SCI Scholars-Industrial Internships for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Undergraduates

Exceptional sophomores and juniors majoring in chemistry and chemical engineering can apply for a prestigious 10-week internship through the SCI Scholars Program. SCI Scholars are selected based on the strength of their application, statement of interest in an industrial internship, and letters of recommendation. Twenty-nine scholars will be chosen for internship positions in the summer 2012.

The program is a joint effort of the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) America International Group, the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and was developed to introduce chemistry and chemical engineering students to careers in the chemical industry.

SCI Scholars receive $6,000-$10,000 for a ten-week internship. The deadline to submit all application materials is December 16, 2011. See the program website for more information.

Department of Energy Scholars Program 2012

The Department of Energy Scholars Program offers summer internships with stipends of up to $650 per week depending on academic status to undergraduates, graduate students and post graduates at accredited institutes of higher education. Majors accepted include: engineering; physical sciences; environmental sciences; computer science and information technology; physics; business; policy; program management; mathematics; statistics; safety and health; accounting and finance; law; communications; and other related discipline areas. Visit the program website for more information. Deadline to apply is November 15, 2011.

Science Graduates Have Many Options

A recent study by researchers at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce indicates that graduates with a bachelor’s degree in one of the sciences have many career options and that such a degree can command high salaries. In highlighting this study, an October 20th article in the Chronicle of Higher Education points out that the authors of the report found that “sixty-five percent of students earning bachelor's degrees in science or engineering fields earn more than master's-degree holders in nonscience fields do” and “47 percent of bachelor's-degree holders in science fields earn more than do those holding doctorates in other fields.” In addition to high salary potential, the report finds that STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) graduates have career options that go well beyond traditional careers in the laboratory. A New York Times blog post about this study notes that “professions that depend heavily on skills learned in [STEM] fields are the second-fastest growing occupational group in the United States, after health care. While traditional fields like computer engineering and laboratory research make up about 5 percent of the work force, demand for science, technology, engineering and math skills is spreading far beyond, to occupations in manufacturing, utilities, transportation and mining, as well as to sales and management.”

The College of Public Health Prospective Student Information Session

The College of Public Health at the Ohio State University invites you to an information session to learn more about pursuing a graduate degree in public health. This session will include topics such as; financial aid, careers in public health, the admission process and a current student panel. This session will be held on Friday, November 4, 2011 from 9:00-11:45 am in Room 180 Cunz Hall, in the College of Public Health, 1841 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.

The College of Public Health currently offers four graduate degree programs: Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Science (MS), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Specializations include: Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Behavior and Health Promotion, Health Services Management and Policy, and Veterinary Public Health.

Please RSVP and include "November 4-Information Session" in the subject line at: rsvp@cph.osu.edu by Monday, October 31st. You will receive a confirmation email once registration has been completed.

Congratulations to Professor Tawse!

We are excited to announce that Merrill Tawse, Professional Instructor of Biology, has been awarded the 2011 Conservationist Award by the Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District.  Professor Tawse was recognized for his many years of work monitoring native bat populations for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Ohio and other states, studies on native salamanders and over 30 years in outdoor education at the Gorman Nature Center near Mansfield, Ohio.  Professor Tawse developed the human cadaver-based anatomy and physiology course that is part of the curriculum for Ashland University's new nursing degree, and also teaches courses in ecology and environmental science.  He can sometimes be seen flying bats for his students in the Kettering Science Center.

This is the second year in a row that Ashland University has been recognized by the Richland Conservation District.  Last year the University's Environmental Science Program was honored for conservation and education efforts at its Blackfork Wetlands Environmental Studies Center.

Summer Research in Polymer Science

The University of Akron College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering is again offering a competitive summer research experience for undergraduate (REU) students. Students will participate in a 12-week summer internship to investigate a fundamental question within the broad disciplines of polymer science and polymer engineering including chemistry, physics, characterization, and biomaterials. Stipends for this 12-week summer program are $7,000. The application deadline is February 1st. See the program website for further information.

Geology alum pursues graduate degree

Jennifer Miller Tully ’11 (left, with Dr. Michael Hudson and fellow geology alum Amanda Kozak '08)entered the M.S. program in Geology at Miami University this fall. She is pursuing a career in environmental geochemistry, an interest that developed through her undergraduate research on cadmium in children’s jewelry with Dr. Jeff Weidenhamer and on the geochrononology of Adirondack lowland rocks with AU geologist Dr. Michael Hudson. Jennifer is serving as a teaching assistant for two geology courses in addition to taking coursework of her own. More than 90% of our geology graduates successfully enroll in graduate school with financial support through teaching or research assistantships.

Chemistry Major interns with Lubrizol Corporation

Chemistry major Julie Arko completed a second summer as an intern with Lubrizol Corporation of Wickliffe, OH. Lubrizol manufactures specialty chemicals for the transportation, industrial and consumer markets. Recent grants from Lubrizol Corporation have supported AU's Environmental Lecture Series.

Julie writes, "My experience the past two summers interning for the Lubrizol Corporation have been extremely beneficial. I have been able to take many things I’ve learned in my chemistry courses at Ashland University and apply them to an industrial lab setting. I became much more comfortable working in the labs, and it was very interesting to be exposed to many different types of chemistry going on at one time. It was also very beneficial to be surrounded by so many chemists who were more than willing to share their experience and advice with me. This internship was truly invaluable. I was able to fully understand what it like to be a research chemist day in and day out, the demands it requires, and the satisfaction you get out of it. It is definitely an experience I would recommend to anyone interested in chemistry. The education I have received at Ashland University truly prepared me for my internship the past two summers, and I am sure it will continue to benefit me in the future."