The science of Avatar

Maybe you saw Avatar (I still haven't - I'm not sure I will), or maybe you have no idea what it is (James Cameron's latest movie, which, I believe, became the highest grossing movie of all-time last weekend). But apparently, the "world" in which the movie is set has floating mountains and other sci-fi wonders. But are things like that really possible?

Below is a video from WGN TV in Chicago. They interviewed Notre Dame's Morten Eskildsen of the Physics Department. Professor Eskildsen conducts research on superconductors (or, for non-science people like me, "electric stuff that floats with liquid nitrogen"). I think all of this would be pretty interesting - if I understood the scientific jargon!

Asian carp and Notre Dame

If you read my post below, and if you've been keeping up with campus over the past few years, you'll notice that Notre Dame has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in new facilities, labs, research areas and the like. While all of these buildings look fantastic and seem to have the ability to do some really interesting things, if you're like me, you've asked yourself, "but what are the practical implications?"

This article in today's Chicago Tribune discusses the Asian carp situation in Illinois (if you're not from the Midwest, this probably doesn't sound like a big deal. In essence, Asian carp--an incredibly invasive species of fish--have come up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and are approaching Lake Michigan. They pose a huge threat to the lake's native wildlife and commercial fishing industry). The article mentions a new system developed by Notre Dame researchers to identify trace amounts of Asian carp DNA, essentially allowing authorities to identify the "progress" of the carp up the river.

I do not know if this new system was developed in the Jordan Hall of Science or one of our newer facilities on campus, but the more we grow and improve, the better chance we have of developing practical uses for our research and technologies.

Notre Dame research

Notre Dame has always been known for its undergraduate education; the University often rivals liberal arts colleges in small class sizes, individual attention to students, and strong relationships between students, faculty and staff.

Recently, and especially over the past few years, Notre Dame has made efforts to strengthen its research opportunities and achievements at all levels. Personally, I am often amazed and what some of the very bright students and professors here at the University can do in their respective fields, whether it is biological sciences, electrical engineering, or economics.

The Office of News and Information has a website specifically dedicated to Notre Dame research and the many projects conducted on campus each year: http://newsinfo.nd.edu/news/category/research/. If you are anything like me, much of the information is over your head, but the page certainly highlights an impressive list of people and projects making Notre Dame proud.

University hosts research symposium

Last week, the University hosted a regional research symposium for undergraduate researchers from the University of Notre Dame, Hope College and the University of Michigan. The symposium, centered around science research allowed students to present the fruits of their summer labors. It is an annual event and was held at the University of Michigan last year.

This is another great example of the growing trend of undergraduate research at Notre Dame. Students really can conduct their own research if they choose!

The full article is here.

Arts & Letters Communique, Summer 2009

The full version of the Arts & Letters Communique can be found here, but some highlights:

• Over 200 Notre Dame students participated in the Undergraduate Scholars conference in May. This provided students a great opportunity to showcase their research, projects, and creative talents to the University community and distinguished scholars.
• We are quite proud of our students! While most of you work with students before they get to campus, here's a great list of some things they are doing when they get here!
• And, as we mentioned a few months ago, a Notre Dame graduate won the Jeopardy! College Championship this spring.

The Communique is filled with other information from the College, but those are a few stories of direct interest to Admissions.

Message from Father Jenkins

Today, Father Jenkins sent a message to all Notre Dame staff to discuss the University's standing during these difficult economic times.  Some of the things Notre Dame remains committed to are:

·         Financial Aid. Offering an affordable education for talented and committed students is a key priority.  We continually monitor tuition and other costs, and remain committed to maintaining our need-blind admission policy while also meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all our students, even as family circumstances change. Our goal is to accomplish this without increasing the overall debt burden for our students.

·         Research.  We will continue to focus on and fund our research projects. This is critical to our future success and a key component of our long-term vision for the University.  We will proceed with the next round of investment in research efforts through the Strategic Academic Planning Committee.

·         Graduate Students.  We will continue to strive to make graduate student stipends more competitive and improve health-care support for our graduate students.

·         Library.  The library is fundamental to our core mission of promoting scholarship and providing excellent undergraduate and graduate education for our students.  We will continue to make funding our library a priority.

·      Construction Projects.  Current construction projects will be completed.  Our conservative capital funding policy requires 100 percent of funding be pledged and 75 percent of funds be in hand before construction begins.  Because of strict compliance with this policy over the past five years, we can continue all current projects without incurring additional debt.  These projects will provide the infrastructure and equipment to continue advancement in research and teaching.  As has been our practice, future projects will begin only after the construction funding policy is fully met.

Interestingly enough, I don't see anything about "Head Football Coach" on there...

History fellowships

As detailed in this article, Notre Dame's Department of History has won more fellowships from the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) than any other university. Sure, any university can have professors earning fellowships and bringing research money into the different departments, but the way our faculty incorporates their research into the classes is second to none.

Looking to improve research

A major focus of Notre Dame's institutional mission the past few years has been research. Research research and more research. The University is looking to expand the research opportunities for undergraduates while also improving and expanding the graduate programs. The article found here, from the Chicago Tribune, presents a nice overview of the University's goals and mission.

Research on the "Millennials" generation

The College Board recently conducted research concerning the "Millennials" generation, made up of those students who entered college at the beginning of this decade/century/millennium.

We have all heard the stories of how this generation (my generation!) is disinterested, lethargic, apathetic, selfish, etc., especially in comparison to the immediately preceding generations. However, the College Board research concluded that the "Millennials" are more like their parents than many believed.

You can find the research and its conclusions here. Of particular interest are the findings about "Factors in College Choice", "Purpose of a College Education" and "Factors in the College Environment".

Research and "Doing Good"

I know many of you already receive the monthly "ND Today" e-mail, but as I went through mine this morning, I found some interesting articles that could be of benefit to you and prospective students. One was this article about using research to "do good"--a continuation of Father Sorin's dream of using an education to not only benefit ourselves, but others as well. This is just another example of how we are able to combine a first-class education with Catholic morals and values!

First Undergraduate Research Conference at Notre Dame

This Friday, more than 200 undergraduate students will present their research projects at the University's first Undergraduate Scholars Conference. More information here:
http://newsinfo.nd.edu/content.cfm?topicid=27587