Department of Psychology

I’m writing with an update on the Senior Seminar (PSYCH 490) sections for spring. We have identified an instructor for the final section, and brief descriptions of all the seminars are now available (see below). As a reminder, PSYCH 490 is available only to senior Psychology majors who have completed the prerequisites (PSYCH 301W and 6 credits of 400-level PSYCH courses). Students with semester standing beyond 8th semester should contact Heather Read (hxh129@psu.edu) to schedule the course.

Section 1: Dr. Janet Swim (social) - Conservation Psychology
Conservation Psychology is the scientific study of the reciprocal relationship between human behavior and the natural environment. Conservation Psychology is an applied field, meaning that it involves the use of psychological principles, theories, or methods, to understand and solve issues. The social issue that will be the focus of the present course is global climate change. As experts on human behavior, psychologists have the potential to serve a crucial role in halting our ecologically-destructive trajectory and promoting a sustainable future. In this course we will explore different ways that psychologists have studied human's understanding of, relationship with, and impact on the natural environment and psychologists efforts to promote environmentally sustainable society. The course will include an introduction to social marketing and students will design and carry out a project that will promote environmentally friendly behaviors.

Section 2: Dr. Ken Levy (clinical) – Developmental Psychopathology
The seminar is designed to provide students with a solid background in developmental psychopathology. Although the field of developmental psychopathology is far too broad and complex to be sufficiently covered in a semester, my goal is to provide basic knowledge of a broad range of areas relevant to developmental psychopathology to build upon. In this seminar we will examine psychopathology from a developmental perspective through a consideration of relevant theory, empirical investigations, and clinical case material. We will attempt to keep a fairly even balance between focusing on the historical background, the current research related to particular maladies, and the more clinical or applied aspects of psychopathology. Major topics covered will include: contrasting models of psychopathology; taxonomic/classification and epidemiology of psychopathology; course and outcome of psychiatric disorders; therapeutic approaches and their effectiveness and efficacy; and risk, trauma, and resilience. Specific disorders covered include: Anxiety disorders; mood disorders; personality disorders; schizophrenia; conduct disorder; attention deficit disorder; and autism spectrum disorders. Recommended prerequisite: Abnormal Psychology or Theories of Personality

Section 3: Dr. Sandy Azar (clinical) – Marriage and Family
In recent years, psychology has gone beyond studying individuals and begun to look at couples and families. This course will extend students' understanding of human behavior beyond that of the individual and the parent-child dyad and help them to consider the individual in the context of other intimate relationships (e.g., dating, living together, marriage, and the family). It will begin by familiarizing students with the major psychological theories of how couples and families operate and develop their ability to apply these theories to real life family transactions, using material from films and literature. The methods used to study families and their strengths and limitations will then be presented. Using the family life cycle as a rough developmental framework, changes in couples and families over the lifespan will be reviewed and discussed (young adulthood and leaving family of origin, dating and becoming a couple, having children,
raising young and adolescent children, and launching children and old age). Along the way, discussions will focus on non-traditional couples and families (e.g., families who have adopted children, divorced families, gay and lesbian couples), as well as issues of race, ethnicity, social class, and gender. Finally, students will begin to consider the effects of major stressors on couples and family (e.g., migration, chronic physical and mental illness, poverty) and within the couple and family disturbances (e.g., dating violence, domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse).

Section 4: Dr. Kristin Buss (developmental) - Emotional Development
NOTE: This section will actually meet for 75 minutes (10:10-11:25) not for 2 hours!

This course is designed to teach you about the current state of knowledge in children's emotional development. You will learn about research spanning from infancy to childhood on topics such as emotions, attachment, and self regulation. This course will be presented from the perspective of developmental psychology and will be focused primarily on the current state of research knowledge in emotional development.

Section 5: Dr. Aaron Pincus (clinical) - Personality Disorders
This capstone seminar focuses on an increasingly important topic in clinical psychology—Personality Disorders. We will review conceptualization, classification, assessment, research, and treatment of personality disorders from multiple perspectives (e.g., Psychodynamic, Attachment, Interpersonal, Trait, Cognitive, Evolutionary, and Neurobiological). While “abnormal personalities” are well documented throughout the history of clinical psychology and psychiatry, their unique clinical status in contemporary psychology only began with the publication of DSM-III Axis II in 1980. Because focal attention to personality disorders is relatively new, current theory, research, and treatment of personality disorders reflects a significant diversity of assumptions, perspectives, and models. While we can’t cover everything in depth each week, the seminar is designed to help you think broadly about the best ways to define and describe personality pathology. While this certainly includes the DSM system, the seminar attempts to go well beyond the DSM when possible. This seminar is particularly suited for students intending to pursue graduate training or careers in clinical psychology, psychiatry, social work, and other professions where personality disorders are commonly encountered.

Section 6: Dr. Frank Hillary (clinical) - Functional Neuroimaging As a Window into the Human Mind
This course will focus on results of research using imaging and related methods that measure brain functioning. It will focus on multiple literatures including the clinical and cognitive neurosciences and examine how findings in these fields have influenced what we know about the brain and its products. We will discuss fundamental brain processes such memory, perception, and language as well as some of the fundamental characteristics thought to be unique to humans such as awareness/insight, consciousness and the "mind". The course requires a basic understanding of functional neuroanatomy and cognitive psychology.

Section 7: Dr. Ginger Moore (clinical) - Emotion and Psychopathology
This course will examine the role that emotion processes play in the emergence, expression, and treatment of psychological disorders from a developmental psychopathology perspective. Topics covered will include emotion and emotion regulation as core elements in etiological theories of psychopathology, normal and abnormal emotion processes, and emotion-focused techniques in treatments for psychological disorders. A prior course in abnormal psychology, such as 212, 412, or 494, is recommended.

Section 8: Dr. Sam Hunter (industrial-organizational) - Creativity and InnovationReviews influences and antecedents of creativity at the individual level. Also examines team and organizational factors that impact the implementation of creative ideas.

Section 9: Dr. Terri Vescio (social) - The Social Psychology of Gender and Power
In this class we will study the prevailing beliefs about the differences between men and women and examine the extent to which people are aware and unaware of their gendered beliefs. We will examine ways in which gender attitudes affect our expectations, judgments, feelings and behaviors. In this class we will also consider the rewards of conforming to stereotypes such as feminine “niceness” and masculine “assertiveness” – and the costs of deviating from them. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to think critically about theory and research on gender and link scholarly research to broader social issues of import.

Announcements for Psychology Students - 09/04/2009

Hello everyone, I hope you enjoy your Labor Day Weekend. Just a few quick announcements, including information on the first Psi Chi meeting, a reminder of important dates, Career Services information, and information on some Community Service Opportunities. Dr. Gasper

The first Psi Chi Meeting will be Tuesday, September 8th at 7:00 p.m. in 106 Chambers.

Important dates (reminder)
If you plan on graduating in December, you must fill out your
intention to graduate by September 7th. To find and fill out this
information, please log into elion.

Registration for Spring begins September 17th. To find out when
you can register for Spring please go to:
http://www.registrar.psu.edu/Reg_Timetable/act_RegTimetable_Main.cfm

Career Services information

Fall Career days are September 15th to 17th, to find out more information go
to: http://www.fairs.sa.psu.edu/fall/

Job Postings - accessible through Nittany Lion Career Network at http://www.sa.psu.edu/career/nlr/default.aspx

Procter & Gamble Online Virtual Career Fair
P&G will host their Virtual Online Diversity Career Fair on October 1, 2009. Here you can learn about the opportunities available & how to apply to each. Have a question? Instant message one of our recruiters or join the group chat. This is your chance to experience P&G through the eyes of our employees, connecting not only via professional aspiration but through shared cultures as well. And do this all from the comfort of your home computer! No fees & no business attire required! Registration is now open.
WHEN: Thursday, October 1st, 2009 / 10:00am – 6:00pm EST
HOW: Click this link to register: https://vts.inxpo.com/scripts/InXpo.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowKey=1728
TO LEARN MORE: Facebook: search for us by P&G Diversity Networking page. Become a fan!& Twitter: search for us by PGVCF. Follow us for updates!

Community Service Opportunities
State College Area School District Family Outreach has some needs for volunteer help with children during daytime and evening parenting programs for Fall semester.
Nurture, read and interact with young children during daytime program; read, interact and help both young children and school age children with activities and homework during evening program.
Volunteers are greatly appreciated!
To volunteer with any of the following programs, please contact Connie Schulz, SCASD Family Outreach Specialist, at ces11@scasd.org or by phone: 814-231-1070.
Daytime Programs: Within Walking Distance to Campus!
Parenting “Brown Bag” Lunchtime Series
1. Wednesdays, Sept. 30, Oct. 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4 & 11
Noon – 2:00 PM (program is 12:15 – 1:45 PM)
2. Tuesdays, November 10, 17, 24, December 1
Noon – 2:00 PM (program is 12:15 – 1:45 PM)
Toddlers and preschool age children
Schlow Centre Region Library Community Room (Corner of Beaver and College Avenue, Downtown State College
Evening Programs:
Tuesdays, Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3 (6 weeks)
6 – 8 PM (Free dinner available at 5:30 PM if requested ahead)
Preschool - grade 5 age children
Houserville Elementary School, 217 Scholl St., State College, PA 16801 – Requires Your own Transportation
Mondays, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16 (7 weeks)
6 - 8 PM (Free dinner available at 5:30 PM if requested ahead)
Preschool - grade 5 age children
Mount Nittany Middle School, 656 Brandywine Drive, State College 16801 (near Boalsburg) - Requires Your Own Transportation
Thursdays, November 5, 12, 19 (3 weeks)
6 – 8 PM (Free dinner available at 5:30 PM if requested ahead)
Preschool - grade 5 age children
Park Forest Elementary School, 2181 School Drive, State College, PA 16803 – Requires Your Own Transportation

Announcements for Psychology Students - 08/31/2009

Welcome back everyone,

If you are new to the Psych Majors List Serve, a few times each month you will be getting a message from me informing you of important deadlines, upcoming events, and educational opportunities. Rather than send out multiple messages, we try to send one message with multiple items. So, please take the time to read the messages, for you may miss out on some important information.

This message contains information on add/drop deadlines , intention to graduate information (for December, not May), Spring registration, career day, advising, a volunteer opportunity, and information on Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) Premedicine Honor Society.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Fall Semester,

Dr. Gasper

Associate Professor of Psychology and Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies

Important Information PLEASE READ:

Add/drop deadline is Wednesday September 2nd
If you plan on graduating in December, you must fill out your intention to graduate by September 7th. To find and fill out this information, please log into elion.
Registration for Spring begins September 17th. To find out when you can register for Spring please go to:
http://www.registrar.psu.edu/Reg_Timetable/act_RegTimetable_Main.cfm

Career Days
Fall Career days are September 15th to 17th, to find out more information go to: http://www.fairs.sa.psu.edu/fall/

Advising
For the first two weeks of classes, advising will be available only on a walk-in, quick-question basis. You may come to 111 Moore Building 8:30-11 and 1:30-3:30 M-F, and you will be seen by the first available adviser. Complex advising issues such as changing or adding majors require appointments and should wait. To make an appointment with your adviser, visit http://www.la.psu.edu/advising-appt/ If you do not know who your assigned adviser is, log into eLion and click on “adviser information” in the menu on the left-hand side of the page.

HANDS ON COUNSELING EXPERIENCE! Free hotline training in return for volunteer commitment. Training topics include active listening, feeling awareness, and problem solving. Deliver appropriate support regarding issues related to emotional well-being, mental health, drug & alcohol, and referrals & transfers to community resources. Great on-the-job experience for HDFS, psychology, rehab ed, sociology, business administration or any career in which experience working with varied customer/client population will be critical for employment and success. Volunteer work may lead to part-time paid positions. Applications due Wednesday, September 16th. Come to Community Help Centre, 141 W. Beaver Ave for an application. For more information, call: 237-5855 or email Leanne at llutton@communityhelpcentre.com.

Advisees and other students with health professions aspirations!
On alternate Tuesday evenings, the Penn State chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) Premedicine Honor Society holds informative meetings with a range of speakers on topics germane to Health Professions careers.

The PS chapter of AED formed in 1938; active membership is recognized at medical, dental, and optometry schools.

The non-business portions of the meetings are OPEN to all students at Penn State with interest in a health-related career and we heartily encourage all students to take advantage of this excellent group and join the Blood Cup/ THON and Public Health Fair too!

Fall Meetings:
Sept 8th; Oct. 6th, 20th, Nov. 3rd, 17th, Dec. 1 7:00 p.m. in 201 Thomas

Sept. 22nd, 7:00 p.m. in 110 Wartik

Your initial AED contact person: President Derik Tomlinson, djt5042.

Dr. Markle, chapter adviser.
cc: premed related advisers

Announcements for Psychology Students - 05/06/2009

Congratulations to all our graduating students! You all should be very proud of your accomplishments. I hope that you learned at lot and enjoyed your time at Penn State.

This announcement is the last one for the semester. It includes information on a class that you might be interested in taking, a job announcement, and graduation information (last item).

Best wishes to all for the summer,
Dr. Gasper

Course announcement:

PSYCH 477: Mental Health Practicum with Children
AND
PSYCH 495K: Interventions with High Risk Youth

I would like to make you aware of an exciting class opportunity next year (Fall 2009 and Spring 2010) within the department of Psychology. Dr Janet Welsh of the Prevention Research Center in the college of Health and Human Development, will be teaching PSYCH 477, Mental Health Practicum with Children, in the Fall 2009 and its continuation, PSYCH 495K, Interventions with High Risk Youth, in the Spring of 2010. These courses consist of two related components: (1) learning about different evidence-based interventions for children with behavioral and socio-emotional difficulties, and (2) running social skills groups with children in grades K through 5. These social skills groups are run both in the Fall and in the Spring. This is a unique opportunity within Penn State for undergraduate students who would like to get some hands-on experience working with children with behavioral, social, and emotional difficulties during the academic year.

In the Fall of 2009, students learn techniques for interacting with children and managing challenging behaviors. In the practicum sessions, they implement a social skill training curriculum developed by Dr. Karen Bierman that contains activities and lessons designed to facilitate social development.

In the Spring of 2010, students continue to implement Friendship Groups using activities that they themselves develop. Students work with with the same group of children (usually around 5-6 children of similar ages) during both semesters. These courses are a great opportunity for those students interested in careers in child psychology, school guidance, social work, or education.

The requirements for this year long class are a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a commitment to register for the Fall 2009 and the Spring 2010. If you are interested or have more questions, please contact Dr. Janet Welsh at jaw900@psu.edu.

Job announcement:

Coordinator of Research Programs
Department of Psychology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Regular, full-time, twelve-month, academic professional position to conduct and facilitate research in the Communication and Language Lab in the Psychology Department at the University of Illinois, directed by Duane Watson.

The coordinator will be involved in every aspect of our research, including recruiting participants, conducting experiments, running an eye-tracking system, coding and analyzing data, supervising undergraduate assistants, purchasing and maintaining lab equipment, organizing lab resources, helping to design studies and prepare stimuli, and assisting in grant and manuscript preparation.

A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a related field is required. Experience over-seeing personnel, organizational skills, and experience working with people is preferred.

Experience working in a psychology research lab and skills in computer programming are strongly preferred.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Position beginning as soon as possible after the closing date. To ensure full consideration, applications, including an email address, must be received by May 6, 2009. Interviews may be conducted before this date, but no decision will be made until after the closing date. To apply, please send a cover letter, a resume, and name and contact information for three references to Summer Curry, Search #12300, Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, 603 East Daniel Street, Champaign, IL 61820. sdcurry@psych.uiuc.edu. Phone: 217-265-8486.

For information, contact Duane Watson via email at dgwatson@illinois.edu.
Please refer to search # 12300 in all communications.

Women, minorities, and other designated classes are encouraged to apply.
The University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer.

Graduation:

If you are graduating you should have received an invitation to the reception sponsored by the department of psychology. The event is May 16th, between 2 to 3 in Tent #4 on the mall between the Sparks and Burrowes Buildings and you should have already sent in your RSVP to Mrs. Read . Also general commencement information is available at: http://commencement.psu.edu/

Announcements for Psychology Students - 04/21/09

This week we have opportunities for counseling experience, MCAT info, a request for Spend a Summer Day Volunteers (one day only), an information session for those of you heading out for your first job, and a last call for students applying for enrichment funding to support your internship, study abroad, or research expenses.

HANDS ON COUNSELING EXPERIENCE
Free hotline training in return for volunteer commitment. Training topics include active listening, feeling awareness, and problem solving. Deliver appropriate support regarding issues related to emotional well-being, mental health, drug & alcohol, and referrals & transfers to community resources. Great on-the-job experience for HDFS, psychology, rehab ed, sociology, business administration or any career in which experience working with varied customer/client population will be critical for employment and success. Volunteer work may lead to part-time paid positions. Applications due Wednesday, May 20th. Come to Community Help Centre, 139 S Pugh St for an application. For more information, call: 237-5855 or email Leanne at llutton@communityhelpcentre.com.

STUDENTS TAKING THE 2009 MCAT
The 2009 MCAT Exam Guide may now be purchased with the Medical School
Admissions Requirements (MSAR) for the reduced price of $47. The two books
would otherwise sell for $55 if purchased separately. The guide and the
MSAR are available from AAMC Publications: www.aamc.org/publications.

Here are the various options from which your students may choose and their
current prices:

1) 2009 Official Guide to the MCAT Exam ($30)
2) MSAR ($25)
3) Official Guide + MSAR ($47; regularly $55)
4) Official Guide + online MCAT Practice Test of student's choice ($45;
regularly $65)

SPEND A SUMMER DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Will you be in State College for at least one day between July 27 and August 7? If you are interested in a volunteer opportunity that will involve very little of your time, read on. . .

Remember when you were a high school student starting to explore your college options? Are you interested in being a part of an information day for current high school students and their families? We are searching for Liberal Arts students to help with Spend-a-Summer Day at Penn State--a program that brings prospective students to campus for tours and information sessions.

Each college gives presentations during the day for anyone wanting information about programs within that area. As part of the Liberal Arts presentation, there will be a student panel using students from a variety of majors. Prospective students and families will have an opportunity to ask questions of the students on this panel. We have used this format during previous years, and the students have been great! They were an important component of the program, because prospective students wanted to know why the current students chose Penn State, why they chose their majors, and what their experiences at Penn State have been like.

Here are typical questions for student panelists:

Why did you choose Penn State?
Why did you choose Liberal Arts and/or your major?
Have you done anything to enhance your classroom experiences, such as education abroad, an internship, independent study, research, etc.?
Have you added a minor, second major, etc.?
Do you have any advice for high school students?
Is there anything that surprised you about Liberal Arts or Penn State?
What are your future plans?

Each session lasts only 50 minutes (the student panel is only a portion of the session), so volunteering will not require a significant time commitment. If you'd like to share information about your Penn State experiences with others and might have an interest in volunteering, we want to hear from you! Please let me know if you'd like me to add you to a list of potential volunteers. You will be contacted in the summer to check on your availability (the sessions are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays). Previously some students have volunteered for one session, and others have participated multiple days. . . the amount of time you spend volunteering is up to you.

Thanks for considering helping future Penn Staters!

PREPARING FOR YOUR FIRST JOB
Do you feel ready for your first professional job? Are you prepared to fill out all the paperwork on benefits? Do you know the best way to learn the company culture?

I’m Hired, Now What?
Essential Know-How for Your First Job!
featuring
Alton Fox from Lockheed Martin

Thursday, April 23 @ 1:00 pm
103 Bank of America Career Services Center
Light lunch refreshments will be provided courtesy of Lockheed Martin

ENRICHMENT FUNDING
Students applying for Summer 2009 Liberal Arts Enrichment Funds (for internships, education abroad, and research) are encouraged to submit their applications by Friday, April 24, 2009.

Enrichment Funds applications are accepted on a rolling basis. However, as the school year is coming to an end, the available funds for summer activities are becoming increasingly limited. Students who submit their applications by April 24 have the best chance of receiving awards. If you have questions, refer to the below application. You may also e-mail questions to laenrichment@la.psu.edu.

http://www.la.psu.edu/CLA-LAUS/pdf/Enrichment%20Application_08_09%20.pdf

Announcements for Psychology Students - 04/04/09

Important Date
The late drop deadline is April 10. Remember that this is the final day to drop a class for the semester. You may drop a class on elion until midnight on that day – but if you are planning to consult with your adviser please keep in mind that the last quick question advising session on that day ends at 11:00 and it is usually a busy day. Please try to see an adviser before that!

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Minor
The TESL Minor provides undergraduate students from any major with the minimum qualifications to teach English to adults in a variety of language programs in the United States and abroad. Prescribed courses include knowledge about the English language, approaches to teaching English, as well as tutoring and team teaching experiences in authentic ESL instructional settings. Students who obtain a TESOL Minor typically seek teaching positions in private language institutes or as private language tutors in the United States and abroad as well as through organizations such as the Peace Corps and the Fulbright Exchange. In addition, upon graduation students are encouraged to participate in one of the international teaching exchanges sponsored by the Department of Applied Linguistics.

Jefferson Medical College’s rural Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP)
Informational meeting on Friday, May 15, 2009 for interested pre-medical students from rural areas or small towns planning to practice in similar areas
Jefferson Medical College is hosting an informational meeting on Friday May 15, 2009 (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM) for pre-medical students who are interested in the rural Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP). This program is specifically geared for those students (freshman through seniors):

who have grown up or lived in a small town or rural area (i.e. not urban and not suburban), and who are also
committed to practicing in a small town or rural area (not necessarily their home town).

Please share this information with your students – and encourage any students who fit the PSAP goals and want to learn more about the program to join us in May. Additional information about Jefferson’s PSAP can be found at: http://www.tju.edu/psap/
During this day, students will be provided with more specific information regarding the PSAP and the admissions process – and will have an opportunity to meet with faculty and students involved in the program. Lunch will be provided, and a campus tour will be offered after the meeting for those who are interested.
Interested students can sign up for the program, or obtain additional information, by contacting contact Carolyn Little, MEd, Education Coordinator, via email at Carolyn.Little@jefferson.edu (or by phone at 215-955-2362). (There is limited space, so please advise students to RSVP early.)

Career Services Announcements this Week

Peace Corps Information Session
Tuesday, April 7th at 6:30pm
234 Career Services Center

Communicating with Prospective Employers… How to DO IT RIGHT!
and… The Second Interview & Site Visit
Tuesday, April 7th at 3:30pm & 5:00pm
103 Career Services CenterTHIS WEEK..MARK YOUR CALENDAR...

Industry Spotlight Series...
Join us on Tuesday, March 31st at 7pm in 103 Career Services to learn more about the Non-Profit & Public Service Industries!

DROP-IN COUNSELING
You can always drop by and meet with a Career Counselor for a 15 minute chat!
Stop in Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 5:00pm and Tuesday evenings until 7:00pm at the Bank of America Career Services Center.

Announcements for Psychology Students - 03/23/09

Commencement Information

Information regarding the spring commencement ceremony is available at http://commencement.psu.edu/regalia.html. This site covers information regarding parking, ordering your cap and gown, guests, and schedules. Information on more academic matters, such as graduating with distinction, may be found at the registrar’s website http://www.registrar.psu.edu/graduation/graduation_index.cfm.

Psi Chi Research Conference

Psi Chi would like to welcome all psychology majors and minors to attend our annual research conference. At this conference undergraduate students present research projects they have conducted on their own or worked on in a lab. This year we are having two sessions: an empirical session which will be from 2-3, and a conceptual session from 3:30-4:30. The conference will be held Monday, March 30th in The Penn State room at the Nittany Lion Inn. Again we welcome all of you to come and support your fellow undergraduate students.

Psi Chi Application Deadline

Psi Chi, the National Honors Society in Psychology, is having their member application deadline coming up March 27th. All requirements that must be fulfilled in order to be inducted into Psi Chi are listed on the website: http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/psichi/index.htm. At the website you may also learn more about the meetings that are offered and how Psi Chi can benefit you. The application is also on the website. Please turn in your completed application and membership dues to 111 Moore by the March 27th deadline. If you have any questions regarding membership or the application please contact the Psi Chi Vice President Jennifer Grabler at jmg521@psu.edu

NEW SUMMER COURSE OFFERING!

If you’re considering a career in a healthcare profession, and if you already have some Spanish language background, then this course may interest you. It was offered for the first time during the SP09 semester and has just been added to the SU09 course listing. You can see the details on the Schedule of Courses; the class is from June 15 to July 10, schedule #342196.

Spanish for Health Care Providers (Span 297A). Spanish 297A provides the students with practical and useful information on a variety of health related topics used in the health care field. This offering will cover a semester-length course in a 4-week block. The pace is rapid and students are required to have taken SPAN 003 and/or a higher level (SPAN 100 or SPAN 110). The main goal is to develop your competence in Spanish-language medical terminology and therefore you will have “hands-on” learning experience through case scenarios, class participation, and presentations. During the course, students will develop communication skills and cultural awareness to be used when taking care of the health of Hispanics/Latinos.

The deadline to apply for HealthWorks has been extended to March 25th
HealthWorks is a peer education/outreach program in University Health Services. The group aims to promote health among Penn State students.

The mission of HealthWorks is to:

Increase awareness and knowledge of health issues, such as sexual health, nutrition and fitness, wellness, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and body image and eating disorders, promote healthy lifestyle choices, provide health education programs, information, and materials to students, and advocate for a healthy Penn State community.

There are many benefits of participating in HealthWorks, including:

Learn up-to-date information about current health issues
Advocate to improve health-related programs and services, including those related to fitness and food services
Make a difference in the health of Penn State students
Become a valuable health resource for your friends and peers
Develop your communication and leadership skills
Supplement your classroom experience
Build friendships
Build your resume
Get academic credit

More information and the application can be found at the HealthWorks website www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/wellness/hw.cfm.

FREE practice MCAT

Saturday, March 28th @ 10am in 101 Thomas Bldg at PSU.
(sponsored by PSU AED, The Premedicine Honors Society)

On Saturday, March 28th at 10am, Penn State AED is holding a FREE opportunity for students to take a practice MCAT. The event will be held in 101 Thomas building on the University Park PSU campus. It is open to anyone who would like to take a practice test, even if you are not a PSU student.

The test will last about 3.5 hours and will be proctored like an actual exam. After the test, a guest MCAT instructor will give a short workshop on test-taking strategies and answer questions.

This is a great opportunity for students to see how they might score on the real thing, and also to get an idea of the kinds of questions that will be on the real test. The tests will be scored and returned to the students at a later date with computerized feedback about their individual performance on the test. In addition, for every attendee that we get at the event, the State CollegeKaplanCenter will be donating $2 to the PSU chapter of AED.

To sign up for the event, you just need to provide us with the following information by e-mail at:

PennStateFreePracticeTest@gmail.com

1. Name
2. Home address
3. E-mail
4. Phone number

Before the event, we will send you an e-mail confirming your registration.

Again, this is a completely FREE event and a great opportunity for anyone interested in going to med school in the next few years!

Sincerely,
The State CollegeKaplanCenter & PSU AED

IES Open Advising for All Programs

Catherine Fierro, the Regional College Relations Manager, will be at University Park, 410 Boucke Building (International Lounge) to discuss with any students or colleagues questions about IES and studying abroad.

Wednesday, March 25 th , 11 AM – 2 PM
Thursday, March 26 th , 1 – 3 PM

Job opportunity

The Human Electrophysiology Facility (HEF), part of Penn State's new Social and Life Sciences Imaging Center (SLIC), is currently recruiting for a LABORATORY MANAGER. The HEF is an EEG laboratory, equipped for low- and high-density EEG recording, and serves faculty from across a number of departments and colleges on Penn State'sUniversity Park campus. The LABORATORY MANAGER is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the lab's day-to-day operation, including training and overseeing lab assistants on all aspects of data collection, equipment care and maintenance, data management, data analysis, record-keeping, and coordination of lab schedules and operations with those of the SLIC. The lab is currently equipped with two high-density EEG systems, one low-density EEG system, one low-density MR-compatible EEG system, an eye-tracker, and a magnetic motion tracking system used for digitizing EEG sensor locations. Experience with EEG data collection and analysis, MATLAB programming, and experience with Mac OS/X, Windows XP, and Linux operating systems are highly desirable.

This is a part-time position, requiring a minimum of 20 hrs per week. Depending on the availability of funds, it is highly likely that the number of hours will increase. This is a two-year position, available immediately, with the possibility of renewal contingent on performance.

To apply for the position, please send BY E-MAIL a cover letter, vita/resume, and the names of THREE professional references to Michael Wenger, HEF Laboratory Director, mjw19@psu.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Information on the HEF and SLIC can be found at:
http://www.imaging.psu.edu/

Announcements for Psychology Students - 03/17/09

Summer courses

This summer, most University Park Psychology courses will be offered on line only, through Penn State’s World Campus. Only PSYCH 100 and PSYCH 301W will be offered in classroom versions at University Park. The online course schedule may be viewed here: http://schedule.psu.edu/soc/summer/Allwd/p-z/psych.cfm# Note that some courses run on an 8-week schedule, and others on a 12-week schedule.

The enrollment controls you will see on some courses limit enrollment at this time to PSYBA and PSYBS majors, or Liberal Arts students in premajor status, because these courses serve World Campus psychology majors who need them for graduation. Students who meet these criteria can register online via eLion as usual. Minors may request these courses by completing the Psychology course waiting list form http://psych.la.psu.edu/undergrad/PsyWaitListRequest.pdf and returning it to 111 Moore Building. Please write “Summer World Campus” on the top of the form. We can’t guarantee a space, but we will try to accommodate requests on a first come, first served basis.

If you would like to register for a course that is full, please do not contact the instructor. Instead, complete the waiting list form. We have very limited flexibility in going beyond the posted limits, but will accommodate students as possible. You can, of course, also watch for openings.

Grad school information session

A grad student in Industrial/Organizational Psychology is presenting information about applying to grad schools in psychology. Topics include finding grad school programs, letters of recommendation, applications, personal statements, studying for the GRE, and what to ask when visiting schools. This is the same presentation that was given in October.

The presentation will be next Monday, March 23rd at 6pm in 101 Chambers. All students are welcome to attend!

Announcements for Psychology Students - 03/03/09

Announcements

Friday, March 6, is the deadline for the Liberal Arts Scholarship application. If you are applying for a scholarship be sure to get everything turned in by Friday. The application is available at http://www.la.psu.edu/CLA-LAUS/scholarship_app_process.shtml
Information regarding the spring commencement ceremony is available at http://commencement.psu.edu/regalia.html. This site covers information regarding parking, ordering your cap and gown, guests, and schedules. Information on more academic matters, such as graduating with distinction, may be found at the registrar’s website http://www.registrar.psu.edu/graduation/graduation_index.cfm.
Descriptions for the Fall sections of PSYCH 490 were emailed to this listserv last night from Dr. Carlson. Please refer to that email if you are going to be a senior in the fall. By that I mean if you plan to graduate in December 2009, May 2010 or August 2010.
Check your degree audit for your schedule date for the fall and make your appointments to see your adviser if you would like to get in before your schedule date. It would be helpful to the advisers if you would put your major in the notes section of the appointment form (PSYBA, PSYBS with option). If you must come for Quick Question advising remember that we hold those sessions to 10 minutes and you must bring your current degree audit.
Registration for the summer MCAT sessions will open on March 5. Keep an eye on their web page for registration instructions.

Conference Announcements

37th Annual Western Pennsylvania Undergraduate Psychology Conference.
This year, the conference will be held at Robert Morris University (main/Moon Township campus) on Saturday, April 25, 2009. All presentations (talks/posters) are to be submitted online. The due date for conference submission is Friday April 10th.
It would be helpful if all individuals who plan to attend the conference complete the Online Registration Form. Presenters who complete the Online Submission Form will automatically be registered. If presenting as a group, only one group member needs to complete the Online Submission Form. The other presenters in the group will each need to complete an Online Registration, to help the organizers to be better prepared to meet the needs (breakfast, lunch, handouts, parking, etc.) of all individuals attending the conference.
The online registration option will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17th. However, on-site registration will be available on the morning of the conference at the registration desk.
For over 30 years, undergraduate researchers interested in the diverse fields of psychology have been presenting at the Western Pennsylvania Undergraduate Psychology Conference. Approximately 100 different institutions have participated. Since its relatively humble beginning in 1973, WPUPC has grown to host well over 100 presenters annually and over 200 attendees. We anticipate that this year will see even greater numbers of presentations and attendees. Clearly, the popularity of the conference is increasing and we look forward to becoming part of the tradition of providing both an exciting and scholarly experience for all of those in attendance.

Employment Announcements

The Securities and Exchange Commission's Summer Honors College Program introduces undergraduate students pursuing degrees in such areas as accounting, economics, finance, human resource management and information technology/information security, among others, to the regulation of the securities markets and the work of the Commission. Students have the opportunity to work for ten weeks during the summer at the Commission's Washington, DC headquarters or in one of its 11 regional offices nationwide.
*This is a paid internship. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2009. To apply just go to http://www.sec.gov/jobs/jobs_students.shtml#shcp

Grad School

The Masters of Science Program in Human Resources and Employment Relations (HRER) welcomes applications from strong students with backgrounds in the social sciences.
The MS in HRER Program is a two-year applied social science graduate program that prepares students for careers in human resources (including general HR, training and development, recruiting, benefits and compensation administration, diversity, etc.) and employment relations.
The program has a 98% placement rate, with most students finding jobs with major corporations, government agencies, and unions. The program also prepares students for further graduate study in doctoral programs and law school.
Applicants should have a 3.0 overall gpa and are required to take the GREs or the GMATs. More info on the program can be found at http://lser.la.psu.edu/Prospective%20Students/grad-info.htm
Prospective students can also contact Patricia Everhart, HRER Grad Staff Assistant, at peverhart@la.psu.edu or HRER Graduate Director Professor Paul Clark at pfc2@psu.edu."
A limited amount of financial aid is available on a competitive basis.

Summer Opportunities

Summer Internships Available at the Health and Psychophysiology Lab at Harvard University
We are currently accepting applications for summer interns at the Health and Psychophysiology Lab at Harvard University under the direction of Wendy Berry Mendes. We offer a nine-week internship program (June 15 – August 14) for undergraduates who are interested in conducting research at the intersection of social psychology, emotion, psychophysiology, and neuroendocrinology. Interns learn how to conduct studies, collect physiological data, edit and score autonomic data, and also attend weekly tutorials and lab meetings. Most interns receive funding or course credit from their own university, but there will be a few stipends awarded.
If you are interested in applying to be a summer intern please email your resume/vita to the Lab Manager, Kristin Concannon, concann@wjh.harvard.edu. Selected interns will be notified by the first week of April and stipend awardees will be notified soon after.

Study Abroad

The following are upcoming general and region-specific info sessions for studying abroad. Please keep in mind that the deadline for studying abroad in the Spring of 2010 is April 1st. If you would like, please share this information with your colleagues and students!

Study Abroad 101:
March 4th from 4:30-5:15 PM in the International Lounge (410 Boucke Bldg)
Come to this event to hear about all the basics of studying abroad from costs, academics, housing, travel, language and more! Students who have studied abroad in different regions will be attending and willing to share their experiences as well.

Info Sessions through March:
England and Ireland Education Abroad Programs & How to Apply
Monday, March 2, 4:30-5:30 PM, International Lounge (410 Boucke Building)

Italy Education Abroad Programs & How to Apply
Tuesday, March 3, 4:30-5:30 PM, International Lounge (410 Boucke Building)

Australia & New Zealand Education Abroad Programs & How to Apply
Thursday, March 5, 5-6 PM, 105 Wartik Building

How to Apply for Education Abroad
Wednesday, March 18, 4-4:45 PM, International Lounge (410 Boucke Building)

Community Service

State College Area School District Family Outreach has some needs for volunteer help with children during daytime, Saturday, and evening parenting programs for the second half of this semester.
Nurture, read and interact with young children during daytime program; read, interact and help school age children with homework during evening program. Saturday program needs people for three different age groups.
Volunteers are greatly appreciated!
To volunteer with any of the following programs, please contact Connie Schulz, SCASD Family Outreach Specialist, at ces11@scasd.org or by phone: 814-231-1070.

Daytime Programs:
Parenting “Brown Bag” Lunchtime Series of 3 Sessions
1. Wednesdays, March 18 & 25 and April 1.
Noon – 2:00 PM (program is 12:15 – 1:45 PM)
2. Mondays, April 6, 13, and 20
Noon – 2:00 PM (program is 12:15 – 1:45 PM)

Toddlers and preschool age children:
Schlow Centre Region Library Community Room (Corner of Beaver and College Avenue, Downtown State College)
Saturday Program:
Focus on Strong Families Conference – Sat. February 28
Mount Nittany Middle School, 656 Brandywine Drive, State College 16801 (near Boalsburg) - Requires Your Own Transportation
Hours available all day from 8 AM – 4:15 PM. Lunch provided for those who volunteer all day; shifts available.
Help needed for 3 ages groups: Infant & Toddler; Preschool; or School Age Youth.
Evening Program:
Mondays, March 23 & 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27 and May 4 (7 weeks)
6 - 8 PM (Free dinner available at 5:30 PM if requested ahead)
Preschool - grade 4 age children
Mount Nittany Middle School, 656 Brandywine Drive, State College 16801 (near Boalsburg) - Requires Your Own Transportation

Announcements for Psychology Students - 03/02/09

Dear Psychology Students,

Below are announcements of the PSYCH 490 topics for Fall 2009, information on enrollment controls and waiting lists. Also, please note that in the case of PSYCH courses that are full when you try to register, you should complete the waiting list form (see link at the end of this message) rather than contacting the instructor directly.

Best wishes,
Rich Carlson

PSYCH 490 Senior Seminar

PSYCH 490 (Senior Seminar) is a required course for Psychology majors, open only to Psychology majors who meet the prerequisites of senior standing, completion of PSYCH 301W, and completion of 6 credits of 400-level PSYCH courses. Each section has a different topic, and some instructors have recommended specific backgrounds. Here are the descriptions for the sections for Fall 2009:

Section 1: Dr. Alysia Blandon (developmental) - Prosocial Development

Prosocial behavior is broadly defined as behavior that benefits others, such as helping, sharing, and empathy. This course examines the determinants and correlates of prosocial behavior (biological, cultural, socialization processes, & personality characteristics) as well as the development of prosocial behavior from childhood through adolescence. The course will focus on theory and current empirical research.

Section 2: Dr. Nancy Dennis (cognitive) - Cognitive Neuroscience of Memory

This course will examine the neural mechanism associated with complex memory processing. Readings will draw on the most popular neuroscience methodologies including PET, fMRI, EEG, as well as the study of animal models and patient populations. Discussion will include such topics as working memory, episodic memory, false memory, implicit memory, and semantic memory. PSYCH 256 (Introduction to Cognitive Psychology) is recommended as a prerequisite.

Section 3: Dr. Jan Cleveland (industrial-organizational) - Assessing Work-life Interfaces

The majority of both male and female senior undergraduates will work (fulltime or part time) continuously or at some point(s) in their lives. Upon completion of a 4 year degree, many seniors have a reasonably accurate view of the requirements of paid work or the specific tasks/activities necessary to successfully perform in the workplace. However, there are few opportunities at the undergraduate level for students to systematically assess their own values, perceptions, preferences and expectations (as well as concerns and fears) associated with how they envision their personal and family lives to unfold.
or how to integrate their personal and family lives within the context of maintaining financial and/or employment stability. The primary objective of this course is to provide a realistic ‘job’ preview (RJP) of the ways in which we can plan our career and personal life and the extent to which we cannot anticipate how our work-life interfaces unfold (e.g., “life comes at you fast”)

In this class, we will read and hear from experts about the evolving workplace and workforce and its implications for our non work lives. Further, we will assess beliefs, attitudes, and expectations regarding work-life interfaces (current and anticipated) in order to enhance awareness of the range of possible life scenarios and applications of psychology.

Section 4: Dr. Aaron Pincus (clinical) - Personality Disorders

This capstone seminar focuses on an increasingly important topic in clinical psychology—Personality Disorders. We will review conceptualization, classification, assessment, research, and treatment of personality disorders from multiple perspectives (e.g., Psychodynamic, Attachment, Interpersonal, Trait, Cognitive, Evolutionary, and Neurobiological). While “abnormal personalities” are well documented throughout the history of clinical psychology and psychiatry, their unique clinical status in contemporary psychology only began with the publication of DSM-III Axis II in 1980. Because focal attention to personality disorders is relatively new, current theory, research, and treatment of personality disorders reflects a significant diversity of assumptions, perspectives, and models. While we can’t cover everything in depth each week, the seminar is designed to help you think broadly about the best ways to define and describe personality pathology. While this certainly includes the DSM system, the seminar attempts to go well beyond the DSM when possible. This seminar is particularly suited for students intending to pursue graduate training or careers in clinical psychology, psychiatry, social work, and other professions where personality disorders are commonly encountered.

Section 5: Dr. Steve Wilson (clinical) - Brain imaging research in the media

Functional brain imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging, provide powerful tools for studying the functioning of the human brain in a non-invasive manner. Brain imaging research has greatly advanced our understanding of various psychological processes, including perception, attention, emotion, memory, language, and motor function. Additionally, researchers are increasingly using these techniques to examine brain dysfunction in a variety of neuropsychological disorders (e.g., schizophrenia). Not surprisingly, brain imaging has become a very popular tool for conducting psychological research. Such research also has gained significant public visibility in recent years, with numerous news stories and programs discussing the nature and implications of the results from brain imaging studies. In this course, we will critically examine media coverage of brain imaging research. We will do so by comparing reports of brain imaging research by scientific sources (scientific journal articles) to those found in the public media (newspapers, magazines). As this is a seminar course, emphasis will be placed upon discussion of material by the class as a whole. The course also will include presentations by individuals and small groups of students.

Section 6: to be canceled

Section 7: Dr. Ginger Moore (clinical) - Emotion and Psychopathology

This course will examine the role that emotion processes play in the emergence, expression, and treatment of psychological disorders from a developmental psychopathology perspective. Topics covered will include emotion and emotion regulation as core elements in etiological theories of psychopathology, normal and abnormal emotion processes, and emotion-focused techniques in treatments for psychological disorders. A prior course in abnormal psychology, such as 212, 412, or 494, is recommended.

Section 8: Dr. William Ray (clinical) - The mind and brain of madness: Psychological and neuroscience perspectives on psychopathology

Presently, descriptions of psychopathology such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) use observable behaviors and self-report to classify mental disorders. In this seminar we will go beyond DSM and examine psychopathology from both a psychological and neuroscience perspective. We will consider how the neurosciences might offer a deep structure perspective as well as a better classification scheme to the traditional surface level one currently in use. The focus will be on brain mechanisms which are involved in basic human processes such as emotionality, cognition, and motor processes and how these lead to the behavior and experience involved in psychological disorders. DSM Axis I disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, PTSD) and Axis II disorders (personality disorders) will be emphasized. We will also examine treatment implications.

A note on controlled courses and waiting lists

Some of our 400-level courses are controlled to allow Psychology majors the first opportunity to enroll. These controls will be removed in April (exact date to be announced), allowing anyone to register after that time. If you are a major, you should do so before then. If you are a minor and submitted a request form (see below), we will accommodate you in order of semester standing before the controls are lifted.
If you are a major and meet the prerequisites for PSYCH 490 (Senior Seminar), but are having difficulty registering through eLion, please contact Heather Read (hxh129@psu.edu, 111 Moore Building) for assistance. I encourage all Psychology majors who meet the prerequisites to consider taking the course in fall rather than spring, as demand and class size will likely be greater in spring. Unfortunately, I will not have a list of spring topics until September.

PSYCH 301W is also controlled, allowing only Psychology majors to register via eLion. Minors wishing to request 301W should complete the form at the link below.
Minors and others wishing to register for these courses should complete this form: http://psych.la.psu.edu/undergrad/PsyWaitListRequest.pdf and drop it off in 111 Moore Building.

Announcements for Psychology Students - 02/23/09

Career Services is proud to announce their newly expanded People 2 People: Internship and Summer Jobs Fair that will take place Friday, February 27th in the HUB-Robeson Center's Alumni Hall from 11am-2pm. This fair aims to help students gain "paws on" experience while impacting the development and well-being of others. Employers will be on hand to speak with students from camps, non-profit human and public services agencies, amusement parks, resorts, wildlife centers, etc. This fair focuses on internships and summer employment and currently has over 40 organizations registered to attend. This is a great opportunity for students to gain interpersonal skills and first-hand experience in developing the people skills that all majors require! The fair is co-sponsored by Penn State Career Services, Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, Biobehavioral Health, Human Development and Family Studies, and Rehabilitation and Human Services.

For questions, please contact Katie at careerfairs@sa.psu.edu or call 814-865-5131.

Accepting Applications

University Health Services is recruiting students for the 2009-2010 school year. This is a unique volunteer opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students at Penn State.

Benefits of becoming a one-on-one Peer Interventionist:

• Gain valuable and unique intervention
experience
• Help Penn State students make healthy
lifestyle choices
• Receive training to educate students about alcohol and marijuana risk reduction
• Become certified with the PA Department of Health as an HIV Prevention Counselor
to conduct pre- and post-sessions for HIV testing
• Learn up to date information on current health issues
• Develop friendships with others concerned about the well-being of Penn State students
• Build your resume

Application deadline is March 6, 2009

For more information about the program or to apply please visit
http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/volunteer/ipheprogram.cfm or e-mail promotinghealth@sa.psu.edu

Announcements for Psychology Students - 01/29/09

Commencement

Liberal Arts Spring Commencement will be 6 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Jordan Center. Details on attire, guests, parking and such is on the registrar's website http://www.registrar.psu.edu/graduation/graduation_index.cfm.

Asian Studies

The Asian Studies Program has organized a comprehensive orientation, the purpose of which is threefold: to introduce the new Asian Studies majors and minors; to give an overview of available study abroad programs in Asia (China, Japan, Korea, India); and to provide interested students with guidelines on how study of Asia can be integrated into their majors.

Please help us spread the word. I have attached a flyer which I would ask you to copy and post prominently. I would also greatly appreciate your announcing the orientation through your undergraduate listservs and in your classes.

What is Asia? Majoring, Minoring and Studying Abroad
Date: Wednesday, February 25
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Place: Sparks 121

Free pizza and soft drinks for the first 200 attendees.

Clinical Psychology Research Positions for Graduates

National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

The Women's Health Sciences Division of the National Center for PTSD, located at the VA Boston Healthcare System, is seeking applicants for the position of psychology technician (research assistant). Psychology technicians work closely with clinical psychologists on a variety of activities in the area of trauma research and education.

Specific responsibilities for this position may include:

·         Collecting data for research and clinical purposes
·         Entering and managing data
·         Performing statistical analyses
·         Conducting library research
·         General administrative duties related to educational programs focused on PTSD
·         Assisting in the preparation of manuscripts, grants, and professional conference presentations

This is an ideal opportunity for individuals with a Bachelor's degree who want to strengthen their skills before applying to graduate school or professional programs. Other important qualifications include strong computer skills, a background in research methodology and statistics, and the maturity and interpersonal sensitivity necessary for working in a clinical setting.

Positions are expected to be available in the Summer/Fall 2009. A two-year commitment is required.

Applicants should send or arrange for: 1) a letter describing their interest in a position and related career goals, 2) a resume, 3) a current transcript, and 4) at least one letter of recommendation to: Jaimie Gradus, MPH, Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD (116B-3), VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130-4817. Further information can be obtained via e-mail to Jaimie.Gradus@va.gov

YMCA CAMP

Hello from YMCA Camp Tockwogh on the Chesapeake Bay, a branch of the YMCA of Delaware. We are a Summer Resident Camp entering our 71st summer of operation and we employ approximately 130 summer staff each year, in a variety of educational and recreational positions. We will be at Penn State for the week of February 23-27, 2009. We have some excellent opportunities we'd like you and your students to know about.

American Educational Research Association (AERA) Undergraduate Student Education

Research

I am seeking your assistance identifying potential candidates for the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Undergraduate Student Education Research Training Workshop. Offered during the 2009 AERA Annual Meeting in San Diego, this workshop is intended to increase the talent pool of undergraduate students who plan to pursue doctorate degrees in education research or in disciplines and fields that examine education issues. The workshop will focus on applying to graduate school, pursuing graduate education, and education research as a field. Awardees will be provided with mentoring support from senior and early career scholars.

Below is the call for applications and the description of the workshop. Thank you in advance for sharing this information. Contact AERA at fellowships@aera.net with any questions. The application deadline is February 20, 2009.

Community Service Opportunities

State College Area School District Family Outreach has some needs for volunteer help with children during daytime and Saturday parenting programs this semester. Nurture, read and interact with young children during daytime program; read, interact and lead activities for young children and school age children during Saturday program. Volunteers are greatly appreciated!

To volunteer with any of the following programs, please contact Connie Schulz, SCASD Family Outreach Specialist, at ces11@scasd.org or by phone: 814-231-1070.

Daytime Programs:

1. Parenting "Brown Bag" Lunchtime Series of 5 Sessions (walking distance to campus!) *Tuesdays, January 20, 27, February 3, 10, and 17 ( 2 more people needed for remaining sessions!) Noon – 2:00 PM (program is 12:15 – 1:45 PM) Toddlers and preschool age children Schlow Centre Region Library community Room (Corner of Beaver and College Avenue, Downtown State College)

2. Focus on Strong Families Conference, Saturday, February 28, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (all day or partial day shifts available: 8:30 - Noon; Noon - 4:30 PM; 8:30 - 10:15; 10:00 - Noon; Noon - 2:30 PM; 2:00 - 4:30 PM)

*Your Own Transportation needed to Mount Nittany Middle School, 656 Brandywine Drive, State College, PA 16801*

Work with your choice of three different age groups of children:
* Infants & Toddlers (supervised by Child Development & Family Council staff)
* PreSchool (supervised by Cen-Clear Child Services staff)
* School-Age Children (supervised by State College Area School District staff)

Announcements for Psychology Students - 01/22/09

Intent to Graduate – Monday deadline
If you plan to graduate in May 2009 you are required to activate your intent to graduate on elion before January 26. Activating your intent to graduate will place your name on the graduation list and trigger the college to review your degree audit. When you sign on to elion you will see the link "Graduating this Semester" on the left. Simply follow the directions there.

Appointment Scheduling - new procedure
Psychology is now using the online appointment system. You will find the calendars at the following website, http://www.la.psu.edu/advising-appt/ . Your adviser's name is on your degree audit or on elion. Please bring your current degree audit to your advising meeting. Keep in mind that we have tightened our schedules this semester and we are counting on each student to help us keep on track by arriving on time for your meeting and being prepared.

Work Study in Cedar Clinic
We received the following announcement. If you are interested in this opportunity or have any questions please follow up with Mark Patishnock directly.
My name is Mark Patishnock and I am a doctoral student in counseling psychology. I am also a supervisor at the CEDAR clinic responsible for it's day-to-day functioning. We are currently seeking students with work-study funds to fill in a few positions we have available at the clinic, mainly performing office tasks while simultaneously allowing for study time. This may be a great opportunity for students thinking about applying to graduate programs to gain experience working in a clinical setting. Mark F. Patishnock, M.A., NCC, 327 CEDAR Building, mfp126@psu.edu

UCLA Undergrad Research Conference
The following announcement is from UCLA. If you are involved in your own research or working in one of our research labs you may be interested in applying.
It is with great excitement that I write this letter to announce the application deadline for the 2009 UCLA Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference (PURC). Each year the Department of Psychology at UCLA hosts its annual undergraduate research conference, which features undergraduate projects showcased in poster and paper talk sessions. In 2008 this conference featured 98 projects presented by 150 students from 24 different campuses. This year, the event will take place on Friday, May 8th. We are looking for a diverse representation of campuses and we would like to see more applicants from Penn State. We are looking for high quality abstracts written by undergraduate researchers in your department. Please encourage your independent researchers and students who are assisting you with your research efforts to apply. We realize that this conference may not be a convenient location for students attending schools outside of the Los Angeles area. However, we do know that many students at your institution are from Southern California and may want to present at a conference close to home.
To apply, students must submit the application, an APA abstract, and the application fees by Friday, March 6th, 2009. The application and application directions are available online at http://purc.bol.ucla.edu/09Application.pdf.

Liberal Arts College Scholarships for 2009-10
Scholarship applications are available for full-time students majoring in Liberal Arts for fall 2009 and spring 2010 semesters. To improve the scholarship process and make it easier for you to apply, we have moved the application process online. Students can obtain instructions and complete the application online at http://www.la.psu.edu/CLA-LAUS/scholarships_aid.shtml. Applications are due online Monday, March 6, 2009. Students selected to receive aid from the College of the Liberal Arts will be notified via e-mail prior to June 1, 2009. If you have questions please e-mail: LAScholarships@la.psu.edu

Announcements for Psychology Students - 01/08/09

About these messages
You are receiving this note because you are listed as a Psychology major or minor at University Park. For those of you who are new, you can expect to receive email every couple of weeks during the academic year, with information and announcements of special interest to Psychology majors. Messages on this listserv come only from (or soon from Dr. Gasper), and never include attachments. If for some reason you do not wish to receive these messages, you can find instructions for unsubscribing here: http://psych.la.psu.edu/undergrad/listserv.html

Staff Changes in the Advising Office
We have had several changes in the advising office over the break. There are two changes taking place immediately. Maureen Mulenga will join us as an adviser working primarily with our pre-major students. Maureen will also be helping out psychology majors during our Quick Question advising sessions (formerly known as walk ins). Heather Read has joined us in 111 Moore. Heather will be helping students with many of the same things Sherri Gilliland handled in the past. Sherri will still be with the department, but handling other duties. Elaine Prestia will be with us for just the first few weeks of the semester and then she too will be moving on to other duties within the department.

Quick Question Advising, now through January 23
Through the end of the drop add period we will be running our Quick Question advising sessions. Our hours will be 8:30 – 11:00 and 1:30 – 3:30. PLEASE BRING YOUR DEGREE AUDIT. During the first few weeks Elion gets completely bogged down and it can take hours to run an audit. We cannot review your audit if we do not have one in hand, so please run your own audit before you come in for advising. It might be wise to do this the night before you plan to visit.

Appointment Scheduling – new procedure
We will start advising by appointment on January 26. You may schedule appointments for this semester by using the appointment plus system. This is the system that the pre-major advisers have been using so it is probably familiar to most of you. The first time you access appt+ you will need to register and create a user name and password. This should only take a moment or two. Once you are logged in you will see a drop down menu with the adviser names. Simply follow the instructions on the screen and you will be able to schedule your own appointments. If you are unsure who your adviser is you can look that up on elion. Please fill out the reason for you visit as completely as possible so that we can be prepared for your appointment. You may find the appt+ system at the following address http://www.la.psu.edu/advising-appt/

Appointment Prep
When you come to your appointment please bring your degree audit as well as any other paperwork you would like to discuss. We are condensing our calendars this semester to try to see more students and decrease the time students have to wait for appointments. This means we will all have to move more quickly and make every effort to be efficient in how we use our appointment time. Please try to be here on time, be prepared, and be respectful of the fact that the appointments are 30 minutes long. We will make every effort to do the same.

Waiting List Request
If you are trying to enroll in a psychology class that is full please complete the waiting list form and bring it to Heather Read in 111 Moore. You may find the form on line at (NEED LINK) or you may pick up a copy in the office.

Dates
Classes start                            January 12
Martin Luther King Day              January 19, there will be no class
Drop Add ends on                     January 21
Intent to Graduate Deadline       January 29

Intent to Graduate
If you plan to graduate in May 2009 you are required to activate your intent to graduate on elion before January 26. Activating your intent to graduate will place your name on the graduation list and trigger the college to review your degree audit. When you sign on to elion you will see the link “Graduating this Semester” on the left. Simply follow the directions there.

Announcements for Psychology Students - 12/16/08

LANGUAGE MINORS
Juliana Chazar, the adviser for language minors, has requested that we send the following announcement: Most questions regarding minors can be addressed during walk-in advising between 9:30 and 11:30 each morning in 202 Burrowes. If you have other obligations during these times please email Juliana at jxc50@psu.edu to arrange a different meeting time.

MGMT 441 OPEN IN JANUARY
MGMT 441 – Organization Staffing & Development has been opened to undergraduate students of IO PSYCH for the upcoming spring 2009 semester.

TEACH FOR AMERICA
Teach for America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates and working professionals - of all academic majors, backgrounds and career interests - who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders for expanding educational opportunity for all children. We seek outstanding individuals who possess the leadership skills and experience that will enable them to change the prospects of students growing up today and, ultimately, to effect the fundamental change in our society that will make it a place of opportunity for all.

Application Deadline: Wednesday January 7th, 2009

To learn more, visit www.teachforamerica.org or contact admissions@teachforamerica.org.

INFORMATION ON INTERNSHIPS IN GOVERNMENT, POLITICS
The enrichment office has compiled a list of internship contacts in the offices of the PA representatives and the US and State senate offices. You may find the info on this web page, http://www.la.psu.edu/CLA-Internships/Locating_Internships/govt.shtml. The information on that web page will also help you to find internships in particular area of the country including State College.

STUDENTS INTERESTED IN LAW
The following is an announcement received from the University of Nebraska regarding their Research Experience for Undergraduates. Several Penn State students have been accepted to this program in recent years.

I am writing to tell you about an exciting program at the University of Nebraska/Lincoln for undergraduates enrolled in your psychology program. The National Science Foundation awarded our Law and Psychology Program a grant to house and train undergraduate psychology students interested in psychology and law. This Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program brings 8 to 10 undergraduate students to UNL to study law and psychology in our program for a year. Undergraduate students are provided with room and board, along with a stipend for working in our law and psychology research laboratories. They spend time working with our joint law and psychology doctoral (JD/Ph.D and MLS/Ph.D.) students. Our faculty will mentor these undergraduate students, helping them gain valuable experience to assist in preparing them for graduate school in psychology. As you can see from our website (address provided below), the last four years REU students have had a rewarding academic experience at UNL as shown by some of their comments. This year we accepted 10 new students as our fourth class and they are finishing the fall semester and going on to the spring semester. Next year we will accept our fifth class of REU students beginning in summer of 2009. The website describes the program in detail. Please take a few minutes to go to the website, review it, and then pass the address along to any undergraduates in your department who might be interested in the program. The program description and application materials are available on the following website:
http://www.unl.edu,,,/psychlawreu/

The website states that we will begin selecting REU students in February 2009. We will continue accepting applications until all slots are filled. Students who apply early will have an advantage in this competitive selection process.

OPPORTUNITY TO PUBLISH YOUR RESEARCH
Modern Psychological Studies

MPS is a journal devoted to publishing research by undergraduates in Psychology. We seek high quality manuscripts for publication in any area of psychology. Although we are primarily interested in publishing empirical research (quantitative and qualitative), we also publish theoretical papers, literature reviews, and book reviews. MPS is published by the Department of Psychology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and MPS has been in existence for over 15 years. We publish two volumes per year (Fall and Spring).
You will gain an invaluable experience conducting research and preparing a paper for publication in MPS. Many Psychology undergraduates will apply for admission to graduate programs where a premium is placed on doing research. Publishing in MPS demonstrates that a student is capable of doing publishable quality research and is well prepared for graduate study.

Submission Guidelines

1. An undergraduate student must be the first author on the manuscript but faculty members can be co-authors. We will publish papers submitted by graduate students if the research described in the paper was completed as an undergraduate.

2. We only publish original research. Please do not submit papers that are being reviewed or have been published by other journals. However, research that has been presented at a conference is acceptable for submission.

3. Manuscripts must be written in APA format.

4. Please send your submission to us electronically in Microsoft word format using 12 point font. Include on the first page of the manuscript: 1) Title of paper, 2) Names of the authors, 3) Name and address of your school. 4) Name, phone, address of your advisor for this project, and 5) Name, phone, current address of primary author where he/she can be reached at all times. PLEASE PROVIDE AN ADDRESS FOR EMAIL AND REGULAR MAIL. We will correspond with you by email.

5. Send submissions electronically via EMAILTO David-Ross@utc.edu.

6. Dr. David Ross is the faculty advisor to MPS, and all submissions and correspondence should be sent to him at the above email address. If needed, Dr. Ross can be reached at the following number: 423-425-5288, and his mailing address is Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 350 Holt Hall, Dept. 2803, 615 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37403-2598.

Announcements for Psychology Students - 12/04/08

Important Dates
Withdrawal Deadline – Friday, December 12 – please consult your adviser if you are considering this option
Classes End – Friday, December 12
Fall 2008 Commencement Ceremony – Saturday, December 20, 12:30 p.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center
Spring 2009 Classes Begin – Monday, January 12

Research Opportunity
The Pittsburgh Science of Learning Center (PSLC) at Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh has an exciting summer research opportunity available to undergraduate students. This program encourages applications from students who would like to do research in the fields of psychology, education, computer science, human-computer interfaces and language technologies.

The PSLC's program provides support for talented undergraduates to spend 8 weeks during the summer working in a research laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University or the University of Pittsburgh. The program aims to encourage the participation of underrepresented students in our graduate programs and to make the PSLC's programs more visible to students not traditionally exposed to our fields. The program supports the PSLC's commitment to training a diverse set of science, technology, education, and psychology leaders. Applications will be considered from eligible students without regard to gender, race, or ethnicity.

Applications are encouraged from students who wish to work in a modern academic research laboratory under the guidance of experienced scientists and engineers and experiment in real classroom environments. The program will expose students to the excitement and opportunities of a research career. This experience will provide excellent preparation for students interested in subsequently pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. degree. Although students from other years may apply, this opportunity is most fitting for a student at the end of the junior year of undergraduate studies.

Each student will receive a fellowship stipend of $4000 for the eight-week program. Participants will also receive an allowance for housing and travel. In addition they may be interested in attending the one-week PSLC summer workshop on authoring tools for educational technology and experiments. Here they will create parts of an Intelligent Tutoring System and conduct an experiment on human learning principles.
Further details may be found at : http://www.learnlab.org/

Research Opportunity
Beginning in the summer of 2005, the Disaster Research Center (DRC) at the University of Delaware established a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program. The DRC-REU Program is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and the University of Delaware. The main goal of the program is to engage undergraduate students in hands-on research training and enhance their understanding of the social science aspects of disasters. Each summer, a nine week research training institute is held at the DRC-REU site to provide students with the necessary academic background, training, mentoring and research experiences that will greatly contribute to increase interest in disaster research and strengthen the next generation of social science disaster scholars. REU trainees work with leading scholars and researchers on state-of-the-art research projects that focus on issues such as: risk communication, aspects of vulnerability and resilience, disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, public health and environmental issues in disasters. Students and staff also attend numerous trips that promote education in the disaster field including the Natural Hazards Conference in Boulder, CO, tours of an Emergency Operations Center and the World Trade Center and the Disaster Roundtable in Washington, DC, as well as some recreational activities.

A stipend and all transportation and lodging expenses are included in the REU program. Students traditionally underrepresented in graduate schools, are strongly encouraged to apply. Students should have declared a social science major (e.g., Anthropology, Geography, Psychology, Political Science, Public Health, Sociology or Urban Affairs) and/or completed at least 12 credits in the social sciences.

For more information, please contact
Brittany Scott

Learn about various industries - announcement from Career Services
Again this year the Career Services Center is presenting the Industry Spotlight Series. From February 2nd to February 12th we will highlight a different industry that your students may enjoy learning more about. Representatives and recruiters from the following industries will share their experiences; Technology, Consulting, Insurance, Financial Services, Publishing, International Affairs/Business, Government, Pharmaceutical, and Retail – industries in which your students may someday be starting careers and will be represented at Spring Career Days on February 16-18, 2009. Below is a complete list with the organizations represented on each panel.

Industry Spotlight Series Panel 2009 Schedule…

All panels are from 7-8pm in room 103 Bank of America Career Services Center

The Technology Industry: Monday, February 2nd
Featuring: Rockwell Automation, DataViz, Bush Industries and Verizon

The Consulting Industry: Tuesday, February 3rd
Featuring: ZS Associates, McBee Associates, Stockamp & Associates, Hercules Chemicals, and PricewaterhouseCoopers

The Insurance and Financial Services Industry: Wednesday, February 4th
Featuring: CIGNA, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, GEICO, Wells Fargo, First Financial and Independence Financial

Publishing Industry: Thursday, February 5th
Featuring: College Prowler and more TBD

International Affairs/Business: Monday, February 9th
Featuring ABF Freight System, Bearing Point, and more TBD

Working in Government: Tuesday, February 10th
Featuring: IRS, Dept. of Treasury, Office of CFO and PA Dept. of Revenue

The Retail Industry: Wednesday, February 11th
Featuring: Wegman’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, Kohl’s Dept Stores,
Target, and Mother’s Work and Macy’s East

The Pharmaceutical Industry: Thursday, February 12h
Featuring: Johnson and Johnson and more TBD

Announcements for Psychology Students - November 25, 2008

Withdraw deadline.
Your final opportunity to withdraw from the semester will be December 12. This is an action which could have serious consequences so please consider visiting your adviser if you are thinking of withdrawing from the semester.

Quick Question Advising
You will notice that on our web page and our printed material we have begun to replace the phrase “walk in advising” with the more accurate “quick question advising”. This change helps us to express the purpose of our quick question advising hours, specifically to answer one or two quick questions that shouldn’t have to wait for your regular semester advising appointments. These sessions will continue to be 10 minute long. As always, if you plan to ask a question about your audit – bring your audit. If you plan to ask a question about a form – bring the form. In short, come prepared so that we can cover as much as possible without holding up the students who are waiting and counting on every session being a ‘quick question’ advising session.

Scheduling
Now is the best time to have your spring schedule reviewed during a quick question advising session. It is better to return in January ready to start the semester than to return to find out you are missing a graduation requirement or a pre-requisite.

Peace Corps - TUESDAY
A number of local returned Peace Corps volunteers will share their experiences during a meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, in 103 Career Services Center, University Park. People interested in getting information about volunteering are encouraged to attend the session, which is free to the public.

The Center for Africana Studies, University of Pennsylvania, Announces a New Ph.D. Program in Africana Studies
The Center for Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania will offer an innovative Ph.D. program in Africana Studies beginning in the fall of the 2009-2010 academic year. Our program trains students in an interdisciplinary, three-field approach to African, African American, and African Diaspora Studies. Students will critically examine the cultural, political, economic, and historical factors that have created and shaped the African, African American, and African Diasporic experiences.

For more information on our Ph.D. Program in Africana Studies or the application process, please visit our website at www.sas.upenn.edu/africana .

Announcements for Psychology Students - 11/12/08

Late Drop
Remember the late drop deadline is Friday, November 14. Take a moment to consider your balance of late drop credits, the impact on course sequencing, and your progress towards graduation. The advising center will have walk-ins 8:30 – 11:00 am both Thursday and Friday. Please visit if you need to discuss your late drop questions.

Thanksgiving Break.
Although students will not have class the advising center will continue to have appointments Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Thanksgiving week as well as our regularly scheduled Monday walk-ins. We will be closed Thursday and Friday. We hope you enjoy a safe and relaxing break and return ready to complete the semester.

HPV Vaccine Survey Study
Contact: Suellen Hopfer (sxh343@psu.edu)
25 minute survey
$6 Qdoba Mexican grill lunch coupon
learn something about HPV and the vaccine
Eligibility: Women, ages 18-26, who have not yet been vaccinated

Signup website: http://thepmlab.com/cgi-bin/signup/index.cgi

Graduate Study
St. Joseph’s University asked that I pass on the following announcement.
Our graduate program in Experimental Psychology is a full-time day program designed to provide students with a solid grounding in the scientific study of psychology. We offer concentrations in behavioral neuroscience, learning and memory, developmental psychology, health psychology, cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, and social psychology. Students learn to independently design and conduct psychological experiments, analyze and interpret data, and professionally communicate their results. Our graduates are prepared for positions in many areas of research and industry. Many go on to doctoral programs in experimental or clinical psychology.

Complete details available at www.sju.edu/psychology
- Applications deadline is March 1st
- Competitive teaching assistantships available for students in their 2nd year

New Med School
Representatives from the new medical school in Scranton, The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC), will be visiting PSU on Monday 11/17 in room 317 Wagner Bldg. They will have representatives present to talk about scholarships, financial aid; basic science and clinical faculty, administrative and community representation. They would like to meet with PSU students in small groups to answer your questions about admissions, scholarships (see below!) and all other questions. They have sent along this announcement:

Do you have it? By it, we mean the passion to care for people and improve the health of an entire community. You see, we have built a unique, new medical school and we are now looking for unique, passionate students. In fact, we are coming to your university so you can meet with our faculty and experience our mission and passion firsthand. So if you think you have it, you owe it to yourself to come meet with us. We will be at your school on Monday, November 17th at 9:45am in Room 317 of the Wagner Building. www.thecommonwealthmedical.com

Announcements for Psychology Students - 11/4/08

Late Drop Deadline is 11/14
If you are considering dropping a course from your fall 2008 schedule the last day to do so is November 14. That is a Friday and walk in hours on Fridays are from 8:30 to 11:00 am. That will be your last chance to discuss your decision with an adviser.

GRE Test Prep
Career Services is offering a GRE prep course the weekend of January 31-February 1. The course runs 9-5 both days. For details and the registration form see http://www.sa.psu.edu/career/PDF/GRE_Prep_Courses.pdf. If you have any questions please contact Katie Deitrich at (814) 865-5131 or at KER10@sa.psu.edu.

Harrisburg Summer Internship
Liberal Arts is hosting an info session on the Penn State Harrisburg summer internship program. This program has a lot of excellent internship opportunities in Harrisburg related to public policy, plus housing close to the capitol building. Students will sign up for internship credit through University Park (through their department if appropriate, or through LA 495.1) and will take a 3-credit seminar through Penn State Harrisburg on public policy. Quite a few of our Political Science students have done this program in the past, but we are hoping to increase involvement among all Liberal Arts majors for summer 2009. In order to increase involvement the undergraduate enrichment office is guaranteeing all students who are accepted to the program either a paid internship *or* some kind of financial support from Penn State (Harrisburg and/or University Park) to help defray their expenses. The information session will be November 10 (Monday), 5 – 6 p.m. 267 Willard Building

Centre for Vision Research (CVR)
The Centre for Vision Research (CVR) at York University offers a one-week, all-expenses-paid undergraduate summer school on the topic of vision science. This year's program will be held from May 31 to June 6, 2009.The program includes talks by CVR faculty on current research topics in vision science, as well as hands-on projects in CVR laboratories. The curriculum reflects the wide range of research areas at CVR, which includes basic research on vision in humans and animals, as well as applied topics such as computer vision, virtual reality, visual perception in low-gravity environments, and vision in patient populations.

The program will accept 24 undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in scientific research. It is intended mainly for students who are planning to apply to graduate school in late 2009 for admission in 2010, and are interested in investigating vision science as a possible area of research. Both Canadian and international students are encouraged to apply. See http://www.yorku.ca/cvrss/ for contact information and application instructions.

2009 Undergraduate Exhibition

Poster and performance entries are invited for the 2009 Undergraduate Exhibition, to be held Wednesday, April 8, at the University Park Campus. Abstracts will be accepted beginning January 12 and must be submitted by Friday, March 6. Entry guidelines and forms are available at http://undergradresearch.psu.edu/

2009 Summer Undergraduate Discovery Grant
Applications will be accepted beginning in December 2008 for the 2009 Summer Undergraduate Discovery Grant. The deadline for applications is Friday, February 13. This highly competitive program provides summer support for undergraduate student engagement in original research, scholarship, or creative work under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Information about the program and application requirements is available at http://undergradresearch.psu.edu/

Course Announcement
STS 457: The History of Women in Science is cross listed between STS, Women’s Studies, and History. This course has not been offered in several semesters and may be of interest to psychology students. The course may be used in the humanities section of your supporting course work in the option. See the schedule of courses for pre-requisites. Description - The iconic image of a scientist is male, even though women have been key contributors to scientific theories, research, and disciplines. Have female scientists suffered quietly, or have they rebelled against the formal barriers to their participation in science? How have they made lives and careers for themselves within different disciplines, and how have they seen their own work: as the work of women first or scientists? Has the presence of women in science changed the way that science is done? Students will develop a broad knowledge of the historiography of women in science and a critical understanding of the different ways that these histories can be written.

Notes from the advisers:
·         Visit the advising center as the semester winds down for spring planning before the winter break to avoid the crazy rush of the spring semester drop add period.
·         If you plan to complete your entrance to major requirements at the conclusion of this Fall semester consider scheduling an appointment with the advising center for the last week of classes or finals week to complete the change of major paperwork instead of getting caught in the spring mad rush.
·         If you have not yet taken a first year seminar course, two first year seminar courses will be offered this spring, but if you cannot add one of these courses to your schedule, prior to graduation, you can complete the First Year Sem substitution form on-line via the College of LA web-site.
·         We are experiencing heavy student traffic for both walk-ins and appointments; please bring your audit with you when visiting us for a walk-in. Please be prepared to plan ahead for appointments as we are approximately three weeks out on our appointments at this time.

Announcements for Psychology Students - 10/22/08

Crime, Law, and Justice/Sociology Career Expo
All majors are invited to meet potential employers at the CLJ/SOC expo on November 5, in the HUB Heritage Hall, from noon – 3:30 p.m. Visit their website for a list of the companies and agencies expected to participate http://www.sociology.psu.edu/career-expo/students.shtml. Remember your resume and business attire. More suggestions for a successful day are listed on the website.

Outreach
The Liberal Arts Outreach and Online Education office is working on developing a video interview for our website, which would provide students with information on eLearning, as well as suggestions for how to be successful in online courses. What we need are volunteers who have taken online courses and are willing to be interviewed for the Liberal Arts Online website. You would be asked a few questions about online courses, including benefits and suggestions for success. The video would be available on our website for anyone curious about online courses and what they require. Interested students: please email eLearning@la.psu.edu for more information or to volunteer. Thank you!

MCAT
Registration for the January through May 2009 administrations of the MCAT exam will open Wednesday, October 22. We regret we are unable to announce a specific opening time - we refrain from announcing the time of day as one of the ways we manage traffic to the online, MCAT Scheduling & Registration system.

Graduate School Notice - Northwestern
Northwestern University’s Psychology Graduate Program is would like to reach out to excellent students from traditionally underrepresented groups who are interested in pursuing graduate degrees in any area of psychology. Northwestern is making it a priority to create a warm supportive atmosphere for our graduate student community. Please visit them at www.wcas.northwestern.edu/psych/index.html. For particular questions please contact Professor Rick Zinbarg, Professor and Director of Clinical Training, 1-847-733-4300 ext. 609.

Premed conference in NYC/Cornell
Weill Cornell Medical College will hold its Annual Regional Premedical Conference day on Saturday, December 13th, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the
Uris Auditorium, 1300 York Ave (at 69th St./ Manhattan).

The afternoon breakout sessions are separated for both College students and High School students.

RSVP by Friday 11/7/08:
Ms. Sahira Torees at (212) 746-3390 or sjt2003@med.cornell.edu

SRCD Frances Degen Horowitz Millennium Scholars Program
SRCD Biennial Meeting, April 2-4, 2009
Denver, Colorado

SRCD is now accepting Scholar, Junior Mentor, and Senior Mentor applications for the 2009 SRCD Frances Degen Horowitz Millennium Scholars Program! For more information, please visit www.srcd.org, click on Biennial Meeting, and click on Millennium Scholars Program.

About the Program The Society for Research in Child Development seeks to encourage undergraduate students from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups to continue their education in child development and pursue careers in the field. To that end, the Millennium Scholars Program offers undergraduate students mentors who provide them guidance and support in the pursuit of their educational and professional goals, and provides funding for them to attend the SRCD Biennial Meeting. Scholars also attend special preconference activities before the start of the Biennial Meeting, during which they will gain valuable exposure to the field and a better understanding of career paths through one-to-one contact with their Junior and Senior Mentors.

Scholars are undergraduate students from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups (African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders) who are considering, but may be undecided about pursuing, graduate work in child development and related fields. Junior Mentors are committed doctoral students who are willing to serve as inspirations and role models for younger students. Senior Mentors are established professionals willing to help and support undergraduate students with their professional development.

Those interested in participating in the Millennium Scholars Program as Scholars, Junior Mentors, or Senior Mentors should visit the program website to learn more about the program. APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY and are due November 14, 2008.

You may direct any inquiries about the program to:
Michael Cunningham, Ph.D.
Chair, Frances Degen Horowitz Millennium Scholars Program
(504) 862-3308
mcunnin1@tulane.edu

Direct inquiries about the application process to:
Birgit Swanson
(734) 926-0610
swansonb@srcd.org

Announcements for Psychology Students - 10/09/08

Final Exam Conflict Filing Period
The Final Exam schedule for Fall 2008 will be released soon. The period for filing conflicts via eLion is October 6-26. For more information, see http://www.registrar.psu.edu/exams/exam_overload.cfm

Walk-in Advising
On Monday, October 13, walk-in advising hours will end at 2:30 p.m. for a College advising meeting. Regular walk-in hours for fall semester are Mondays 1:30-3:30 pm and Thursdays and Fridays 8:30-11:00 am

Industrial-Organizational Psychology – Grad School Information Session
A couple of grad students in I/O are doing a presentation on the grad school application process in two weeks. We'll be talking about how to find programs, recommendation letters, applications, personal statements, the GRE, and what to ask when you're visiting schools. All students are welcome to attend.

When: Monday, October 13th at 6pm
Where: 158 Willard Building

Devereux Foundation Professional Psychology Traineeships
Located in the Philadelphia Area, the Devereux Foundation offers 12-month Professional Psychology Traineeships for recent college graduates who are considering graduate study in psychology or a related behavioral healthcare field. The program provides a supervised learning experience combining didactic and hands-on training. For details, see http://ppt.devereuxictr.org

From Career Services
UPDATED!!!
*********************************
You can still participate!
Additional Intro Sessions scheduled…
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7
4:00pm. 4:30pm, 5:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 6:00pm, 6:30pm at the Bank of America Career Services Center

Dear Psychology Student:
Deciding on a major and what to do with a chosen major are among the biggest decisions you will make while here at Penn State. Career Services is here to assist you and is making the process easier to access and more meaningful in its delivery through the development of the Career Planning Certificate as part of the Division of Student Affairs EDGE (Enhance your Degree. Grow through Experience) Program.
As a student majoring or considering majoring in Psychology, you may take advantage of an opportunity to access the Career Planning Certificate through a pilot program set for this semester. In addition to the gains you will have in your own individual career planning process, you will assist Career Services in assessing the impact of this more purposeful approach to offering career services assistance.

You may participate on one of three levels:
1.     Full Participation – by attending the Intro and Capstone Sessions, completing all of the CP Cert modules and taking both the pre- and post-surveys (approx. 15 hours of time in total)
2.     Partial Participation – by attending the Intro Session, completing some of the CP Cert modules and taking both the pre- and post-surveys (somewhat less than15 hours of time depending on modules chosen)
3.     Basic Participation – by attending the Intro Session and taking both the pre- and post-surveys (approx. 90 minutes of time in total)

To participate at any level, simply attend one of the following 30-min. Introduction Sessions listed above. Any questions, please contact Chris MacGill at cxm279@sa.psu.edu.

This is a research study and participation is voluntary. ALL STUDENTS who participate at any level will be eligible for a drawing at the conclusion of the semester for an iPod Touch, iPod Shuffle, or a $50 gift certificate to downtown State College store.
Take charge of your career planning and get the edge on your career decisions by selecting to get involved and earn the Career Planning Certificate (which will also look great on your resume J)!

We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity!

Sincerely,
Chris MacGill

Announcements for Psychology Students - 10/03/08

Honors Courses
Keep your eye on the schedule of courses. We are expecting a bunch of new honors courses to be added to the Spring 2008 schedule of courses any day now. Not necessarily in psychology, but certainly in Liberal Arts.

PSI CHI
The next Psi Chi meeting will be on October 14, at 7:00 pm, in 106 Chambers. The application deadline to join Psi Chi will be on October 17, so this will be your last chance to check out the organization before applying for membership.

Final Exam Conflict Filing Period
The final exam schedule is now on elion. The period for filing conflicts via eLion is October 6-26. For more information, see http://www.registrar.psu.edu/exams/examoverload.cfm

Industrial-Organizational Psychology – Grad School Information Session
A couple of grad students in I/O are doing a presentation on the grad school application process in two weeks. We'll be talking about how to find programs, recommendation letters, applications, personal statements, the GRE, and what to ask when you're visiting schools. All students are welcome to attend.

When: Monday, October 13th at 6pm
Where: 158 Willard Building

Science Guy to Bring Fun, “Green” Message to Student Environmental Forum
The Science Guy is coming. This month, students will get the chance to experience firsthand popular TV scientist and comedian Bill Nye, as he speaks to Penn State students on how to become more environmentally conscious.

Nye will speak to Penn State students at 8:00 p.m. on October 14 in Rec Hall at the Student Environmental Forum. The event will feature student presentations on the University’s environmental efforts and present opportunities for students to become more aware of what they can do to help.

“I think this event is important because it recognizes what we have been able to achieve and it celebrates our efforts on sustainability,” Lydia Vandenbergh, marketing assistant for Office of Physical Plant, said.

Nye will use his famous wit and comical intellect to inform students about the momentum shift toward living a green lifestyle and the building blocks of a successful environment-friendly campus.

The educational TV program “Bill Nye the Science Guy” aired 100 episodes from 1993 to 1997 and garnered a large following of young viewers. At the environmental forum, he will use that same comedic style and enthusiasm to entertain and educate a now college aged audience.

“It will be a fun-filled evening with lots of activities,” Vandenbergh said.

A student-produced video will demonstrate several environmental opportunities in the day-to-day lives of students. Those in attendance will also be entered to win door prizes, including a bicycle, an iPod touch, LionCash+ prizes, and computer accessories made from recycled materials.

The event is intended to be a stepping-stone for students who want to get involved in campus organizations, but don’t know where to start. Other students who may already live by Nye’s motto—leave the world better than you found it—may just want to see the quirky TV personality from their youth in action.

For more information, visit www.takecharge.psu.edu/billnye.

Announcements for Psychology Students - 09/29/08

Reminder: Personal Statement Workshop
Dr. Ken Levy will offer a presentation of preparing your personal statement. This event will be held on Tuesday, September 30, in 106 Chambers at 7:00 pm. Expect some advice and direction on how to create this vital document to best present you to the people who will be making the admissions decisions.

Reminder: Psi Chi application deadline
The deadline to apply to Psi Chi, the national honor society in Psychology, is October 17. For information, including links to membership requirements and the application form, visit the Psi Chi website at http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/psichi

For those thinking about medical school
On Friday October3rd, we are privileged to have three (3) Physicians visiting the Eberly College of Science as “Outstanding Alumni for 2008”. They asked for some time to meet and talk with students thinking about a career in medicine.

Dr. George Cimochowski is a graduate of Jefferson Medical College with residencies in Surgery and Orthopedics. Before retiring from practicing, he was the Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Among his current activities he facilitated clinical supplies from the USA to Litwesk Children’s Hospital in Warsaw, Poland.

Drs. Vance and Vince Moss (yes, twins) are graduates of Temple Medical School and completed Fellowships in Urology and Renal Transplantation, and Cardiothoracic Surgery, respectively. Their humanitarian work in Afghanistan and Iraq via duties with the US Military have earned them recognition from many quarters, including CNN, ABC World News Tonight, Ebony and Essence magazines; they are the recipients of numerous accolades for their efforts in delivering care in troubled areas outside our country.

All three Outstanding Alumni are looking forward to meeting informally with current PSU students this coming Friday, October 3rd, from 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. in Room 10 of the new Life Sciences Building. This visit should be especially informative for students involved in global health initiatives.

DO COME BY AND MEET THESE OUTSTANDING ALUMNI!

Announcements for Psychology Students - 09/25/08

From the College of Liberal Arts
All Liberal Arts students are invited to the following event: Engaging the Debates at Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center on Friday, September 26, 2008
Watch the presidential debate and learn how to analyze a debate. Engage in a post-debate discussion of the candidates performances. Debate tailgate begins at 8:00 p.m. with food and refreshments. Program begins at 8:30 p.m. and debate coverage ends at 10:30 p.m. Co-sponsors: The Liberal Arts Paterno Fellows Program, The Center for Democratic Deliberation, and The Schreyer Honors College

From Career Services

Dear Psychology Student:

Deciding on a major and what to do with a chosen major are among the biggest decisions you will make while here at Penn State. Career Services is here to assist you and is making the process easier to access and more meaningful in its delivery through the development of the Career Planning Certificate as part of the Division of Student Affairs EDGE (Enhance your Degree. Grow through Experience) Program.

As a student majoring or considering majoring in Psychology, you may take advantage of an opportunity to access the Career Planning Certificate through a pilot program set for this semester. In addition to the gains you will have in your own individual career planning process, you will assist Career Services in assessing the impact of this more purposeful approach to offering career services assistance.

You may participate on one of three levels:
1. Full Participation – by attending the Intro and Capstone Sessions, completing all of the CP Cert modules and taking both the pre- and post-surveys (approx. 15 hours of time in total)

2. Partial Participation – by attending the Intro Session, completing some of the CP Cert modules and taking both the pre- and post-surveys (somewhat less than15 hours of time depending on modules chosen)

3.     Basic Participation – by attending the Intro Session and taking both the pre- and post-surveys (approx. 90 minutes of time in total)

To participate at any level, simply attend one of the following 30-min. Introduction Sessions:

Wednesday, October 1
     10am, 10:30am, 11am, 11:30am, 12pm, 12:30pm, 1pm, 1:30pm. 2pm, 2:30pm, 3pm, 3:30pm, 4pm, and 4:30pm

  Room 103 Bank of America Career Services Center

Any questions, please contact Chris MacGill at cxm279@sa.psu.edu.

This is a research study and participation is voluntary. ALL STUDENTS who participate at any level will be eligible for a drawing at the conclusion of the semester for an iPod Touch, iPod Shuffle, or a $50 gift certificate to downtown State College store.
Take charge of your career planning and get the edge on your career decisions by selecting to get involved and earn the Career Planning Certificate (which will also look great on your resume J)!

We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity!

Sincerely,
Chris MacGill
PS An overview of the Career Planning Certificate may be viewed at http://www.edge.psu.edu/edge.shtml.

Announcements for Psychology Students - 09/19/08

Employment Opportunity at The Meadows Psychiatric Center
The Meadows is currently looking for Mental Health Technicians. A minimum availability of every other weekend and three holidays per year is required. They will provide training. Individuals with excellent people skills who are currently taking courses in related fields will be a great match. Contact Kim Tate, 814-364-2161 ext. 729 for more information. You may send resumes to Kim Tate at kimtate@uhsinc.com.

Employment Opportunity from the D. E. Shaw Group
Information Session September 23
We would like to invite all interested Penn State students to apply for positions with our firm. Headquartered in New York City, the D. E. Shaw group is a highly successful investment and technology development firm, with a team that comes from a wide range of backgrounds. A robotics guru. A prosnowboarder. An operatic mezzo-soprano. And a lot of people who excel in subjects ranging from art history and literature to math and CS. They're not conventional "financial types," but then again, neither are we.
To learn more, come to our information session on September 23 at 6:00 p.m. in Ballroom DE of the Nittany Lion Inn. D. E. Shaw group employees will be in attendance to talk about their experiences and provide more information on the company. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information on current openings (including application deadlines), please log on to Nittany Lion Recruiting (https://psu-csm.symplicity.com/students/ ). For all positions, you may also apply anytime by sending a resume and cover letter to jobs@deshaw.com.
While we certainly welcome applications from individuals with a background or interest in mathematics, computer science, or economics, we are equally interested in speaking with brilliant liberal arts graduates, regardless of major, who are open to the possibility of a career they may never have previously considered

Announcments for Psychology Students - 09/15/08

Fall Career Days reminder – begins Tuesday, September 16
Students who are preparing to enter the job market or look for an internship should participate in the Fall Career Fair. Information including a list of participating employers, resume workshops, and other prep sessions is available at http://www.fairs.sa.psu.edu/fall/student/ This is the biggest gathering of employers on campus this year. Tuesday (9/16) is your chance to look at full time work, Wednesday (9/17) is the day for students who would like internships, and Thursday (9/18) is the day for people looking to enter technical fields. There are prep workshops online and on campus covering resume writing, interviewing, and navigating the fair. Find a way to make this opportunity work for you.

A note on controlled courses
Some of our 400-level courses are controlled to allow Psychology majors the first opportunity to enroll. These controls will be removed in mid-October, allowing anyone to register after that time. If you are a major, you should do so before then. If you are a minor and submitted a request form (see below), we will accommodate you in order of semester standing before the controls are lifted.
If you are a major and meet the prerequisites for PSYCH 490 (Senior Seminar), but are having difficulty registering through eLion, please contact Sherri Gilliland (sbg4@psu.edu, 111 Moore Building) for assistance. I encourage all Psychology majors who meet the prerequisites to consider taking the course in fall rather than spring, as demand and class size will likely be greater in spring. Unfortunately, I will not have a list of spring topics until September. The topics for Fall 2008 appear at the bottom of this message, and more complete descriptions can be found by reviewing recent listserv messages below.
PSYCH 301W is also controlled, allowing only Psychology majors to register via eLion. Minors wishing to request 301W should complete the form at the link below.
Minors and others wishing to register for these courses should complete this form: http://psych.la.psu.edu/undergrad/PsyWaitListRequest.pdf and drop it off in 111 Moore Building.

Updated PSYCH 490 descriptions for Spring 2009

Section 1 TR 9:45-11 AM 453 Moore (199813) – Dr. Janet Swim
Conservation Psychology
Conservation Psychology is the scientific study of the reciprocal relationship between human behavior and the natural environment. Conservation Psychology is an applied field, meaning that it involves the use of psychological principles, theories, or methods, to understand and solve issues. The social issue that will be the focus of the present course is global climate change. As experts on human behavior, psychologists have the potential to serve a crucial role in halting our ecologically-destructive trajectory and promoting a sustainable future. In this course we will explore different ways that psychologists have studied human's understanding of, relationship with, and impact on the natural environment and psychologists efforts to promote environmentally sustainable society. The course will include an introduction to social marketing and students will design and carry out a project that will promote environmentally friendly behaviors.

Section 2 MWF (199816) 9:05-9:55 AM – Dr. Keith Nelson
Art, Language, and Creativity in Children
Steve Jobs of Apple Computer, among other commentators, has observed that visual arts skills will be critical to many of the (rapidly changing) sorts of career challenges that adults will face in this, the 21st Century. Other commentators have emphasized that creative, flexible thinking skills are critical to both job success and personal satisfaction. Finally, rich language and communication skills also are strong benefits in every area of life. Despite widespread agreement on the importance of all these skills, it is far from clear what the best paths are to developing these skills during childhood. This course will approach these issues first through reviewing what is already known about facilitating art, language, and creativity in children. Then we will concentrate on generating ideas about new ways of facilitating these skills. Finally, we will critically sort through our new ideas to propose specific teaching and intervention plans that would appear to have high probabilities of high impact on art, language, and creativity.

Section 3 (199819) T 3:35-6:35 PM – Dr. Stephanie Shields
Psychology of Women
Recommended prerequisites in addition to general 490 prereqs: at least one class in women's studies and/or psychology of gender. This class is designed for people who are psychology majors who have a background in women's studies (women's studies major or minor) and wish to integrate their work in these two fields. We will be reading journal articles and review chapters. Completion of a collaborative project, two exams, and an individual paper will also be required. If you have questions about the courses or would like more information contact sashields@psu.edu.

Section 4 (199822) MW 10:10AM-12:05 PM – Dr. Kristin Buss
NOTE: This section will actually meet for 75 minutes (10:10-11:25) not for 2 hours!
Emotional Development
This course is designed to teach you about the current state of knowledge in children's emotional development. You will learn about research spanning from infancy to childhood on topics such as emotions, attachment, and self regulation. This course will be presented from the perspective of developmental psychology and will be focused primarily on the current state of research knowledge in emotional development.

Section 5 (199825) W 3:35-6:35 PM – Dr. Jenae Neiderhiser
Developmental Behavioral Genetics
This course will focus on understanding how genetic methods can be applied to the study of human development. Genetic designs and methods that can be used to address questions about individual differences in human behavior throughout development will be emphasized, including twin, sibling and adoption designs and molecular genetics.

Section 6 (199828) TR 11:15-12:30 – Dr. Nancy Dennis
Cognitive Neuroscience of Memory
This course will examine the neural mechanism associated with complex memory processing. Readings will draw on the most popular neuroscience methodologies including PET, fMRI, EEG, as well as the study of animal models and patient populations. Discussion will include such topics as working memory, episodic memory, false memory, implicit memory, and semantic memory.

Section 7 (199831) TR 11:15-12:30 – Dr. William Ray
The mind and brain of madness: Psychological and neuroscience perspectives on psychopathology
Presently, descriptions of psychopathology such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) use observable behaviors and self-report to classify mental disorders. In this seminar we will go beyond DSM and examine psychopathology from both a psychological and neuroscience perspective. We will consider how the neurosciences might offer a deep structure perspective as well as a better classification scheme to the traditional surface level one currently in use. The focus will be on brain mechanisms which are involved in basic human processes such as emotionality, cognition, and motor processes and how these lead to the behavior and experience involved in psychological disorders. DSM Axis I disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, PTSD) and Axis II disorders (personality disorders) will be emphasized. We will also examine treatment implications.

Section 8 (199834) TR 4:15-5:30 – Dr. Alicia Grandey
Emotional Intelligence at Work: Real or ‘Pop’ Psychology?
We will discuss the ‘hot’ topic of emotional intelligence, or EI, and how it is applied in the workplace. Is this really “new”, or is it already part of most selection processes? Is this a basic ability or a skill that can be trained? We will discuss issues of definitions, measurement, and validity, by examining the claims of consulting firms and the research evidence for such claims. Students will develop their own method of testing these claims in a scientific way.

Section 9 (199837) MW 9:45-11 – Dr. Terri Vescio
Stereotypes, Prejudice and Intergroup Relations
This class will cover influential theory and research on intergroup relations. The goals of this class will be threefold. First, students will be provided with a balanced overview of the literature that shows both the breadth and depth of social psychological theory and research on intergroup relations. Second, students will be encouraged to be critical, constructive and creative thinkers. Toward that end, students will be encouraged to consider basic social issues and specific intergroup conflicts and relate issues of relevance to basic (primarily laboratory based) experimental research that has examined topics of relevance. Third, students will be challenged to refine research skills. Activities aimed at the final goal will include assignments that ask students to generate hypotheses, design studies, critique original research and present research findings (orally, in writing and by preparing conference posters). In this class, students will read original theory and empirical research, complete bi-weekly writing assignments, regularly present research, participate in class discussions, and be supported as they develop and design a study to test a novel hypothesis.

Announcements for Psychology Students - 09/03/08

Undergraduate Teaching Award nominations sought
Students are encouraged to submit nominations for the 2009 Undergraduate Teaching Awards to the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence before the September 19 deadline. Electronic nominations are accepted at http://www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/Awards/Form/. Any student, faculty, staff, administrator, or friend of Penn State may nominate faculty members for the awards. Requested information includes a short comment about why the faculty member is being nominated.

Career Services Running Two Programs
Senior Big Ten Career Kick-off (not just for seniors.
Career Information Fair, Thursday, September 4, 103 Career Services. Stop by the Career Services anytime during the fair and learn about the services, resources, and programs offered to help you market yourself effectively. Whether it’s the job market or grad school; whatever your career field(s) of interest; and wherever you find yourself in the career planning process there is a program to help.
Fall Career Days, September 15 – 18, at the Bryce Jordan Center.
There are lots of workshops planned, both on line and in person, to help you get ready to take advantage of this opportunity. See the entire list at http://www.fairs.sa.psu.edu/fall/student/wrkshops.asp. There are workshops in the beginning of the week to learn to create a resume, and a final workshop at the end of the week, Resumania, to have that resume evaluated by employers who will be at the fair. Begin preparing by searching the list of 573 employers currently planning to attend. http://www.fairs.sa.psu.edu/fall/Student/empattendsym.asp

Research Opportunities
The list of professors seeking research assistants has been updated. You will find the list here http://psych.la.psu.edu/undergrad/researchopps.html. It is not too late to join a research project this semester, or to begin planning for next semester. Keep in mind that the first 3 credits you earn for PSYCH 494 may be used towards your 400-level class requirement in the major. See your adviser if you have any questions about using the credits from your research experience in your major.

Announcements for Psychology Students - 08/29/08

Advising Center Hours
For the week of September 2, we will continue to have walk-ins 8:30 – 11:00 and 1:30 – 3:30. Beginning September 8, we will have both walk-ins and appointments. You may find the walk-in hours on our website (http://psych.la.psu.edu/undergrad/advising.html) or call 865-9514 to schedule an appointment. Keep in mind that we try to keep walk-ins to 10 minutes. If you have a more involved question please do schedule an appointment with your adviser.

Graduating in December?
Remember to activate your intent to graduate on elion prior to September 8. This will get your name on the mailing list for all the information related to the commencement ceremonies and it will trigger a review of your audit by the college and the department. You will find information relating to the ceremony, including ordering your cap and gown at the following site: http://commencement.psu.edu/future.html

Education Abroad Fair
On September 23, there will be a study abroad information fair from 11:00 – 5:00 in Alumni Hall at the Hub. Come gather information on programs running during the academic year or the summer.

PSI CHI
The first meeting for Psi Chi will be this Tuesday, September 2, in 106 Chambers at 7:00 p.m.

Working on your grad school applications?
Dr. Ken Levy will offer a presentation of preparing your personal statement. This event will be held on Tuesday, September 30, in 106 Chambers at 7:00 pm. Expect some advice and direction on how to create this vital document to best present you to the people who will be making the admissions decisions.

Career Days
Students who are preparing to enter the job market or look for an internship should participate in the Fall Career Fair. Information including a list of participating employers, resume workshops, and other prep sessions is available at http://www.fairs.sa.psu.edu/fall/student/. This is the biggest gathering of employers on campus this year. Tuesday (9/16) is your chance to look at full time work, Wednesday (9/17) is the day for students who would like internships, and Thursday (9/18) is the day for people looking to enter technical fields. There are prep workshops online and on campus covering resume writing, interviewing, and navigating the fair. Find a way to make this opportunity work for you.

Registering for Spring
Priority registration begins September 11, and undergraduate registration begins shortly after that on September 18. You may find your schedule date on your degree audit. Be sure to make an appointment to review your plans with your adviser either before or after you schedule to be sure you are making the best possible progress. As always, you may make that appointment by calling the advising center at 865-9514.

New faces in 111 Moore
An "Academic Peer Advisor" may be present in 111 during walk-in times. Discussing with them how best to approach your 10 min walk-in session may help you prioritize your concerns and get the most out of your time with the advisor.

Announcements for Psychology Students - 07/30/08

About these messages

You are receiving this note because you are listed as a Psychology major or minor at University Park. For those of you who are new, you can expect to receive email every couple of weeks during the academic year, with information and announcements of special interest to Psychology majors. Messages on this listserv come only from me, and never include attachments. If for some reason you do not wish to receive these messages, you can find instructions for un subscribing here: http://psych.la.psu.edu/undergrad/listserv.html Graduating seniors will be removed from the list automatically after commencement.

Advising

Information about our advising office, including hours and contact information, can be found here: http://psych.la.psu.edu/undergrad/advising.html Note that if you are in town and want to meet with an adviser, it may be best to do so before the beginning of fall semester – for the first two weeks of the semester, the advising office is very busy, and advising will be on a walk-in basis only. Details will be announced soon.

Fall courses available

A section of PSYCH 400, Intermediate Experimental Design was added over the summer. This course is a good choice for students interested in consolidating and expanding their understanding of statistics in preparation for graduate school. Historically, experimental design has meant structuring data collection so that it could be analyzed by analysis of variance which is the central topic of this course but regression, graphical displays, and other topics will be covered. View analysis of variance as a natural extension of the two sample t test covered in the first course. This course starts where STAT 200 or PSYCH 200 ends. Because students typically forget much of the content of their first course, earlier material will be reviewed as needed. Minitab, available on all university machines, and r, available free for download, will be the statistical packages used in this course. Output from other packages, e.g., SPSS, may be acceptable. Regular attendance is necessary. There will be weekly homework, and probably two midterm exams plus a final. Exams will determine half of a student's course grade. Questions? hxt@psu.edu

Openings remain in the following sections of PSYCH 490, Senior Seminar. If you meet the prerequisites (senior PSY major, 301W and 2 400-level courses completed) but have not signed up for this class, you may want to consider doing so.

Section 1 - Dr. Janet Swim: Conservation Psychology
Section 2 - Dr. Keith Nelson: Art, Language, and Creativity in Children
Section 3 - Dr. Sheri Berenbaum: Psychological Science in the Media
Section 4 – Dr. Nancy Dennis: Cognitive Aging
Section 5 – Dr. Jan Cleveland: RJP in Managing Work-life Interfaces
Section 6 - Dr. Sam Hunter: Creativity and Innovation
Section 7 - Dr. Rick Gilmore: Neuroethology: How Animal Brains Make Animal Behavior

The complete fall schedule can be viewed at http://soc.our.psu.edu/soc/fall/up/p-z/psych.html

GRE Preparation course

If you are planning on graduate school for Fall 2009, it is time to begin thinking about the GRE. Penn State-UP’s Office of Career Services will be offering its popular (and low-cost) GRE preparation course again on the weekend of Oct. 4-5, 2008. A registration form is also available at http://www.sa.psu.edu/career/PDF/GRE_Prep_Courses.pdf

Important dates

Wednesday, August 13 – Second summer session classes end

Friday, August 15 – Second summer session final exam day

Saturday, August 16 – Commencement, Bryce Jordan Center, 10 a.m.

Sunday, August 24 – Fall 2008 registration deadline

Monday, August 25 – Fall 2008 classes begin

Wednesday, September 3 – Fall 2008 Drop/add period ends

August 18-September 8 – Activate intent to graduate for Fall 2008

Undergraduate Listserv Archive (Updated 9/17/09)

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