Student Service
Biological Sciences has three active student groups. The Field Biology Group (FBG) is composed of students interested in bioconservation and organismal biology. The Student Association of Laboratory Scientists (SALS) consists of students with interests in laboratory technology, microbiology, molecular biology or genetics. The Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Group primarily consists of pre-veterinary students and those interested in caring for Department animals. Both FBG and SALS have a faculty sponsor; the sponsor for the Animal rescue and Rehabilitation Group is a technical support staff member in the Department. All three groups meet regularly and frequently have professionals from the community visit the Department and speak on topics of interest. SALS has sponsored tours of biotechnology companies and clinical laboratories. Additionally, SALS organized a Career Fair (Spring 1999) which featured representatives from regional biotechnology companies. SALS has also presented resume writing workshops for majors. It should also be noted that Biological Sciences majors comprise the majority of students in the Pre-health Professional Student Organization (PPSO), the Multi-cultural Organization of Science Students (MOSS) and AMSA (American Medical Student Organization). Faculty in the Department regularly serve as sponsors for these interdisciplinary groups which also meet regularly and interact with professionals in the community.
As part of the 50 th Anniversary of CSUS in Spring 1998, the Department sponsored three events. Two “Career Days” were organized for majors. One was devoted to bioconservation/organismal biology and the other focused on biotechnology and microbiology. On each day 6-7 alumni who are professionals in the community visited the Department and talked with students about job opportunities and skills needed for employment in their organization or company. Both “Career Days” were widely attended and students enthusiastically spoke with alumni about job opportunities. As part of the same Anniversary of the campus, faculty in the Department worked with professionals in the community to organize a one-day symposium on endangered species, in addition to sponsoring a major seminar on plant biotechnology. Students were encouraged to attend both events.
Department faculty regularly sponsor and assist students in obtaining unpaid internships. Each academic year, approximately 30-35 students do internships by enrolling in BIO 195. Popular places for internships are the Corner's Office, hospitals, doctor's offices, the Student Health Center , and the California Department of Fish and Game. Additionally, two faculty have established a partnership with Mercy Health Care that allows students to obtain paid internships. Mercy Health Care was looking to increase the diversity of its applicant pool for paid internships, and the Department has a diverse student population. The partnership involves students submitting an application for the program that includes two letters of recommendation. The two faculty score the applications and give Mercy Health Care the top applicants who they then hire. The partnership has been so successful that Mercy Health Care actually holds positions for our students. Students at Mercy are working as phlebotomists, doing clinical lab work, or involved in taking patient histories.
The Department has two popular seminar series, BIO 186A (Seminar in Cell and Molecular Biology) and BIO 186B (Seminar in Ecological and Environmental Issues). Faculty in charge of the seminars invite professionals from other universities, companies, and organizations to speak. Students are exposed to cutting edge research or topics of regional, national or global interest. Students also have the opportunity to talk informally with the speakers.
Professionals with the Water resources Division of the California Department of Fish and Game are a visible presence in the Department. The Department has allowed them to use one of our offices for the purpose of meeting with students to discuss research and job opportunities. One employee of the DFG has taught courses as a part-time faculty member in the Department. Students enrolled in the courses appreciated his perspective as a professional actively working in the field.
Four faculty in the Department are part of an interdisciplinary College group that is studying the feasibility of creating a Center for the Study of Regional Environmental Issues. They are working with faculty in Chemistry, Geology and Geography and professionals from the US Geological Survey and the California Department of Fish and Game. The purpose of the Center would be to form a collaboration focusing on regional environmental issues such as the Lower American River . Opportunities for student research projects would be part of the collaboration. The group is also working on a symposium on the Lower American River to be held in Spring 2003.
Some of our Master's students and Honors students conduct their research with professionals at the University of California, Davis, with companies in the area (e.g., Novonordisk), or with State agencies (e.g., California Department of Fish and Game).
