collefoan encourages; ietters.lM le;editor on newa content and University; afjaicsi Letters should be iypewritten, ddubfe spaced and signed. Letters should be no longer than 400 words, tetters should include the Semester standing and major of the writer. All letters should provide the address and phone number of the writer for verification of foe letter. The Collegian reserves foe right to edltlettersfor length and to reject letters, letters submitted to The Collegian become the property of foe newspaper. The Collegia is published every Thursday during the academic year on recycled paper. water-wine mixture. Cover; simmer until cooked, about S minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork. With slotted spatula, remove fillets to a serving platter; set aside. Place salad greens on platter. In a bowl, toss together radishes and reserved olive oil mixture; spoon over salmon and salad greens. Serve immediately. Makes 8 servings. NEW PRODUCT NEWS; Ice cream producers have been busy developing new temptations. Turkey Hill, for example, has added Raspberry ’n Cream Gourmet Lite, vanilla swirled with raspberry sher bet. Also Strawberry Rhubarb Pie made with Strawberry premium laced with strawberry/rhubarb pie and bits of pie crust. A newcomer to their frozen yogurt line is Snicker The Behrend College Collegian published weekly by the students of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College Editors in Chief Jennifer V. Colvin Danielle Murphy Business Manager Cartey Gwin News Editor Doreen Foutz Editors Brian Gregory Matt Plizga ' 1 Entertainment Editor Sheila Bicker Photography Editors Colleen Gritzen Joe Sailer Opinion Editor , Chao Clouse ' - Thursday, September 26, 1996 follow no matter what previous math or biology classes you’ve had, and there was not a lot of technical nerd-talk detracting from the enjoyment of the seminar. I rate this seminar as follows: ee e e (that’s four epsilons, for those of you Mathematically Challenged Persons who are applying for social security disability because you can’t pass MTHBD 001. I strongly er/ourage everyone to attend the next seminar. And for those of you who would simply like to read my smart-ass reviews, I’ll be there! Dan Ester is a Senior. He has completed the Forest Science minor program at University Park and is finishing his math major courses this year. Dan is a member of the National Gold Key Honor Society, and has been elected President of Trigon, Behrend’s Lesbigay Coalition, for the '96-'96 school year. Please send your remarks to ddelo4@email.psu^edu. Doodle Dandy, cinnamon yogurt with miniature snicker doodles, a Pennsylvania Dutch treat. Breyers gives us a new line of six ice creams blended with mix-ins: Reese's Pieces, Peanut Butter Cups, Nutrageous, the latter two also from Reese’s; Maxwell House Cappuc cino with cream swirls and choco late-covered Irish Cream candies; Sara Lee Fudge Brownie and Her shey Chocolate with Almonds. Snickers Ice Cream Cone is peanut and caramel in ice cream in a cone lined with chocolate. Healthy Choice joined forces with Nabisco to bring out a line of low-fat cookies and bread crisps. They have also added a fat-free Super Chunky Mushroom Pasta Sauce to their sauce lineup. It has no fat, no cholesterol, no MSG. Collegian Staff; Dave Anechstein, Edward Black, Dave Bot Hos, Brian Charnock, Mike Coursey, Adiia Kovaiy, Kristine Kannel, Jessica King, Erie Krouse, Mike Nies, Adam Levenstein, Josh Pie, Sara Prosser, jenn Resenweber, John RflKSSpnpdp, Joe Ryan, Kevin Schaaf, Wendy SctjeHr Jason Simmons, Brad Waldbaum, Kristen Wfight, Michael Yowell, Jonna Zizak. Advertising- Manger Tom Keefe Office Manager J^lDehart ,*< T 4 ■a ■c,; Academic Advisor. Dr. Ursula fJay& Activities Advisor . . Dr, Rob Sped
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