College of Science & Engineering Alumni Newsletter

Spring 1999
 

More Labs for CSE Students

These laboratories are new additions for the College of Science and Engineering and are in need for more funds and equipment.  If you or your company can support these labs, please contact them directly.

 The new SEGA Multimedia Laboratory for Science and Mathematics was established with a $65,000 grant from the SEGA Foundation to MASTEP (Math and Science Teacher Education Program) and matching funding from the College of Science and Engineering for data line installation and room renovation. Additional funding awarded to MASTEP by PG&E and Adobe’s generous donation of software licenses for a broad spectrum of the company’s renowned multimedia development applications have brought the lab closer to its planned configuration and capability.

The new lab, located in 249 Science, is a teaching facility that supports in-class, computer enhanced instruction for students in science, mathematics and in science/mathematics credential programs. The lab also supports MASTEP program elements. MASTEP, one of 16 collaboratives for excellence in teacher preparation across the nation, utilizes its National Science Foundation funding to promote course and curriculum development in science, math and teacher credential programs, recruit talented K-12, community college and SFSU students into careers in math and science teaching, and to facilitate continued professional development and retention of new teachers from SFSU’s credential programs. The SEGA lab supports these programs as a facility for 1) SFSU and community college science and math faculty development workshops and curriculum projects that facilitate incorporation of computer and internet resources into courses, 2) development of educational multimedia materials for class and student use, 3)  intern experiences for science, math and engineering undergraduates exploring teaching as a career option, 4) outreach programs to enhance science and math experiences for talented K-12 students, and 5) professional development, networking, and other programs for new science and math teachers to facilitate their transition into teaching and retention in the profession.

The lab allows faculty to provide rich, technologically current in-class instruction for students in science, mathematics, and math/science teacher credential programs. Incorporation of computer assisted instruction, including simulations, models, application of professional data analysis tools, and access and utilization of on-line resources enhances learning and professional preparation of all students. It is critical that future science and math teachers experience effective use of these cutting-edge tools and resources, so they may incorporate them appropriately into their own teaching.

The critical shortage of qualified math and science teachers and the low performance of U.S. students in the recent TIMSS (Third International Math and Science Study) report underscore the nationwide need to attract talented students to teaching and to engage them in a science and math curriculum that integrates content with effective teaching methodologies, including technology assisted instruction.

Currently, the new lab houses 15 PowerMac 6500/ 250MHz computers, a digital projector, 2 printers (laser, inkjet color), and one multimedia development station with an Epson flatbed scanner, Polaroid slide scanner, and CD recorder. The lab is networked with Ethernet and connected to the Internet. Dr. Nan Carnal, Co-PI for the MASTEP grant, notes the most pressing needs are 1) upgrading stations to include a PC environment (via PC cards) to meet software needs for many courses and 2) funds to employ a full time lab manager to manage lab scheduling, student access, computer maintenance, software requirements for courses, instruct faculty, teachers, and students in hardware and software use, and to develop instructional materials. Additional needs are 1) expanded multimedia development capability (digital video creation/ manipulation,  additional set of scanners, software tools for multimedia authoring), 2) a server for web hosting, storage of digital resources, etc. 3) 8 workstations to complete the desired 24 station lab, 4) funds for instructional software acquisition.

For further information contact MASTEP at (415) 338-7681 or Nan Carnal at (415) 338-1853.
 
 

SFSU has a new facility for modern mass spectrometry which was funded by the university and a new biomedical research program from the National Institutes of Health.  The facility is directed by Drs. Scott Gronert, Peter Palmer and Bruce Macher from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The facility manager is Dr. Robert Yen who came to SFSU after completing post doctoral training at the University of North Carolina. (Alumni are invited to visit the new facility in the Science building, please contact Dr. Yen at 415-338-6413). Dr. Scott Gronert is collaborating with scientists from the University of California, Davis on a project to develop new approaches for peptide sequencing. Dr. Palmer’s research focuses on monitoring air pollutants and the air aboard the space station MIR. Research in Dr. Macher’s laboratory is aimed at the characterization of enzymes involved in the synthesis of compounds which function in the normal inflammatory response and in diseases related to abnormal inflammatory responses.

In addition, the mass spectrometry facility provides state-of-the-art analytical support for faculty engaged in biomedical research in the College of Science and Engineering.  The facility currently has a range of instruments that are being utilized by undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and faculty. Over the next few years, the directors of the facility hope to add new instruments to extend the range of analyses that can be performed and thus to provide an even more versatile laboratory for supporting research in chemistry and biochemistry.

Currently, the directors are seeking a matrix assisted, laser desorption-time of flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF). This instrument is extremely useful for characterizing very small quantities of peptides generated by proteolytic digestion of proteins and complements the electrospray mass spectrometers presently in the lab. The fund raising goal for the new instrument is $100,000-$250,000. Please contact Dr. Bruce Macher at (415) 338-1288 or macher@sfsu.edu if you need more information about this lab.
 

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