MEETING TIME/PLACE: Thursday; 12:05 p.m. in Room G-11; Heim Biology and Chemistry Building.

FORMAT: This academic year the seniors will be making presentations on topics of interest in Biology. Because of the large number of people scheduled to complete this task, we will again use group presentations utilizing themes where each person in the group contributes to the major topic. Each group must email to Dr. Newman (newman@lycoming.edu) an abstract (a written summary) of their topic one week before their presentation. The summary will be posted on the Biology Department web page. In addition to student presentations, a number of guest speakers will periodically be invited for presentations.

GRADING: As has been the expectation in the past, your grade is based on three simple criteria. To earn a "pass" in the P/F system you must:

1. Have no more than TWO (2) unexcused absences. A student monitor will take attendance each Thursday.
2. All seniors must make a presentation. Juniors must be present and listen attentively!
3. Group members must email to Dr. Newman (newman@lycoming.edu) an abstract (summary) of their topic one week before their presentation.

TIPS: Please check with one of the faculty members as you are preparing your group presentation. Suggestions, possible references, ideas to be considered will be among the numerous things each of us will gladly give you and your group. Preparation is the key to making a good presentation and with the added responsibility of having groups formulate and coordinate topics, the more time you put in, the better the product. It will be obvious to everyone just how much time you and your group put into your presentation.

PROBLEMS: If you have any questions, please check with Dr. Diehl, Heim Building, Room 108 (321-4184) before a simple question becomes a bigger problem. The format and decisions regarding this Colloquium are departmental issues and ultimately the department is responsible for exceptions, grading issues and requirements.

POSSIBLE COLLOQUIUM TOPICS: But you are by no means limited to these topics

1. The use of PCR in solving environmental problems

2. Current status of human genome project

3. Progress toward developing HIV vaccine

4. Advances in gene therapy

5. Role of Telomerase in ageing and cancer

6. Pfiesteria infections in Chesapeach bay fish

7. Apoptosis in developmental biology

8. Cloning mammals

9. Helicobacter pylori as a cause of peptic ulcers

10. "Noggin" as a key "hormone" in embryonic development

11. HDL and Alzheimers disease

12. Molecular origins of cancer

13. Progress in the development of transgenic plants.

14. The use of molecular probes for monitoring environmental pollution

15. DNA analysis of forensic samples. ie. Analysis of "the stain" in the Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky scandal, or the blood specimens in the O. J. Simpson case

16. Opiate blockers in treatment of alcoholism

17. Cryptosporidium outbreak in drinking water

18. What's causing worldwide congenital malformations in frog populations?

19. Biology of E. coli O157:H7

20. Myoblast therapy for Duchennes muscular dystroph