Principia Discordia

Principia Discordia => Two vast and trunkless legs of stone => Topic started by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 05, 2014, 05:51:06 PM

Title: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 05, 2014, 05:51:06 PM
I thought this could be a place where we have our geeky school-related conversations.

Related: I got all my books for school.

(http://s25.postimg.org/drycdliu7/2014_09_04_18_53_31.jpg)

Two classes for my bio major, one class for my psych major, and one class for both.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 05, 2014, 05:52:05 PM
Apparently Bear wrote my neuroscience textbook.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on September 06, 2014, 03:49:56 PM
I'm actively ignoring my reading list.  About 50% of it is available via the site (to make up for not having access to the library, I guess), 25% of it is stuff from last year and the other 25% seems to be of dubious quality or utility.

I'll figure out if any are important enough to warrant actually buying, but as a rule the mandated weekly reading lists are all accessible without cash.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 06, 2014, 04:18:58 PM
Is that all the books you have?

Here's half of mine. I'm still waiting on shipments, I think I want to give my mailman a card, or something.

(http://i.imgur.com/BOiecnd.jpg)


You're probably wondering why I bought all of those damn Oxford translations. Well, for one: Only ONE of the books that were on my list, out of 25, were available on Kindle. And two: I've tried using Perseus through my undergrad, and I had a shitty time getting the correct citations for paperwriting. Fortunately, history and classics books are cheap, since they haven't changed much in 2000 years. So for 25 books I only spent about $300. And I'll keep them all anyway ,as I only have doubles of 2 books, and they're old translations fro the 70s and therefore outdated. I tend to reference much faster in a printed book than on my Kindle, but I'm getting better. I just have a shitty, and I do mean SHITTY classics library on my Kindle that has bad translations and no bookmarks or ways to easily navigate the texts. Great for casual reading, like how I'm skimming through the Iliad now for discussion on Monday, but I couldn't get a decent citation from it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 06, 2014, 04:22:36 PM
Unrelated: One of my bookshelves collapsed this weekend. None of my new books were on there. We're going to move some stuff into the bedroom to make space out here and rearrange later.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 06, 2014, 04:39:58 PM
Yes, that is all the books I have for this quarter, because I am a science major. :lulz:

In fact, one of those books represents three quarters worth of classes, and two of the others represent two quarters worth of classes, which means that next quarter I'll probably only need to buy one or two books, depending. Science majors don't do a ton of reading, it's more working through concepts and problems. I'll probably spend more time with the online content than with the books.

I'll show you my bedside table though; that's where the readin' books are at. That's for fun times though, not for school times. Bow chicka bow bow.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Ben Shapiro on September 06, 2014, 04:43:24 PM
I'll show you all! WAIT TIL I GET INTO BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 06, 2014, 04:44:14 PM
Quote from: The Right Reverend Nigel on September 06, 2014, 04:39:58 PM
Yes, that is all the books I have for this quarter, because I am a science major. :lulz:

In fact, one of those books represents three quarters worth of classes, and two of the others represent two quarters worth of classes, which means that next quarter I'll probably only need to buy one or two books, depending. Science majors don't do a ton of reading, it's more working through concepts and problems. I'll probably spend more time with the online content than with the books.

I'll show you my bedside table though; that's where the readin' books are at. That's for fun times though, not for school times. Bow chicka bow bow.

Bedside books? Now you're just talking dirty.  :wink:

On the bright side, sorta, I know that my books, even in quantity, are probably cheaper than yours.  :argh!:

Though I think throughout my entire undergrad, my most expensive book was geography. GEOGRAPHY, for no other reason, according to my professor, that they had to make a new edition when the Sudan split.

"NEW COUNTRY! LET'S CHARGE ANOTHER $200!"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 06, 2014, 04:44:15 PM
It looks like it would have been a lot cheaper to be a liberal arts major; I'm a little envious. If I'd bought them new (I didn't, except for Molecular Biology of the Cell) my textbooks + access codes + molecular model set + workbooks would have cost close to $1200. I skated by at just under $500. Fucking textbook racket.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 06, 2014, 04:45:29 PM
Quote from: The Suu on September 06, 2014, 04:44:14 PM
Quote from: The Right Reverend Nigel on September 06, 2014, 04:39:58 PM
Yes, that is all the books I have for this quarter, because I am a science major. :lulz:

In fact, one of those books represents three quarters worth of classes, and two of the others represent two quarters worth of classes, which means that next quarter I'll probably only need to buy one or two books, depending. Science majors don't do a ton of reading, it's more working through concepts and problems. I'll probably spend more time with the online content than with the books.

I'll show you my bedside table though; that's where the readin' books are at. That's for fun times though, not for school times. Bow chicka bow bow.

Bedside books? Now you're just talking dirty.  :wink:

On the bright side, sorta, I know that my books, even in quantity, are probably cheaper than yours.  :argh!:

Though I think throughout my entire undergrad, my most expensive book was geography. GEOGRAPHY, for no other reason, according to my professor, that they had to make a new edition when the Sudan split.

"NEW COUNTRY! LET'S CHARGE ANOTHER $200!"

:lol: That's exactly what I thought when I looked at your books. I was like "Dammit, there are multiple editions of those and she can get them used from a variety of sources. I'm jelly".
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 06, 2014, 04:48:20 PM
Quote from: Cain on September 06, 2014, 03:49:56 PM
I'm actively ignoring my reading list.  About 50% of it is available via the site (to make up for not having access to the library, I guess), 25% of it is stuff from last year and the other 25% seems to be of dubious quality or utility.

I'll figure out if any are important enough to warrant actually buying, but as a rule the mandated weekly reading lists are all accessible without cash.

I'm also jelly of this.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 06, 2014, 04:50:13 PM
Quote from: Triggered word /b/ear on September 06, 2014, 04:43:24 PM
I'll show you all! WAIT TIL I GET INTO BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING!

I don't know how that degree goes, but I do know that once I start my grad degree there will be far fewer books because it's way more hands-on lab research. Which is kind of exciting. Instead of books I'll be pulling articles and doing lit reviews and writing research proposals and then actually DOING IT. SO MANY STOKES.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 06, 2014, 04:56:59 PM
Quote from: The Right Reverend Nigel on September 06, 2014, 04:44:15 PM
It looks like it would have been a lot cheaper to be a liberal arts major; I'm a little envious. If I'd bought them new (I didn't, except for Molecular Biology of the Cell) my textbooks + access codes + molecular model set + workbooks would have cost close to $1200. I skated by at just under $500. Fucking textbook racket.

I'm not sure how good they do for science books, but try Bigwords.com. You put in the ISBN numbers, they find the books, run a search over hundreds of websites and find you the best deal. I was able to get almost all of my books off of Half.com except for the "package" that included 4 translations and the text for my Ancient Greek class. Still, 5 books for $80, new.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 06, 2014, 06:19:02 PM
Also, I have to admit that I am loving my faculty so far. I was soooo apprehensive about starting a new school without knowing anyone going into my MA, but so far, they are fucking amazing.

UNH came really highly recommended for their history department, and unlike URI, they are actually ranked by US News. So I was all about applying anyway. The fact that I have 3 friends, 2 of which also got their graduate degrees here basically, "I loved UNH and you need to go there." Sort of helped seal the deal, because it's not often that state universities receive rave reviews from their alumni. URI is a good school for some things, and I do miss it, but UNH is positively Gucci in comparison. The campus makes URI look trashy, which it's not, it has a very nice campus, but yeah, here's a snapshot of one of the big study rooms on the first floor of the library:

(http://i.imgur.com/T79HC2tl.jpg)

And a random shot of the grounds and the hill that I have to climb to get to the library.

(http://i.imgur.com/XzMngAMl.jpg)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 06, 2014, 09:25:15 PM
Quote from: The Suu on September 06, 2014, 04:56:59 PM
Quote from: The Right Reverend Nigel on September 06, 2014, 04:44:15 PM
It looks like it would have been a lot cheaper to be a liberal arts major; I'm a little envious. If I'd bought them new (I didn't, except for Molecular Biology of the Cell) my textbooks + access codes + molecular model set + workbooks would have cost close to $1200. I skated by at just under $500. Fucking textbook racket.

I'm not sure how good they do for science books, but try Bigwords.com. You put in the ISBN numbers, they find the books, run a search over hundreds of websites and find you the best deal. I was able to get almost all of my books off of Half.com except for the "package" that included 4 translations and the text for my Ancient Greek class. Still, 5 books for $80, new.

Not so great for science textbooks, unfortunately.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 06, 2014, 09:30:36 PM
That's a pretty campus, Suu. My campus is... not pretty. :lulz: The university has been gradually expanding over the SW quarter of the city and a lot of it was built in the 70's.

The new Collaborative Life Sciences Building, which I'll be in this fall, is hilarious because it looks like a barge.

Hello yes I work in barge, thank you.

(http://portlandtribune.com/images/artimg/00003486629829.jpg)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on September 06, 2014, 09:33:22 PM
My campus:

(http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/oa/oak-finish-laptop-desk.jpg)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 06, 2014, 10:18:00 PM
Quote from: Cain on September 06, 2014, 09:33:22 PM
My campus:

(http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/oa/oak-finish-laptop-desk.jpg)

:lulz:

It's all you need.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 07, 2014, 02:16:04 AM
At least it's not CCRI Warwick, which is a testament to the Bauhaus School, albeit a bad one. We call it "the cruise ship."

(http://www.ccri.edu/marketing/news_events/2011/february/images/marketing-architecture-300px.jpg)

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 07, 2014, 04:08:50 AM
Heh, I just found out that the 500-level Systems Science class that I had to get departmental approval for only has 9 students registered, which means it could be the best class ever, or it could get cancelled. That wouldn't be the worst thing on earth but then I'd have to find something else and I can just about guarantee it won't be anywhere near as awesome as Holistic Strategies for Problem Solving.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on September 07, 2014, 10:22:08 AM
St Andrews does have Andrew Melville Hall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Melville_Hall) though, which I spent some time living in:

(https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/residential-and-business-services/studentaccommodationservices/residences/andrewmelvillehall/Andrew_Melville_01.jpg)

QuoteDesigned in the New Brutalist style by the renowned architect James Stirling, Andrew Melville Hall was built during a major expansion of the University in the 1960s using prefabricated concrete modules. Errors in construction meant that extensive remedial work was required over several decades. Plans for further buildings to the same design were abandoned.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 07, 2014, 03:09:51 PM
"Brutalist."

Oof.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 07, 2014, 05:31:32 PM
Quote from: Cain on September 07, 2014, 10:22:08 AM
St Andrews does have Andrew Melville Hall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Melville_Hall) though, which I spent some time living in:

(https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/residential-and-business-services/studentaccommodationservices/residences/andrewmelvillehall/Andrew_Melville_01.jpg)

QuoteDesigned in the New Brutalist style by the renowned architect James Stirling, Andrew Melville Hall was built during a major expansion of the University in the 1960s using prefabricated concrete modules. Errors in construction meant that extensive remedial work was required over several decades. Plans for further buildings to the same design were abandoned.

Hahaha jesus, that's grim. PSU also has several neobrutalist buildings, most notably the old library. They tried to soften the library with a new addition in the front but if you go behind it it still looks like a fortress or a prison of some kind.

There's also Science Building Two. I don't even know what to call that architecture. Recent earthquake retrofitting has made it even more remarkably hideous.

(http://nwesi.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/PSU-Sc-Bldg-2_MG_7556.jpg)

From another angle

(http://www.e-c-co.com/UserFiles/ProjectImages/SB_ext_2_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 07, 2014, 05:34:55 PM
I call it "Neo-Deconstructive Econo-Brutalism".
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 07, 2014, 05:37:48 PM
Oof.

Some of the buildings at URI from the 60s were also designed to be fallout shelters.

Those were the days.  :horrormirth:

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 07, 2014, 05:58:46 PM
TOTALLY UNRELATED other than the fact that it's near campus and I can see it from the Market Street building, but this is a brand-new facade and it's probably the strangest building in Portland, as well as my favorite:

(http://media.oregonlive.com/portland_impact/photo/11179287-large.jpg)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 07, 2014, 06:03:36 PM
Ths is what the building originally looked like:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Green_Wyatt_Federal_Building_vertical_-_Portland%2C_Oregon.JPG/640px-Green_Wyatt_Federal_Building_vertical_-_Portland%2C_Oregon.JPG)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: The Johnny on September 08, 2014, 02:08:34 AM

Nice to know that I can study at peace during the zombie apocalypse somewhere.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on September 09, 2014, 12:13:30 AM
Here's a few pictures of the campus I'm going to: 
(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpsomas.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F07%2Ffac-education_Pima-Community-College.jpg&f=1)

(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pima.edu%2Fcampuses-centers%2Fimages%2Fnwc-small-slide.jpg&f=1)

(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fazbex.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F06%2FPima-Community-College-New-Building.jpg&f=1)

Since it's up in Oro Valley, they've made sure to put pretty plants and rocks next to the road and all around the place, all perfectly just so and "wild" looking.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 09, 2014, 01:09:27 AM
Quote from: The Johnny on September 08, 2014, 02:08:34 AM

Nice to know that I can study at peace during the zombie apocalypse somewhere.

:lol:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 09, 2014, 01:09:50 AM
Freeky, everything is very cube-y.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on September 09, 2014, 03:14:30 AM
It is a bit, isn't it.  A bunch of cubes set at weird angles towards each other, which you can't really see in those pictures.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 09, 2014, 07:15:52 AM
Quote from: Freeky Queen of DERP on September 09, 2014, 03:14:30 AM
It is a bit, isn't it.  A bunch of cubes set at weird angles towards each other, which you can't really see in those pictures.

Oh, you can. You can.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 09, 2014, 11:34:30 AM
We tend to be spoiled up here with the large state universities and Ivy League schools because they're all old and New England-y. UNH attempted to keep the red brick wherever it can, but we have the 1970s ghetto as well. Remarkably, those newer buildings are where the AC never seems to work. At URI it's more blatant.

Here's one of the beautiful old stone buildings on the quad:
(http://www.uri.edu/quadangles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/BLDG-20090915NL-008-317x300.jpg)

Here's the old Pharmacy building:
(http://www.uri.edu/home/image/FogartyHall2005.jpg)

And the NEW one:
http://web.uri.edu/pharmacy/files/campuscornerdark.jpg (big)


Here's the UNH Admin building, Thompson Hall:
(http://www.unh.edu/unhtales/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/why-i-chose-unh.jpg)

.....And then when I spend most of my class time:
(http://www.starfirescircle.com/MCCONNEL.jpg)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Roly Poly Oly-Garch on September 09, 2014, 03:05:14 PM
Quote from: The Right Reverend Nigel on September 07, 2014, 05:58:46 PM
TOTALLY UNRELATED other than the fact that it's near campus and I can see it from the Market Street building, but this is a brand-new facade and it's probably the strangest building in Portland, as well as my favorite:

(http://media.oregonlive.com/portland_impact/photo/11179287-large.jpg)

So cool from the outside. So creepy on the inside. On the first floor is the security check point, this GIGANTIC ornate lobby area, and...nothing...nobody....it very much has the feel of a place that houses things that some portion of the population would want to blow up.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on September 09, 2014, 06:22:30 PM
Quote from: The Right Reverend Nigel on September 09, 2014, 07:15:52 AM
Quote from: Freeky Queen of DERP on September 09, 2014, 03:14:30 AM
It is a bit, isn't it.  A bunch of cubes set at weird angles towards each other, which you can't really see in those pictures.

Oh, you can. You can.

There is just so much cube-osity, Nigel! :lulz:  And it's one of the nicer looking campuses in Tucson.  Make of that what you will.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 09, 2014, 10:59:47 PM
I just read the Dream of the Rood, which is an Anglo-Saxon poem from the point of view of the Holy Cross. I sneered a bit at the idea, but it's actually quite moving and lovely.

http://www.apocalyptic-theories.com/literature/dor/medora1.html
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on September 10, 2014, 02:25:09 PM
Academia Ghetto Thread - now with 100% more actual ghetto architecture!

Still waiting for tutorial dates, though I do have provisional essay dates.  Looks like I wont have to work too hard until mid-November.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 10, 2014, 06:08:30 PM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on September 09, 2014, 03:05:14 PM
Quote from: The Right Reverend Nigel on September 07, 2014, 05:58:46 PM
TOTALLY UNRELATED other than the fact that it's near campus and I can see it from the Market Street building, but this is a brand-new facade and it's probably the strangest building in Portland, as well as my favorite:

(http://media.oregonlive.com/portland_impact/photo/11179287-large.jpg)

So cool from the outside. So creepy on the inside. On the first floor is the security check point, this GIGANTIC ornate lobby area, and...nothing...nobody....it very much has the feel of a place that houses things that some portion of the population would want to blow up.

Well, given that it's the Federal building I would have to guess that assessment is at least somewhat true.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 10, 2014, 06:11:15 PM
I would post more buildings from my campus but they pretty much all look like the 70's.

The original college building is pretty though:

(http://www.howardswright.com/wp-content/uploads/PSULincoln_1.jpg)

It used to be a high school, before the flood that forced Vanport Extension School to relocate to Portland.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 10, 2014, 06:15:02 PM
I'm looking forward to the term starting. It's going to be a tough one I think, but I'm eager to get started, and also eager to put Ochem behind me so I can move forward with bio classes that are more interesting to me. I'm just a few classes away from finishing the psych major and then I can immerse myself in bio.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Roly Poly Oly-Garch on September 10, 2014, 06:36:20 PM
I made the Dean's List from my car this term...so there's that. Also, I'm taking immigration law and criminal law along with improv 2 this next term. I haven't really had a not fun term since I started this major.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 10, 2014, 06:54:20 PM
When I was a kid, I went to a Franciscan church and school. St. Francis of Assisi was this awesome guy who did Christianity a solid.

Now, at age 32, after reading Thomas of Celano, I am now 99% positive that Francis went certifiably batshit. Here's somebody who you would think that had an actual clue of what being Christian was, sorta, and his fall into becoming "the knight of the LORD" is a full on nervous breakdown. Unlike Margery Kempe, who just did it for attention, I think poor Francis (who maintained epic anti-Semitic views from his rich brat days) went full potato.

Holy hell. This stuff is GREAT, if not sad. Really.

http://www.indiana.edu/~dmdhist/francis.htm#1.1
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 10, 2014, 07:14:53 PM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on September 10, 2014, 06:36:20 PM
I made the Dean's List from my car this term...so there's that. Also, I'm taking immigration law and criminal law along with improv 2 this next term. I haven't really had a not fun term since I started this major.

It sounds pretty fucking awesome. Also I'm impressed that you managed to maintain your GPA despite being homeless.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Roly Poly Oly-Garch on September 10, 2014, 08:03:50 PM
Quote from: The Right Reverend Nigel on September 10, 2014, 07:14:53 PM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on September 10, 2014, 06:36:20 PM
I made the Dean's List from my car this term...so there's that. Also, I'm taking immigration law and criminal law along with improv 2 this next term. I haven't really had a not fun term since I started this major.

It sounds pretty fucking awesome. Also I'm impressed that you managed to maintain your GPA despite being homeless.

It's BECAUSE of being homeless..or at least not where I was. Mountains of narcotics aren't quite the study aids they're reputed to be.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 10, 2014, 11:17:50 PM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on September 10, 2014, 08:03:50 PM
Quote from: The Right Reverend Nigel on September 10, 2014, 07:14:53 PM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on September 10, 2014, 06:36:20 PM
I made the Dean's List from my car this term...so there's that. Also, I'm taking immigration law and criminal law along with improv 2 this next term. I haven't really had a not fun term since I started this major.

It sounds pretty fucking awesome. Also I'm impressed that you managed to maintain your GPA despite being homeless.

It's BECAUSE of being homeless..or at least not where I was. Mountains of narcotics aren't quite the study aids they're reputed to be.

:lol: Yeah, I imagine not.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 10, 2014, 11:20:33 PM
I have made a small list of classes I might take if Holistic Problem Solving gets canceled. They are:

Physics I
Ecology
Health Psychology
Learning
Behavior Analysis

Even though I really need to get Physics out of the way, I'm leaning toward Learning, as it's one of the three core neuropsych courses, along with Perception and Cognition.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 11, 2014, 12:07:48 AM
Wednesdays suck. Not having access to the car right now sucks. Hopefully next week will change everything, but damn, leaving the house at 8:30 to get home almost 12 hours later isn't fun.

I'm just a few paragraphs away from this text analysis being completed, and even though it's not due until 5pm tomorrow, I want to get it done so my reading is prepared for class at 11am. I'm just so tired right now. Once I eat dinner I think I'll snap out of it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 12, 2014, 07:43:53 PM
I'm happy that I don't have to think about any Shit I Have to Do until the end of the month.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 12, 2014, 07:46:11 PM
I did spend some time today thinking about what my backup plan is if I don't get into the neuroscience program, and decided that I'll apply for grad programs in genetics, psychology, and epidemiology and see what happens.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on September 14, 2014, 12:11:20 PM
Genetics would be a good fit for your interests in particular, I think.

Just got my first tutorial date.  What are we discussing?  ISIS! Of course.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 14, 2014, 04:34:19 PM
Quote from: Cain on September 14, 2014, 12:11:20 PM
Genetics would be a good fit for your interests in particular, I think.

Just got my first tutorial date.  What are we discussing?  ISIS! Of course.

Excellent!

I went to a housewarming last night that turned out to be jam-packed with people in public health, and I found out that OHSU and PSU are A. combining their public health programs, B. Splitting out epidemiology from biostatistics, and C. adding an epi PhD. My current thought is that I am going to apply to the epi MPH program as my #1 backup for the neuroscience program, and then while I finish my epi degree I can reapply to the neuro program.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 14, 2014, 04:39:00 PM
And for sure genetics as my #2 backup plan. I wish PSU would bring back its medical anthropology program, but I guess it's kind of obsolete at this point.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 14, 2014, 04:48:14 PM
The molecular & cellular program at OHSU also looks like a great possibility: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-medicine/departments/basic-science-departments/molecular-cellular-biosciences//

Like, damn. That's a fucking badass program.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 17, 2014, 05:58:37 PM
Boniface VIII was a twatbog.

Every time I have to read Unam Sanctam I just want to go back to 1302 and choke a bitch.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 17, 2014, 06:03:17 PM
As the university machine slowly awakens from its summer nap, gears gradually shift into motion and with them come the emails.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 17, 2014, 06:50:32 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on September 17, 2014, 06:03:17 PM
As the university machine slowly awakens from its summer nap, gears gradually shift into motion and with them come the emails.

Thank you for reminding me to check my university email.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 19, 2014, 05:39:04 PM
Financial aid is supposed to disburse today. Has it? No. It has not. And the university has removed all mention of the disbursement schedule from its website.

Thanks, fuckurz.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 19, 2014, 05:40:53 PM
Nah, that's cool... I can just feed my children twigs and we'll huddle together for warmth while I study by candlelight.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 25, 2014, 02:05:55 AM
So I bombed my first 2 text analyses for a class.

Okay, I didn't BOMB, but I got 3.5's out of 5s. So they're punitive assignments, we get more credit actually showing up to class and participating, but, this made me miserable. Come to find out, the entire class also bombed. So yesterday my professor pulled an awesome, admitted she was confusing the fuck out of us, and walked us through what she wanted. I hope this last one I did is better. I feel like I'm rusty coming out of oh, 9 months out of school, but the clouds are starting to lift. I mean, all of her criticism was constructive and the rest made me feel very DERP. And she's super cool and approachable. I just really don't need to have another professor tell me, "YOU SUCK THIS PAPER SUCKS NO URI FOR YUO." Which you know, doesn't explain why I was one of 8 MA students accepted at UNH. So I think it's really all in my head.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on September 25, 2014, 11:56:29 AM
Quote from: The Suu on September 25, 2014, 02:05:55 AM
So I think it's really all in my head.

I think that's usually the case, for you.  From what I can tell, you has teh smartiez.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Roly Poly Oly-Garch on September 30, 2014, 03:46:11 PM
This term is dense with information. Legal research, criminal justice (taught by a prosecutor  :eek:), and immigration law.

Immigration law is pretty much like taking a new language. Not even the things I learned in other law classes really apply.

Then there's fucking legal research. Ho-Ly-Shit! So far we've basically covered citations and how to use reporters (case books). Citation is fucking insane. Think MLM if there were a couple thousand different MLM standards for any one type of citation, depending on where you were, what you were doing, and, often, who's going to be reading the thing. Also, add in the possibility that a court can reject filings if you fail to underline the appropriate words (malpractice suit) or use a format that works in one court room which the judge in the the court room across the hall doesn't accept.

Justice is blind...and by blind, I mean highly concerned with whether omission of a preposition in a case title is permissible/mandatory in this jurisdiction, and venue.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 30, 2014, 10:55:18 PM
Wow, the citation sounds brutal! I'm grateful that once I finished my writing requirements I can pretty much count on only using APA for the rest of my life.

I am in between classes on the second day of school and feeling a little reassured about ochem (just sat down and did some of the homework, it really wasn't that bad, seems like I just need to make sure I do some problems every day) but more nervous about Holistic Problem Solving, which looks like it might be kind of an ass-kicker. Downloaded and printed a couple of books worth of readings on the systems approach in business. Molecular bio seems like it'll be fun, especially since I did all that extra reading on epigenetics last Spring, and Neurophysiology actually looks like it's going to be my cakewalk class because it's a lot of biology and sensory stuff.

I'm dog-tired. The new building is exceptionally beautiful inside, though, and is designed to make students walk, with catwalks crisscrossing the upper reaches, which are open and airy and full of light, which ultimately is good for all of us.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 30, 2014, 10:56:59 PM
FIRST MIDTERMS ARE NEXT WEEK.

:lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 01, 2014, 03:17:46 AM
Quote from: The Suu on September 30, 2014, 10:56:59 PM
FIRST MIDTERMS ARE NEXT WEEK.

:lulz:

WELCOME TO ETERNAL MIDTERMLANDS.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 01, 2014, 03:18:11 AM
Fuck, it was my second day today and I think I have midterms next week, too.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on October 02, 2014, 08:27:59 PM
I just started two classes today.  Self-paced, independent study, Business English (OAP 151) and Computer Keyboarding and Document Processing (OAP111).  Doesn't seem like it'll be too hard, but I MUST have the books, because one of them is a workbook where I have to physically rip the pages out AND ALSO do the internet thing (where I must have bought the keycode), and the other is two books and a keycode that I have to have because we do work in Word, and that work isn't on the website.  Buuuuuuutts.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on October 04, 2014, 12:10:08 AM
It looks like I may be spending a portion of my summer in Turkey. My Greek history professor manages a dig.

http://www.cadirhoyuk.com/index.html

They have 2 Byzantine trenches. I'm going to see if I can A: Use it as one of my required internships and/or B: Use it as a springboard for my thesis.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 04, 2014, 04:52:46 AM
Archaeology digs have always sounded like fun to me. A friend of mine majored in antiquities, and he spent a summer in Greece, which sounded heavenly (at the time, this was when Greece still had some economic solidity).
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 04, 2014, 04:57:21 AM
I basically need to get through this term and then start working on my next internship/lab job. My study mate T spent his summer volunteering with a PI who studies lichen, who then hooked him up with a PI who studies virology, and now I'm all envious and wondering if I misspent my summer. :lol:

Meanwhile, Surfboard Sam, who is possibly the smartest person in our cohort, is going to spend fall and spring in Germany, which means that she's opening up some space for me to get the primo lab jobs while she's gone, and also to recommend her as my successor when she comes back.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 07, 2014, 12:35:56 AM
So the good news is that as far as I can tell so far, Ochem is not even vaguely anywhere near as hard and awful as people have been leading me to believe it would be. It's just a matter of understanding the systems and then making them second nature by actually doing the practice problems.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 07, 2014, 01:12:18 AM
I'm actually starting to suspect that the whole "Ochem will murder you and eat your face" schtick is hyperbole designed to keep the riffraff out of science.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 07, 2014, 12:17:19 PM
Apparently, a lot of the bad rep organic chemistry has is from insufficiently trained pre-med and biology students.  And the textbooks.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 07, 2014, 12:22:29 PM
a new reply has been posted.  oh ok ?00

No Probably SoMe truth to it? A few years back there was a chemist
at PSu who would let ME in his Lab | he was doing solutions
aka WET {nonORG { i on the other hand do Dry {crucible {never mind
He would desolve everything in acids & then selectively deposit out of solution
over time  1 2 3 etc | the trick was the solution had to be stirred just so
to fast caused errors  & to slow also STIR CORRECTLY
anyway after a few years of itreium no it was IRidium { i supplied
he developed twitches & a died a few years after that { i4got his name

Quote from: Your Mom on October 07, 2014, 01:12:18 AM
I'm actually starting to suspect that the whole "Ochem will murder you and eat your face" schtick is hyperbole designed to keep the riffraff out of science.




Quote from: Cain on October 07, 2014, 12:17:19 PM
Apparently, a lot of the bad rep organic chemistry has is from insufficiently trained pre-med and biology students.  And the textbooks.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 07, 2014, 12:34:14 PM

Byzantine period sit layer atop layer, reaching a height of 32 meters
YEAH ? YEAH  Those stupid Archaeologists are always looking down NEVER Up
LoOk tw | what you want to do is DATE | CM/s by CM/s top to bottom of the 32
Always /Alwaus carryA 32 PEARL HANDLED REVOLVER BEHIND YOUR BACK
in a holster that has no safty strap to hold it in | loose holster tats all tw


Quote from: The Suu on October 04, 2014, 12:10:08 AM
It looks like I may be spending a portion of my summer in Turkey. My Greek history professor manages a dig.

http://www.cadirhoyuk.com/index.html

They have 2 Byzantine trenches. I'm going to see if I can A: Use it as one of my required internships and/or B: Use it as a springboard for my thesis.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 07, 2014, 12:37:32 PM
oh yeah i 4 got
don't put any bullets in the gun
bury the buLLets some where near by
where only U know where that is

yEA2 I meant bottom 2 top  { start from the BotTem

http://www.ahistoryofgreece.com/byzantine.htm

n 51 AD Chr  / 100ways in 100 hours == 2cm/A  {ay at 03:50:14 am

no wait i mean 1CM/m  m=Millinium / In the 3rd century At tiki
In the 4th Century : ant Nine converts to Christianity a
rom time to time in the form of groups like the Bogomils and the Cathars,

In 364 the empire officially splits  | Listen its a 264 Winchester Magnum
&IF i were you i would not get within 10 feet of a Rifle | take plenty of smokes
and lighters / maybe 100
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞ on October 07, 2014, 01:21:28 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on September 10, 2014, 06:08:30 PM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on September 09, 2014, 03:05:14 PM
Quote from: The Right Reverend Nigel on September 07, 2014, 05:58:46 PM
TOTALLY UNRELATED other than the fact that it's near campus and I can see it from the Market Street building, but this is a brand-new facade and it's probably the strangest building in Portland, as well as my favorite:

(http://media.oregonlive.com/portland_impact/photo/11179287-large.jpg)

So cool from the outside. So creepy on the inside. On the first floor is the security check point, this GIGANTIC ornate lobby area, and...nothing...nobody....it very much has the feel of a place that houses things that some portion of the population would want to blow up.

Well, given that it's the Federal building I would have to guess that assessment is at least somewhat true.

Which makes that outer motif seem less coincidental in its semblance to the fascist "bundle of sticks" symbolism. For example, the 1930's fascist Italian flag:

(http://i.imgur.com/PVdpZFA.png)

Hmmmm....
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 07, 2014, 02:05:14 PM
Quote from: Cain on October 07, 2014, 12:17:19 PM
Apparently, a lot of the bad rep organic chemistry has is from insufficiently trained pre-med and biology students.  And the textbooks.

Pre-meds. :lol: Yeah, I could see that.

My particular textbook is excellent. It's actually the best science textbook of any kind I've ever seen, rather remarkably so.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 07, 2014, 02:20:38 PM
So lately I'm starting to feel a little more pull toward epigenetics. I am pretty well entrenched in the neuro subfield, but I am considering slanting my last year a little more toward molecular & genetics.

I think that part of it was looking at the current research in the molecular & cell bio department at OHSU... that stuff's exciting! And I feel like the epigenetics of brain development are well worth examining.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 07, 2014, 02:24:32 PM
I am considering adding a chemistry minor if I can squeeze it in. I think that at the very least I'll proceed as if I were going to do that, and I can always abort at the last minute if it looks like I'm running out of time or funding. I would just need to finish the ochem series and take quantitative analysis and biochem.

If I don't hate Ochem at the end of this term I'll probably do it.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 07, 2014, 02:29:56 PM
I've done no reading this week, because the time I set aside for reading has instead been spent doing tech support's job and deciphering their inane emails.

But as I understand it, we're going to discuss root causes of terrorism in the context of counter-terrorism policy.  Which is fine, I mean, half my writing is pretty much on that topic.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 07, 2014, 02:32:21 PM
Quote from: Cain on October 07, 2014, 02:29:56 PM
I've done no reading this week, because the time I set aside for reading has instead been spent doing tech support's job and deciphering their inane emails.

But as I understand it, we're going to discuss root causes of terrorism in the context of counter-terrorism policy.  Which is fine, I mean, half my writing is pretty much on that topic.

:lol: Yeah, you're already pretty much on top of that.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 07, 2014, 02:34:11 PM
I just found out that school didn't deduct my bus pass (which I charged to my student account) from my scholarship disbursement, with the result that they charged me a $100 late fee on my unpaid balance, with the end result that my "discounted" bus pass now costs more than if I had simply bought a regular bus pass.

Thanks a fucking lot.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Roly Poly Oly-Garch on October 07, 2014, 04:12:22 PM
Quote from: The Suu on October 04, 2014, 12:10:08 AM
It looks like I may be spending a portion of my summer in Turkey. My Greek history professor manages a dig.

http://www.cadirhoyuk.com/index.html

They have 2 Byzantine trenches. I'm going to see if I can A: Use it as one of my required internships and/or B: Use it as a springboard for my thesis.

Oh My God! That's Horrible. I'm sorry.

Why can't our lives just be filled with uninteresting mundane things? Just think of all the trips to the grocery store for salted butter you're going to miss out on in that time.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Eater of Clowns on October 07, 2014, 11:32:14 PM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on October 07, 2014, 04:12:22 PM
Quote from: The Suu on October 04, 2014, 12:10:08 AM
It looks like I may be spending a portion of my summer in Turkey. My Greek history professor manages a dig.

http://www.cadirhoyuk.com/index.html

They have 2 Byzantine trenches. I'm going to see if I can A: Use it as one of my required internships and/or B: Use it as a springboard for my thesis.

Oh My God! That's Horrible. I'm sorry.

Why can't our lives just be filled with uninteresting mundane things? Just think of all the trips to the grocery store for salted butter you're going to miss out on in that time.

:lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 08, 2014, 02:59:00 AM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on October 07, 2014, 04:12:22 PM
Quote from: The Suu on October 04, 2014, 12:10:08 AM
It looks like I may be spending a portion of my summer in Turkey. My Greek history professor manages a dig.

http://www.cadirhoyuk.com/index.html

They have 2 Byzantine trenches. I'm going to see if I can A: Use it as one of my required internships and/or B: Use it as a springboard for my thesis.

Oh My God! That's Horrible. I'm sorry.

Why can't our lives just be filled with uninteresting mundane things? Just think of all the trips to the grocery store for salted butter you're going to miss out on in that time.

:lulz: :lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 08, 2014, 09:46:59 AM
ad 1045 I hope she dooes  yeah:
its pretty well established by now My computer's clock gains about
1 sec/d while the board C goes the other way / A constant drifting :"APART":
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 08, 2014, 01:02:22 PM
5:55 pdT ad 1058 I was trying to watch BBC  news at 5:30
I guess its not on on Wed? i tuned in to 10.3 <fM  not video
& they were describing the WINNERS  in chemistry
this was not the Swedish version {in Japan IN AMer}
and was about microscopes in general |beyond the Limits of
& SO: i thought about some at PSU | there are several
A LOT of Nano tech studies underway in physics i think
So, yes i even went to the formal announcement of JJ's
about her Million $ 1 | there was a Black Pres back then
who Mc'd | he was replaced shortly after that date
{ok never mind | Look my guess is the place to go
to get affordable access | is in the sub basement of cramer
there is a unit there {geology | where i think its possible
to get time in room | without the JJ' non¢ents of No Tie Che
however it spelled | Just a min |||  Ok IC i i { sorry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HblOzl6CxI  http://portlandtaichiacademy.com/


Quote from: hirley0 on October 08, 2014, 09:46:59 AM
ad 1045 I hope she dooes  yeah:
its pretty well established by now My computer's clock gains about
1 sec/d while the board C goes the other way / A constant drifting :"APART":

6:15>  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_chi_chuan
Just killing time waiting for NHK at 7 internal Chinese martial art
{never mind | try fen swa } http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui
a Chinese philosophical system of harmonizing everyone
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Fengshui_Compass.jpg/250px-Fengshui_Compass.jpg)

try? see the M'scope in CH.subB
Just walk in when the door is open is my guess???

stiill 1/2 hour b4 NHK | i doubt that s1 or 2 is the correct path
the New building? looks of interest | i have never even seen  it
& have no idea where to look | maybe on the old path to the
candle light | which was gone last time i turned that corner:

maybe a year ago maybe 2 | i don't pay much attention
J of MCC | now X'd coms down to 11th and fills me in on
the Stake ? but Like i suggest | its beyond me | i would
watch BBC {never mind  | i do watch NHK } & wonder ?%
of SMSU 335 is Tai { & no i dont remember if the SE corner
is 335 even. I guess i should find a LiNk {hmm? oCHem {hmm

http://www.pdx.edu/chem/home

http://web.pdx.edu/~wamserc/   < 4Sure

Organic Chemistry (last time) ???
Retirement Symposium, September 28, 2012 / Truly sad  {sorry
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 08, 2014, 02:17:32 PM
ad 1067 7-7:30
00: it sounds to me that the tail has changed   | CHem
:02 LED / physics 
:03 Flash Photo Blue LeD ...  behind apple 10 - 19 | 1980's Universities
:07 J.A. |1997 2337 CHINA COAST GUARD SHIP > PROACTIVE >> {||
10 C?j Sept Maratime
12 Students HK
13 C. Quake 9:50 6.6
14   500T  sunrise 689  {pirated | drills 
15 heldman police
16 sept 30 ANA { 9m$ SIMULATOR FREE $28 WiFi
20 SPEEDI 2 Month delay ? evacuation
21 weather India<CYCLONE  vonefong Sat ? Mon


Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 10, 2014, 11:10:24 PM
Today in Ochem the professor, in response to questions, explained orbital hybridization for the THIRD time. Are these people not even bothering to read the book? It's just not that hard. I'm gonna lose my shit and just start keening like an Augustus monkey if someone asks him to explain it a fourth time.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on October 11, 2014, 12:46:52 AM
So I had my first eternal midterm today, which means finals are next week  followed by another midterm.  :lulz:

I attend my first conference tomorrow. The Culture of Credit and Debt in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period is the theme. This could be...This could require alcohol.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 11, 2014, 09:06:56 AM
THUS:
the Last time i visited ORganic Carl was still there
it was in Hoffman and the room was packed
my guess about 200 | i knew a couple of the
viet nameese kids | as at that time '10 they
were still able to commune at text level CH27
as i recall
so i wonder
who teaches | where | when | & % Asian ???








Quote from: Your Mom on October 10, 2014, 11:10:24 PM
Today in Ochem the professor, in response to questions, explained orbital hybridization for the THIRD time. Are these people not even bothering to read the book? It's just not that hard. I'm gonna lose my shit and just start keening like an Augustus monkey if someone asks him to explain it a fourth time.

yeah 12.something Board
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_hybridisation

well anyway my ver of this WAS

that there exists only 1 electron
not AVAgagroes | just a min OR 2 or 3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avogadro_constant

that 1 has infinate {cant find symbole  | SPEED
so that it can appear to AVogadro.ized if required
aS4c Oc {see mayan | i do not want to work4
a DRUG manUfacturer . or even attened
as far as ch27 goes | sure | quote A LiN' ?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 11, 2014, 09:12:31 AM
Free Instant Speed Test Software‎ Fast & Easy!
http://www.eternalsophomore.com/blog/category/mid-terms/

when i get the .jpg / will post it here V

Quote from: The Suu on October 11, 2014, 12:46:52 AM
So I had my first eternal midterm today, which means finals are next week  followed by another midterm.  :lulz:

I attend my first conference tomorrow. The Culture of Credit and Debt in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period is the theme. This could be...This could require alcohol.

verdana| My new debit card {from banner }} seams to function
so far? & yes i'll be moving here cause iz dropping my m=s group for now


not ver? anyway i'LL probably head off tward free onLiN's soon Maybe next post

http://www.eternalsophomore.com/blog/2009/10/12/mid-term-today/#respond 3:21:00.9
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 11, 2014, 09:53:51 AM
Y courier > :fnord:  (http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php/topic,31493.msg1314085.html#msg1314085)   { .fm/listen/user/bojack/person
Y arial
Y arial black
Y impact
Y verdana
Y times new roman
Y georgia
Y andale mono
Y trebuchet ms
Y comic sans ms

ounty of Multnomah co. Adding &  $35^2  Aiding not Adding
Recall now | hirley0 {of yahoo time | no longer eXists {soRRy

shirley am here
http://www.pdx.edu/registration/class_schedule.html    { not there
banweb.pd (https://banweb.pdx.edu/pls/oprd/bwckschd.p_disp_dyn_sched)
BLUE (https://banweb.pdx.edu/pls/oprd/bwckschd.p_get_crse_unsec) tudents: Courses scheduled in Collaborative Life Sciences Building, CLSB
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 11, 2014, 05:18:25 PM
Did a bunch of ochem problems last night

Working on more of them today, hoping to get through the rest of Chapter 1, and plough through at least the online chapter 2 problems by tomorrow. I think I might have a paper due on Tuesday, but my plan is to put that off to the last minute and focus on catching up in Mol Bio.

There are people in my class who haven't even STARTED the chapter one problems, or opened the book at all. Those people are so so fucked.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 12, 2014, 11:40:01 AM
2014 of Seven years of 7's
http://www.erisbarandgrill.com/gt/index.php | that is where
in the index | it does remind me of ccc | Clatsp County Community College

https://www.clatsopcc.edu/academics/online-education/blackboard

they still use the BLACKboored | i tossed my book | OR maybe gave it to CB

i think PSU has MySoMeTing  now days | {never mind  2:40:?? >

Last day to register for term length classes 10/10/2014 - 5:00pm
two days late / &Λ S too  {so4get.it probably 2:50:00 >
me mornings it may not be stable until 7  | y at 02:50:00 am

3:> i guess i 4got the LiNk
https://www.clatsopcc.edu/calendar-date/week
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 12, 2014, 06:02:55 PM
I'm currently filling out an application for a 4 credit Honors class that takes place over Spring break.

In Borneo.

Wish me luck!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on October 12, 2014, 10:42:22 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 12, 2014, 06:02:55 PM
I'm currently filling out an application for a 4 credit Honors class that takes place over Spring break.

In Borneo.

Wish me luck!
Borneo? Cool! Good luck!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 12, 2014, 11:21:49 PM
I'm very very hopeful. It's prioritized for Honors College students.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 13, 2014, 08:57:11 AM
I'm thinking of maybe giving up my think tank position.  As useful as it potentially is, and as little as 10 hours a week sounds, what is actually happening is that I'm writing a masters level style essay, every single week, without pay.  And naturally, doing that is interferring with the research I paid to do, which is of several magnitudes more important to me.

I also may be getting another writing job, if I can finish off this application form, which would make things harder.  Assuming they can supply me with enough work, they would pay enough per assignment for me to live on comfortably, quit my day job (such as it is) and continue studying.

But to finish the application, I have to write...yet another essay for free.  Urgh.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on October 13, 2014, 11:41:35 AM
And then both Nigel and Suu were taken to exotic far off locations for the spring and summer to spread their knowledge, wit, and feminine charm in the name of SCIENCE and HISTORY.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 13, 2014, 12:00:09 PM
Quote from: The Suu on October 13, 2014, 11:41:35 AM
And then both Nigel and Suu were taken to exotic far off locations for the spring and summer to spread their knowledge, wit, and feminine charm in the name of SCIENCE and HISTORY.

Go Od LL uck {+9s ?
y at 03:17:03
Your session timed out while posting. Please try to re-submit your message.
yeah for about the 7th time today | this anyway}
MWF 11:15 - 12:20 CLSB 1A001 / Robert Michael Strongin / 406-seat lecture hall
(http://www.pdx.edu/academic-scheduling/sites/www.pdx.edu.academic-scheduling/files/styles/large/public/CLSB_map.jpg)
?
TR 8:00 - 9:50 Hoffmann Hall 109 / Keith D Schwartz  { Seats? about 200 {maybe

?/?
on ding laboratory courses are Ch 337, 339
SCI Research & Teaching Center 355 ? 361         {seats? ?0 ah ha
http://www.pdx.edu/floorplans/campus-map
{No BUILDING ? search Greenhouse (RGH) ?
rch fered during Winter t
______________
https://www.clatsopcc.edu/academics/online-education/available-online-courses
PE185RA Walking or Running for Fitness
LIB127 Information Research Skills
CSL107 Spreadsheets
(http://www.erisbarandgrill.com/photo/med/ttog.JPG)
ay at 03:27:54 am
http://www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses
http://www.openculture.com/chemistry-free-courses
http://oyc.yale.edu/chemistry/chem-125a#sessions
http://oyc.yale.edu/chemistry/chem-125a/lecture-4
http://oyc.yale.edu/chemistry/chem-125a/exam-1
http://oyc.yale.edu/sites/default/files/Midtermexam1.pdf

IT REMinds me of Pacific U / Curie
in those days? PU had Mac's
the whole city was Mac.IFfied
his version was such that you could
spin flip & rotate | kind of 3d effect
A sharp little CH dude | i spent maybe
15 min with him | under a tree |
discussing Madam = different spelling
1 R instead of 2 | i4get which was 1 time outs =3

day at 03:57:20 am
20:28 2014 10/12 an eX'poisA THEORY OF THE 1 ELECTRON u&iVERSE's
.1 tO BEGIN 1 has three costumes or ways of appearing
   a. as a solid {partical theory
   b: as a liquid { wave theory
   c? &as a gas {TBD theory
2: REMember 1 has infinant Speed
   a. & can appear to be many at the same time
   b: But its just the same 1 ? passing Quickley
3? WeLL ? i don't know silly girl
it goes something like this {Maybe
in its undetected so far | Gasious form |
it takes on as yet undetected { call it supernatural presence
perhaps the form(3) will soon be theorized {even if undetable
_
So start from chapter 1. one electron
& the so called Hydrogen Neculas
what is that. does it pulsate
vibrate: twist and turn,
does it do the tango or the mombow
or any Latin flavored tempo whatsoever
or is it nothing but dead matter
=
still riged, unchanging
OR is that what the form(3) form
wants U to presupose {never mind
:
Look for the scope to scope out the answer
I 'poise THE 1{scope to find is located in Cramer
& not in {WHATS IT CALLED | {"CLSB"     or   in
SCI Research & Teaching Center 355 ? 361
WHERE IN THE HELL IS THAT AT {HUH
?
it might be a good question, & then it may
Just be & WINtER Prop for prime time TV
an where oh were is the web cam located
http://www.fsu.edu/webcam/crenshaw/
please contact help@fsu.edu please contact help@fsu.edu  
/
(http://dsa-web02.its.fsu.edu/webcam/uploads/image_00001.jpg?dummy=1413172487656)
(http://m.tripcheck.com/images/RoadCams/US26%20at%20Govt%20Camp%20Lp%20Rd_pid1777.JPG?12120603244286)

timed out = 5
22:00 2014 10/12 3 forms
c: electro static
a. electro magnetic
b? electro dynamic


09:42 redirect route = 1
07:39 & 07:59 & 09:38 drop carrier = 3
dit: Today at 04:36:40 am timed out$ = 5 {NHK news:
| end of nhk news was at timed out$ = 3
http://www.openculture.com/math_free_courses

Thank you for downloading iTunes.

Now that you've downloaded iTunes,
you're just a few steps away from st
arting a digital entertainment co
llection and enjoying it on your PC.

Mathematics: Making the Invisible Visible
– Free iTunes Video – Free Online Video –
Keith Devlin, Stanford
https://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/mathematics-making-invisible/id573270993
We are unable to find iTunes on your computer {Shirley, not loaded yet
i did try to install this | it says SP3 REQUIRED {01:19 2014 10/13
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24
IT TOOK HOURS TO DOWNLOAD | i fell asleep | will try2inst | Later




Mathematics Illuminated –
Free Online Video & Course Materials –
Dan Rockmore, Dartmouth College
Http://www.learner.org/courses/mathilluminated/
http://www.learner.org/courses/mathilluminated/units/12/
http://www.learner.org/courses/mathilluminated/interactives/#galton
This interactive should take 20-30 minutes to complete. {metronome
you need to upgrade or install Flash Player {{ NO THANK's anyway


it is AM a-Zing what posting at second = :00 will do
3+ hours to modify 1 ^

(http://www.erisbarandgrill.com/photo/math/sp3.JPG)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on October 13, 2014, 12:11:01 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 12, 2014, 11:21:49 PM
I'm very very hopeful. It's prioritized for Honors College students.

Relevant song!  Good luck! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSOBbgQ3Kyc)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 13, 2014, 03:49:33 PM
Gah.  So here is the question I'm doing for this essay writing company:

QuoteAre states the only relevant conceptual actors in world politics?

Gah.  Again.  It's so...first year undergrad.  Which is probably who they hope to sell it to, of course.  But still, that flaming question...it's almost as bad as "is classical Realism's focus on human nature misguided?"

The other questions were no better.  "Has the response of the EU to the 'Arab Spring', recent events in the Middle East, been primarily driven by self-interest?"  Probably.  I don't know, because there are more interesting things to think about than EU foreign policy, like how long it takes for paint to dry, or whether a falling tree in the woods makes a sound if no-one is around to hear it.

And the other is "To what extent are recent grass-roots protests such as 'Occupy the City' driven by identical motivations to the 1960's protest movement?"  Yeah.  I'm not even going to go there.

By contrast, my actual university assignments are pretty awesome.  I mean, check this out:

QuoteAnswer one of the following questions:

    Discuss and assess the following counter-terrorism policy recommendation: learn to live with terrorism.

    Discuss and assess the following counter-terrorism policy recommendation: address root problems and causes.

    Discuss and assess the following counter-terrorism policy recommendations (a) avoid over-militarisation of response; and (b) obtain good intelligence;

    Discuss and assess the following counter-terrorism policy recommendation: respect the rule of law.

    Discuss and assess the following counter-terrorism policy recommendations: (a) co-ordinate counter-terrorism measures; and (b) maintain credibility in public argument.

Essay 2

Answer one of the following questions:

    'Competing analyses of al-Qaeda give rise to competing counter-terrorism responses' – Discuss

    'Like other terrorist movements, Al-Qaeda aims to nurture a climate in which autonomous groups and individuals carry out terrorist attacks' – Discuss

    'Communities help defeat terrorism' – Discuss

    To what extent have notions of 'radicalisation', 'counter-radicalisation', 'de-radicalisation', 'violent extremism' and 'extremism' altered the concept and practice of 'counter-terrorism'.

    'Government negotiations with terrorists reward terrorism' - Discuss

And these are the ones I'm interested in from my electives:

Quote

Analyse the concept of the 'lone wolf' in relation to far right terrorism and political violence.

Discuss the relationships between (a) mainstream politics, (b) far right politics, and (c) far right terrorism, political violence and hate crime, in one country.

To what extent do Richard English's seven policy recommendations in Terrorism: How to Respond apply when conceiving responses to far right terrorism and political violence?

'Since 9/11 Muslims in US and Europe have become more at risk of far right violence' – discuss

To what extent have governments been 'blind in the right eye'* ?

Quote
    What forces shaped patterns of political violence between 1914 and 1945?
    Assess the achievements and failures of the IRA in mounting sustained campaigns of destruction in Britain in 1919-22 and 1939-1940.
    Why were the Irgun so brutal?
    How far should we concur with the Nazis' assessment of Resistance fighters as 'terrorists'?

QuoteQ1. Using examples, critically discuss some causes of suicide terrorism.

Q2. What role does religion play in promulgating suicide terrorism?

Q3. How can we explain the contagion effect of suicide terrorism?

Q4. How important is it to understand the role of women in suicide terrorism?

Q5. Can we construct an overarching theoretical approach to study suicide terrorism?

Q6. Has Al Qaeda changed the nature of suicide terrorism? Discuss using examples.

Q7. Can suicide terrorism ever be a rational choice for the individual committing the act? Why or why not?

Much more fun
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 13, 2014, 04:18:17 PM
My thought is that once beyond first-year, any student that continues in polisci is going to be able to answer their own essay questions.

And your coursework looks AWESOME.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 13, 2014, 04:19:12 PM
Quote from: The Suu on October 13, 2014, 11:41:35 AM
And then both Nigel and Suu were taken to exotic far off locations for the spring and summer to spread their knowledge, wit, and feminine charm in the name of SCIENCE and HISTORY.

Let us hope!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 13, 2014, 04:24:07 PM
So, one of the side effects of working on a lab science and a social science degree at the same time is that I cannot even fucking believe how much more work one is than the other. Seriously. WTF. A 4 credit 300-level chemistry or biology class is probably four to five times the amount of study time commitment of a 4 credit 400-level psych, sociology, public health, or even systems science class. And, you have to take MORE science classes to get a BS in biology or chemistry than you do to get a BS in psychology.

These two things are not in the same league. At all.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 13, 2014, 04:29:03 PM
I guess maybe that's reflected in the fact that you can get a job with one, and with the other you're qualified to work in any bookstore or coffeeshop in the nation.

But still.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on October 13, 2014, 04:44:07 PM
Cain, the only thing I can personally compare this to is that I've been trained in percussion instruments and styles in several continents, learned how to play 7/4 and even 13/8 time signatures, and more obscure but really, really cool techniques ("linear drumming" is fascinating, but most people can't tell what you're doing)...


...and what I'm usually asked to play is a variation on any given AC/DC drumbeat.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on October 13, 2014, 04:44:59 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 13, 2014, 04:29:03 PM
I guess maybe that's reflected in the fact that you can get a job with one, and with the other you're qualified to work in any bookstore or coffeeshop in the nation.

But still.

Pretty much that.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 13, 2014, 05:17:04 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 13, 2014, 04:29:03 PM
I guess maybe that's reflected in the fact that you can get a job with one, and with the other you're qualified to work in any bookstore or coffeeshop in the nation.

But still.

Actually...

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/04/the-myth-of-americas-tech-talent-shortage/275319/
http://blogs.sciencemag.org/sciencecareers/2011/09/answers-for-sen.html
http://abstractengineer.blogspot.com/2013/04/stem-graduate-surplus-infighting.html

But you know, I'm only a social sciences major, and so clearly too dumb for anything more than working in a bookstore.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on October 13, 2014, 06:04:21 PM
Quote from: Cain on October 13, 2014, 05:17:04 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 13, 2014, 04:29:03 PM
I guess maybe that's reflected in the fact that you can get a job with one, and with the other you're qualified to work in any bookstore or coffeeshop in the nation.

But still.

Actually...

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/04/the-myth-of-americas-tech-talent-shortage/275319/
http://blogs.sciencemag.org/sciencecareers/2011/09/answers-for-sen.html
http://abstractengineer.blogspot.com/2013/04/stem-graduate-surplus-infighting.html

But you know, I'm only a social sciences major, and so clearly too dumb for anything more than working in a bookstore.

Interesting.  Social sciences majors are, over here, a byword for "educated unemployed", mostly due to the sheer number of them.  Interesting how even that turns out to be a truism.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on October 13, 2014, 06:08:12 PM
I have a feeling that even the so-called "liberal arts" are more rigorous and well-defined in other countries as opposed to amurrica's.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on October 13, 2014, 07:55:31 PM
History majors often joke that if you can't hack it in history, you can always transfer to psychology or communications.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 13, 2014, 08:22:43 PM
Well, you know, numbers are hard and stuff, I'm only a social sciences major, so don't simply trust my take on it
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on October 13, 2014, 11:26:02 PM
Quote from: Cain on October 13, 2014, 08:22:43 PM
Well, you know, numbers are hard and stuff, I'm only a social sciences major, so don't simply trust my take on it

It's okay, Cain. We'll live off of grants and write papers forever together.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 14, 2014, 12:09:19 AM
Quote from: Cain on October 13, 2014, 05:17:04 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 13, 2014, 04:29:03 PM
I guess maybe that's reflected in the fact that you can get a job with one, and with the other you're qualified to work in any bookstore or coffeeshop in the nation.

But still.

Actually...

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/04/the-myth-of-americas-tech-talent-shortage/275319/
http://blogs.sciencemag.org/sciencecareers/2011/09/answers-for-sen.html
http://abstractengineer.blogspot.com/2013/04/stem-graduate-surplus-infighting.html

But you know, I'm only a social sciences major, and so clearly too dumb for anything more than working in a bookstore.

I'm talking about the American university system, which I've heard is different from most others in the world. And I'm kind of starting to understand why people from other countries make fun of it.

Because seriously, it's not that liberal arts majors are dumb, it's that they're getting shorted on the education they're paying for. IMO. I actually feel a little stiffed on my second degree, because WTF. But not only is it an easier degree in terms of course content and expectations, there's also the matter of the core requirements; for a BS in psychology the core requirements total 60 credits. For the BS in biology, they total 103 credits. The rest of both degrees (180 credits total) are general university requirements and electives. It is almost impossible to conclude, simply based on this, that the two are equivalently rigorous, and my experience, being almost finished with one while just getting into the thick of the other, is that they are not even close.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 14, 2014, 12:16:20 AM
But you could choose to take my observation and experience in the US university system as a personal affront and slam on your education, I guess, if you're inclined that way.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 14, 2014, 10:10:11 AM
Quote from: The Suu on October 13, 2014, 07:55:31 PM
History majors often joke that if you can't hack it in history, you can always transfer to psychology or communications.

1H 10M & ??s {maybe {{ 10min delay in Force {{{sorry
its Tues Tri Met in 7 hours <West bound

i guess its+ 8M:22s = 0 {possibly

http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=28631.msg1359935#msg1359935
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on October 14, 2014, 04:56:32 PM
On that note, I am examflouncing for absorption in eternal midtermland this week. Prof just gave us the review sheet for Thursday and it's 100 terms she wants us to short answer on the fly, plus a short essay, in addition to the five page  comparative analysis for just her class. I have another paper due as well.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 15, 2014, 10:00:00 AM
20141015 1:oo:oo.000 | the main problem is time
My computer clock keeps getting set to an incorrect
Time by means i AM unaware of whats going on
Plus there exists the drift in time of PDt ?/?
it looses about 1s/d While i gain 1
when i AM not being hacked
so with hack, back, &4word
its diFFicult to hit send/
I mean post at the proper Ms T
which is H=1 Board } Hopefully

ad 1466 THUS currently there eXists a 2H 8M 23S
TIME difference  between B & Me
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on October 15, 2014, 11:47:25 AM
I agree, Hirley. There is not enough time in the world.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 15, 2014, 04:50:14 PM
I might get to go to research in Peru for the summer. The logistics are a little complicated (it's for Systems Science, which I am not getting a degree in and I have exactly zero elective credits), but I'm going to try to make it work anyway.

My SySc professor is also in the Psychology department, he may be able to make an argument for allowing it to apply to that degree.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: trix on October 16, 2014, 03:38:03 AM
hirley, maybe check your bios clock and see that your operating system is not resetting itself to match bios (or vice versa), i've had that happen.

unless you mean that you are drifting forward and backwards in time, which makes it hard for you to post sequentially.  In which case, whoa.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 16, 2014, 06:19:34 AM
Quote from: trix on October 16, 2014, 03:38:03 AM
hirley, maybe check your bios clock and see that your operating system is not resetting itself to match bios (or vice versa), i've had that happen.

unless you mean that you are drifting forward and backwards in time, which makes it hard for you to post sequentially.  In which case, whoa.

With Hirley0, I would guess that he means the latter.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 16, 2014, 11:31:59 AM
ad 1629 Missed T=0 / slept in again  My guess was 2H 8M &<30
it is comming up on 1:23B aka about 3:31:31 = :00.0 sec Ha Ha
Ha Have no idea why my brain refuses to compute a correct
solution ? in say 7 min  so this in the mean time {Maybe}}
03:36 2014 10/17 BBC 700 beds | GREEN GLOVES ? ARGUS
03:39 PUTIN BREAKFAST | 03:41 CAMERON | 03:41  NEPAL
03:49 Money.UN 7 months of SA court | damage ? Megan
03:52 11:20 Hospital wing ? overcrowding ? 11:22/:54



ad 1566 Zeroing in on T=0
01:23 2014 10/17  of course things are bad.
.1 why should they not be this way?/?
anyway i can sort of tell | is going to be
a Tripple WiTch one in all 3 areanas
Math { ? %BGW | MsRa TEEM.ap.rates | U4.2
Lemme Look there next |p9 ad 1565 ?
Reply #121 not enough time in the world.
i would like to be able2 | i can't is my ?
2 ? apply to that degree.  | fair in height
OR ¢ent in Grade { never mind | move along
to the right, & UP from below > _|^
3 had that happen. | D'Tail PLease {donno?
4 latter. | I mean Later | reboot Sunday
?5 YEAH THE pOLICE SHOWED UP AT 4AM YESTERDAY
ACROSS THE HALL FROM MY DOOR {No IDea Why
ESCALATOR?  no only elevator | weird 1 2
anway i wont update clock today
THUS i should be fast again & board
slow | thus +2s today | 24 +2 = 26 or 7 ?

ad 1538  2:34 am ? yeah i slept in WHAT can i say
it is one of those days { maybe | stop mousing me already
eXpect several modifications{edits  today as things unfold
the clock / next / update  was a success ? maybe +8m25s }
yeah i see Rushing the beet + brain malfunction 8+4 = 12 not ?/?
and besides its upposed to be m = s not :00s | get over it | 40=40?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on October 17, 2014, 04:54:25 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 15, 2014, 04:50:14 PM
I might get to go to research in Peru for the summer. The logistics are a little complicated (it's for Systems Science, which I am not getting a degree in and I have exactly zero elective credits), but I'm going to try to make it work anyway.

My SySc professor is also in the Psychology department, he may be able to make an argument for allowing it to apply to that degree.
Wooo! congratulations!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 18, 2014, 12:24:46 AM
Quote from: Ragret on October 17, 2014, 04:54:25 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 15, 2014, 04:50:14 PM
I might get to go to research in Peru for the summer. The logistics are a little complicated (it's for Systems Science, which I am not getting a degree in and I have exactly zero elective credits), but I'm going to try to make it work anyway.

My SySc professor is also in the Psychology department, he may be able to make an argument for allowing it to apply to that degree.
Wooo! congratulations!

Thanks! I'm not really due them yet, but hopefully it will come to fruition. Turns out that it also comes with a permaculture design certificate, which happens to mesh with some of my personal interests.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 19, 2014, 04:34:06 AM
Procrastinated my ochem homework until the last possible minute, and now that I'm doing it it's much, MUCH easier than I anticipated.

Now I'm kicking myself because if I'd done it early like I should have, I could be doing my bio homework by now.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Th
Post by: hirley0 on October 19, 2014, 10:04:00 AM
?31it is hard to accept how fouled around i have become
i forget to lock my door when i leave, & leave the key in the door arriving

Quote from: The Suu on October 15, 2014, 11:47:25 AM
I agree, Hirley. There is not enough time in the world.

THIS: is late. ^ Read Up anyway ^
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on October 19, 2014, 02:50:39 PM
My professor delayed the due date for a paper, now due today at 5pm, so she could catch up on our previous papers and send them all back so we could use them on this one. She hasn't yet. This is worth 20% of my grade and I haven't even started. I cannot begin to express my frustration, this is utterly unfair.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 20, 2014, 11:34:56 AM
Quote from: The Suu on October 19, 2014, 02:50:39 PM
y at 5pm, so she c c ?

Yes SUm' Canadian Club and 7 is am acceptable way
for word | like aye i & eye {never mind {{ not to worry
best bet at this H | should be that anYthing i suggest
should be disreguarded as my ability at anything at
this H is silly to say the least | i missed 3 = 1
so 4get.it 4:32:10 targeting 2:34:56 PDt } 4+8 =12 ==
43:30  & ? && my brain is a blank .

Quote from: Your Mom on October 19, 2014, 04:34:06 AM
Procrastinated / kicking myself

I do NOT B'Leave it} Looks like i Hit post TT
{never mind  | try for H:: 50m:50s | Um  4:59:24 = 2:50:50  ??
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 20, 2014, 03:49:12 PM
Quote from: The Suu on October 19, 2014, 02:50:39 PM
My professor delayed the due date for a paper, now due today at 5pm, so she could catch up on our previous papers and send them all back so we could use them on this one. She hasn't yet. This is worth 20% of my grade and I haven't even started. I cannot begin to express my frustration, this is utterly unfair.

It seems like if the whole point of delaying this paper was so that you could use previous feedback from other papers on it, it seems as if perhaps she should delay it further so she can actually give you your feedback.

Can you get started on the paper and then revise it according to feedback when you get your other papers back, so that at least the bulk of the writing/research/citations would be done?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on October 20, 2014, 11:07:41 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 20, 2014, 03:49:12 PM
Quote from: The Suu on October 19, 2014, 02:50:39 PM
My professor delayed the due date for a paper, now due today at 5pm, so she could catch up on our previous papers and send them all back so we could use them on this one. She hasn't yet. This is worth 20% of my grade and I haven't even started. I cannot begin to express my frustration, this is utterly unfair.

It seems like if the whole point of delaying this paper was so that you could use previous feedback from other papers on it, it seems as if perhaps she should delay it further so she can actually give you your feedback.

Can you get started on the paper and then revise it according to feedback when you get your other papers back, so that at least the bulk of the writing/research/citations would be done?

I submitted a completed paper out of good faith, and she blast emailed us a massive apology that she's way too behind right now because of chairing a conference, and also working with a charity group out of Boston where she received a high honor last week. I'll ask her tomorrow during class if it's okay for us who feel that our work was subpar to have the chance of a re-write should our grades come back scary. She's actually extremely nice, but a hard grader. But I think circumstances being what they are that she will be lenient.

In other news, I'm taking this free online course through FutureLearn.com on Hadrian's Wall, and so far I'm enamored with the work that Newcastle University does on Hadrian's Wall. They have a pretty damn impressive PhD program for archaeology and history and their tuition is disgustingly reasonable in comparison to our schools here. I'm thinking that studying in England could very well be a possibility should I choose to go that far. I want to finish my MA first and see how the job front looks here, as well as see what the Navy wants to do with us first before committing to the doctorate, but that may not be a terrible option during the husband's next sea duty. I've chatted a bit with some of the students and faculty through the FutureLearn site, and they're slowing trying to convince me to come over.

Edit: They just dropped the bomb that there's guaranteed housing on campus for international graduate students.  :aaa:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 20, 2014, 11:52:59 PM
Good, I hope she grades this one kindly or gives you a chance to revise.

I'm currently reviewing Mol bio slides in preparation for tomorrow's midterm. I feel like everyone else is much more stressed about it than I am, which makes me worried that I'm grossly overestimating my preparedness.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on October 20, 2014, 11:55:48 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 20, 2014, 11:52:59 PM
Good, I hope she grades this one kindly or gives you a chance to revise.

I'm currently reviewing Mol bio slides in preparation for tomorrow's midterm. I feel like everyone else is much more stressed about it than I am, which makes me worried that I'm grossly overestimating my preparedness.

ETERNAL MIDTERMLAND IS UPON US.

I have a mock collection policy due on Wednesday for my Museum Studies class, and I have no idea where to start. He wasn't terribly helpful but he's not looking for massive amounts of pages. I'll do it tomorrow. I'm way too into the Hadrian's Wall course tonight to stop.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 21, 2014, 12:13:21 AM
Quote from: The Suu on October 20, 2014, 11:55:48 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 20, 2014, 11:52:59 PM
Good, I hope she grades this one kindly or gives you a chance to revise.

I'm currently reviewing Mol bio slides in preparation for tomorrow's midterm. I feel like everyone else is much more stressed about it than I am, which makes me worried that I'm grossly overestimating my preparedness.

ETERNAL MIDTERMLAND IS UPON US.

I have a mock collection policy due on Wednesday for my Museum Studies class, and I have no idea where to start. He wasn't terribly helpful but he's not looking for massive amounts of pages. I'll do it tomorrow. I'm way too into the Hadrian's Wall course tonight to stop.

Yeah, I apparently have one to two midterms per week for the rest of the term.  :lol:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on October 21, 2014, 01:46:56 AM
I did really well on my Early Ancient Greece midterm, especially since I know he graded the graduate students on a different rubric than the undergrads. I think my paper for him will do well also. I have my grad assignments on top of the general classwork also, and the first critical essay is due in 2 weeks on a book I'm reading on the Trojan War. I start gathering sources for my term paper next week for the class with the overwhelmed professor. She needs a thesis statement and annotated biblio soonish, I need to double check my syllabus.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 21, 2014, 05:19:00 AM
I just got asked to TA for Perception this winter.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on October 21, 2014, 12:04:17 PM
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T556IOnS5XE/VEZNrFaGnhI/AAAAAAAABNY/BlJpZanrY5s/w625-h481-no/14%2B-%2B1)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 21, 2014, 07:00:58 PM
ad 1784 6am ? 10/21 yeah i may as well spend the hole Hour on this
.1 i have page 9 open on the other tab, so i can ..
"see what the Navy wants to do with us first"
it reminds me of the day i jumped ship on the way back to pearl
FROM the H test at the atoll  Just a Min
really more like a score / long D'La'$ in play on tab 3 + blank screen
THUS :  i picked myself up | AMazed i made the Jump
Grabbed my sea bag / which Big.UN had thankfully tossed from 01
and headed off for who knows where
i don't REMember exactly , i wound up at a BUS STOP
ON MY FINAL APPROACH  i passed a building
must have ben the wave barracks | inside a harsh feemale voice
" THERE ARE ONLY 2 JOBS for weman in the NAVY
Lesbian or Whore, take your pick, make up your mind & get ready
I SURE DO remEMBER THAT DAY As if it were 2day
moving along anyway | maybe tab three has connected NOPe stuck:
it just flips me off to a blank page | Ebola Quarantine Ends | H a
my web crawler search is non functional
Maybe tomorrow | anyway2 | glad i allocated H to thread
it sure is slow 2day for sure
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Islands
Firefox can't find the server at ccs.webcrawler.com.
Plenty funny WHAT? http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/26551.htm
it does seam rather pointless {system4me is down.
back to tamales {fiesta brand | i over cooked them today {bad.D .
There: They are gone now, a tad on the dry side drn it
anyway 3 i'Ll try 39 for dT today thats +1 for me & -1 for B ? get it ?/?

the hi Sp'r's aRe in control 2day so its har to post .
12::08:39 for 10am PDt {maybe | took 4 hrs & 2 ~reboots {
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 22, 2014, 06:45:06 AM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on October 21, 2014, 12:04:17 PM
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T556IOnS5XE/VEZNrFaGnhI/AAAAAAAABNY/BlJpZanrY5s/w625-h481-no/14%2B-%2B1)

:horrormirth:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 22, 2014, 06:52:02 AM
Midterm 1 is over. Forever. I can only breathe a sigh of relief and defeat as I assess my study strategy and find it badly lacking. Lessons learned: When Dr. Singer says "I want you to understand the mechanisms and patterns at work, not memorize the details", he's lying. Also, when Dr. Singer says "You won't need to know this for the midterm", he's lying. And when Dr. Singer says "I won't ask you about polarity without giving you a molecular diagram; I want you to be able to recognize the structures that make side chains polar, not memorize which ones are polar", he's also lying.

In fact, if Dr. Singer ever says anything about something he doesn't want you to memorize, memorize it.

And when he says "The slides are your best study tool", he's also lying. Don't bother with the slides, or your lecture notes, and for that matter if he didn't have mid-lecture quizzes the lectures would be completely worthless. Just read the book.

GOT IT.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 22, 2014, 07:08:13 AM
On a more positive note, it looks like both Borneo and Peru are happening.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 22, 2014, 09:59:57 AM
ad 1898 Very confused = ? used +38s= 3s fast try41s
07:01 2014 10/22 nhk ? N
Korea / solved | deligation sent | accepted
AB duck T ion || 7-'s & 80's contaminated F
U Le | Radio active ? Holes ? dust duspersed
COLUMBIA river Coast Guatd on Channel 22A.
07:05 Feaver \ Heath Athority in Japan
How2 Transport Take on & take off
Discharge / Argues /\/eibors / THis / E
Kerry / ovr voice / \/\/ith Who ho ho
07:07 ? Pro D HoNG KoNG | Leaders ? Pr
07:10 bkm Rockets 2 ISreel ? Building
07:11 4Refregees | LoOks Like Years
07:12 Monteral shooting 1 of 90  Ta
07:13 drivers / trafic Jam / 3x10Yrs
07:17 En ?2020 Olympic Games Hi.School
56 super global | 60 | conversation ||
07:21 Science ? Ed.over/HaLL Japan debt
Super Global Hi Schoo; | Understand 1%
07:23 Wednesday ? 07:23Flood UK Wind110
Oregon 140 mm ? | W Palm B 200mm/10min?

13:05 2014 10/21 for "TOP OF THE Hour" AC post time
acadamia should post WHEN the minute hand is up. &
TV's [EBOLA] "SERIES" |B.WAR | m.HAND down @ 1/2H
i think i AM  on schedule  post time 1 B ?/? 3:08:35 }
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on October 22, 2014, 12:17:01 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 22, 2014, 07:08:13 AM
On a more positive note, it looks like both Borneo and Peru are happening.

NICE!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Eater of Clowns on October 22, 2014, 12:25:01 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 22, 2014, 07:08:13 AM
On a more positive note, it looks like both Borneo and Peru are happening.

Woo!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 22, 2014, 03:38:28 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on October 22, 2014, 12:17:01 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 22, 2014, 07:08:13 AM
On a more positive note, it looks like both Borneo and Peru are happening.

NICE!

Yeah, it's kind of crazy really.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 22, 2014, 08:27:21 PM
I've just realised one of my modules is essentially a bookclub for discussing the new University think tank's director's book on countering terrorism.

I mean, it's not a bad book, and though he gets certain minor details wrong or omits them from his account (like the British Army being brought in because the trust in the RUC was so low that Republicans actually trusted the military more, at least initially), his overall jist is one I can agree with.

But still. 
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 23, 2014, 11:20:23 AM
Bleh, tonights topic is cyberterrorism.

First module has reference to Something Awful and Anonymous (more as hacktivists than terrorists), so that should give you an idea of the conceptual level cyber-terrorism is at: namely, at the level of an Atlantic or Harpers reader, and not much higher.

Admittedly, it's a tricky one, because first of all its conflated with cyberwarfare by non-state actors - and cyberwarfare is already a notoriously diffuse concept.  Throw in that you're probably dealing with at least 3 different phenomena: the internet as a vector or target of attack, the internet as logistical support for terrorism and the internet as propaganda, and you can easily see why the whole discipline is a mess...especially when you recall we're still having the definitional and roots debates about terrorism as a whole.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 23, 2014, 04:42:22 PM
So, I think I can credibly claim to have the most interesting lecturer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Lambert_%28academic%29) for my counter-terrorism course.

I didn't actually realise he was that Bob Lambert until I was doing some related reading last night.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on October 23, 2014, 05:14:50 PM
Wow. That's deep cover.

If I were to ask him a question, it would be how he kept his ideology both strong enough not to be altered by his cover actions, but also hidden enough not to tip off the group?

Because it would seem that's the exact mentality a sleeper terrorist cell would need to have.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 23, 2014, 05:42:52 PM
Well, I can tell you from talking to him, he's a very amiable man, personable and thoughtful, and has an almost bumbling nature which I suspect are all most people ever see.  However, given the topic of discussion and the setting, I can tell you he's also extremely sharp and deeply intelligent.

I suspect all of these characteristics are true to him, and are what made him such an effective undercover officer.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 23, 2014, 06:07:20 PM
So, I'm currently discussing online censorship with a mysterious figure not using their own name with a light behind his face.

Well then.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on October 23, 2014, 06:08:56 PM
Are you talking to a mirror?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 23, 2014, 06:10:01 PM
Hah.  But seriously, this is the sketchiest lecture I've ever been in, and that includes the ones with MI5 present.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on October 23, 2014, 06:31:18 PM
It sounds like you think it's all bullshit.  Is there really any need for the theatrics?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 23, 2014, 06:33:18 PM
I dunno, I missed the first five minutes, due to someone password protecting the meeting (which has never happened before).

Edit: and now we're talking about whether there should be limits on "technologies of mass persuasion" and "perfect marketing".
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Roly Poly Oly-Garch on October 23, 2014, 10:50:18 PM
Quote from: Cain on October 23, 2014, 04:42:22 PM
So, I think I can credibly claim to have the most interesting lecturer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Lambert_%28academic%29) for my counter-terrorism course.

I didn't actually realise he was that Bob Lambert until I was doing some related reading last night.

:eek:

That's a formidable back-story.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 24, 2014, 02:58:41 AM
Quote from: Cain on October 23, 2014, 04:42:22 PM
So, I think I can credibly claim to have the most interesting lecturer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Lambert_%28academic%29) for my counter-terrorism course.

I didn't actually realise he was that Bob Lambert until I was doing some related reading last night.

Holy shit

Having a KID while you're undercover is... um, kinda fucked up.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 24, 2014, 05:35:00 AM
I got the dirty deets on Peru... looks like it's timed such that I can take two other classes that summer, to meet my full-time requirement for financial aid. They'll be condensed classes which means that I'll actually only be taking one at a time, and if they offer what they offered last summer I can probably do something like genetics and something in psych.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 24, 2014, 08:14:10 AM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 24, 2014, 02:58:41 AM
Quote from: Cain on October 23, 2014, 04:42:22 PM
So, I think I can credibly claim to have the most interesting lecturer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Lambert_%28academic%29) for my counter-terrorism course.

I didn't actually realise he was that Bob Lambert until I was doing some related reading last night.

Holy shit

Having a KID while you're undercover is... um, kinda fucked up.

Oh yeah, for sure.

The best part is, he's not the only one.  There seems to have been a whole procession of undercover officers from the Metropolitan police Special Branch whose careers revolved around infiltrating environmental movements and having sex with female activists.  That's why I didn't initially realise my professor was one of them - there have been a lot more recent cases of a very similar kind, with younger officers.

Its almost like the eco-terrorism beat exists almost purely for bored police officers to get laid while claiming to protect the country from dangerous criminals.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Junkenstein on October 24, 2014, 08:19:13 AM
Almost.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 24, 2014, 08:19:13 AM
Incidentally, on the news today

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29743646

QuoteThe Metropolitan Police is to pay £425,000 to a woman whose child was fathered by a man who she did not know was an undercover police officer.

The unprecedented payment comes after a legal battle with women who say they were duped into relationships with officers who were spying on them.

Scotland Yard says it "unreservedly apologises for any pain and suffering".

The woman told BBC News she had received psychiatric care after learning the officer's real identity.

QuoteThe SDS ran long-term undercover operations designed to infiltrate protest groups, including animal rights organisations.

One of its key officers, former Special Branch detective Bob Lambert, used the pseudonym Bob Robinson, and was tasked with infiltrating the Animal Liberation Front.

During that operation in the mid 1980s, he formed a relationship with a 22-year-old activist called Jacqui - even though he was already married with children. In 1985 she gave birth - but when the boy was two years old, the father vanished.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Junkenstein on October 24, 2014, 08:26:23 AM
Just been reading up on the chap.

I doubt he'll be holding any Q+A sessions for a while after that bit of news.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 24, 2014, 09:08:23 AM
There was also this from a while back  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01n11x6
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on October 24, 2014, 12:18:10 PM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 24, 2014, 05:35:00 AM
I got the dirty deets on Peru... looks like it's timed such that I can take two other classes that summer, to meet my full-time requirement for financial aid. They'll be condensed classes which means that I'll actually only be taking one at a time, and if they offer what they offered last summer I can probably do something like genetics and something in psych.

Fantastic news!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Faust on October 24, 2014, 01:12:12 PM
Quote from: Cain on October 23, 2014, 04:42:22 PM
So, I think I can credibly claim to have the most interesting lecturer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Lambert_%28academic%29) for my counter-terrorism course.

I didn't actually realise he was that Bob Lambert until I was doing some related reading last night.

Heh, funny, I was reading this last night in the bus stop and he is in the news again today:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1024/654601-bob-lambert/
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 24, 2014, 02:50:22 PM
Pretty sure that in the US, using false pretenses to entice someone into a sexual relationship is legally rape.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 24, 2014, 02:52:26 PM
Quote from: Cain on October 24, 2014, 08:14:10 AM
Quote from: Your Mom on October 24, 2014, 02:58:41 AM
Quote from: Cain on October 23, 2014, 04:42:22 PM
So, I think I can credibly claim to have the most interesting lecturer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Lambert_%28academic%29) for my counter-terrorism course.

I didn't actually realise he was that Bob Lambert until I was doing some related reading last night.

Holy shit

Having a KID while you're undercover is... um, kinda fucked up.

Oh yeah, for sure.

The best part is, he's not the only one.  There seems to have been a whole procession of undercover officers from the Metropolitan police Special Branch whose careers revolved around infiltrating environmental movements and having sex with female activists.  That's why I didn't initially realise my professor was one of them - there have been a lot more recent cases of a very similar kind, with younger officers.

Its almost like the eco-terrorism beat exists almost purely for bored police officers to get laid while claiming to protect the country from dangerous criminals.

"I had to sleep with that young activist regularly for the last four years, honey... I was ordered to, for National Security!"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Junkenstein on October 24, 2014, 03:40:29 PM
"If I don't fuck the 20-odd year old activist, the terrorists win"

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 24, 2014, 08:26:45 PM
In other news, I took my Ochem midterm and it was awesome. Everyone who says Ochem is so brutal must have had just terrible professors.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on October 25, 2014, 02:05:26 AM
I got an A on my paper for Ancient Greece, complete with a John Travolta quote from my professor (seriously), and a 97/100 on my Reformation midterm, which completely threw me for a loop.

Okay. Something is aligning in my favor.

Also, pic:

(http://i.imgur.com/gZhmeUB.jpg)

My professor is really obsessed with "Basic." He quotes it all the time.  :?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 25, 2014, 02:21:06 AM
 :lol: I like the John Travolta reference.

Nicely done.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 29, 2014, 05:54:28 AM
Registration for spring semester begins next freakin' week. So, I had to email the department head and ask him for a list of what courses were being offered and when. I just woke up from a brief sleep and saw that he had sent it. I've still got some time to tweak it for time and to contact UMass and ask them just how badly they need me to actually graduate from Bunker Hill before transferring or if I can just transfer regardless and take the necessary classes there (man's gotta work and there's a big chunk of time in between two classes that would allow me to commute back to work, sign in, work for 15 minutes, sign out and then go back to school  :lulz:)

But it looks like it will be:
Environmental Microbiology (elective. The other Microbiology course I took is clinical and is meant for Nursing or Biotech programs)
Molecular Biotechnology (elective, and a capstone course)
General Chemistry I
General Physics II

Total of 17 credits

This would basically leave Calculus I and General Chemistry II as the only classes left I had to take.

Other electives that I have the option for but decided against in favor Micro and Molecular (because that's more in line with what I want to do) were Population Ecology (conflicts schedulewise with Molecular) and Interpretation of Scientific Research (useful, but again. I'm keeping that one as a backup elective)

Invariably, since there's only one time slot for each of these bio electives and BHCC has more students than it can handle, I'm going to have to be sitting at my computer as soon as the courses become available. Which blows, but it will be my last semester there, if given the go ahead by UMass.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 29, 2014, 05:56:40 AM
Ah fuck. That also means I need to be putting more work into preparing to transfer.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on October 29, 2014, 02:00:01 PM
20141029 ad 2246 | target post Time 8:09 pdT = 6am PDt
THUS} the cruxt of my tail ||| Was if i long in here
My SyS gets hacked so much it make .com Most difficult
SO? i'll probbly go back to the day prior to reboot
about ever thirty days | Making it HARD to know
whiTch Bio.ed to look4  8:08 dropped carrier :


Quote from: Faust on October 24, 2014, 01:12:12 PM
Quote from: Cain on October 23, 2014, 04:42:22 PM
So, I think I can credibly claim to have the most interesting lecturer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Lambert_%28academic%29) for my counter-terrorism course.

I didn't actually realise he was that Bob Lambert until I was doing some related reading last night.

Heh, funny, I was reading this last night in the bus stop and he is in the news again today:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1024/654601-bob-lambert/
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: iarmit on October 29, 2014, 02:48:34 PM
Shit's getting real now... just submitted my Intent to Graduate packet, scheduled my GREs...

Now all I have to do is decide what in blazes I want to do for my Master's, and who will pay me to do so. Anyone have any thoughts on OSU-
Corvallis?

And how, precisely, does one go about shoehorn-ing the fact they are the #1 dirt nerd in the NE USA into an introductory "pay for me and my
tuition to come do your research" email? Suppose I really should look into writing a cv, no?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 29, 2014, 03:11:05 PM
Quote from: Ållnephew Tvýðleþøn on October 29, 2014, 05:54:28 AM
Registration for spring semester begins next freakin' week. So, I had to email the department head and ask him for a list of what courses were being offered and when. I just woke up from a brief sleep and saw that he had sent it. I've still got some time to tweak it for time and to contact UMass and ask them just how badly they need me to actually graduate from Bunker Hill before transferring or if I can just transfer regardless and take the necessary classes there (man's gotta work and there's a big chunk of time in between two classes that would allow me to commute back to work, sign in, work for 15 minutes, sign out and then go back to school  :lulz:)

But it looks like it will be:
Environmental Microbiology (elective. The other Microbiology course I took is clinical and is meant for Nursing or Biotech programs)
Molecular Biotechnology (elective, and a capstone course)
General Chemistry I
General Physics II

Total of 17 credits

This would basically leave Calculus I and General Chemistry II as the only classes left I had to take.

Other electives that I have the option for but decided against in favor Micro and Molecular (because that's more in line with what I want to do) were Population Ecology (conflicts schedulewise with Molecular) and Interpretation of Scientific Research (useful, but again. I'm keeping that one as a backup elective)

Invariably, since there's only one time slot for each of these bio electives and BHCC has more students than it can handle, I'm going to have to be sitting at my computer as soon as the courses become available. Which blows, but it will be my last semester there, if given the go ahead by UMass.

I don't know about Mass, but Oregon does a dual-enrollment thing. Even if they don't it just sounds like a normal transfer application.

My next term is looking like a cakewalk, compared to this term at least; Cell bio, Neurophysiology II, and TAing Perception, and then Borneo over spring break. Technically I'm taking 18 credits because Borneo is 4 credits and the TA is 4 practicum credits, but the actual school/homework workload is only 10 credits.

I can't wait until the end of the term; my immune system is not handling this term very well.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 29, 2014, 03:15:47 PM
Quote from: iarmit on October 29, 2014, 02:48:34 PM
Shit's getting real now... just submitted my Intent to Graduate packet, scheduled my GREs...

Now all I have to do is decide what in blazes I want to do for my Master's, and who will pay me to do so. Anyone have any thoughts on OSU-
Corvallis?

And how, precisely, does one go about shoehorn-ing the fact they are the #1 dirt nerd in the NE USA into an introductory "pay for me and my
tuition to come do your research" email? Suppose I really should look into writing a cv, no?

All I really know about OSU is that they're the big agricultural school in Oregon. That, and they're part of the Oregon MPH program.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 29, 2014, 07:26:14 PM
Ochem grades are in! 95%, which helps make up for the sorry score I got in mol bio. Its also nice to know that I don't need to stress over it and can focus my energy on my one hard class.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 29, 2014, 07:37:02 PM
I don't know why PSU names its classes the way they do. Every time I mention that I'm taking Perception or Holistic Problem Solving, people giggle.  :lol:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 01:28:29 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 29, 2014, 03:11:05 PM
Quote from: Ållnephew Tvýðleþøn on October 29, 2014, 05:54:28 AM
Registration for spring semester begins next freakin' week. So, I had to email the department head and ask him for a list of what courses were being offered and when. I just woke up from a brief sleep and saw that he had sent it. I've still got some time to tweak it for time and to contact UMass and ask them just how badly they need me to actually graduate from Bunker Hill before transferring or if I can just transfer regardless and take the necessary classes there (man's gotta work and there's a big chunk of time in between two classes that would allow me to commute back to work, sign in, work for 15 minutes, sign out and then go back to school  :lulz:)

But it looks like it will be:
Environmental Microbiology (elective. The other Microbiology course I took is clinical and is meant for Nursing or Biotech programs)
Molecular Biotechnology (elective, and a capstone course)
General Chemistry I
General Physics II

Total of 17 credits

This would basically leave Calculus I and General Chemistry II as the only classes left I had to take.

Other electives that I have the option for but decided against in favor Micro and Molecular (because that's more in line with what I want to do) were Population Ecology (conflicts schedulewise with Molecular) and Interpretation of Scientific Research (useful, but again. I'm keeping that one as a backup elective)

Invariably, since there's only one time slot for each of these bio electives and BHCC has more students than it can handle, I'm going to have to be sitting at my computer as soon as the courses become available. Which blows, but it will be my last semester there, if given the go ahead by UMass.

I don't know about Mass, but Oregon does a dual-enrollment thing. Even if they don't it just sounds like a normal transfer application.

My next term is looking like a cakewalk, compared to this term at least; Cell bio, Neurophysiology II, and TAing Perception, and then Borneo over spring break. Technically I'm taking 18 credits because Borneo is 4 credits and the TA is 4 practicum credits, but the actual school/homework workload is only 10 credits.

I can't wait until the end of the term; my immune system is not handling this term very well.

Bunker Hill has certain deals with certain local universities. Our biology program, for example, is tailored to be in line exactly with the UMass system, our engineering department with Northeastern, etc. It's basically just a paper work deal. I'm actually even still technically a History and Government major because advising wouldn't sign off on me switching to Biology transfer until I talked to UMass even though I'm almost done with the Biology requirements. It's supposed to facilitate things so that it's an automatic transfer. If I don't graduate from BHCC first, it will take some more work or something like that. I might have to go through the normal application process, write an essay, pay the application fee, all that bullshit. But in the long run, it might just be quicker and less annoying to do just that. Most importantly, I get financial aid again as soon as I transfer, though I think I'm going to appeal for spring semester, because Molecular alone is 5 credits.

If I end up putting Chem and Physics in the Fuckit Bucket, I might also try for a learning contract with the Department Head, which I was considering anyway so I could get lab access for my own purposes for that thing I told you I had an idea about. It would basically be me designing my own lab course, which might not transfer over creditwise, but would pad my GPA a bit, and look wicked good on paper.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 01:30:42 AM
George did a learning contract in order to keep his insurance and so he could drop Physics, and it's basically just a continuation of the shit he was doing anyway, and it's going to count as a 500 level class.

I was like, Holee fuq, I need to do something like that.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2014, 01:41:18 AM
I think you guys have a very different system there; I've never even heard of a learning contract.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 01:47:59 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 01:41:18 AM
I think you guys have a very different system there; I've never even heard of a learning contract.

I hadn't either until George was looking for ways to keep his insurance :lulz: but apparently umass has a similar thing. Problem is will it transfer
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 02:03:23 AM
It probably won't be a problem for him because what he's doing, he was going to do a presentation to UMass Amherst on it (where he's transferring) anyway as part of him being a part of the Honors Program.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:09:16 AM
One thing that's interesting is that I looked at the bio major requirements at Amherst out of curiosity, and they're utterly different from Portland State. Like, very significantly different. It's interesting. Of course, because you're on semester and we're on quarters it's really hard to say whether it's really as different as it seems, or whether both programs cover the same material in different time frames and with different names.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 02:17:04 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:09:16 AM
One thing that's interesting is that I looked at the bio major requirements at Amherst out of curiosity, and they're utterly different from Portland State. Like, very significantly different. It's interesting. Of course, because you're on semester and we're on quarters it's really hard to say whether it's really as different as it seems, or whether both programs cover the same material in different time frames and with different names.

It's even different here sometimes. Northeastern is a 5 year university, for some reason, which made it a pain in the ass for friends of mine to transfer out of there. I had a few friends that went there (you know, when they were supposed to), and one or two of them ended up transferring to UMass Boston and it was a bit of a headache transferring the credits because it was a different credit system. Maybe it was something like that where it was a quarter system or something, I don't know. But the Massachusetts state system is roughly 1 credit per hour per week of class time. Obviously that's not an exact measurement since I did about 10 hours of Genetics, but it was also half the time and double the misery, but non-lab courses are generally 3 credits, lab courses 4.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 02:20:19 AM
It hasn't been updated for spring (Environmental Microbiology is apparently debuting in spring) but here's the program at BHCC for Bio transfer:

http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/programsofstudy/programs/biologytransferoption/
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:28:58 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:17:04 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:09:16 AM
One thing that's interesting is that I looked at the bio major requirements at Amherst out of curiosity, and they're utterly different from Portland State. Like, very significantly different. It's interesting. Of course, because you're on semester and we're on quarters it's really hard to say whether it's really as different as it seems, or whether both programs cover the same material in different time frames and with different names.

It's even different here sometimes. Northeastern is a 5 year university, for some reason, which made it a pain in the ass for friends of mine to transfer out of there. I had a few friends that went there (you know, when they were supposed to), and one or two of them ended up transferring to UMass Boston and it was a bit of a headache transferring the credits because it was a different credit system. Maybe it was something like that where it was a quarter system or something, I don't know. But the Massachusetts state system is roughly 1 credit per hour per week of class time. Obviously that's not an exact measurement since I did about 10 hours of Genetics, but it was also half the time and double the misery, but non-lab courses are generally 3 credits, lab courses 4.

Our in-state systems are pretty integrated, but it's also about 1 credit for every hour of class/lab time, so 180 credits to graduate, for a BS, and some schools register labs separately (because the labs aren't required for every degree) while others combine the class and lab into one registered course. I think maybe course numeration is really different, because your Principles and Genchem courses are listed as 100-level, yet as far as I can tell they're the exact same curriculum as our 200-level Principles and Genchem, spread over 2 semesters instead of 3 quarters.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 02:29:42 AM
Heh, I just looked at History and Government for nostalgic purposes. I'm not even sure BHCC still offers Russian. (Double check) They do, but they only offer Russian I. Biology doesn't even have a language requirement.

http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/programsofstudy/programs/historyandgovernmentconcentration/
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:32:38 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:20:19 AM
It hasn't been updated for spring (Environmental Microbiology is apparently debuting in spring) but here's the program at BHCC for Bio transfer:

http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/programsofstudy/programs/biologytransferoption/

Oh yeah, your course numbering is just way different but I can see how the courses themselves are probably really similar. Our credits are a little weaker; most classes are 4-5 credits and it takes 90 to graduate. I sometimes wish we were on a semester system; the quarter system seems too rushed.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 02:37:31 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:28:58 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:17:04 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:09:16 AM
One thing that's interesting is that I looked at the bio major requirements at Amherst out of curiosity, and they're utterly different from Portland State. Like, very significantly different. It's interesting. Of course, because you're on semester and we're on quarters it's really hard to say whether it's really as different as it seems, or whether both programs cover the same material in different time frames and with different names.

It's even different here sometimes. Northeastern is a 5 year university, for some reason, which made it a pain in the ass for friends of mine to transfer out of there. I had a few friends that went there (you know, when they were supposed to), and one or two of them ended up transferring to UMass Boston and it was a bit of a headache transferring the credits because it was a different credit system. Maybe it was something like that where it was a quarter system or something, I don't know. But the Massachusetts state system is roughly 1 credit per hour per week of class time. Obviously that's not an exact measurement since I did about 10 hours of Genetics, but it was also half the time and double the misery, but non-lab courses are generally 3 credits, lab courses 4.

Our in-state systems are pretty integrated, but it's also about 1 credit for every hour of class/lab time, so 180 credits to graduate, for a BS, and some schools register labs separately (because the labs aren't required for every degree) while others combine the class and lab into one registered course. I think maybe course numeration is really different, because your Principles and Genchem courses are listed as 100-level, yet as far as I can tell they're the exact same curriculum as our 200-level Principles and Genchem, spread over 2 semesters instead of 3 quarters.

I noticed that looking at UMass Boston's courses, and it took me a second to figure it out that we might have to register for lecture and lab separately. At BHCC, if it's a lab course, you're registered for both.

Our numbering system probably is pretty funky. Sometimes annoying due to prerequisites. Also sometimes confusing. As a history major, my science electives were Intro to Biology and Astronomy. Looking back at my old Intro Bio text book, it's basically a lesson in the most generic biology and then mammalian anatomy, but Intro Bio doesn't count towards the bio degree. It's a throw away class. That's sort of a new concept for me. General Physics is a throw away class for Biology majors. Everyone else has to take the more difficult College Physics. Maybe that's why my physics professor is such a smirky hard ass.

You wonder about these things. The science department head is my Gen Bio II professor and the Chemistry degree is an AA instead of an AS. You kinda wonder, ok dude, who's the chemist what pissed you off? lol
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 02:38:58 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:32:38 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:20:19 AM
It hasn't been updated for spring (Environmental Microbiology is apparently debuting in spring) but here's the program at BHCC for Bio transfer:

http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/programsofstudy/programs/biologytransferoption/

Oh yeah, your course numbering is just way different but I can see how the courses themselves are probably really similar. Our credits are a little weaker; most classes are 4-5 credits and it takes 90 to graduate. I sometimes wish we were on a semester system; the quarter system seems too rushed.

I kinda noticed that a little when we were both doing Gen Bio and using essentially the same text book.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:42:06 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:37:31 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:28:58 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:17:04 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:09:16 AM
One thing that's interesting is that I looked at the bio major requirements at Amherst out of curiosity, and they're utterly different from Portland State. Like, very significantly different. It's interesting. Of course, because you're on semester and we're on quarters it's really hard to say whether it's really as different as it seems, or whether both programs cover the same material in different time frames and with different names.

It's even different here sometimes. Northeastern is a 5 year university, for some reason, which made it a pain in the ass for friends of mine to transfer out of there. I had a few friends that went there (you know, when they were supposed to), and one or two of them ended up transferring to UMass Boston and it was a bit of a headache transferring the credits because it was a different credit system. Maybe it was something like that where it was a quarter system or something, I don't know. But the Massachusetts state system is roughly 1 credit per hour per week of class time. Obviously that's not an exact measurement since I did about 10 hours of Genetics, but it was also half the time and double the misery, but non-lab courses are generally 3 credits, lab courses 4.

Our in-state systems are pretty integrated, but it's also about 1 credit for every hour of class/lab time, so 180 credits to graduate, for a BS, and some schools register labs separately (because the labs aren't required for every degree) while others combine the class and lab into one registered course. I think maybe course numeration is really different, because your Principles and Genchem courses are listed as 100-level, yet as far as I can tell they're the exact same curriculum as our 200-level Principles and Genchem, spread over 2 semesters instead of 3 quarters.

I noticed that looking at UMass Boston's courses, and it took me a second to figure it out that we might have to register for lecture and lab separately. At BHCC, if it's a lab course, you're registered for both.

Our numbering system probably is pretty funky. Sometimes annoying due to prerequisites. Also sometimes confusing. As a history major, my science electives were Intro to Biology and Astronomy. Looking back at my old Intro Bio text book, it's basically a lesson in the most generic biology and then mammalian anatomy, but Intro Bio doesn't count towards the bio degree. It's a throw away class. That's sort of a new concept for me. General Physics is a throw away class for Biology majors. Everyone else has to take the more difficult College Physics. Maybe that's why my physics professor is such a smirky hard ass.

You wonder about these things. The science department head is my Gen Bio II professor and the Chemistry degree is an AA instead of an AS. You kinda wonder, ok dude, who's the chemist what pissed you off? lol

Wow... no shit? That's harsh!

At both PCC and PSU, there are these science classes for non-science majors, and since non-science majors have to have at least 8 credits of science, they are apparently just these vague overviews... what you called a throwaway course, and what truly seems like one from a science major perspective.

We don't have any throwaway physics courses, though; you have your choice of calculus-based or non-calculus-based, and bio majors only have to take the first class & lab.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:43:31 AM
You're apparently supposed to take physics before chemistry. Oops.  :lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:48:39 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:38:58 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:32:38 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:20:19 AM
It hasn't been updated for spring (Environmental Microbiology is apparently debuting in spring) but here's the program at BHCC for Bio transfer:

http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/programsofstudy/programs/biologytransferoption/

Oh yeah, your course numbering is just way different but I can see how the courses themselves are probably really similar. Our credits are a little weaker; most classes are 4-5 credits and it takes 90 to graduate. I sometimes wish we were on a semester system; the quarter system seems too rushed.

I kinda noticed that a little when we were both doing Gen Bio and using essentially the same text book.

Yeah, your Gen Bio 195/196 seems to be analogous with our Principles of Bio 211/212/213, and likewise your Gen Chem 201/202 appears to be the same as our 221/222/223.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 02:51:21 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:42:06 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:37:31 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:28:58 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:17:04 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:09:16 AM
One thing that's interesting is that I looked at the bio major requirements at Amherst out of curiosity, and they're utterly different from Portland State. Like, very significantly different. It's interesting. Of course, because you're on semester and we're on quarters it's really hard to say whether it's really as different as it seems, or whether both programs cover the same material in different time frames and with different names.

It's even different here sometimes. Northeastern is a 5 year university, for some reason, which made it a pain in the ass for friends of mine to transfer out of there. I had a few friends that went there (you know, when they were supposed to), and one or two of them ended up transferring to UMass Boston and it was a bit of a headache transferring the credits because it was a different credit system. Maybe it was something like that where it was a quarter system or something, I don't know. But the Massachusetts state system is roughly 1 credit per hour per week of class time. Obviously that's not an exact measurement since I did about 10 hours of Genetics, but it was also half the time and double the misery, but non-lab courses are generally 3 credits, lab courses 4.

Our in-state systems are pretty integrated, but it's also about 1 credit for every hour of class/lab time, so 180 credits to graduate, for a BS, and some schools register labs separately (because the labs aren't required for every degree) while others combine the class and lab into one registered course. I think maybe course numeration is really different, because your Principles and Genchem courses are listed as 100-level, yet as far as I can tell they're the exact same curriculum as our 200-level Principles and Genchem, spread over 2 semesters instead of 3 quarters.

I noticed that looking at UMass Boston's courses, and it took me a second to figure it out that we might have to register for lecture and lab separately. At BHCC, if it's a lab course, you're registered for both.

Our numbering system probably is pretty funky. Sometimes annoying due to prerequisites. Also sometimes confusing. As a history major, my science electives were Intro to Biology and Astronomy. Looking back at my old Intro Bio text book, it's basically a lesson in the most generic biology and then mammalian anatomy, but Intro Bio doesn't count towards the bio degree. It's a throw away class. That's sort of a new concept for me. General Physics is a throw away class for Biology majors. Everyone else has to take the more difficult College Physics. Maybe that's why my physics professor is such a smirky hard ass.

You wonder about these things. The science department head is my Gen Bio II professor and the Chemistry degree is an AA instead of an AS. You kinda wonder, ok dude, who's the chemist what pissed you off? lol

Wow... no shit? That's harsh!

At both PCC and PSU, there are these science classes for non-science majors, and since non-science majors have to have at least 8 credits of science, they are apparently just these vague overviews... what you called a throwaway course, and what truly seems like one from a science major perspective.

We don't have any throwaway physics courses, though; you have your choice of calculus-based or non-calculus-based, and bio majors only have to take the first class & lab.

It's weird. A bio major can still take College Physics if s/he chooses and it would still count, but here's an easier physics pair for you bio majors specifically.

Truth be told though, I did thoroughly enjoy Astronomy, and Intro to Biology was way grosser lab-wise than any bio course I've had to take as a bio major. Dissecting pig fetuses? That's fucking nasty. And it stinks. And it's a throw away class. Let's look at a diagram.

Gen Bio II? Here's how you dope up fruitflies and rip the heads off their babies in order to get their salivary glands. It's cool though, ether still stinks, but in a different way, and they're just bugs who are going to die at the end of the month anyway.

Stinkiest though? Microbiology. Wow.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 02:52:36 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:48:39 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:38:58 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:32:38 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:20:19 AM
It hasn't been updated for spring (Environmental Microbiology is apparently debuting in spring) but here's the program at BHCC for Bio transfer:

http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/programsofstudy/programs/biologytransferoption/

Oh yeah, your course numbering is just way different but I can see how the courses themselves are probably really similar. Our credits are a little weaker; most classes are 4-5 credits and it takes 90 to graduate. I sometimes wish we were on a semester system; the quarter system seems too rushed.

I kinda noticed that a little when we were both doing Gen Bio and using essentially the same text book.

Yeah, your Gen Bio 195/196 seems to be analogous with our Principles of Bio 211/212/213, and likewise your Gen Chem 201/202 appears to be the same as our 221/222/223.

That's pretty interesting.

God, I can only imagine what it's like transferring between states.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 02:59:04 AM
I think the most obvious thing that we have to jump through hoops with here is math courses, if you're a science major. George is fucking done with math. He told me that he took a ridiculous amount of math courses. It was either 7 or 9. I forget, but it was, in my opinion, unreasonably high. And actually I noticed that too when I decided to go from AA to AS. Time was also a factor- when I took College Algebra, in like, 2005, that was the baseline algebra for all degrees, but they differentiated after some point. And I also took statistics which doesn't count towards my electives because it's not statistics and lab (wut).

So I've taken:
College Algebra (no longer exists)
Statistics (doesn't count)
Intermediate Algebra
College Algebra for STEM
Precalculus

Shit. Yeah. I can see how George could have easily taken 7 math courses if he didn't do well on his placement exam when he first came in.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 03:00:19 AM
Here's the kicker. For the bio major, the math requirement is satisfied by Calc I, with Calc II or Stats and Lab as an elective.

But the prereqs to get there..... which count for nothing.....
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2014, 03:05:45 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:52:36 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:48:39 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:38:58 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 02:32:38 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:20:19 AM
It hasn't been updated for spring (Environmental Microbiology is apparently debuting in spring) but here's the program at BHCC for Bio transfer:

http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/programsofstudy/programs/biologytransferoption/

Oh yeah, your course numbering is just way different but I can see how the courses themselves are probably really similar. Our credits are a little weaker; most classes are 4-5 credits and it takes 90 to graduate. I sometimes wish we were on a semester system; the quarter system seems too rushed.

I kinda noticed that a little when we were both doing Gen Bio and using essentially the same text book.

Yeah, your Gen Bio 195/196 seems to be analogous with our Principles of Bio 211/212/213, and likewise your Gen Chem 201/202 appears to be the same as our 221/222/223.

That's pretty interesting.

God, I can only imagine what it's like transferring between states.

Horrible, probably.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2014, 03:06:48 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:59:04 AM
I think the most obvious thing that we have to jump through hoops with here is math courses, if you're a science major. George is fucking done with math. He told me that he took a ridiculous amount of math courses. It was either 7 or 9. I forget, but it was, in my opinion, unreasonably high. And actually I noticed that too when I decided to go from AA to AS. Time was also a factor- when I took College Algebra, in like, 2005, that was the baseline algebra for all degrees, but they differentiated after some point. And I also took statistics which doesn't count towards my electives because it's not statistics and lab (wut).

So I've taken:
College Algebra (no longer exists)
Statistics (doesn't count)
Intermediate Algebra
College Algebra for STEM
Precalculus

Shit. Yeah. I can see how George could have easily taken 7 math courses if he didn't do well on his placement exam when he first came in.

Why would you even NEED a lab with Stats? I took Stats I and II, which satisfied my math requirements for my undergrad and for all the grad programs I'm looking at.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2014, 03:11:20 AM
But I will also say that there is a reason I have been so hell-bent on moving through my degree in a fairly short time frame, and that is because I don't want them to go changing shit up on me midstream. :lol:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 03:17:39 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 03:06:48 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:59:04 AM
I think the most obvious thing that we have to jump through hoops with here is math courses, if you're a science major. George is fucking done with math. He told me that he took a ridiculous amount of math courses. It was either 7 or 9. I forget, but it was, in my opinion, unreasonably high. And actually I noticed that too when I decided to go from AA to AS. Time was also a factor- when I took College Algebra, in like, 2005, that was the baseline algebra for all degrees, but they differentiated after some point. And I also took statistics which doesn't count towards my electives because it's not statistics and lab (wut).

So I've taken:
College Algebra (no longer exists)
Statistics (doesn't count)
Intermediate Algebra
College Algebra for STEM
Precalculus

Shit. Yeah. I can see how George could have easily taken 7 math courses if he didn't do well on his placement exam when he first came in.

Why would you even NEED a lab with Stats? I took Stats I and II, which satisfied my math requirements for my undergrad and for all the grad programs I'm looking at.

No clue. I mean, technically it's an elective course, but statistics is statistics. I could quite honestly use a brush up, but I don't need a lab to do it. I think the lab bit is just to make it science specific, with no actual lab needed. If I recall, Precalculus was 4 credits, which makes it a lab course.

You could, but you'd have to give it a practical application. My Astronomy labs were largely mathematical, as you would expect, since you can't exactly touch the thing you're measuring. So why not combine those? That would be pretty awesome really. You have to take this math course as a prerequisite that's not going to count for anything but a prerequisite. Why not combine it with a science course that could broaden your perspective and satisfy both requirements? Cool, I'm a biologist, and I can calculate the mass of this exoplanet. Not as accurately as NDT, but I can give you a decent figure. Cool, I'm a physicist, and I can calculate the distance between these two alleles that occur on the same chromosome. I might not be.... eh... someone who's more active in biology than Dawkins should be (seriously, why is an evangelist the most famous fuck researching biology biologist?), but I can explain crossing over.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 03:19:38 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 03:11:20 AM
But I will also say that there is a reason I have been so hell-bent on moving through my degree in a fairly short time frame, and that is because I don't want them to go changing shit up on me midstream. :lol:

That is definitely part of my thing.

Also the pressure to get on with it ye feckin' bastard. ("It" being adult life, and the meaningfulness in employment and the financial security to marry and reproduce that all of that entails)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2014, 03:42:02 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 03:17:39 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 03:06:48 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:59:04 AM
I think the most obvious thing that we have to jump through hoops with here is math courses, if you're a science major. George is fucking done with math. He told me that he took a ridiculous amount of math courses. It was either 7 or 9. I forget, but it was, in my opinion, unreasonably high. And actually I noticed that too when I decided to go from AA to AS. Time was also a factor- when I took College Algebra, in like, 2005, that was the baseline algebra for all degrees, but they differentiated after some point. And I also took statistics which doesn't count towards my electives because it's not statistics and lab (wut).

So I've taken:
College Algebra (no longer exists)
Statistics (doesn't count)
Intermediate Algebra
College Algebra for STEM
Precalculus

Shit. Yeah. I can see how George could have easily taken 7 math courses if he didn't do well on his placement exam when he first came in.

Why would you even NEED a lab with Stats? I took Stats I and II, which satisfied my math requirements for my undergrad and for all the grad programs I'm looking at.

No clue. I mean, technically it's an elective course, but statistics is statistics. I could quite honestly use a brush up, but I don't need a lab to do it. I think the lab bit is just to make it science specific, with no actual lab needed. If I recall, Precalculus was 4 credits, which makes it a lab course.

You could, but you'd have to give it a practical application. My Astronomy labs were largely mathematical, as you would expect, since you can't exactly touch the thing you're measuring. So why not combine those? That would be pretty awesome really. You have to take this math course as a prerequisite that's not going to count for anything but a prerequisite. Why not combine it with a science course that could broaden your perspective and satisfy both requirements? Cool, I'm a biologist, and I can calculate the mass of this exoplanet. Not as accurately as NDT, but I can give you a decent figure. Cool, I'm a physicist, and I can calculate the distance between these two alleles that occur on the same chromosome. I might not be.... eh... someone who's more active in biology than Dawkins should be (seriously, why is an evangelist the most famous fuck researching biology biologist?), but I can explain crossing over.

I don't really get it either, except that it sounds like you took it before they changed the class to meet new standards? I took a bunch of math classes that only count as prerequisites, simply because I was so math-deficient when I started. There was no reason to wrap those classes into the classes they're prereqs for, simply because most people have math enough to prep them for  college algebra or calc by the time they graduate high school.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on October 30, 2014, 04:30:11 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 03:42:02 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 03:17:39 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 03:06:48 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:59:04 AM
I think the most obvious thing that we have to jump through hoops with here is math courses, if you're a science major. George is fucking done with math. He told me that he took a ridiculous amount of math courses. It was either 7 or 9. I forget, but it was, in my opinion, unreasonably high. And actually I noticed that too when I decided to go from AA to AS. Time was also a factor- when I took College Algebra, in like, 2005, that was the baseline algebra for all degrees, but they differentiated after some point. And I also took statistics which doesn't count towards my electives because it's not statistics and lab (wut).

So I've taken:
College Algebra (no longer exists)
Statistics (doesn't count)
Intermediate Algebra
College Algebra for STEM
Precalculus

Shit. Yeah. I can see how George could have easily taken 7 math courses if he didn't do well on his placement exam when he first came in.

Why would you even NEED a lab with Stats? I took Stats I and II, which satisfied my math requirements for my undergrad and for all the grad programs I'm looking at.

No clue. I mean, technically it's an elective course, but statistics is statistics. I could quite honestly use a brush up, but I don't need a lab to do it. I think the lab bit is just to make it science specific, with no actual lab needed. If I recall, Precalculus was 4 credits, which makes it a lab course.

You could, but you'd have to give it a practical application. My Astronomy labs were largely mathematical, as you would expect, since you can't exactly touch the thing you're measuring. So why not combine those? That would be pretty awesome really. You have to take this math course as a prerequisite that's not going to count for anything but a prerequisite. Why not combine it with a science course that could broaden your perspective and satisfy both requirements? Cool, I'm a biologist, and I can calculate the mass of this exoplanet. Not as accurately as NDT, but I can give you a decent figure. Cool, I'm a physicist, and I can calculate the distance between these two alleles that occur on the same chromosome. I might not be.... eh... someone who's more active in biology than Dawkins should be (seriously, why is an evangelist the most famous fuck researching biology biologist?), but I can explain crossing over.

I don't really get it either, except that it sounds like you took it before they changed the class to meet new standards? I took a bunch of math classes that only count as prerequisites, simply because I was so math-deficient when I started. There was no reason to wrap those classes into the classes they're prereqs for, simply because most people have math enough to prep them for  college algebra or calc by the time they graduate high school.

That is essentially what happened. And I was quite honestly really pissed off. Again, like with Stats, could use the refresher, but going from College Algebra to Intermediate Algebra to College Algebra for STEM is pretty irritating. The intermediate should have been cut out. They would have been right to ask me to demonstrate my math abilities after that much time and that much of a switch, but not so much as to negate what I'd done before and add another class or two....
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2014, 01:33:55 PM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 04:30:11 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 03:42:02 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 03:17:39 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 03:06:48 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:59:04 AM
I think the most obvious thing that we have to jump through hoops with here is math courses, if you're a science major. George is fucking done with math. He told me that he took a ridiculous amount of math courses. It was either 7 or 9. I forget, but it was, in my opinion, unreasonably high. And actually I noticed that too when I decided to go from AA to AS. Time was also a factor- when I took College Algebra, in like, 2005, that was the baseline algebra for all degrees, but they differentiated after some point. And I also took statistics which doesn't count towards my electives because it's not statistics and lab (wut).

So I've taken:
College Algebra (no longer exists)
Statistics (doesn't count)
Intermediate Algebra
College Algebra for STEM
Precalculus

Shit. Yeah. I can see how George could have easily taken 7 math courses if he didn't do well on his placement exam when he first came in.

Why would you even NEED a lab with Stats? I took Stats I and II, which satisfied my math requirements for my undergrad and for all the grad programs I'm looking at.

No clue. I mean, technically it's an elective course, but statistics is statistics. I could quite honestly use a brush up, but I don't need a lab to do it. I think the lab bit is just to make it science specific, with no actual lab needed. If I recall, Precalculus was 4 credits, which makes it a lab course.

You could, but you'd have to give it a practical application. My Astronomy labs were largely mathematical, as you would expect, since you can't exactly touch the thing you're measuring. So why not combine those? That would be pretty awesome really. You have to take this math course as a prerequisite that's not going to count for anything but a prerequisite. Why not combine it with a science course that could broaden your perspective and satisfy both requirements? Cool, I'm a biologist, and I can calculate the mass of this exoplanet. Not as accurately as NDT, but I can give you a decent figure. Cool, I'm a physicist, and I can calculate the distance between these two alleles that occur on the same chromosome. I might not be.... eh... someone who's more active in biology than Dawkins should be (seriously, why is an evangelist the most famous fuck researching biology biologist?), but I can explain crossing over.

I don't really get it either, except that it sounds like you took it before they changed the class to meet new standards? I took a bunch of math classes that only count as prerequisites, simply because I was so math-deficient when I started. There was no reason to wrap those classes into the classes they're prereqs for, simply because most people have math enough to prep them for  college algebra or calc by the time they graduate high school.

That is essentially what happened. And I was quite honestly really pissed off. Again, like with Stats, could use the refresher, but going from College Algebra to Intermediate Algebra to College Algebra for STEM is pretty irritating. The intermediate should have been cut out. They would have been right to ask me to demonstrate my math abilities after that much time and that much of a switch, but not so much as to negate what I'd done before and add another class or two....

I'm surprised they wouldn't let you test out! It sounds like their system is in transition and they haven't worked all the kinks out maybe?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2014, 01:37:51 PM
I ended up taking Beginning Algebra parts I and II, then Intermediate Algebra, none of which applied to anything but were prereqs for College Algebra, which was a prereq for Stats I and II. And I have to get into grad school within 3 years of completing Stats I and II or I'll have to take them again.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 30, 2014, 05:53:24 PM
Next week's tutorial: reflecting on the gunpowder plot.  Was it "pre-modern terrorism"?  What counter-terrorism policies can we draw on from it?

Should be fun.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Junkenstein on October 30, 2014, 07:25:25 PM
Out of curiosity, is there a widely regarded "first act" of modern terrorism? I'd guess but I'm not sure on the definitional boundaries here.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on October 30, 2014, 07:31:29 PM
French Terror and/or Russian nihilist and anarchist currents.

Oh, and of course the Sicarii and Assassins, who somehow circumvent the "need a modern state for modern terrorism" theory, probably due to being Arabs and Jews.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Junkenstein on October 30, 2014, 09:49:45 PM
Sicarii are new to me, I'll have a look at them. From a quick search, 1C?

The first thought is that that's quite a gap till French/Russian hijinks. Probably quite a few interesting fringe cases in-between?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on November 02, 2014, 06:35:38 PM
I got in my application materials to go dig in Turkey this summer. Once I talk to my professor this week about the actual dates and cost, I'll be getting all this back to him.  :eek:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 02, 2014, 07:07:31 PM
Quote from: The Suu on November 02, 2014, 06:35:38 PM
I got in my application materials to go dig in Turkey this summer. Once I talk to my professor this week about the actual dates and cost, I'll be getting all this back to him.  :eek:

Good luck!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on November 03, 2014, 05:25:03 PM
Go Suu!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 04, 2014, 02:37:01 AM
I had a small panic today when I realized that it's almost 2015, which is the year that I take the GRE and apply to grad school.

However, I also found a third grad program I'm interested in, and now I feel like maybe I'm not pushing my luck so much.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 04, 2014, 02:39:27 AM
But holy crap, I need to find a lab to work in, ASAP
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on November 05, 2014, 02:37:58 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 01:33:55 PM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 04:30:11 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 03:42:02 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 03:17:39 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on October 30, 2014, 03:06:48 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on October 30, 2014, 02:59:04 AM
I think the most obvious thing that we have to jump through hoops with here is math courses, if you're a science major. George is fucking done with math. He told me that he took a ridiculous amount of math courses. It was either 7 or 9. I forget, but it was, in my opinion, unreasonably high. And actually I noticed that too when I decided to go from AA to AS. Time was also a factor- when I took College Algebra, in like, 2005, that was the baseline algebra for all degrees, but they differentiated after some point. And I also took statistics which doesn't count towards my electives because it's not statistics and lab (wut).

So I've taken:
College Algebra (no longer exists)
Statistics (doesn't count)
Intermediate Algebra
College Algebra for STEM
Precalculus

Shit. Yeah. I can see how George could have easily taken 7 math courses if he didn't do well on his placement exam when he first came in.

Why would you even NEED a lab with Stats? I took Stats I and II, which satisfied my math requirements for my undergrad and for all the grad programs I'm looking at.

No clue. I mean, technically it's an elective course, but statistics is statistics. I could quite honestly use a brush up, but I don't need a lab to do it. I think the lab bit is just to make it science specific, with no actual lab needed. If I recall, Precalculus was 4 credits, which makes it a lab course.

You could, but you'd have to give it a practical application. My Astronomy labs were largely mathematical, as you would expect, since you can't exactly touch the thing you're measuring. So why not combine those? That would be pretty awesome really. You have to take this math course as a prerequisite that's not going to count for anything but a prerequisite. Why not combine it with a science course that could broaden your perspective and satisfy both requirements? Cool, I'm a biologist, and I can calculate the mass of this exoplanet. Not as accurately as NDT, but I can give you a decent figure. Cool, I'm a physicist, and I can calculate the distance between these two alleles that occur on the same chromosome. I might not be.... eh... someone who's more active in biology than Dawkins should be (seriously, why is an evangelist the most famous fuck researching biology biologist?), but I can explain crossing over.

I don't really get it either, except that it sounds like you took it before they changed the class to meet new standards? I took a bunch of math classes that only count as prerequisites, simply because I was so math-deficient when I started. There was no reason to wrap those classes into the classes they're prereqs for, simply because most people have math enough to prep them for  college algebra or calc by the time they graduate high school.

That is essentially what happened. And I was quite honestly really pissed off. Again, like with Stats, could use the refresher, but going from College Algebra to Intermediate Algebra to College Algebra for STEM is pretty irritating. The intermediate should have been cut out. They would have been right to ask me to demonstrate my math abilities after that much time and that much of a switch, but not so much as to negate what I'd done before and add another class or two....

I'm surprised they wouldn't let you test out! It sounds like their system is in transition and they haven't worked all the kinks out maybe?

You're probably right. Remember that I've dropped out twice and the third time I came back it was to switch degrees from Arts to STEM.

The kooky thing about it is when I took algebra a decade ago, it was the only algebra. There was no STEM algebra and regular jack-offs who don't need algebra algebra. It was just algebra. So what I took still counts as a math course for my history degree but means jack shit as a scientist, even as a prereq.

Math is math, right? Numbers and the way that they interact with other numbers don't change, so I don't see why there needs to be anything other than This Is Algebra, This Is Stats, This Is Precalc, etc. Granted Precalc onward is all STEM, because why would you otherwise, but still. Why not standardize that?

Why is there a General Physics I and II for Biology majors and only for Biology majors and College Physics I and II which will satisfy the physics requirements for biology, but is geared towards Physics and Engineering? I guess it's all to bring the various transfer agreements we have with universities into line, but within just BHCC, it sometimes makes absolutely no sense.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 05, 2014, 12:45:05 PM
I don't know. I wouldn't sweat it, to tell the truth. Shit changes and if you took it ten years ago why would it count? Stats won't count toward my grad degree after 3 years. Math in particular tends to be kind of use-it-or-lose-it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on November 05, 2014, 03:07:09 PM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on November 05, 2014, 12:45:05 PM
I don't know. I wouldn't sweat it, to tell the truth. Shit changes and if you took it ten years ago why would it count? Stats won't count toward my grad degree after 3 years. Math in particular tends to be kind of use-it-or-lose-it.

True enough
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 05, 2014, 04:08:23 PM
As far as the physics for STEM major and physics for non-STEM majors, it's probably for the same reason they offer attenuated versions of all of the sciences for non-science-majors; so that people who are not science nerds can fulfill their basic science requirements in a field they have some interest in and graduate. I'm not saying that I agree with it, but most people just don't have the interest or training to do well in General Chemistry or Principles of Biology just for funzies. Just like they have classes like "History of Western Civilization" and "Understanding Architecture" for those of us who just want to get our requirements out of the way so we can get back to SCIENCE.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 06, 2014, 12:11:13 AM
I asked my neuro professor about lab volunteer opportunities this afternoon, and he said that if I am taking the advanced neurophysiology class, we will be meeting and working with neuroscientists at OHSU, and that most of OSHU's neuroscience lab peons are selected from students in the advanced neurophysiology class! So by Spring I will probably be a lab peon!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on November 06, 2014, 02:09:13 AM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on November 05, 2014, 04:08:23 PM
As far as the physics for STEM major and physics for non-STEM majors, it's probably for the same reason they offer attenuated versions of all of the sciences for non-science-majors; so that people who are not science nerds can fulfill their basic science requirements in a field they have some interest in and graduate. I'm not saying that I agree with it, but most people just don't have the interest or training to do well in General Chemistry or Principles of Biology just for funzies. Just like they have classes like "History of Western Civilization" and "Understanding Architecture" for those of us who just want to get our requirements out of the way so we can get back to SCIENCE.

I once took Rock and Roll History and laughed all semester long as I did what I normally do anyway for homework. I did a paper on on Iron Maiden song.  :lulz:

I got an A for the whole damn class. It fulfilled my humanities requirement. Even Dr. S got a good laugh out of the idea.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on November 06, 2014, 02:15:34 AM
Actually, it was a kinda cool class, as it gave me a better understanding of the history of rock/metal, as well as suggested a few bands I'd never even have heard of otherwise.

The coolest part was when I did that paper on Sister Awake by the Tea Party, and was like, damn. This song is way more complicated than even a fan who happens to also be a musician realizes. I also got to use the phrase, "sarod solo"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on November 07, 2014, 03:54:44 AM
I have another midterm on Monday. After my last midterms.

ETERNAL. MIDTERM. LAND.

Then finals.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 07, 2014, 04:35:53 AM
Quote from: The Suu on November 07, 2014, 03:54:44 AM
I have another midterm on Monday. After my last midterms.

ETERNAL. MIDTERM. LAND.

Then finals.

Yes.

I just finished midterms, which means I have a midterm on Wednesday followed by a midterm on Thursday.

I also have to produce a first draft for a meta-representation of systems. And I have the freedom to make WHATEVER I WANT. I'm trying to come up with a way to do this in glass.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on November 07, 2014, 12:04:13 PM
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bSufSFxZ9T8/VFzFYcPAFNI/AAAAAAAABQU/jVd2Fcu2JSY/w606-h451-no/14%2B-%2B1)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 07, 2014, 03:32:45 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on November 07, 2014, 12:04:13 PM
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bSufSFxZ9T8/VFzFYcPAFNI/AAAAAAAABQU/jVd2Fcu2JSY/w606-h451-no/14%2B-%2B1)

:lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 07, 2014, 03:40:33 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/goRBlVa.jpg)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 07, 2014, 03:49:18 PM
I talked to my advisor yesterday, who gave me the green light on Peru. She told me that they are "very flexible" with what Honors students do, and that if I can come up with a rationale for applying something to my Honors credits they'll do it.

So basically, I am going to Borneo and then to Peru, taking one 4-credit seminar class this Spring and a thesis class next Fall, writing a thesis, and that's it for Honors. Now I just need to get into a lab... I have a volunteer application, but it's not exactly the lab I'm sure I want to commit 9 months to, so I'm going to email Dr. Crespo to ask whether he has any suggestions for me.

I seriously should have done this school thing 20 years ago.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 07, 2014, 04:37:35 PM
This is the lab I would dearly love to get into: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/research/centers-institutes/vollum/faculty/mandellab.cfm
This is the lab I have the best shot at getting into: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-medicine/departments/basic-science-departments/behn/people/labs/fair-neuroimaging-lab/people/pi-damien-fair.cfm
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on November 07, 2014, 04:46:31 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on November 07, 2014, 12:04:13 PM
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bSufSFxZ9T8/VFzFYcPAFNI/AAAAAAAABQU/jVd2Fcu2JSY/w606-h451-no/14%2B-%2B1)

Welcome to my world, Nigel.  You had your tetanus shot?   :lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on November 07, 2014, 10:00:45 PM
Estimated costs for my Turkey trip is only $3000 including airfare, room and board, spending money, a weekend in Ankara and a weekend in Cappadocia. That is meager compared to everything I've seen.

This is the site: http://www.cadirhoyuk.com/a-day-in-photos.html
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 07, 2014, 11:41:16 PM
Quote from: The Suu on November 07, 2014, 10:00:45 PM
Estimated costs for my Turkey trip is only $3000 including airfare, room and board, spending money, a weekend in Ankara and a weekend in Cappadocia. That is meager compared to everything I've seen.

This is the site: http://www.cadirhoyuk.com/a-day-in-photos.html

That sounds pretty awesome! Hooray for travel!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 07, 2014, 11:44:18 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on November 07, 2014, 04:46:31 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on November 07, 2014, 12:04:13 PM
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bSufSFxZ9T8/VFzFYcPAFNI/AAAAAAAABQU/jVd2Fcu2JSY/w606-h451-no/14%2B-%2B1)

Welcome to my world, Nigel.  You had your tetanus shot?   :lulz:

Oh yes, I'm always up-to-date on vaccinations.  :lol:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 07, 2014, 11:56:01 PM
Today I decided that I am NOT taking Cell bio from the same professor I'm taking Molecular from. SCREW THIS GUY. I talked to Kim, another high-achieving student I know from Bridges, and she took him for both classes and got a C in both. A C. Kim is a straight-A virology student, and she's taking both classes again (from other instructors) to improve her grade.

I probably won't end up with a C, but I'd have to get 95% or better on both of the next two tests to get an A, and honestly, I don't think I can make that happen; the test questions are too fucking random. If I get a C I'll retake it, but I'm sure as fuck going to wait a term to take Cell with Rosenstiel.

If I'd known I would have taken Molecular this winter, because Stedman's teaching it and he's supposed to be awesome.

The good news is that not taking Cell this Winter opens me up to taking Neuropharmacology, so I'm taking that, Intro Genetics, and Advanced Neurophysiology. In Spring I can take Cell, Cognition, and whatever 400-level honors seminar sounds good, then maybe knock out a couple more Psych classes over summer before Peru.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on November 08, 2014, 12:28:37 AM
I hate asshole professors like that. Either they're grading on an impossible curve, or they're trying to prove something. Ugh.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 08, 2014, 01:15:52 AM
I don't think he wants to teach and doesn't care.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on November 08, 2014, 01:10:21 PM
Quote from: hirley0 on October 29, 2014, 02:00:01 PM
20141029 ad 2246 | target post Time 8:09 pdT = 6am PDt

My SyS gets hacked so much it make .com Most difficult
SO? i'll probbly go back to the day prior to reboot
about ever thirty days | Making it HARD to know
whiTch Bio.ed to look4  8:08 dropped carrier :

20141108 day22OF30 IN REBOOT CYCLE
but i'LL reboot very soon as can no longer post d'AD at EG&B
ENFORCED STUPIDITY has prevailed: logging in is DUMB.

06:09:30 pSt should be about 4:00:something {{ maybe 21 OR 9
well that effort failed.
http://www.erisbarandgrill.com/CHAT/w/index.php {may be working
this post #2 was about 06:19:30 to be 4:10 | { co,prenda' ?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: hirley0 on November 08, 2014, 01:14:58 PM
5:10:21 hard to believe really. an actual post #FF9080
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on November 08, 2014, 09:54:38 PM
I'm watching this Catholic Church BS unfold with Frankie demoting an American cardinal for being a douchenozzle, and all I can think about is, "Oh here we go, I thought the Council of Basel fixed this."



Useless facts brought to you by a history major.  :kingmeh:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 11, 2014, 10:44:31 PM
Pet peeve of the day: when I complain about having a really bad lecturer in one of my classes and someone says "Well that class has a reputation for being one of the hardest classes".

No shit? Maybe you can direct me to one of the upper-division molecular biology or neuroscience classes that doesn't have that reputation. Maybe epigenetics or recombinant DNA techniques or neuropharmacology has a reputation for being an easy A.

Which has absolutely fuck-all to do with the fact that this guy couldn't teach his way out of preschool with the alphabet song.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 11, 2014, 11:32:17 PM
Got an email back from Dr. Crespo. He's going to introduce me to Dr. Fair.

OH MY NERVES.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 13, 2014, 06:31:24 PM
I registered for classes today! So looking forward to the end of this brutal wretched term. Next term I'm taking genetics, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, TAing perception, and going to Borneo.

Bonus: I am done with classes before noon every day but Monday and Wednesday. Wednesday's going to be brutal (morning classes 9-11:20, evening class is 5:30-9:20) but it will give me time to go swimming, grade papers, and hold office hours.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 14, 2014, 10:16:33 PM
I have a cold, it is wretched, and I am supposed to do case studies on 3 natural disasters by Tuesday.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 14, 2014, 10:20:34 PM
To be clear, my teammates decided that they wanted to do our term project on disaster recovery, which is a topic that is not of any particular interest to me, so now I have to plod through paper after paper of I don't give a fuck.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on November 16, 2014, 11:05:43 PM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on November 14, 2014, 10:20:34 PM
To be clear, my teammates decided that they wanted to do our term project on disaster recovery, which is a topic that is not of any particular interest to me, so now I have to plod through paper after paper of I don't give a fuck.
Ouch, good luck. And that on top of a cold.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 17, 2014, 04:42:07 AM
Quote from: Reginald Ret (07/05/1983 - 06/11/2014) on November 16, 2014, 11:05:43 PM
Quote from: Sexy St. Nigel on November 14, 2014, 10:20:34 PM
To be clear, my teammates decided that they wanted to do our term project on disaster recovery, which is a topic that is not of any particular interest to me, so now I have to plod through paper after paper of I don't give a fuck.
Ouch, good luck. And that on top of a cold.

Yes. Plus the week before my Molecular Bio midterm they decided that we each need to produce case studies on three disasters. So, in between studying for the exam and trying to stay caught up on Ochem, I've been trying to write THREE FUCKING CASE STUDIES.

At least I got to choose my own disasters to do case studies on, so I chose the oyster fisheries collapse due to ocean acidification (current and ongoing), the early warm season that destroyed the Central Valley strawberry industry in Oregon in the early 1980's, and the Dust Bowl.

Good luck translating any of this shit into your disaster relief scenarios, assholes.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 17, 2014, 04:43:12 AM
I BET YOU WEREN'T THINKING OF AGRICULTURAL DISASTERS, WERE YOU? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 17, 2014, 04:44:14 AM
Meanwhile, they're all working on Hurricane Katrina, tsunamis, and Chernobyl. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX MOTHERFUCKERS.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 17, 2014, 04:45:43 AM
This is going to make the meeting on Tuesday really awkward.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on November 17, 2014, 11:58:51 AM
I eagerly await reports of the ensewing meltdown of your team.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 18, 2014, 02:57:02 PM
Yeah, I think the grad student who is facilitating our team is only taking one class and has no job, and doesn't realize that for people who are taking a full load, writing three case studies over the weekend is fucking ridiculous. Fuck, writing ONE decent case study over a weekend is ridiculous. 

I'm basically just writing brief summaries, and then I'm going to inform him that this class gets eight hours a week of homework time from me, and no more.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 19, 2014, 04:33:53 PM
Despite sacrificing all other homework to focus on my molecular biology homework for the last two weeks, I got a C. Barely.

Travis, who is probably the smartest of our group, got a low B. Sam, who is wicked goddamn smart and I'm pretty sure a fair shake smarted than I am, got a high D.

We studied really hard and have a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of molecular biology. What none of us are good at is memorizing a shit ton of acronyms, and it turns out that's all he's really going for. So, for the final: fuck learning, just memorize a shit ton of acronyms.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 19, 2014, 04:36:55 PM
The meeting with the grad student turned into "The Grad Student Show" wherein he was basically lecturing and filling up chalk boards, and the three of us undergrads just sat there and finally were like "OK, but what do we do next?"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on November 25, 2014, 09:47:58 AM
Every time you write a paper on "cyberterrorism", someone with actual knowledge of computers commits seppuku out residual shame from reading your article.

It's also interesting to note just how many academic articles on cyberterrorism come from the early 2000s, ie; when you could publish any old bullshit about the internet because it runs on Space Magic and no-one had Facebook to teach them any better.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on November 29, 2014, 09:51:46 AM
Delayed post due to clusterfuck week that is End-of-Thanksemestergiving, but:

A mutual friend of mine and Villagers who used to be her roommate and moved to Arizona and then Colorado for work came back home for the holiday, and randomly dropped in. Fun was had and we went down to the shittiest Irish bar in Dorchester (Sonny's on Adams St.)  because we love it despite its shittiness. Well it was karaoke night, and Jim is an excellent singer. Among other things he did Unchained Melody, but apparently I was in a biological mood and the sheer desperation of the notes and lyrics amused the hell out of me, and Jim suddenly, in the middle of his quite honestly gorgeous performance, became the loneliest cricket in the field, just looking to pass on his genes to the next generation.

Made even funnier by the fact that Jim is mostly gay.

But also not helped by the fact that he also did Piano Man.

It was Fundeprenlightening? I enjoyed myself and told George about the chuckle I had about the hypothetical genetic failure cricket.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 29, 2014, 02:47:02 PM
Dead week starts on Monday.

Ffffuuuuuu
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 30, 2014, 03:44:24 PM
In the last week, for some reason, I've had several WTF conversations around organic chemistry.

1. My ex (I have a good ex and one who is a trainwreck of phenomenal proportions) suggested that our son could help me with my organic chemistry homework. The boy is in 9th grade.

2. Friend asks how I'm doing with organic chemistry and I reply that I'm loving it. He guffaws and says "Nobody loves organic chemistry!".

3. I was complaining about how very very long chapter 7 is and some guy I don't really know offers to help me with my homework. The problems only  take a minute or two, but I humored him by showing him a couple, and he says "Oh, I failed chemistry, I don't know this language". 

:? :? :?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 01, 2014, 12:43:12 AM
OK. I am just all over the place, but I am determined to finish ONE of the two remaining chapters. JUST ONE.

I have fortified myself with ritalin and marijuana. I'm going to nail elimination reactions, or bust.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 01, 2014, 06:59:58 AM
Quote from: Cain on November 25, 2014, 09:47:58 AM
Every time you write a paper on "cyberterrorism", someone with actual knowledge of computers commits seppuku out residual shame from reading your article.

It's also interesting to note just how many academic articles on cyberterrorism come from the early 2000s, ie; when you could publish any old bullshit about the internet because it runs on Space Magic and no-one had Facebook to teach them any better.

So apparently defacing a website = destruction to property = terrorism.

Well...there's not much I can say about that.

These notes (http://pages.uoregon.edu/joe/cyberwar/cyberwar.pdf) by a PhD student at Oregon University aren't all bad, though.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Demolition Squid on December 01, 2014, 07:41:39 AM
I got in an argument about the definition of terrorism recently. Its been a long time since I studied  it, but I remember 'intending to have a political outcome' was one of the few traits shared between the different definitions.

IIRC, the person I was arguing with was an american who said that sending death threats = terrorism, because it is meant to intimidate people with the threat of violence. He then produced state law which backed that up legally. So you don't need to actually follow through with an act to be a terrorist, nor does there need to be any political dimension, and now damaging property is terrorism too.

So terrorism is 'doing or threatening to do anything we don't like'. Seems legit.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 01, 2014, 07:55:38 AM
I personally like Schmid's "academic consensus" definition of terrorism, which he formulated after analysing over 100 different academic and legal definitions of the terrorism:

QuoteTerrorism is an anxiety-inspiring method of repeated violent action, employed by (semi-) clandestine individual, group or state actors, for idiosyncratic, criminal or political reasons, whereby - in contrast to assassination - the direct targets of violence are not the main targets. The immediate human victims of violence are generally chosen randomly (targets of opportunity) or selectively (representative or symbolic targets) from a target population, and serve as message generators. Threat- and violence-based communication processes between terrorist (organization), (imperilled) victims, and main targets are used to manipulate the main target (audience(s)), turning it into a target of terror, a target of demands, or a target of attention, depending on whether intimidation, coercion, or propaganda is primarily sought"

I can understand the inclusion of property into a definition of terrorism, because certain anarchist and environmentalist groups are very keen on bombing empty buildings.  But there has to be a "political" and "violence" element to it, and as far as I can see, defacing websites =/= violence.  Indeed, as the author of the above linked piece points out, such acts rarely rise above the average noise level of the spammer infested, clickbait orientated internet.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 02, 2014, 01:27:56 AM
Quote from: Cain on December 01, 2014, 06:59:58 AM
Quote from: Cain on November 25, 2014, 09:47:58 AM
Every time you write a paper on "cyberterrorism", someone with actual knowledge of computers commits seppuku out residual shame from reading your article.

It's also interesting to note just how many academic articles on cyberterrorism come from the early 2000s, ie; when you could publish any old bullshit about the internet because it runs on Space Magic and no-one had Facebook to teach them any better.

So apparently defacing a website = destruction to property = terrorism.

Well...there's not much I can say about that.

These notes (http://pages.uoregon.edu/joe/cyberwar/cyberwar.pdf) by a PhD student at Oregon University aren't all bad, though.

That looks worth a read, I'm saving it for after finals.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 02, 2014, 01:31:04 AM
Not as interesting as what you guys are talking about, but I had my real actual LAST MIDTERM OF THE TERM this morning.

I think I did OK, and it only sort of matters because he's throwing out the lowest exam score and so far I have something ridiculous like 98% plus 20 points of extra credit. So I only have to do better than 80% or so on the final to hang on to my A.

Now, FINALS TIME!!!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Roly Poly Oly-Garch on December 02, 2014, 07:21:22 PM
I'm sitting at a Chinese restaurant out in bumblebefuck Hillsboro on lunch break after watching people do criminal justice all morning. First trial got plead out in part and held over in part. It involved counts of sexual assault, felony assault, sodomy (a separate thing in Oregon), and Driving While Suspended. I really wanted to see a closing argument on that joinder. "Yeah, so in addition to all these horrible things the defendant is accused of, he didn't even have a license when he drove to and from the scene."

Next was a pretty desparate and thin motion to suppress on a fraud case. I was pretty stoked that I was able to figure out the defense theory without reading the motion, and that point for point I was with the judge on denying it. Bummer for the defendant, though. Looked like he's hosed.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 02, 2014, 10:14:52 PM
80% should be easy for you Nigel, but good luck anyway.

And here's some quotes from a couple of old papers of mine.  I don't normally look at my papers again after sending them, because I hate reading my own writing after proof-reading and editing, but I needed some citations I had in them for my current paper.

QuoteDiscussing the distinctions and similarities between state and anti-state terrorism requires us to have a working, definitional model of both phenomena in order to compare and contrast.  Unfortunately, in terrorism studies the role of the state as a terrorist actor is a frequently overlooked phenomena .  Furthermore, more generally there has been considerable debate regarding how to define and understand terrorism, which has further hampered discussion on this topic .

In particular, some discussion has focused on whether the state itself is capable of being a terrorist actor or whether it is definitionally precluded from being labelled as such.  In particular, Hoffman and Wilkinson argue that while historically states did carry out terrorism that state terror and terrorism refer to two distinct and different types of political violence.

For Hoffman, there is a "fundamental qualitative difference"  between acts of terrorism and state violence.  For Hoffman, the crux of this difference lays in that anti-state terrorists refuse to be bound by rules and conduct governing war and conflict. While admitting states sometimes violate these laws as well, he nevertheless attempts to draw a clear distinction between the acts of states and non-states.

This clear distinction is in broad agreement, and partially influenced by, the US State Department's own definition of terrorism, which is political violence "against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents".   While it is not immediately clear what the legal definition of a "clandestine agent" is, the definition avoids specifically mentioning state terrorism – which can be seen as part of the "silence of discourse" on state terror which Jackson refers to.  For Jackson, this lack of reference means that such definitions and the scholars who employ them intend for states to be "a priori and by definition excluded as actors who can practice terrorism" .

While Hoffman concedes that historically terrorism was practiced by the state –most notably during the French Revolution – he considers such usage to be "uselessly anachronistic"  because such a description is insufficient for the study of modern terrorism and how that term is used.

By contrast, Wilkinson admits that both states and non-state actors are capable of committing terrorism, that it is a "weapon or method"  used by both state and non-state groups.  The examples he gives, of Stalin and Serb ethnic cleansing, back up this assertion.  However, Wilkinson also cautions that while terrorism can be sub-divided into state and non-state domains, it is difficult to analyse the two in a comparative manner due to the "complex processes of and implications of both regimes of terror and factional terrorism".

Therefore we have two basic critiques of the concept of state terrorism, the definitional critique that excludes states from charges of terrorism a priori, and the complexity critique, that while states do also engage in terrorism, this is of a different kind due to the processes involved, and so such terrorism, while still terrorism is of a qualitatively different kind.

Hoffman's critique fails on the issue of state actors engaging in the same activities as terrorist groups and employing the same methods.  For Hoffman, the difference between terrorists and a military is that a military force engaging in such activities can be prosecuted for war crimes and violations of international law.  However, if we accept Hoffman's premises as correct, this opens the door to reverse his argument, and claim that terrorism is a form of war crime, often taking place in times of nominal peace.  This has been argued before, most notably by Scharf.   While there are reasons why this formulation may be unenforceable from a legal perspective, it nevertheless strongly suggests that there is a strong equivalence between terrorism, war crimes and that the political violence the two phenomena deal with form part of a larger, single type of violence.

This criticism can also be considered from the angle of the distinction between guerrilla war and terrorism, as discussed by Schmid and Jongman.  Quoting Kossoy, they point out the conflation of terrorism and guerrilla warfare is grossly inaccurate, while nevertheless pointing out most guerrilla campaigns make use of terrorism.  As they put it, terrorist methods are "exceptional in conventional and guerrilla warfare", but that in state and anti-state terrorism, these exceptional methods are "elevated to the level of strategy" .  Thus the war crimes of guerrillas become terrorism, while the terrorism of states is considered war crimes.

Hoffman's historical critique is also inaccurate, as he claims that the definition of terrorism has changed since the French Revolution, and that it no longer indicates a state-inclusive process.  However, Stampnitzsky points out that the formulation of terrorism as state violence continued past the second World War, where the opening address of the Nuremburg statement charged Germany with using terrorism against its own people, and into the 1960s where "writers...classified "terror/terrorism" as largely an attribute of states and political systems" , with the second most common usage being that of insurgent groups.  Only since the 1970s has this changed.

Wilkinson's critique is more difficult to dismiss, and doing so would require the rest of this paper.  However, it is worth pointing out at this stage that despite the supposed differences in state terrorism, the activities they engage in are very much the same, utilising techniques such as kidnappings, bombings, assassinations and torture against a civilian population, then "there is no doubt that in analytical terms, this constitutes terrorism."   This broadly correlates with Schmid and Jongman's own definition of terrorism , however they include a caveat that, unlike assassination, terrorism does not directly target an individual but uses opportunistic, symbolic or representative targets to convey a message to a wider audience.  Jackson would also seem to be in agreement with this, noting that "it is important to note that state terrorism may have both instrumental (terroristic) and strategic intentions".

More broadly, it would seem a description of terrorism based on behaviour and actions would allow for state terrorism to be considered a form of terrorism.  Therefore, an analysis of state terrorism based on the methods employed by the state would be the most productive method for investigating how and whether this violence is fundamentally different from anti-state terrorism

QuoteWhile the term "genocide" was only coined in modern times , most scholars agree that the concept pre-dates the term itself, and could be considered a constant through history, in both pre-state and modern state societies.   And while the term is contested by scholars, a broad overview shows the common themes to be that of mass-killings, intent to destroy a whole group or a substantial number of that group .  Genocide is closely associated and largely overlaps with the related phenomena of ethnic cleansing, as "modern episodes of ethnic cleansing have caused large numbers of deaths and often conform to the United Nations' definition of genocide".

Ethnic cleansing also appears to be where terrorism and genocide also intersect.  As the aim of ethnic cleansing is to remove a given population from a geographic area by means of violence and intimidation, terrorism is often considered inherent in the description.   In particular, the Bosnian experience strongly influenced the understanding of ethnic cleansing when the term was first formulated, and this experience was of "artillery barrages that laid waste to people and buildings; sieges that went on sometimes for months, even years, reducing the populations to a starved, diseased, and fearful existence" , alongside beatings, disappearances, rape and murder by paramilitary forces.

This parallels with other incidents of ethnic cleansing, such as that in Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Darfur.

Nor is this kind of violence unique to state violence, as the example of the LTTE ethnically cleansing Tamil Muslims from the Jaffna Peninsula  and the Kashmiri Pandits being ethnically cleaned by Islamic militants from Pakistan  show.

Nevertheless, this violence has several strong overlaps with what we would normally consider terroristic violence.  The violence itself is normally of an illegal kind, unsanctioned under international law and in violation of human rights, targeting civilians and using violence designed to terrorise and intimidate.  Those who carry out the violence are frequently not official arms of the state, but paramilitary forces aligned with the state and perhaps covertly backed by them.  In the case of Bosnia, many of these paramilitary groups were populated by organised crime syndicates, organised by the police and trained by the military , while in the case of Kashmir these were Islamist militants recruited and supported by the Pakistani military .  Instead of seeking to outright murder their political enemies, these groups instead relied on mass intimidation to coerce them into leaving – which is often considered a hallmark on terrorism, the psychological impact and anticipated reaction to violence.

Nevertheless, while terrorism is strongly linked with ethnic cleansing, and ethnic cleansing with genocide, it does not necessarily follow that terrorism and genocide are similarly linked.

One problem is that while genocide is preoccupied with the elimination, in part or total of a given group, using terrorism, with its emphasis on psychological intimidation and coercion, suggests that genocidal levels of killing are not desired or believed to be required for the aim of the terrorists to be met.  As Alexander Laban Hinton points out, "terrorism and torture are typically used to subjugate and intimidate, not obliterate, certain groups of people. Even ethnic conflicts, which may lead to and be a crucial part of genocide, often erupt over forms of domination and subordination and do not by definition involve a sustained and purposeful attempt to annihilate another ethnic group."

The second is that almost all examples of ethnic-cleansing related terrorism are either state-sponsored or directly carried out state terrorism.  The only counter-example to this that could be found was that of the LTTE, which in terms of terrorist groups was unusual due to its strong territorial influence and power.  What this strongly suggests is that ethnic cleansing is either only of interests to states (and para-states or virtual states) or that only those kind of institutions have the sufficient military power and resources to undertake any such campaign.

QuoteWhile individual coups have often been studied in great detail, systemic study of the coup as a form of political violence is sadly lacking.  Perhaps the most persuasive attempt is Edward Luttwak's Coup d'état: A Practical Handbook  and, much as the name suggests, this deals more with the practical issue of how to undertake a coup than under what circumstances is a coup more likely and what factors can influence the decision to use this particular form of political violence.

However, because the coup involves the seizure of power in order to effect a change in government it is undeniably an act of political violence.  And because of this it merits comparison with terrorism, which often has the revolutionary aim of overthrowing government or, when the state itself engages in terrorism it is either a revolutionary government itself or seeking to protect itself from revolutionary forces.  Ariel Merari, in his classification of insurgent violence, lists the coup as a possible form and strategy alongside terrorism .

A coup would, therefore, be a potentially attractive strategy to undertake in order to achieve the aims of a terrorist group.  However, how does that occur in practice?

Collier and Hoeffler claim that coups and civil wars have similar underlying causes and economic conditions which make their outbreak more likely.  In particular, they note that "there is, in effect, a common core of factors inducing violent, illegitimate challenges to a regime. "   These factors include the existence of resource rents, what specific grievances the security services may have and the legitimacy of the existing government.  Collier and Hoeffler's research shows that rebellion and civil war is far more likely when specific segments of society are excluded from power-sharing arrangements, whereas a coup is more likely where grievances are specific to the security services.

As a result, many coups have been the result of actions on behalf of said security services.  As these mostly attempt to seize power in order to redistribute resources towards themselves, their aim is to seize control of the state quickly and effectively, and because of their access to military power, this is affected in such a way that "involves little violence and, sometimes, it is achieved without bloodshed."   Luttwak concurs, noting that "[t]he coup, in short, looks a pushover."

Notably, some terrorist groups have attempted to use the coup methodology to obtain power.  According to Lawrence Wright, Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Egyptian Islamic Jihad and successor to Bin Laden in Al-Qaida, originally sought to displace Egypt's leadership by means of a coup.  Quoting Zawahiri's biographer, he notes ""[Zawahiri] thought they should have waited and plucked the regime from the roots through a military coup"  rather than via the assassination of Anwar Sadat.  Zawahiri however never got to put his planned coup into practice, due to the security service reaction to the Islamic Group bombing campaign, which "nearly eliminated both organisations in Egypt."

A second example comes from the Italian experience of terrorism.  Donatella Della Porta quotes an Italian parliamentarian who recounted how "direct action or involvement by the secret services can be singled out in all the trial records referring especially to the most serious crimes of right-wing terrorism, such as ... the attempted coup of the Rosa Dei Venti and Golpe Borghese."   The latter coup in particular included the involvement of Fronte Nazionale and the Avanguardia Nazionale, both groups strongly linked with terrorist attacks during that period of Italian history.

However, by and large, the coup strategy has been a difficult one for terrorists to achieve.  The crucial involvement of the security services make such an attempt beyond the means of most terrorists.  Futhermore, the strategy of the coup is itself opposed to terrorism, as al-Zawahiri noted.  The issue of covert warfare is also even more critical in the coup attempt than in terrorism, which is perhaps odd given the later is often seen as a form of covert warfare.  There is furthermore a strong temporal difference between the two modes of conflict, where the coup is intended to be a very brief phase of activity, terrorism is by contrast something that tends to occur over a far longer period of time.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on December 03, 2014, 11:53:07 AM
Wow.  Good read, Cain.  Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 03, 2014, 01:51:56 PM
Thanks.

Had to complete my paper a day early...due date is tomorrow noon, but I'm travelling all day because I have an interview in central London.  Another private school...3 days on duty, 3 days off duty rotation.  Which would be ideal for me.  I don't mind being on duty ALL DAY EVERY DAY for only three days.  One day to chill, and another to study, with one to do something else with. 

If I get it, of course.  We shall see.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 03, 2014, 03:46:01 PM
Good luck!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 03, 2014, 03:58:20 PM
Thanks.  No idea how many people are applying.  It's a mid-year appointment, so competition will either be fierce or nonexistant.

And then, when I get back, I can make a start on my counter-terrorism essay. Which will be marked by an actual former counter-terrorism officer who (allegedly) blew up a shop while undercover.  Oh boy...
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Demolition Squid on December 03, 2014, 09:06:31 PM
Thanks for that reading, Cain!

And good luck you guys! I do not miss writing essays or sitting exams in the least.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Junkenstein on December 03, 2014, 09:29:33 PM
Hey Cain, when did you write that up? Just curious because of:

QuoteCollier and Hoeffler's research shows that rebellion and civil war is far more likely when specific segments of society are excluded from power-sharing arrangements, whereas a coup is more likely where grievances are specific to the security services.

And now recent the events they were considering were.

Good luck to all. I've no idea how you have the patience for it all.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 04, 2014, 05:15:54 PM
I wrote that...last May?

The research itself was from the mid-2000s, I think.  Either that or the 1960s.  When I said the literature on coups was poor, I was not understating the problem.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on December 04, 2014, 05:22:00 PM
Seriously?  A 40-year gap?  Weren't there, like, dozens of coups in the 70s and 80s or something?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 04, 2014, 05:31:09 PM
There's probably some other papers out there.  Individual case studies and things, no doubt.  But on coups as a phenomena, you have a couple of papers from the 1960s, the Art of Coup d'Etat, one book on sociology from the 1980s and a couple of papers in the 2000s.

It is quite possible in addition to case studies, particular or general cases have been subsumed by studies of revolutions or civil war.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 04, 2014, 06:05:18 PM
Also pretty much everything worth saying on the topic was already said by Edward Luttwak in Art of Coup d'Etat...while slim, it's nevertheless quite a comprehensive book.  Like Machiavelli's The Prince, only for disgruntled military officers and their ilk.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 05, 2014, 04:58:58 AM
Quote from: Cain on December 04, 2014, 05:31:09 PM
There's probably some other papers out there.  Individual case studies and things, no doubt.  But on coups as a phenomena, you have a couple of papers from the 1960s, the Art of Coup d'Etat, one book on sociology from the 1980s and a couple of papers in the 2000s.

It is quite possible in addition to case studies, particular or general cases have been subsumed by studies of revolutions or civil war.

I feel like you might have quite some potential for a nice dissertation, there. Who better?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 05, 2014, 05:02:59 AM
So over the course of this Systems Science class I've been unable to help noticing that Systems Science dovetails rather beautifully with much Discordian philosophy, to the extent that it might not be wholly inaccurate to say that Systems Science is a Discordian discipline, or perhaps that Discordianism is a systems-science-based philosophy.

In fact, given that Discordianism and Systems Science emerged at roughly the same time, I think it is perfectly reasonable to speculate that Systems Science is essentially the academic branch of Discordianism.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 05, 2014, 05:06:14 AM
Whoa, while doing a search I encountered this: http://www.academia.edu/
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on December 05, 2014, 06:43:02 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 05, 2014, 05:02:59 AM
So over the course of this Systems Science class I've been unable to help noticing that Systems Science dovetails rather beautifully with much Discordian philosophy, to the extent that it might not be wholly inaccurate to say that Systems Science is a Discordian discipline, or perhaps that Discordianism is a systems-science-based philosophy.

In fact, given that Discordianism and Systems Science emerged at roughly the same time, I think it is perfectly reasonable to speculate that Systems Science is essentially the academic branch of Discordianism.

I have an overwhelming urge to get my Masters degree at this point.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 05, 2014, 09:15:38 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on December 05, 2014, 06:43:02 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 05, 2014, 05:02:59 AM
So over the course of this Systems Science class I've been unable to help noticing that Systems Science dovetails rather beautifully with much Discordian philosophy, to the extent that it might not be wholly inaccurate to say that Systems Science is a Discordian discipline, or perhaps that Discordianism is a systems-science-based philosophy.

In fact, given that Discordianism and Systems Science emerged at roughly the same time, I think it is perfectly reasonable to speculate that Systems Science is essentially the academic branch of Discordianism.

I have an overwhelming urge to get my Masters degree at this point.

I seriously think you would LOVE Systems Science. Plus you would be able to put "holistic problem solving" on your resume.

If you want to read more, I recommend these books to start with:
http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Systems-Donella-H-Meadows/dp/1603580557/
http://www.amazon.com/Leadership-New-Science-Discovering-Chaotic/dp/1576753441/
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on December 05, 2014, 09:18:57 PM
Thanks! I'll do some reading!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 05, 2014, 09:37:46 PM
You're welcome! Glad to be able to turn you on to something new.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 07, 2014, 08:54:09 PM
These are a fraction my notes from mol bio. They aren't worth reading, I'm just posting them because I'm losing my fucking mind after transcribing them. There are 72 pages (12 point single-spaced) of this shit.

BI 334
11/20/2014
Class notes

   The Tryptophan operon
o   operator is a regulatory sequence within operon
   Operator (& all regulatory sequences) are DNA
   Trp repressor requires tryptophan to bind trp operator
o   Tryptophan binds repressor, which binds operator
o   Trp repressor changes shape when bound to tryptophan
   Attentuation – in e. coli only – A unique regulatory process that involves regulation of transcriptional termination by translation
o   Trp leader mRNA has two trp codons
o   Trp leader region can form alternative secondary structures
o   One of these structures is a termination factor
   High levels of trp cause formation of termination factor & thereby attenuation of transcription
   Negative regulation – bound repressor protein prevents transcription: addition of ligand removes protein (can also work in opposite direction)
   Positive regulation: binding of protein promotes transcription by increasing binding of transcription factors
   Lambda bacteriophage lifecycle
o   Lambda regulatory region (att) can act as activator or repressor depending on where it binds to the DNA
o   Binding is moved by a single base pair to determine whether it is operator or repressor
   Lambda repressor is a dual role operon
   Lac operon encodes genes that allow cells to encode lactose
o   Lac operon responds to presence of lactose very quickly
o   Lac repressor binds to inverted repeats to prevent transcription
o   Lac operon allows transcription in presence of lactose when glucose is absent
   CAP works in combination with lac
o   CAP is sensitive to glucose levels and binds to operator in absence of glucose
   Inducer (in the case of lac, lactose) changes conformation of the repressor (in this case, lac) so that it doesn't fit into the major groove and cannot bind.
   CAP: Catabolite gene Activator Protein
o   Positively regulated by glucose
   Gal operon – allows galactose metabolism
   HU works with Gal & causes looping & repression of Gal operon
   AraBAD promoter region – arabinose
   Lac repressor binds several sites at once that are far apart, causing looping
o   Increases effective concentration of protein
o   DNA cannot make a 90 degree bend more than every 200 base pairs
o   Activation at a distance – RNA looping
   Rrn operons contain rRNA & tRNA genes
   UP element increases transcription of rrn operons
o   rRNA 7 tRNA more abundant in faster growing e coli cells
o   There are 7 operons in e coli
   rRNA operons are subject to feedback regulation
   Regulators are dimerized for precision
   Repressors bind as tetramers to allow looping
Eukaryotic transcription regulation
   General transcription factors
   There are several thousand gene regulatory proteins (8% of gene)
o   Dozens of signals effect gene
   Eukaryotes don't have operons
o   Genes in a pathway require coordinated regulation
   Mediator complex required for activated transcription
   Regulatory proteins @ 5-10% of gene
   Sequences that bind regulatory proteins are enhancers
   Enhancers:
o   Can act at a distance
o   Can be up or downstream of initiation site
o   Orientation-independent
o   Yeast equivalent is UAS, an upstream factor
   Activation domain activates polymerase when close to it
   Activators are modular – can be moved to other DNA sequences
   Activators have two functional domains that are independent of each other and can be separated; the activating domain (ACT) and the DNA-binding domain (DBD)
   Zinc fingers
   2-hybrid screen
   HATs – histone acetyltransferases (acetylation)
   HDACs – Histone deacetylases (deacetylation)
o   Activated DNA is more open, less compact
   Gene activation is synergistic
   The activation process in eukaryotes has many steps and the order of the steps is gene-specific
   Eukaryotic repressors can be direct:
o   Competitive DNA binding
o   Masking the activation surface
o   Direct interaction with general transcription factors
   Eukaryotic repressors can be indirect
o   Recruitment of chromatin remodeling factors
o   Recruitment of histone deacetylases
o   Recruitment of histone methyl tranferase
   Co-activators/co-repressors
   Enhanceosome
o   DNA-bending protein
   Spatial transcriptional regulation
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: S on December 08, 2014, 05:08:23 AM
... making diagrams showing the interlinked pathways worked better for me than listing the steps, in Biochem and Molecular Cell Biology. Form IS function, at that level, and drawing an arrow was easier to remember than the full text of pages of notes. First thing I did on every exam was flip to a blank back page and draw out all the diagrams I had made myself.

... it's such a miserable rush.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 06:48:31 AM
Quote from: S the Mad on December 08, 2014, 05:08:23 AM
... making diagrams showing the interlinked pathways worked better for me than listing the steps, in Biochem and Molecular Cell Biology. Form IS function, at that level, and drawing an arrow was easier to remember than the full text of pages of notes. First thing I did on every exam was flip to a blank back page and draw out all the diagrams I had made myself.

... it's such a miserable rush.

Sounds like you didn't have a shitty instructor, and merely understanding mechanisms was adequate for you to pass the exams.

But of course, obviously typing up my notes from class makes it clear that I'm not studying in any other way.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 08, 2014, 08:16:14 AM
Zinc fingers suck.  I don't want fizzy fingertips  :sad:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 04:31:31 PM
Quote from: Cain on December 08, 2014, 08:16:14 AM
Zinc fingers suck.  I don't want fizzy fingertips  :sad:

They're the WORST.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 11:47:52 PM


The fact that I only need 75% on the Ochem final tomorrow to keep my A is REALLY not helping motivate me to study, here.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 11:51:52 PM
I submitted my piece of the Powerpoint and a 4-page paper to my Systems Science group project folder yesterday. We were all supposed to have pieces in by last night so we could compile and edit today.

Amount of submissions from teammates: 0.

I hate team projects.

Theoretically I should warm up my studio so I can finish my meta-representation, which I decided would be cool to do in glass, LOL. It's 40 degrees down there. This is something I should have thought of in advance, what with it being December.

Bitterness and Finals overcome me. No amount of caffeine can sweeten my attitude.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 11:53:52 PM
My neurophysiology book sits here, mocking.

It's my favorite class this term, but I'm fucking over it.

(http://i3.minus.com/i7u2lJgSurmnO.jpg)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on December 08, 2014, 11:54:26 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 11:53:52 PM
My neurophysiology book sits here, mocking.

It's my favorite class this term, but I'm fucking over it.

(http://i3.minus.com/i7u2lJgSurmnO.jpg)


No loafing.

Do not question the system.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 11:58:09 PM
I also realized far too late that we won't be getting our projects back, and the meta-representation I proposed is worth about $175.

Fuck.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 11:58:50 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on December 08, 2014, 11:54:26 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 11:53:52 PM
My neurophysiology book sits here, mocking.

It's my favorite class this term, but I'm fucking over it.

(http://i3.minus.com/i7u2lJgSurmnO.jpg)


No loafing.

Do not question the system.

I'm probably going to end up with a B in Mol Bio and you know what? I DON'T EVEN CARE ANYMORE.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on December 09, 2014, 12:11:54 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 11:58:09 PM
I also realized far too late that we won't be getting our projects back,.

What?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on December 09, 2014, 12:12:22 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 11:58:50 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on December 08, 2014, 11:54:26 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 11:53:52 PM
My neurophysiology book sits here, mocking.

It's my favorite class this term, but I'm fucking over it.

(http://i3.minus.com/i7u2lJgSurmnO.jpg)


No loafing.

Do not question the system.

I'm probably going to end up with a B in Mol Bio and you know what? I DON'T EVEN CARE ANYMORE.

You sound as if you might be questioning The System.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2014, 12:45:49 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on December 09, 2014, 12:11:54 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 11:58:09 PM
I also realized far too late that we won't be getting our projects back,.

What?

Our final projects. We turn them in and are graded and that's that.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on December 09, 2014, 01:23:02 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2014, 12:45:49 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on December 09, 2014, 12:11:54 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 11:58:09 PM
I also realized far too late that we won't be getting our projects back,.

What?

Our final projects. We turn them in and are graded and that's that.

Why don't they give them back?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2014, 01:47:00 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on December 09, 2014, 01:23:02 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2014, 12:45:49 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on December 09, 2014, 12:11:54 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2014, 11:58:09 PM
I also realized far too late that we won't be getting our projects back,.

What?

Our final projects. We turn them in and are graded and that's that.

Why don't they give them back?

Because it's the end of the term and school is done.

I'm sure I can ask to have it back and make arrangements to go pick it up during break. Sounds like a pain in th eass though.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2014, 05:50:30 AM
Finished the physical aspect of my meta-representation. Around 10pm, one of  my teammates for the group project texted that she uploaded her powerpoint that was due yesterday.

Not my problem.

Now I eat a chicken leg, drink a beer, and plan to sleep a bitter and hateful sleep, wake up refreshed, practice a little retrosynthesis, and go rub my balls all over my fucking exam.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2014, 05:54:52 AM
While I was in my studio I made a dick for my classmate who's moving away to remember me by.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on December 09, 2014, 12:41:53 PM
(http://meme-lol.com/wp-content/uploads/meme-lol/Funny-Pictures---Hangover.jpg)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2014, 03:48:26 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on December 09, 2014, 12:41:53 PM
(http://meme-lol.com/wp-content/uploads/meme-lol/Funny-Pictures---Hangover.jpg)

This is completely literally true.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2014, 11:45:45 PM
Ochem final done.

Just finished the final draft of my meta-representation paper.

I have basically an hour for either fucking around or studying before meeting up with the incompetent fucks in my project group. Seriously, guess when the presentation is due? OH YEAH IN TWO AND A HALF HOURS.

:roll:

I never have to see or talk to these people again after tonight, and my portion of the grade isn't dependent on them, so fuck it. I just talked to one of them tonight and she hasn't even done the readings for the two classes she missed, that she wants help from me to get partial credit for. I'm like, are you shitting me? READ THAT SHIT.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2014, 11:47:58 PM
The last time I had a group project both of my group partners dropped the class. I'm tempted to think it was because of me but life isn't that fair.

Yep.

Fuuuuuuuck this shit.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 10, 2014, 11:24:57 AM
Yesterday was the last day I had to do any other shit that wasn't studying for finals.

Everyone I've done labs with in physics has disappeared.

I did my cell bio presentation, and I think I did fairly well on it. I might upload the slides. My sleep schedule is all fucked up and I have trouble telling what day it is.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 10, 2014, 03:41:03 PM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on December 10, 2014, 11:24:57 AM
Yesterday was the last day I had to do any other shit that wasn't studying for finals.

Everyone I've done labs with in physics has disappeared.

I did my cell bio presentation, and I think I did fairly well on it. I might upload the slides. My sleep schedule is all fucked up and I have trouble telling what day it is.

I'd love to see your slides... I have cell this Spring, they might help me out.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 10, 2014, 03:48:30 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 10, 2014, 03:41:03 PM
[quote author=Nepos twiddletonis link=topic=36796.msg1365392#msg1365392 date=1418210697

Yesterday was the last day I had to do any other shit that wasn't studying for finals.

Everyone I've done labs with in physics has disappeared.

I did my cell bio presentation, and I think I did fairly well on it. I might upload the slides. My sleep schedule is all fucked up and I have trouble telling what day it is.

I'd love to see your slides... I have cell this Spring, they might help me out.
[/quote]

Cool, I'll upload them tonight. It was on the possible plasmid origin of Geminivirus
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 10, 2014, 08:29:35 PM
Just got out of my neurophysiology final, pretty much killed it.

Three down, one left. At 8am. I haven't had any chance to study for it, so that's what I'm doing after I get home until roughly 10pm tonight.

First I have to meet a classmate to help her catch up on some shit she missed, which I wish I wasn't doing but I'm fucking helpful that way and shit.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 11, 2014, 01:09:11 AM
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/dracolupus/Slide1_zps23b01ee6.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/dracolupus/Slide2_zps531c4dc8.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/dracolupus/Slide3_zpsc9a0ceb2.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/dracolupus/Slide4_zpsb72ea64f.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/dracolupus/Slide5_zps101f59a1.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/dracolupus/Slide6_zpsb907fe5a.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/dracolupus/Slide7_zps9b5b7e3c.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/dracolupus/Slide8_zps76d04a97.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/dracolupus/Slide9_zps3280407b.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/dracolupus/Slide10_zpsd7bcb45b.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/dracolupus/Slide11_zpseefa7d91.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/dracolupus/Slide12_zpsf9d71744.jpg)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2014, 02:10:02 AM
That looks sweet, Twid, I'll check it out tomorrow when I'm sane again.

Fuck zinc fingers.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 11, 2014, 02:14:27 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2014, 02:10:02 AM
That looks sweet, Twid, I'll check it out tomorrow when I'm sane again.

Fuck zinc fingers.

Thanks :)

If you like elaboration on any of them, same. I seem to have a bug of some kind- swollen lymph node and lethargy. Going to re-nap.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Roly Poly Oly-Garch on December 11, 2014, 03:34:24 AM
The only thing I really have to say about my improv final isI'm taking comfort knowing that a few of those kids won't stop on a stage again without consequences.

:kingmeh:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2014, 04:36:53 AM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on December 11, 2014, 03:34:24 AM
The only thing I really have to say about my improv final isI'm taking comfort knowing that a few of those kids won't stop on a stage again without consequences.

:kingmeh:

DESTROY THEM ALL.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2014, 04:38:32 AM
I read your presentation, Twid. Because I ran all out of fucks to give to molecular. It was neat!

Theoretically I should dig back into my notes tonight and pull out all of the acronyms he might use on the test, and then do a simple one-or-two-word association in addition to writing out what they're acronyms for, but I might not. I might just fucking not.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2014, 04:41:12 AM
If housemate ever comes out of his room again (and by "ever" I mean in the 15 minutes or so before I crash and burn) I am totally gonna bum a cigarette off of him. Because FUCK THIS, AND FUCK THAT, AND FUCK THIS THING IN PARTICULAR.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2014, 04:46:19 AM
Oh and and and

Tonight I finally figured out the method to his madness, regarding his test questions.

What he is doing is asking questions about details from the examples he gives to help with comprehension of mechanisms, processes, and principles. Because apparently he figures that if you read the examples thoroughly enough to grasp the process, you will probably remember the arbitrary 4-letter acronym for something that was detailed in the example.

Mind you, this course is not supposed to be about details. It's supposed to be about mechanisms, processes, and principles.

It is not a very good method.

I was just going to memorize acronyms off the slides, but when it came down to my breaking point I couldn't do it. I need to understand what's going on. I'm taking cell bio in the Spring and without the background knowledge from Mol I don't think I'd be ready for it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2014, 04:49:33 AM
"Him" in this case being Dr. FUCK YOU FUCK YOU FUCK YOU FUCK YOU I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU MADE 5 INCOMPREHENSIBLE ACID-TRIP SLIDES ON PSEUDOKNOTS AND WHEN I LOOKED IT UP IN THE BOOK THERE WAS JUST THIS ONE FUCKING PICTURE BECAUSE IT'S JUST ONE OF MANY ALTERNATE RNA FOLDS, YOU ASSHOLE.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2014, 04:50:13 AM
It's completely possible that there will be tears before the end of the night.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Roly Poly Oly-Garch on December 11, 2014, 01:58:38 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2014, 04:36:53 AM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on December 11, 2014, 03:34:24 AM
The only thing I really have to say about my improv final isI'm taking comfort knowing that a few of those kids won't stop on a stage again without consequences.

:kingmeh:

DESTROY THEM ALL.

I would, but that would just give them a reason to overact a really horrible death scene.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2014, 07:58:25 PM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on December 11, 2014, 01:58:38 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2014, 04:36:53 AM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on December 11, 2014, 03:34:24 AM
The only thing I really have to say about my improv final isI'm taking comfort knowing that a few of those kids won't stop on a stage again without consequences.

:kingmeh:

DESTROY THEM ALL.

I would, but that would just give them a reason to overact a really horrible death scene.

:lulz: :lulz: :lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2014, 08:00:57 PM
My Mol Bio professor seemed to have sought consultation for writing his last final, because it made sense and was relevant to the material we covered.

I am super irritated with myself for one of the answers that I immediately knew I got wrong, because I put down "HLH" instead of "HTH" even though I KNEW THAT WAS A TRICK QUESTION. I even had made a note of the difference in advance, and somehow just brain farted.

NONETHELESS, I think I did OK, and whatever at least it's fucking over.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2014, 09:40:11 PM
Oooh, just realized that I have half an extra credit left I can do for Ochem that's not due until tomorrow.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 13, 2014, 02:43:43 PM
I got the nicest note from my systems science professor about my final project. I need to remember that this term I absolutely adored 3/4 of my professors, and that the one guy who was a horrible teacher and then lost my final is not representative of my total experience.

Also I had drinks with my girl E last night and she told me (she's a professor) that an automatic A for losing a test is totally a thing. So worst case scenario, I get my actual grade. Which I guarantee is not an A. (I am still fucking pissed about he helix-turn-helix trick question, THAT ASSHOLE.)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 16, 2014, 04:15:15 AM
So whatever my physics grade might be, it's definitely determined now.

Professor said that the grades should be posted by midnight.

Apparently, every professor who gave a final today said the same thing, considering that the server isn't responding.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 16, 2014, 04:20:41 AM
Which is giving me a very weird feeling. What I'm feeling is, "eh, fuck it RIGHT NOW." But I suppose that's the reaction one would have to waiting to find out the grades for the class that they know they didn't do great in, but no one else did, so how, exactly, did I do? Not worried about Cell Bio. At all. Not worried about Physics in a worried about Physics but not really worried sort of way. I just want to get a C and move along. I don't want to have to take it again even if I end up bombing it. It's in the way, and I only care about it insofar that it's a required course and GPA.

Seriously though, I'm more than happy to leave it to NDT and Hawking.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 16, 2014, 03:42:14 PM
I got a C in Molecular Bio. Grades aren't officially posted (they should be up by five today) but I'm not too worried about my other grades. My final project in Systems Science got 98.5% and I hit 95% on the Neurophysiology final. Ochem is either an A or a B... or I didn't pass the final, in which case it's an F. I don't think I could have failed the final though.

I am kind of hoping that my Mol Bio professor decides to curve and I end up with a B, but he's not exactly the most charitable professor so I doubt he will.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 17, 2014, 12:29:38 AM
Grades are posted! A, A, B+, B-. THANK FUCK!

I was kind of hoping for an A in Ochem but that final was hard and I kinda slacked on chapter 10, so I'll take the B+ with gratitude! Dr. S was an amazing teacher, getting anything less than an A is on me.

My GPA didn't take too bad of a hit, and it was by far my hardest term yet. Knock on wood. I don't think I'll be foolish enough to take 16 credits in ten weeks again... at least, not including 8 credits of known bitch-ass tough weeder classes. That was just plain dumb.

Next term is gonna be awesome. So awesome!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 17, 2014, 12:31:51 AM
Also, I don't think I have ANY MORE WEEDER CLASSES. Upper-division Cell & Micro have reputations for being hard, but not "fuck you, if you can't hack it you can't hack med school" hard.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 17, 2014, 12:41:25 AM
Physics grade still hasn't been posted.  :cry:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 17, 2014, 02:12:06 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on December 17, 2014, 12:41:25 AM
Physics grade still hasn't been posted.  :cry:

Bastiges!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on December 17, 2014, 02:29:56 AM
Nigel, congrats.  I admire that you have worked hard to obtain knowledge.

You're one of the good people on this planet.  I'm honored to know your name.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 17, 2014, 02:35:26 AM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on December 17, 2014, 02:29:56 AM
Nigel, congrats.  I admire that you have worked hard to obtain knowledge.

You're one of the good people on this planet.  I'm honored to know your name.

Aw, thank you LMNO! I would squeeze you right now if you were within squeezing range! Rest assured, the admiration and respect is mutual.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 17, 2014, 03:17:58 AM
I likewise congratulate you, Nigel.

Sorry I didn't do so before. There's a bit of nail biting going on here.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 17, 2014, 03:41:58 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on December 17, 2014, 03:17:58 AM
I likewise congratulate you, Nigel.

Sorry I didn't do so before. There's a bit of nail biting going on here.

Oh shit, man, I didn't expect congrats and I COMPLETELY understand! I was kind of losing my shit until grades were posted. I hope they post yours SOON, and I hope that they meet or exceed your hopes!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Junkenstein on December 17, 2014, 01:20:49 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on December 17, 2014, 02:29:56 AM
Nigel, congrats.  I admire that you have worked hard to obtain knowledge.

You're one of the good people on this planet.  I'm honored to know your name.

This.

Twid, all the best.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 17, 2014, 03:40:53 PM
Dying of flu, taking a day off from my counter-terrorism paper.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 17, 2014, 04:56:56 PM
Quote from: Junkenstein on December 17, 2014, 01:20:49 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on December 17, 2014, 02:29:56 AM
Nigel, congrats.  I admire that you have worked hard to obtain knowledge.

You're one of the good people on this planet.  I'm honored to know your name.

This.

Twid, all the best.

:heart:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 17, 2014, 04:57:34 PM
Quote from: Cain on December 17, 2014, 03:40:53 PM
Dying of flu, taking a day off from my counter-terrorism paper.

If you die of flu IT LETS THE TERRORISTS WIN.

Feel better soon, that sucks.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 18, 2014, 09:22:12 AM
Dying of flu means I get an extension on my essay, though.  I'm surprised, as I didn't expect to get one, under the current conditions, but my lecturer suggested I write in anyway.

Congrats on your results, by the way.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 18, 2014, 07:15:06 PM
Quote from: Cain on December 18, 2014, 09:22:12 AM
Dying of flu means I get an extension on my essay, though.  I'm surprised, as I didn't expect to get one, under the current conditions, but my lecturer suggested I write in anyway.

Congrats on your results, by the way.

Yay extension!

Thanks. :) They aren't what I would normally have hoped them to be, but I think that the difficulty of the term makes me more pleased with them overall than I would have been with straight As I didn't fight for. I EARNED THE FUCK out of that B-.  :lol:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 19, 2014, 01:04:12 AM
Took my Cell Bio final today. Felt pretty confident about that. There were a couple of enzymatic pathways that I was shaky on in the sense of what the enzymes and proteins were actually named, but I was able to describe what was happening.

Still no word on the physics grade. Which has me bummedcited, for lack of a better word. It's like the anticipation you feel with Christmas when you're a very young child and have no concept of time and December is very long, but with a sense of impending doom.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 19, 2014, 01:29:40 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on December 19, 2014, 01:04:12 AM
Took my Cell Bio final today. Felt pretty confident about that. There were a couple of enzymatic pathways that I was shaky on in the sense of what the enzymes and proteins were actually named, but I was able to describe what was happening.

Still no word on the physics grade. Which has me bummedcited, for lack of a better word. It's like the anticipation you feel with Christmas when you're a very young child and have no concept of time and December is very long, but with a sense of impending doom.

I hope it all ends up being good news!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 19, 2014, 02:24:26 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 19, 2014, 01:29:40 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on December 19, 2014, 01:04:12 AM
Took my Cell Bio final today. Felt pretty confident about that. There were a couple of enzymatic pathways that I was shaky on in the sense of what the enzymes and proteins were actually named, but I was able to describe what was happening.

Still no word on the physics grade. Which has me bummedcited, for lack of a better word. It's like the anticipation you feel with Christmas when you're a very young child and have no concept of time and December is very long, but with a sense of impending doom.

I hope it all ends up being good news!

I'm definitely going to pass Cell Bio, even if it's a C (I'm expecting B-ish). Physics is the question mark, since he confirmed around midterms that failing didn't mean that you were failing. He said if you get an A on the final, you get an A, otherwise he has to calculate the grade.

I know I didn't get an A on the final.

But, getting back to Cell Bio, my Geminivirus presentation got a 95% and the deductions were due solely to my nervousness. Funny how that works. If there's 200 of you and I'm with 4 other people and playing a guitar, I don't care. I'm a badass. If it's 15 of you and it's just me, you're going to hear "um" more than "the"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 19, 2014, 02:27:01 AM
It's definitely a confidence thing. It's the same sort of stage fright I used to get back in 2006.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 19, 2014, 02:29:59 AM
I hate public speaking, and the smaller the audience, the more I hate it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 19, 2014, 02:34:43 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 19, 2014, 02:29:59 AM
I hate public speaking, and the smaller the audience, the more I hate it.

And that's a bizarre thing. The smaller the audience, the worse it really is. Mathematically it doesn't work out.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 19, 2014, 02:40:53 AM
I will say this though. Aside from Microbiology, Cell was my favorite, and I really, really liked my professor. I had a bit of a grade dip that corresponded with my friend's untimely death, but it was a really interesting course, and the professor was probably the most approachable one I've ever had, to the point where she said my coat was awesome, brought up Doctor Who because of my tee shirt, and mentioned the Necronomicon in passing during lecture while saying "looking over in that part of the room" to which I later responded, "Awesome HP Lovecraft reference" and she said, "Oh, you had to get all classy, I was talking about Evil Dead"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 19, 2014, 03:47:59 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on December 19, 2014, 02:34:43 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 19, 2014, 02:29:59 AM
I hate public speaking, and the smaller the audience, the more I hate it.

And that's a bizarre thing. The smaller the audience, the worse it really is. Mathematically it doesn't work out.

It's because a large audience is an amorphous mass that will tend to respond as a single multicellular organism, kind of like a slime mold. With a large audience you're really only speaking to one entity: the blob named "Audience". With a small audience, you're talking to 6-35 individuals, most of whom know you personally and are hoping you do well. That's a lot of pressure.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 19, 2014, 03:51:44 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on December 19, 2014, 02:40:53 AM
I will say this though. Aside from Microbiology, Cell was my favorite, and I really, really liked my professor. I had a bit of a grade dip that corresponded with my friend's untimely death, but it was a really interesting course, and the professor was probably the most approachable one I've ever had, to the point where she said my coat was awesome, brought up Doctor Who because of my tee shirt, and mentioned the Necronomicon in passing during lecture while saying "looking over in that part of the room" to which I later responded, "Awesome HP Lovecraft reference" and she said, "Oh, you had to get all classy, I was talking about Evil Dead"

She sounds awesome, and Cell sounds awesome! What book did you use? I wish I'd taken lower-division Cell & Micro to help prep me for upper-division work, but I was out of electives. I think it would have REALLY helped though.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 19, 2014, 04:14:07 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 19, 2014, 03:51:44 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on December 19, 2014, 02:40:53 AM
I will say this though. Aside from Microbiology, Cell was my favorite, and I really, really liked my professor. I had a bit of a grade dip that corresponded with my friend's untimely death, but it was a really interesting course, and the professor was probably the most approachable one I've ever had, to the point where she said my coat was awesome, brought up Doctor Who because of my tee shirt, and mentioned the Necronomicon in passing during lecture while saying "looking over in that part of the room" to which I later responded, "Awesome HP Lovecraft reference" and she said, "Oh, you had to get all classy, I was talking about Evil Dead"

She sounds awesome, and Cell sounds awesome! What book did you use? I wish I'd taken lower-division Cell & Micro to help prep me for upper-division work, but I was out of electives. I think it would have REALLY helped though.

Essential Cell Biology, Third Edition, Alberts, Bray, Hopkin, Johnson, Lewis, Raff, Roberts, Walter

Not a bad book actually. Even came with a CD ROM. Which I never used because my CD drive crapped out permanently.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 19, 2014, 04:17:21 AM
First day of class, she asked us all to say what our favorite anything was.

At the time, the only non-biology uniform that I had that would be readily recognizable to anyone else was Trekkie.

So she was like, Kirk or Picard, and I almost said, what about the other three? and then settled for "all of it"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 19, 2014, 08:36:47 PM
C in physics, B- in cell.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 20, 2014, 01:16:40 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on December 19, 2014, 08:36:47 PM
C in physics, B- in cell.

You passed! SWOTE!!!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 20, 2014, 01:21:11 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on December 19, 2014, 04:14:07 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 19, 2014, 03:51:44 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on December 19, 2014, 02:40:53 AM
I will say this though. Aside from Microbiology, Cell was my favorite, and I really, really liked my professor. I had a bit of a grade dip that corresponded with my friend's untimely death, but it was a really interesting course, and the professor was probably the most approachable one I've ever had, to the point where she said my coat was awesome, brought up Doctor Who because of my tee shirt, and mentioned the Necronomicon in passing during lecture while saying "looking over in that part of the room" to which I later responded, "Awesome HP Lovecraft reference" and she said, "Oh, you had to get all classy, I was talking about Evil Dead"

She sounds awesome, and Cell sounds awesome! What book did you use? I wish I'd taken lower-division Cell & Micro to help prep me for upper-division work, but I was out of electives. I think it would have REALLY helped though.

Essential Cell Biology, Third Edition, Alberts, Bray, Hopkin, Johnson, Lewis, Raff, Roberts, Walter

Not a bad book actually. Even came with a CD ROM. Which I never used because my CD drive crapped out permanently.

That's the same author as primaried my Mol Bio text, and as far as I know we're using that text for Cell in Spring term. Makes me REALLY wish I'd taken lower-division Micro & Cell! It probably would have made the upper-division work way easier.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 21, 2014, 07:19:51 PM
So, I'm not sure if I mentioned, but I got accepted to a winter bridge session weeklong Biotech seminar at UMass Lowell, shuttle provided by Bunker Hill, free lunch. I'm a little on the fence because of missed work potential, but at the same time, it's extra lab experience, particularly in applied biology. The tricky part is that it effects how much I can put towards tuition for spring semester, possibly.

At the same time, I'm transferring all of my online materials from Summer Semester into various MS documents, but that's pretty tedious.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 21, 2014, 07:46:51 PM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on December 21, 2014, 07:19:51 PM
So, I'm not sure if I mentioned, but I got accepted to a winter bridge session weeklong Biotech seminar at UMass Lowell, shuttle provided by Bunker Hill, free lunch. I'm a little on the fence because of missed work potential, but at the same time, it's extra lab experience, particularly in applied biology. The tricky part is that it effects how much I can put towards tuition for spring semester, possibly.

At the same time, I'm transferring all of my online materials from Summer Semester into various MS documents, but that's pretty tedious.

It does sound like awesome experience, though!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on December 22, 2014, 06:13:42 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 21, 2014, 07:46:51 PM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on December 21, 2014, 07:19:51 PM
So, I'm not sure if I mentioned, but I got accepted to a winter bridge session weeklong Biotech seminar at UMass Lowell, shuttle provided by Bunker Hill, free lunch. I'm a little on the fence because of missed work potential, but at the same time, it's extra lab experience, particularly in applied biology. The tricky part is that it effects how much I can put towards tuition for spring semester, possibly.

At the same time, I'm transferring all of my online materials from Summer Semester into various MS documents, but that's pretty tedious.

It does sound like awesome experience, though!

It does. I may just have to crunch some numbers and work a really strange work schedule. Like a twelve hour day with an eight and a half hour lunch break :lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 26, 2014, 11:22:14 AM
Got my cyberterrorism essay back.  Despite making a complete hash of it, I still got 16/20, which, according to my University's fucked up, weighted score system, is something like 85%.  Someone once explained to me exactly how the weighting system works...unfortunately, that person was a statistics professor, and he seemed to be the only person who actually understood it in the entire university.

QuoteAnother possible way to frame cyber-terrorism would be through the paradigm of cyber-warfare.  Some scholars of terrorism object to terrorism being linked to warfare, but is nevertheless the case that, as a form of organised political violence, terrorism and warfare share certain key commonalities.  Arguments have been put forward by Arquilla, Ronfeldt and Zanini that terrorism, warfare and crime are part of a interlinked matrix of violence, an evolution in warfare that they refer to as "netwar"1 (though it is important to note the "net" in netwar refers to networks as a method of organisation and not the internet).

This view also has something of a pedigree in the study of terrorism, as Schmid and Jongman both note "many authors see terrorism as a form of war.  In the 1960s, terrorism was generally placed in the context of internal war.  Today, terrorism is often treated as a form of international war, or rather, as its substitute."2  In particular, the work of Brian Jenkins on "surrogate warfare"3 lends support to the hypothesis that terrorism and warfare are linked on some key level.

Some researchers and scholars discussing cyber-conflict and information warfare have already implicitly accepted the assumption that terrorism and warfare are related concepts offline and online.  Hoisington notes that "the practice [of cyberwarfare] currently exists in a legal netherworld"4, a description which makes legal normative arguments against cyber-terrorism a little harder to countenance.  While Hoisington remains hopeful that currently existing international law and norms regarding the use of force and authorisation of military action in self-defense can ultimately be adapted to cover cyber-conflict, as things currently stand is not very clear what constitutes, among other things, acceptable military targets, proportional violence or the issue of "digital collateral damage".

As much of the distinction between warfare and terrorism rests on the legal authority, legitimacy and regulation that the former has under international law, this point raises a serious concern about how the ethics of cyberwarfare and cyber-terrorism are being deployed.  Given the pejorative connotations of terrorism, it is not unreasonable in the current circumstances to ask if cyber-terrorism is merely cyberwarfare one does not approve of.

Continuing on the theme of cyber-terrorism as a variant of cyberwarfare, an intriguing paper by Applegate points to a blurring of the lines, such as they are, between cyberwarfare and cyber-terrorism with the case of state supported "hacktivists" and cyber-militias5.  Applegate posits that a number of states are willing to use these unofficially supported groups because "they can potentially achieve their political objectives without the burden of attribution or the need to adhere to the Law of Armed Conflict."  He also points to certain flaws in currently existing international law with regard to cyberwarfare, flaws which would also be pertinent to any theory of cyber-terrorism.  As Applegate says, reinforcing Hoisington's earlier points, "[w]hile many militaries now treat the computer as a weapon's system, no international agreement or legal statute defines it as such." 

As a consequence of this, a critical part of the international legal code, those referring to "armed attack", are rendered null and void.  Applegate also echoes earlier concerns about the ethics of response, noting that attribution alone is a major issue on the internet, let alone proportionality.  There are also some worrying implications regarding legal combatants and prisoners of war – hackers as part of a military may be wearing a uniform and operate as part of a chain of command, but neither will be identifiable to their enemy, and "patriotic hackers" acting outside of the official chain of command but with state support could end up with a similar legal status to the "illegal combatants" of Guantanamo Bay – neither PoWs or criminal prisoners.

Thus the dividing line between cyber-terrorism and cyberwarfare is not at all clear, and may be being deliberately blurred by states wishing to avoid attribution for their attacks.  While considering cyber-terrorism as cyberwarfare by non-state actors is conceptually attractive and elegant on one level, and has a certain amount of legal support, given the current status of laws regarding cyber-conflict, on another level it is a troubling and problematic solution.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on December 26, 2014, 01:11:16 PM
Thanks for the excerpt! I didn't realize (but should have guessed) the rules surrounding cyber attacks/terrorism/warfare are so vague.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 26, 2014, 05:34:08 PM
Yeah.  Computers aint weapons, so cyberattacks are not warfare, thus the wars of law do not apply. 

It's a clusterfuck waiting to happen.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 26, 2014, 08:56:00 PM
Hmmm, that's really interesting. Especially in our current U.S. political climate of calling almost everything we don't like "terrorism". I'm actually waiting for protests to be relabeled "terrorism" so that protesters can simply be hauled off to prison and held indefinitely.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 29, 2014, 03:44:13 AM
Uh, oh, my bossfessor wants me to edit the online class softwarez.  :eek: I am going to ignore it until tomorrow.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 29, 2014, 12:01:05 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 29, 2014, 03:44:13 AM
Uh, oh, my bossfessor wants me to edit the online class softwarez.  :eek: I am going to ignore it until tomorrow.

That sounds suspiciously like terrorism to me.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 30, 2014, 02:57:27 AM
Quote from: Cain on December 29, 2014, 12:01:05 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 29, 2014, 03:44:13 AM
Uh, oh, my bossfessor wants me to edit the online class softwarez.  :eek: I am going to ignore it until tomorrow.

That sounds suspiciously like terrorism to me.

:lulz: :lulz: :lulz:

I am extremely reluctant to actually do it, because I'm supposed to be on vacation FFS.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on December 31, 2014, 11:05:39 PM
I'm pretty sure academics mentally categorise holidays as "marking time", and don't realise other people actually use them to do other things.

Speaking of which, I'm coming to a deep appreciation of just how entirely fucked the Irish problem was as a result of my current paper.  I mean, to say the British government had no good options severely understates just how shit the choice of options that were actually available to it.  They also tried pretty much everything in NI in the existing counter-terrorism playbook of the time, with the only result being "sometimes, this shit worked, but only for a short time, and then it never does again".
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 01, 2015, 11:26:55 PM
"marking time" sounds like peeing on shit.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 01:18:04 AM
First day of classes was today. I love my neuroscience professor! I had him last term as well. The best thing is that while neuropharmacology is formatted like a standard undergraduate class, neurophysiology II is a piggyback class and is also designed to be a taste of what we can expect from graduate school, so we're doing a raft of research (I'm doing mine on temporal lobe epilepsy and religious experiences) and there's no final. I'm so stoked! And I already like my genetics professor, she's rad.

I has a good feeling about this term.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 01:20:15 AM
Oh and one of the first things Dr. G said in Neuropharmacology is that most policymakers have little to no science training when it comes to drugs, which is why they're so hopelessly disconnected. :lol: Surprise surprise.

We get to visit the Primate Center, as well. ZOMG. He called it "Nine thousand monkeys behind Parr Lumber".

Nine thousand monkeys, you guys. NINE THOUSAND MONKEYS. AND ME.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: S on January 06, 2015, 06:01:11 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 01:20:15 AM
NINE THOUSAND MONKEYS. AND ME.

That's really exciting stuff. I won't ever forget my murine myeloma cultures; I liked taking care of nine million cells a day. Studying biology was probably the only good decision I've ever made.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 06:36:52 AM
Quote from: S on January 06, 2015, 06:01:11 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 01:20:15 AM
NINE THOUSAND MONKEYS. AND ME.

That's really exciting stuff. I won't ever forget my murine myeloma cultures; I liked taking care of nine million cells a day. Studying biology was probably the only good decision I've ever made.

I don't really want to work with nonhuman primates, but still, that's a fuckton of monkeys.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 06:37:54 AM
The internet says it's only about five thousand monkeys, but that was in 2009 and the internet has been known to be wrong.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on January 06, 2015, 07:20:21 AM
Can you secure them all typwriters?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on January 06, 2015, 02:14:26 PM
Quote from: Cain on January 06, 2015, 07:20:21 AM
Can you secure them all typwriters?

:potd:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Eater of Clowns on January 06, 2015, 02:19:27 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on January 06, 2015, 02:14:26 PM
Quote from: Cain on January 06, 2015, 07:20:21 AM
Can you secure them all typwriters?

:potd:

SECONDED

:lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 04:34:41 PM
Quote from: Cain on January 06, 2015, 07:20:21 AM
Can you secure them all typwriters?

Oh man  :lulz: :lulz: :lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 09:55:27 PM
Today, my Genetics professor gave us the syllabus and was absolutely adamant that if we couldn't be there for the final, we shouldn't take the class. Period.

My plane flies out the day before the final.

I emailed her explaining about my Study Abroad. Hopefully she will accommodate it. I don't think she HAS to, but according to my Education Abroad professor, they've never had anyone refuse, so... fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 06, 2015, 10:16:14 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 09:55:27 PM
Today, my Genetics professor gave us the syllabus and was absolutely adamant that if we couldn't be there for the final, we shouldn't take the class. Period.

My plane flies out the day before the final.

I emailed her explaining about my Study Abroad. Hopefully she will accommodate it. I don't think she HAS to, but according to my Education Abroad professor, they've never had anyone refuse, so... fingers crossed.

If I learned anything in physics, it's that if you talk to the professor from the get go, he or she will accommodate, and that professors put on a show of tough-ass to nip the nonsense in the bud.

If said prof doesn't work something out with you, about your study abroad program no less, that reflects poorly on her. That's department head level shenanigans.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 10:31:36 PM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 06, 2015, 10:16:14 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 09:55:27 PM
Today, my Genetics professor gave us the syllabus and was absolutely adamant that if we couldn't be there for the final, we shouldn't take the class. Period.

My plane flies out the day before the final.

I emailed her explaining about my Study Abroad. Hopefully she will accommodate it. I don't think she HAS to, but according to my Education Abroad professor, they've never had anyone refuse, so... fingers crossed.

If I learned anything in physics, it's that if you talk to the professor from the get go, he or she will accommodate, and that professors put on a show of tough-ass to nip the nonsense in the bud.

If said prof doesn't work something out with you, about your study abroad program no less, that reflects poorly on her. That's department head level shenanigans.

Good to know! I really hope she makes it easy though. I love this class so far and really want to take it with her specifically.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 10:33:41 PM
When I told my Neuro II professor that I had to miss the Q&A panel he's doing in lieu of a final, he gave me a huge grin and said "Don't worry about it! It won't affect your grade! Congratulations!" so I'm hoping her response will be similarly positive.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 06, 2015, 11:11:56 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 10:31:36 PM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 06, 2015, 10:16:14 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 09:55:27 PM
Today, my Genetics professor gave us the syllabus and was absolutely adamant that if we couldn't be there for the final, we shouldn't take the class. Period.

My plane flies out the day before the final.

I emailed her explaining about my Study Abroad. Hopefully she will accommodate it. I don't think she HAS to, but according to my Education Abroad professor, they've never had anyone refuse, so... fingers crossed.

If I learned anything in physics, it's that if you talk to the professor from the get go, he or she will accommodate, and that professors put on a show of tough-ass to nip the nonsense in the bud.

If said prof doesn't work something out with you, about your study abroad program no less, that reflects poorly on her. That's department head level shenanigans.

Good to know! I really hope she makes it easy though. I love this class so far and really want to take it with her specifically.

On top of that, I've also learned that Genetics professors are pretty forgiving, especially if they already know you. Genetics is wicked interesting. I wish I didn't take it during summer. It did the topic a disservice. I wish I would have taken Chem I or Physics I instead.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 06, 2015, 11:13:49 PM
Especially because either way I would have had Professor Kasili.  He's the only Genetics teacher, so I don't really remember why there was such a fire lit under my ass to take Genetics in fucking July and half of August.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 06, 2015, 11:16:54 PM
Fun side facts about Prof. K.

He loves the X Men because of genetic fiction.

He supports Germany in FIFA. I don't completely understand this, since he's from some African country.

He will tell you that your course load is insane if it is, and then work with you to pass regardless.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 07, 2015, 12:23:51 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 06, 2015, 11:11:56 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 10:31:36 PM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 06, 2015, 10:16:14 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 09:55:27 PM
Today, my Genetics professor gave us the syllabus and was absolutely adamant that if we couldn't be there for the final, we shouldn't take the class. Period.

My plane flies out the day before the final.

I emailed her explaining about my Study Abroad. Hopefully she will accommodate it. I don't think she HAS to, but according to my Education Abroad professor, they've never had anyone refuse, so... fingers crossed.

If I learned anything in physics, it's that if you talk to the professor from the get go, he or she will accommodate, and that professors put on a show of tough-ass to nip the nonsense in the bud.

If said prof doesn't work something out with you, about your study abroad program no less, that reflects poorly on her. That's department head level shenanigans.

Good to know! I really hope she makes it easy though. I love this class so far and really want to take it with her specifically.

On top of that, I've also learned that Genetics professors are pretty forgiving, especially if they already know you. Genetics is wicked interesting. I wish I didn't take it during summer. It did the topic a disservice. I wish I would have taken Chem I or Physics I instead.

I am not sure that it is valid to extrapolate your experience with one Genetics professor to all Genetics professors. :lol:

But yeah, the topic is really interesting, and I think I'll like this course. Especially if I can actually follow through with taking it. If I can't I might go ahead and take something stupid easy online like Life of the Past or Nutrition.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 07, 2015, 12:43:29 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 07, 2015, 12:23:51 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 06, 2015, 11:11:56 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 10:31:36 PM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 06, 2015, 10:16:14 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2015, 09:55:27 PM
Today, my Genetics professor gave us the syllabus and was absolutely adamant that if we couldn't be there for the final, we shouldn't take the class. Period.

My plane flies out the day before the final.

I emailed her explaining about my Study Abroad. Hopefully she will accommodate it. I don't think she HAS to, but according to my Education Abroad professor, they've never had anyone refuse, so... fingers crossed.

If I learned anything in physics, it's that if you talk to the professor from the get go, he or she will accommodate, and that professors put on a show of tough-ass to nip the nonsense in the bud.

If said prof doesn't work something out with you, about your study abroad program no less, that reflects poorly on her. That's department head level shenanigans.

Good to know! I really hope she makes it easy though. I love this class so far and really want to take it with her specifically.

On top of that, I've also learned that Genetics professors are pretty forgiving, especially if they already know you. Genetics is wicked interesting. I wish I didn't take it during summer. It did the topic a disservice. I wish I would have taken Chem I or Physics I instead.

I am not sure that it is valid to extrapolate your experience with one Genetics professor to all Genetics professors. :lol:

But yeah, the topic is really interesting, and I think I'll like this course. Especially if I can actually follow through with taking it. If I can't I might go ahead and take something stupid easy online like Life of the Past or Nutrition.

Fair.

actually this should be totally ignore Twid night. I'm in the midst of an emotional inventory situation, which has already lead to in depth conversation with an ex that I still consider a valued friend. Normally it would be a chuckle situation, but I don't know, losing another friend over the past 365 days gives that a bit of gravitas that I really don't like to acknowledge.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 07, 2015, 05:01:52 AM
Yay, Dr. R sad it will be no problem and to let her know as soon as I schedule an exam in the testing center. Whew! This is probably the first term I've had where I would be genuinely heartbroken if I had to drop any of my classes. I love all my professors this term and all of the topics are really exciting to me.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 07, 2015, 06:32:53 AM
As I've learned in terms past and learned again tonight, the problem with having Facebook open for comic relief/brain rest while I'm studying is not so much that I can't resist looking, as that there are two of my friends in particular who absolutely cannot accept "Oh hi, I'm studying, just have Facebook open to glance at once in a while but I need to focus on my book" without seeing it as a personal challenge to see how much of my attention they can get by constantly sending me chat messages. Which, despite appearing to have a setting for turning off chat, Facebook still pops up on my screen as a chat message.

I need to just get better at ignoring them, even when they go for bait & switches like "Holy shit I forgot to tell you something!" or "Oh, I hate to interrupt you but this is important..."

It's never important. Not even once has it been important. It's just how they get me to respond so they can tie me up in chat for 15 minutes. "But first you just have to look at this one thing..." No I don't, dude. I really don't.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on January 07, 2015, 01:04:49 PM
Your FB friends sound like selfish dicks.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 07, 2015, 03:47:47 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on January 07, 2015, 01:04:49 PM
Your FB friends sound like selfish dicks.

These two are particularly needy IRL friends who also happen to be on Facebook. But yeah, they kind of are a combination of self-absorbed and clueless.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 07, 2015, 03:49:47 PM
I think they have self-esteem issues and if I don't respond to them they spiral into "OMG IS SHE MAD AT ME WHAT'S WRONG???"

It's really irritating, and it would be nice if I could just have FB open in my browser window without it being evident to the world that I'm online. And it would be nice if there was truly a way to turn off chat.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Roly Poly Oly-Garch on January 07, 2015, 03:57:17 PM
I had an income tax law class scheduled. They cancelled it. Sure as hell wasn't looking forward to the subject matter, but it was my only class in my major this term.

Trying to replace it with photoshop. Figure if I'm not going to be doing anything academically useful this term, I may as well load up on things that could be recreationally useful.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 07, 2015, 04:00:14 PM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on January 07, 2015, 03:57:17 PM
I had an income tax law class scheduled. They cancelled it. Sure as hell wasn't looking forward to the subject matter, but it was my only class in my major this term.

Trying to replace it with photoshop. Figure if I'm not going to be doing anything academically useful this term, I may as well load up on things that could be recreationally useful.

Photoshop sounds like fun!

We should try to get a beer, I dunno, sometime. I TA until almost 10 tonight, so not tonight. But another night.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Roly Poly Oly-Garch on January 07, 2015, 04:29:16 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 07, 2015, 04:00:14 PM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on January 07, 2015, 03:57:17 PM
I had an income tax law class scheduled. They cancelled it. Sure as hell wasn't looking forward to the subject matter, but it was my only class in my major this term.

Trying to replace it with photoshop. Figure if I'm not going to be doing anything academically useful this term, I may as well load up on things that could be recreationally useful.

Photoshop sounds like fun!

We should try to get a beer, I dunno, sometime. I TA until almost 10 tonight, so not tonight. But another night.

Except for my workout class, I'm all online this term. Doing an improv thing every other Thursday up near Alberta. Outside of that, I'm wide open.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 07, 2015, 08:55:29 PM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on January 07, 2015, 04:29:16 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 07, 2015, 04:00:14 PM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on January 07, 2015, 03:57:17 PM
I had an income tax law class scheduled. They cancelled it. Sure as hell wasn't looking forward to the subject matter, but it was my only class in my major this term.

Trying to replace it with photoshop. Figure if I'm not going to be doing anything academically useful this term, I may as well load up on things that could be recreationally useful.

Photoshop sounds like fun!

We should try to get a beer, I dunno, sometime. I TA until almost 10 tonight, so not tonight. But another night.

Except for my workout class, I'm all online this term. Doing an improv thing every other Thursday up near Alberta. Outside of that, I'm wide open.

I am actually free most evenings, which is unusual for me. The exceptions are Monday and Wednesday. I just can't do late nights because my mornings are hella early.

I am considering taking an online class in Spring, but I generally hate them so we'll see!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 07, 2015, 08:55:59 PM
This term my schedule allows time for SWIMMING, which I am going to go do shortly.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 08, 2015, 11:09:44 PM
I am totally procrastinating reading the chapter on drug administration, and I don't even know why because it's really interesting.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on January 09, 2015, 09:06:10 AM
Because deep down you know that the DEA are the good guys, despite all the evidence to the contrary.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 09, 2015, 10:35:51 PM
Quote from: Cain on January 09, 2015, 09:06:10 AM
Because deep down you know that the DEA are the good guys, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

:lulz: :lulz: :lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 10, 2015, 05:01:23 PM
It's probably good that the internet closes down on weekends, or I'd never get any studying done.

All but one of my classes are currently in the "review" stage, and I am finding it distinctly difficult to do the assigned readings because boring. Mendelian genetics and the chromosomal basis of heredity, really?

I already did the reading for the other class. It was nice.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 13, 2015, 01:43:35 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 10, 2015, 05:01:23 PM
It's probably good that the internet closes down on weekends, or I'd never get any studying done.

All but one of my classes are currently in the "review" stage, and I am finding it distinctly difficult to do the assigned readings because boring. Mendelian genetics and the chromosomal basis of heredity, really?

I already did the reading for the other class. It was nice.

There's a lot of unnecessary overlap.

I remember starting off Intro to Biotech, I was like, "yes, yes, yes, DNA, RNA and nitrogenous base pairing, WatsonNCrick, GCTA/GCUA/GTFO can we STFU and actually get on with something new?" Now, I learned new shit in that class but the first two or three weeks were why-did-I-get-up-this-early-on-Saturday.

It's a necessary overlap, I guess, but it would be nice to cut down on that.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 13, 2015, 01:47:15 AM
To clarify the unnecessary/necessary

It would be nice for there to be a clear progression, so that what is review is just a quick touch up. That's probably never going to happen though.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2015, 02:15:18 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 13, 2015, 01:43:35 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 10, 2015, 05:01:23 PM
It's probably good that the internet closes down on weekends, or I'd never get any studying done.

All but one of my classes are currently in the "review" stage, and I am finding it distinctly difficult to do the assigned readings because boring. Mendelian genetics and the chromosomal basis of heredity, really?

I already did the reading for the other class. It was nice.

There's a lot of unnecessary overlap.

I remember starting off Intro to Biotech, I was like, "yes, yes, yes, DNA, RNA and nitrogenous base pairing, WatsonNCrick, GCTA/GCUA/GTFO can we STFU and actually get on with something new?" Now, I learned new shit in that class but the first two or three weeks were why-did-I-get-up-this-early-on-Saturday.

It's a necessary overlap, I guess, but it would be nice to cut down on that.

Yuhp.

Thing is, I feel like I need to read those chapters because what if they hid something new in there?  :lol:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2015, 02:19:31 AM
The guy I sit next to in Psychopharmacology and Neurophysiology II, who is a charming and funny man, told me he hasn't done any of the readings for Neurophysiology II and that he finds it boring. He also announced with some distain that he doesn't take notes. OK BUDDY. HAVE FUN WITH THAT.

I don't know how he could possibly know it's boring if he hasn't done the readings, it's an almost entirely self-directed course where the purpose is to get really familiar with brain function and then research and present on a subtopic of your choice. It's also designed to give wannabe grad students a peek inside the world of neuroscience research, with presenters coming from OHSU, a tour of the primate center, etc. Today we had a neuroscience student come in and show us his MRI from having a large brain tumor discovered while he was volunteering in someone else's lab!

Basically it's the funnest class ever, there are going to be monkeys and brains and stories from grad students and we can research what we want and maybe even have a chance to talk to the researcher who is all up in that Huntington's research.   
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2015, 02:34:15 AM
I'm thinking about my "other science" options and wondering if there's any point in taking biochemistry if I've already taken molecular biology.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2015, 03:22:49 AM
Week 2 of being a TA. The main thing I have learned so far is that it is incredibly difficult for apparently perfectly intelligent college seniors to FOLLOW SIMPLE DIRECTIONS.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 13, 2015, 05:04:23 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2015, 02:15:18 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 13, 2015, 01:43:35 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 10, 2015, 05:01:23 PM
It's probably good that the internet closes down on weekends, or I'd never get any studying done.

All but one of my classes are currently in the "review" stage, and I am finding it distinctly difficult to do the assigned readings because boring. Mendelian genetics and the chromosomal basis of heredity, really?

I already did the reading for the other class. It was nice.

There's a lot of unnecessary overlap.

I remember starting off Intro to Biotech, I was like, "yes, yes, yes, DNA, RNA and nitrogenous base pairing, WatsonNCrick, GCTA/GCUA/GTFO can we STFU and actually get on with something new?" Now, I learned new shit in that class but the first two or three weeks were why-did-I-get-up-this-early-on-Saturday.

It's a necessary overlap, I guess, but it would be nice to cut down on that.

Yuhp.

Thing is, I feel like I need to read those chapters because what if they hid something new in there?  :lol:

That's the maddening part. Because there might be, but there probably isn't.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2015, 05:32:11 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 13, 2015, 05:04:23 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2015, 02:15:18 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 13, 2015, 01:43:35 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 10, 2015, 05:01:23 PM
It's probably good that the internet closes down on weekends, or I'd never get any studying done.

All but one of my classes are currently in the "review" stage, and I am finding it distinctly difficult to do the assigned readings because boring. Mendelian genetics and the chromosomal basis of heredity, really?

I already did the reading for the other class. It was nice.

There's a lot of unnecessary overlap.

I remember starting off Intro to Biotech, I was like, "yes, yes, yes, DNA, RNA and nitrogenous base pairing, WatsonNCrick, GCTA/GCUA/GTFO can we STFU and actually get on with something new?" Now, I learned new shit in that class but the first two or three weeks were why-did-I-get-up-this-early-on-Saturday.

It's a necessary overlap, I guess, but it would be nice to cut down on that.

Yuhp.

Thing is, I feel like I need to read those chapters because what if they hid something new in there?  :lol:

That's the maddening part. Because there might be, but there probably isn't.

So far there haven't been. BUT YOU NEVER KNOW.  :lol:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 13, 2015, 05:33:05 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2015, 05:32:11 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 13, 2015, 05:04:23 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2015, 02:15:18 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 13, 2015, 01:43:35 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 10, 2015, 05:01:23 PM
It's probably good that the internet closes down on weekends, or I'd never get any studying done.

All but one of my classes are currently in the "review" stage, and I am finding it distinctly difficult to do the assigned readings because boring. Mendelian genetics and the chromosomal basis of heredity, really?

I already did the reading for the other class. It was nice.

There's a lot of unnecessary overlap.

I remember starting off Intro to Biotech, I was like, "yes, yes, yes, DNA, RNA and nitrogenous base pairing, WatsonNCrick, GCTA/GCUA/GTFO can we STFU and actually get on with something new?" Now, I learned new shit in that class but the first two or three weeks were why-did-I-get-up-this-early-on-Saturday.

It's a necessary overlap, I guess, but it would be nice to cut down on that.

Yuhp.

Thing is, I feel like I need to read those chapters because what if they hid something new in there?  :lol:

That's the maddening part. Because there might be, but there probably isn't.

So far there haven't been. BUT YOU NEVER KNOW.  :lol:

:lol:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 13, 2015, 05:37:00 AM
Probably a better laughing gif:

(https://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1385290322/7119329.gif)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2015, 06:24:30 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 13, 2015, 05:37:00 AM
Probably a better laughing gif:

(https://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1385290322/7119329.gif)

That seems more accurate, yes.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on January 13, 2015, 01:02:57 PM
I feel like such a slacker. Conceivably I could have applied to MA programs during my final quarter, but sanity. So, I basically can either try to rush for the few programs, or take the time to do everything gooder, which means almost the entire year.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 14, 2015, 02:43:32 AM
I'm taking one course this semester. Population Ecology, which will transfer over as Population Biology, which is required.

Environmental Microbiology got cancelled, and I'm hoping to take Microbiology when I get to UMass anyway.

Molecular Biotechnology will transfer but won't count towards any core courses.

I'm good with this. My last semester at BHCC is going to be kinda relaxed, and as George's lab partner for one last time.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2015, 04:13:41 AM
Quote from: Don Coyote on January 13, 2015, 01:02:57 PM
I feel like such a slacker. Conceivably I could have applied to MA programs during my final quarter, but sanity. So, I basically can either try to rush for the few programs, or take the time to do everything gooder, which means almost the entire year.

Waiting a year seems like probably the most reasonable bet. I mean, it gives you way more time to find programs that you are really interested in, and polish your application.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2015, 04:17:38 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 14, 2015, 02:43:32 AM
I'm taking one course this semester. Population Ecology, which will transfer over as Population Biology, which is required.

Environmental Microbiology got cancelled, and I'm hoping to take Microbiology when I get to UMass anyway.

Molecular Biotechnology will transfer but won't count towards any core courses.

I'm good with this. My last semester at BHCC is going to be kinda relaxed, and as George's lab partner for one last time.

I want to take Population Ecology eventually, it sounds interesting and probably relevant to epigenetics.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2015, 04:18:57 AM
I think that next term I'm taking cell bio, cognition, and an honors seminar but I don't know what. I'm hoping they are going to offer one that overlaps with biology.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2015, 04:20:40 AM
I have taken to calling my study friends the "Biological Reservoir Dogs". In return, one of them has taught me the insult "fuckbuttons".
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 14, 2015, 04:23:30 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2015, 04:17:38 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 14, 2015, 02:43:32 AM
I'm taking one course this semester. Population Ecology, which will transfer over as Population Biology, which is required.

Environmental Microbiology got cancelled, and I'm hoping to take Microbiology when I get to UMass anyway.

Molecular Biotechnology will transfer but won't count towards any core courses.

I'm good with this. My last semester at BHCC is going to be kinda relaxed, and as George's lab partner for one last time.

I want to take Population Ecology eventually, it sounds interesting and probably relevant to epigenetics.

I was reluctant to take it, at first. Obviously, Environmental Micro is directly relevant to my career goal, if it had staying power (pity, I was looking forward to having Prof. Guilmette again). But now that I'm definitely transferring to a specific school, I have to go with whatever will make that transition more efficient. Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting topic and I am interested in it. If I understand it correctly it basically falls under the category of systems biology. Which also has overlap with my interests.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2015, 04:28:34 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 14, 2015, 04:23:30 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2015, 04:17:38 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 14, 2015, 02:43:32 AM
I'm taking one course this semester. Population Ecology, which will transfer over as Population Biology, which is required.

Environmental Microbiology got cancelled, and I'm hoping to take Microbiology when I get to UMass anyway.

Molecular Biotechnology will transfer but won't count towards any core courses.

I'm good with this. My last semester at BHCC is going to be kinda relaxed, and as George's lab partner for one last time.

I want to take Population Ecology eventually, it sounds interesting and probably relevant to epigenetics.

I was reluctant to take it, at first. Obviously, Environmental Micro is directly relevant to my career goal, if it had staying power (pity, I was looking forward to having Prof. Guilmette again). But now that I'm definitely transferring to a specific school, I have to go with whatever will make that transition more efficient. Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting topic and I am interested in it. If I understand it correctly it basically falls under the category of systems biology. Which also has overlap with my interests.

Yeah, once I got to a certain point it became more about whether a class applies to my major than whether I find it interesting. I still have some wiggle room, (7 credits of "other science" that I can apply to almost anything from chemistry, physics, or geology) but not a whole TON of wiggle room.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 14, 2015, 05:44:33 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2015, 04:28:34 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 14, 2015, 04:23:30 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2015, 04:17:38 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 14, 2015, 02:43:32 AM
I'm taking one course this semester. Population Ecology, which will transfer over as Population Biology, which is required.

Environmental Microbiology got cancelled, and I'm hoping to take Microbiology when I get to UMass anyway.

Molecular Biotechnology will transfer but won't count towards any core courses.

I'm good with this. My last semester at BHCC is going to be kinda relaxed, and as George's lab partner for one last time.

I want to take Population Ecology eventually, it sounds interesting and probably relevant to epigenetics.

I was reluctant to take it, at first. Obviously, Environmental Micro is directly relevant to my career goal, if it had staying power (pity, I was looking forward to having Prof. Guilmette again). But now that I'm definitely transferring to a specific school, I have to go with whatever will make that transition more efficient. Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting topic and I am interested in it. If I understand it correctly it basically falls under the category of systems biology. Which also has overlap with my interests.

Yeah, once I got to a certain point it became more about whether a class applies to my major than whether I find it interesting. I still have some wiggle room, (7 credits of "other science" that I can apply to almost anything from chemistry, physics, or geology) but not a whole TON of wiggle room.

It's a funny switch in mindset.

"I'll take all of the classes!!!"

Eh.... wait. Is this going to transfer/am I going to be learning this in a different 300 level class anyway?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2015, 10:46:40 PM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 14, 2015, 05:44:33 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2015, 04:28:34 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 14, 2015, 04:23:30 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2015, 04:17:38 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 14, 2015, 02:43:32 AM
I'm taking one course this semester. Population Ecology, which will transfer over as Population Biology, which is required.

Environmental Microbiology got cancelled, and I'm hoping to take Microbiology when I get to UMass anyway.

Molecular Biotechnology will transfer but won't count towards any core courses.

I'm good with this. My last semester at BHCC is going to be kinda relaxed, and as George's lab partner for one last time.

I want to take Population Ecology eventually, it sounds interesting and probably relevant to epigenetics.

I was reluctant to take it, at first. Obviously, Environmental Micro is directly relevant to my career goal, if it had staying power (pity, I was looking forward to having Prof. Guilmette again). But now that I'm definitely transferring to a specific school, I have to go with whatever will make that transition more efficient. Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting topic and I am interested in it. If I understand it correctly it basically falls under the category of systems biology. Which also has overlap with my interests.

Yeah, once I got to a certain point it became more about whether a class applies to my major than whether I find it interesting. I still have some wiggle room, (7 credits of "other science" that I can apply to almost anything from chemistry, physics, or geology) but not a whole TON of wiggle room.

It's a funny switch in mindset.

"I'll take all of the classes!!!"

Eh.... wait. Is this going to transfer/am I going to be learning this in a different 300 level class anyway?

Yep, sometimes someone will suggest a class and I'll say "Can't, I'm out of electives".

I'm SO damn out of electives.  :lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 18, 2015, 08:55:40 PM
I was short on tuition for one class, so I said fuck it.

Hung out with George and his girlfriend last night, had to break the news to him.

He had previously sent me a link for getting microbiology supplies which sparked a conversation.

George is now encouraging me to do a 1 credit academic agreement with Bunker Hill, experimenting on microbiology. I have some of the equipment in my room, but I would definitely need an incubator, and access to tests that help you determine specific species of bacteria.

This is to say, I have a minor thing that I might investigate for some credit. I might do it for shits and giggles. I don't have a hypothesis, but rather two conflicting things that I can investigate.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 18, 2015, 11:04:15 PM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 18, 2015, 08:55:40 PM
I was short on tuition for one class, so I said fuck it.

Hung out with George and his girlfriend last night, had to break the news to him.

He had previously sent me a link for getting microbiology supplies which sparked a conversation.

George is now encouraging me to do a 1 credit academic agreement with Bunker Hill, experimenting on microbiology. I have some of the equipment in my room, but I would definitely need an incubator, and access to tests that help you determine specific species of bacteria.

This is to say, I have a minor thing that I might investigate for some credit. I might do it for shits and giggles. I don't have a hypothesis, but rather two conflicting things that I can investigate.

That sounds like fun!

Right now I am just getting through the term. I need to write my essays for this summer's study abroad, and also to decide what labs I'm going to apply to work in. I need to start thinking about GRE prep, since I have to apply to grad school this fall.

I feel a little overwhelmed, even though nothing is really happening to overwhelm me. It's entirely mental.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 18, 2015, 11:08:56 PM
This week is really crazy, though. Maybe that's why. It's a short week but there are going to be two tests, a project group meeting, I'm heading a study group, meeting with my TA team to grade papers, a talk on sound processing, a makeup recitation (because of the holiday), a meeting about the Borneo trip, and a lecture by the PI of one of the labs I'm interested in. Basically multiple things a day on top of classes. At least the only homework I need to do is read one chapter and try to memorize a bunch of students by face.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 21, 2015, 12:17:56 AM
That does sound crazy busy. George is going on a study abroad in Costa Rica. He's also thinking of hitting up Cuba to compare insect species, now that we're reopening diplomatic relations. Gotta say, I'm a bit jealous.

The thing I would be doing is basically monitoring bacterial population changes in my mouth with the use of mouthwash, both in numbers over the course of the day and in species that make it in there.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 21, 2015, 12:37:17 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 21, 2015, 12:17:56 AM
That does sound crazy busy. George is going on a study abroad in Costa Rica. He's also thinking of hitting up Cuba to compare insect species, now that we're reopening diplomatic relations. Gotta say, I'm a bit jealous.

The thing I would be doing is basically monitoring bacterial population changes in my mouth with the use of mouthwash, both in numbers over the course of the day and in species that make it in there.

That does sound interesting. If you do it I'll be curious about the results.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 21, 2015, 12:46:35 AM
Today I received two emails from students who apparently don't understand the homework this week, revealing that they haven't bothered to do the assigned reading, or even skim it, because skimming it would make it completely fucking obvious exactly what they're supposed to do. The entire assignment is all but handed to them on page two.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 21, 2015, 12:59:09 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 21, 2015, 12:37:17 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 21, 2015, 12:17:56 AM
That does sound crazy busy. George is going on a study abroad in Costa Rica. He's also thinking of hitting up Cuba to compare insect species, now that we're reopening diplomatic relations. Gotta say, I'm a bit jealous.

The thing I would be doing is basically monitoring bacterial population changes in my mouth with the use of mouthwash, both in numbers over the course of the day and in species that make it in there.

That does sound interesting. If you do it I'll be curious about the results.

I'm going to try to find a way to do it one way or the other, even if it's not under the aegis of BHCC. I'm also probably going to have to revisit a couple of procedures, but I could probably ask Prof. Guilmette to... huh. Her Environmental Microbiology class was cancelled. Maybe she could be my supervisor, during the time that she would have had the class, providing it wasn't cancelled for any reasons on her end.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on January 21, 2015, 08:18:41 AM
After not being able to access my university email for three weeks (thanks, old laptop), I finally got my grade back on my counter-terrorism essay.  15/20, with a mark deducted for lateness (because, apparently, the University decided the 10 day extension was not a 10 day extension from the due date of the essay, but from when I asked for the extension, the most ass-backward system I have ever heard of, and likely designed by the same person who came up with our weighted score system).

I'm happy with that.  I was sick, working bizarre hours, had a malfunctioning computer and was moving.  I could have gotten better, sure, but that is more than acceptable.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 21, 2015, 03:49:11 PM
Quote from: Cain on January 21, 2015, 08:18:41 AM
After not being able to access my university email for three weeks (thanks, old laptop), I finally got my grade back on my counter-terrorism essay.  15/20, with a mark deducted for lateness (because, apparently, the University decided the 10 day extension was not a 10 day extension from the due date of the essay, but from when I asked for the extension, the most ass-backward system I have ever heard of, and likely designed by the same person who came up with our weighted score system).

I'm happy with that.  I was sick, working bizarre hours, had a malfunctioning computer and was moving.  I could have gotten better, sure, but that is more than acceptable.

I know that feeling. It's how I felt about my molecular bio class last term.

I think there's something about doing the best you can under stressful circumstances that makes a grade more satisfying, even though it's not the grade you would have gotten under more ideal circumstances.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 21, 2015, 03:53:06 PM
I'm stressing about getting a lab position. I need lab experience to put on my grad school application, by this fall at the latest. I'm meeting Dr. Field this Friday, and I am fairly certain I can get into his lab because of his connection with Dr. Crespo, but he's a behavioral neuroscientist and I'm not certain that will help me that much when it comes to grad school, considering that I'm more interested in cellular level stuff.

Plus I need to take the GRE this summer oh god oh god oh god.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on January 22, 2015, 10:24:01 AM
I've found offering your services for free tends to be able to land you the entry level jobs.

Unfortunately, in our supposedly capitalistic society, working for free seems to have become something of a standard among the academia-related spheres.  See: every entry level wank-tank job in London, for example.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 22, 2015, 05:35:21 PM
I'll probably have to work for free for three to six months, so that I'll have lab expexperience for my grad school application, but assuming I get into grad school I'll be stipended.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 22, 2015, 05:42:23 PM
I'm finding it really disheartening how many evolutionary psychologists go straight to sexual selection as an evolutionary mechanism, when given human proclivities offspring survival is a far more parsimonious mechanism. Its just not a very sexy one.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 23, 2015, 06:33:48 AM
Tonight I walked up to my professor telling some people that I'm going to Peru with him this summer.

Now I'm feeling guilty that I haven't actually submitted my application for that. But also at least pretty confident that when I do I'll be accepted

Also I learned that he's actually really socially awkward. Like almost all psychologists. I actually feel like a complete freak among the psychologists, because they are SO AWKWARD AND WEIRD.

Biologists, on the other hand, tend to be outgoing and kind of charming. Maybe that's just me, but generally when I observe them with other people they tend to be like little outspoken flowers who say abruptly unexpected things that make people laugh. Neuroscientists occupy this strangely unself-conscious spot between the two, awkwardly charming and a little too uncensored in a slightly delightful way.   

Psychologists can also be a little too intense, in an "I've been having this very intense conversation with you for 20 minutes now and I kind of want to get away" kind of way.   

I feel like I occupy a weird space that is midway between psychologist, biologist, and chemist.

I'm probably just drunken shoegazing.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 23, 2015, 03:13:02 PM
I have a midterm today. One of the things I'm supposed to be able to do today is identify what's going on in a picture like this:

(http://synapses.clm.utexas.edu/anatomy/neuropil/ser34mid.gif)

Could you point out the axonal cross-section?

I CAN'T.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on January 23, 2015, 03:16:58 PM
Pyschologising psychologists, in my experience they usually get into the field because they want to understand people better.  Either that or for the mind-altering drugs or potential thereof.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 23, 2015, 03:39:39 PM
Quote from: Cain on January 23, 2015, 03:16:58 PM
Pyschologising psychologists, in my experience they usually get into the field because they want to understand people better.  Either that or for the mind-altering drugs or potential thereof.

I think you're right about that; many people I know studied psychology because they wanted to fix themselves.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Roly Poly Oly-Garch on January 23, 2015, 05:36:50 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 22, 2015, 05:42:23 PM
I'm finding it really disheartening how many evolutionary psychologists go straight to sexual selection as an evolutionary mechanism, when given human proclivities offspring survival is a far more parsimonious mechanism. Its just not a very sexy one.

Sexual selection does a better job of keeping a driver at the wheel, as well. That may be a big reason why it's so attractive.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 02:47:23 AM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on January 23, 2015, 05:36:50 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 22, 2015, 05:42:23 PM
I'm finding it really disheartening how many evolutionary psychologists go straight to sexual selection as an evolutionary mechanism, when given human proclivities offspring survival is a far more parsimonious mechanism. Its just not a very sexy one.

Sexual selection does a better job of keeping a driver at the wheel, as well. That may be a big reason why it's so attractive.

That does make a certain amount of sense; it's appealing because it makes evolution seem a little less arbitrary.

Given the reality of human (and most primate) mating habits, though, not to mention our lengthy gestation periods and relatively few young-per-lifetime, mate selection is unlikely to have anywhere close to the impact of offspring survival on the direction of trait selection.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 02:50:04 AM
Today I found out that I need to be vaccinated against Hep A, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, and Rabies for my trip to Borneo. Maybe Hep B if I'm feeling frisky.

Also, I won't have computer access for mucht of it because evidently I'll be in the jungle. I'll try to take lots of pictures, though.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 02:51:55 AM
Shit's getting real, you guys. I'm about to enter my final year and I'm getting adept at scheduling five or six different obligations into a single day, plus hobnobbing and giving them my elevator speech.

I'm almost like a real grownup!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Eater of Clowns on January 24, 2015, 03:21:22 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 02:50:04 AM
Today I found out that I need to be vaccinated against Hep A, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, and Rabies for my trip to Borneo. Maybe Hep B if I'm feeling frisky.

Also, I won't have computer access for mucht of it because evidently I'll be in the jungle. I'll try to take lots of pictures, though.

Those can get expensive. We looked at the vaccination costs before our Colombia trip and just said fuck it, we probably won't contract malaria in the third largest city in the western hemisphere.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 09:17:23 AM
Quote from: Eater of Clowns on January 24, 2015, 03:21:22 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 02:50:04 AM
Today I found out that I need to be vaccinated against Hep A, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, and Rabies for my trip to Borneo. Maybe Hep B if I'm feeling frisky.

Also, I won't have computer access for mucht of it because evidently I'll be in the jungle. I'll try to take lots of pictures, though.

Those can get expensive. We looked at the vaccination costs before our Colombia trip and just said fuck it, we probably won't contract malaria in the third largest city in the western hemisphere.

Apparently the older malaria treatment with more side effects is way cheaper, so I'll probably do that, since I'll be in rural areas for a bit.

Much of this also might be useful when I go to Peru this summer.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 09:18:01 AM
I mean, one can hope, right?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: minuspace on January 24, 2015, 10:20:08 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 09:17:23 AM
Quote from: Eater of Clowns on January 24, 2015, 03:21:22 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 02:50:04 AM
Today I found out that I need to be vaccinated against Hep A, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, and Rabies for my trip to Borneo. Maybe Hep B if I'm feeling frisky.

Also, I won't have computer access for mucht of it because evidently I'll be in the jungle. I'll try to take lots of pictures, though.

Those can get expensive. We looked at the vaccination costs before our Colombia trip and just said fuck it, we probably won't contract malaria in the third largest city in the western hemisphere.

Apparently the older malaria treatment with more side effects is way cheaper, so I'll probably do that, since I'll be in rural areas for a bit.

Much of this also might be useful when I go to Peru this summer.
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 09:18:01 AM
I mean, one can hope, right


Fuck, at this point, I'd take both the doxy and the Lariam, to be safe - knowing people to have contracted the "bad air" on either - however, not both together.  It might be overkill, still that depends on exposure.  Is there dengue in the region?  Also a pest better not left neglected.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on January 24, 2015, 05:52:05 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 09:17:23 AM
Quote from: Eater of Clowns on January 24, 2015, 03:21:22 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 02:50:04 AM
Today I found out that I need to be vaccinated against Hep A, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, and Rabies for my trip to Borneo. Maybe Hep B if I'm feeling frisky.

Also, I won't have computer access for mucht of it because evidently I'll be in the jungle. I'll try to take lots of pictures, though.

Those can get expensive. We looked at the vaccination costs before our Colombia trip and just said fuck it, we probably won't contract malaria in the third largest city in the western hemisphere.

Apparently the older malaria treatment with more side effects is way cheaper, so I'll probably do that, since I'll be in rural areas for a bit.

Much of this also might be useful when I go to Peru this summer.

Can confirm.

One particular variant does make you photosensitive, however.  I do not recommend that.  Another one is taken on a weekly basis, with somewhat less severe side effects.  That is the better one to get.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 05:54:57 PM
So last night I went to a talk delivered by a rising star neuroscience researcher whose lab I badly want to work in. I asked a question that got me high-fived by a geneticist, and afterward I introduced myself to the illustrious doctor, who gave me his card and told me to email him.

One of my mentors is the director of the community health program, holds the keys to the largest grant in the University's history, and happens to be a good friend of the doctor.

I have an in, you guys. I totally have an in to a lab on the hill. I think this might really be happening.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Roly Poly Oly-Garch on January 26, 2015, 05:39:04 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 05:54:57 PM
So last night I went to a talk delivered by a rising star neuroscience researcher whose lab I badly want to work in. I asked a question that got me high-fived by a geneticist, and afterward I introduced myself to the illustrious doctor, who gave me his card and told me to email him.

One of my mentors is the director of the community health program, holds the keys to the largest grant in the University's history, and happens to be a good friend of the doctor.

I have an in, you guys. I totally have an in to a lab on the hill. I think this might really be happening.

FUNK YEAH!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: xXRon_Paul_42016Xxx(weed) on January 26, 2015, 08:50:27 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 05:54:57 PM
So last night I went to a talk delivered by a rising star neuroscience researcher whose lab I badly want to work in. I asked a question that got me high-fived by a geneticist, and afterward I introduced myself to the illustrious doctor, who gave me his card and told me to email him.

One of my mentors is the director of the community health program, holds the keys to the largest grant in the University's history, and happens to be a good friend of the doctor.

I have an in, you guys. I totally have an in to a lab on the hill. I think this might really be happening.

When youre genetically splicing tarantula legs onto kittens and growing world destroying super-viruses just promise youll remember us little people.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 27, 2015, 12:49:45 AM
You ever feel like no matter what you do and how well you do it, you're just not going to make the cut?

Of course you do. It was a stupid question.

But it needs to be asked now and again.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 27, 2015, 01:43:30 AM
Quote from: xXRon_Paul_42016Xxx(weed) on January 26, 2015, 08:50:27 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 24, 2015, 05:54:57 PM
So last night I went to a talk delivered by a rising star neuroscience researcher whose lab I badly want to work in. I asked a question that got me high-fived by a geneticist, and afterward I introduced myself to the illustrious doctor, who gave me his card and told me to email him.

One of my mentors is the director of the community health program, holds the keys to the largest grant in the University's history, and happens to be a good friend of the doctor.

I have an in, you guys. I totally have an in to a lab on the hill. I think this might really be happening.

When youre genetically splicing tarantula legs onto kittens and growing world destroying super-viruses just promise youll remember us little people.


Ooooh, thanks for the excellent ideas!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 27, 2015, 01:47:47 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on January 27, 2015, 12:49:45 AM
You ever feel like no matter what you do and how well you do it, you're just not going to make the cut?

Of course you do. It was a stupid question.

But it needs to be asked now and again.

Hell yeah.

I'm competing against hundreds, possibly well over a thousand, completely excellent and mostly much younger students, many from vastly more prestigious schools.

I am wracked with fears and doubts whenever I stop to think about it. So mostly I try not to think about it, but rather to just do my best at whatever I need to do to improve my odds.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on January 28, 2015, 08:50:14 PM
I'm not sure why we're discussing the Charlie Hebdo attacks.  By which I mean I'm not comfortable with it.

I was asleep when this happened, so I missed a LOT of what went down, the media coverage etc.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 28, 2015, 08:54:13 PM
Quote from: Cain on January 28, 2015, 08:50:14 PM
I'm not sure why we're discussing the Charlie Hebdo attacks.  By which I mean I'm not comfortable with it.

I was asleep when this happened, so I missed a LOT of what went down, the media coverage etc.

Hmmmm, that sucks. Are there adequate recorded broadcasts that you can get filled in?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on January 28, 2015, 10:13:00 PM
Some on Youtube, but lots of conspiracy theorists cherry-picking or very small segments, unfortunately.

Well, lecture is over anyway, so whatevs.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 01, 2015, 09:08:00 PM
I am procrastinating the fuck out of a presentation that I need to finish/post powerpoints for tonight.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 01, 2015, 09:53:04 PM
Jesus fuck. The other two TAs are nice people, but I don't know why they agreed to TA this term, as they clearly don't have time to do it. They don't even respond to emails from students asking for study help unless I CC the professor; I don't mind that they make themselves completely unavailable during the day Mon-Fri, but given that I'm doing twice the grading that they are, responding to emails, and scheduling study sessions during the week, and their excuse is that they're only available weekends and evenings, you'd think they could bother to respond to the rare student who can't meet during the weekday and wants to know whether anyone is available weekends and evenings.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 02, 2015, 05:08:29 AM
OK, nobody cares, but... I wrote this up for my part of a group presentation on Wednesday. I am deeply dissatisfied with it, but given the time I had to work on it I think it's probably good enough. I have a question, though; does the "What's the connection with attention?" part seem shoehorned in? Should I just cut it, or maybe merge a couple of the key points with the next section?

1. What is Temporal Lobe Epilepsy?

Ramachandran introduces us to Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, which I will henceforth refer to as "TLE", as a form of focal seizures localized to one region of the brain,  in this case the limbic system, characterized by symptoms of intense emotional experience, simple partial seizures, also known as auras, complex partial seizures, also known as absence seizures, and memory loss or disruption.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, TLE is the most common form of epilepsy, making up about 60% of all epilepsy diagnoses. Its onset tends to be preceded by head injury or febrile seizure, and usually occurs prior to puberty or near the end of adolescence.  Seizures can be difficult to recognize; simple partial seizures most often take the form of gastrointestinal upset and mood disturbances along with auditory or olfactory hallucinations, while complex partial seizures often involve freezing in place, "spacing out", and inability to speak comprehensibly or to understand words being spoken.

There are two types of TLE, neocortical temporal, which makes up about 20% of cases, and mesial temporal, which makes up about 80% of cases; I am most interested in the mesial temporal form, mTLE, which typically originates in the hippocampus or nearby limbic structures.

2. What's the connection with attention?

In 2010 a small brain imaging study conducted on boys with ADHD by Kobel, et. al. found decreased gray matter in regions of the right temporal lobe, as compared to the controls. 

Another study, conducted in 2010 by Zhang et al, found that the attention network is impaired in patients with mTLE. They also found differences in default mode network disruptions between patients with left mTLE and right mTLE.

But the most clear-cut connection so far is that there are much higher rates of ADHD among people with epilepsy, including TLE.
   
3. Epilepsy and ADHD

According to a 2009 literature review by Kaufman, Goldberg-Stern, and Shuper, research has found that at least 20% of children with epilepsy have ADHD, dwarfing the 5-to-7% rate in the general population.  A 2003 study by David Dunn found that out of the 175 children with epilepsy examined, 38% showed clinical signs of ADHD.

Interestingly, in a reversal of trends in the general population, of the children with epilepsy who met the criteria for ADHD, more were girls; 44% as opposed to an inclusion rate of 32% for boys, while in the general population boys are diagnosed with ADHD more frequently than girls, at about a 3 to 1 ratio. They also found that the inattentive type of ADHD was more prevalent among both boys and girls, at about 64%, while in the general population ADHD-inattentive type is found in only about 13% of boys and is more common in girls, at about 35%.

Although Dunn anticipated finding higher rates of ADHD in children with seizures focused in the frontal lobe, due to earlier research implicating the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as important for attention, his research found no statistically significant difference in rates of ADHD between children with frontal-lobe focal seizures and children with seizures focused in the temporal lobe.

4. Why does this connection exist?

There are many reasons there might be a correlation, but the ones I found most intriguing are the following two possibilities:

•   Epilepsy causes disruption in brain function that causes ADHD, or
•   ADHD and epilepsy share at least some causative factors in common, so that when one is present the other is also likely to be present

The latter possibility, in particular, interests me because of studies that found that rats with a genetic predisposition toward epilepsy have brains that are deficient in catecholamine neurotransmitters in some areas, and other research that indicates that children with ADHD may have a dysregulation of catecholamine neurotransmitters. This is unsurprising due to the roles of dopamine and epinephrine in motivation and attention. Furthermore, most medications for ADHD, such as Methylphenidate, act by inhibiting the reuptake of catecholamines, particularly dopamine.
   
5. Implications for further research

Given the clear link between ADHD and research implicating that the medial temporal lobe may play a mediating role in the attention network, further research should be undertaken in this area, focusing on differences in the medial temporal region in children with ADHD-inattentive type vs. control groups. I would also be interested in further research on patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, using larger sample sizes for more conclusive results.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on February 02, 2015, 01:51:50 PM
Perhaps it should be a statement rather than a question?

"Possible connections with attention" or some such.  It's an interesting subject, by the way.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 02, 2015, 03:47:06 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on February 02, 2015, 01:51:50 PM
Perhaps it should be a statement rather than a question?

"Possible connections with attention" or some such.  It's an interesting subject, by the way.

Thanks! It's a verbal presentation rather than a research paper, so the headers are cues for my tonal quality (and a reminder to advance my slides) while presenting.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 02, 2015, 03:51:46 PM
Speaking of interesting subjects, I am currently "watching" a video which is not only not interesting (demonstration of how laboratory mice are given PTSD) but is also far, far too long, and voiced over with such a heavy accent that I pretty much have to read the subtitles, minimizing my ability to do other things while it's playing.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 02, 2015, 03:54:05 PM
It all kind of boils down to "hey, our system for analyzing mouse freezing behavior is pretty accurate".
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 02, 2015, 03:56:40 PM
The Spring schedule was supposed to go up today.

It's not up.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on February 02, 2015, 03:58:38 PM
In my mind, there's a children's book, "Dick and Jane" style, called "Let's You And Me Terrify a Bunch of Mice"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 02, 2015, 04:00:00 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on February 02, 2015, 03:58:38 PM
In my mind, there's a children's book, "Dick and Jane" style, called "Let's You And Me Terrify a Bunch of Mice"

:lulz: :lulz:

It's pretty fucked up, actually. Neuroscientists are ASSHOLES. http://www.jove.com/video/50871/contextual-cued-fear-conditioning-test-using-video-analyzing-system
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 02, 2015, 04:01:12 PM
Luckily I won't be working with mice, I'll be working with children.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on February 02, 2015, 04:08:59 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 02, 2015, 04:01:12 PM
Luckily I won't be working with mice, I'll be working with children.

In light of the above posts, that just sounds wrong.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 03, 2015, 06:00:40 AM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on February 02, 2015, 04:08:59 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 02, 2015, 04:01:12 PM
Luckily I won't be working with mice, I'll be working with children.

In light of the above posts, that just sounds wrong.

:lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 03, 2015, 06:07:25 AM
I think I have picked out my classes for next term. Cell Bio & lab, Scientific Ethics, and Ecopsychology.

I only have 3 psych classes left and while I know I SHOULD be saving myself for the serious topics like child psychopathology and cognitive neuroscience, I have had about a million really overloaded terms in a row, and plus it gives me a totally cherry schedule and the instructor is heading up that trip to Peru.

Now I just need to restrain myself from doing anything totally stupid like adding just one easy online class, which will tip the balance from perfect to hell, guaranteed.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 04, 2015, 11:48:14 PM
I has interview with head of neuroimaging lab. :)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on February 06, 2015, 03:14:43 AM
I got an email from my Cell Bio professor saying that all of the In Progresses are no longer in progress so we can get our finals and paper 3 back.  :lulz:

Also, "If you haven't applied for summer internships, the deadlines are approaching"

And I'm like, "Oh shit.... Dr. D, tell me more"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 06, 2015, 04:50:11 AM
Quote from: Nepos twiddletonis on February 06, 2015, 03:14:43 AM
I got an email from my Cell Bio professor saying that all of the In Progresses are no longer in progress so we can get our finals and paper 3 back.  :lulz:

Also, "If you haven't applied for summer internships, the deadlines are approaching"

And I'm like, "Oh shit.... Dr. D, tell me more"

GET UP ON IT!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 06, 2015, 04:52:07 AM
I got some inside info that the lab wants people who are free Mondays and Wednesdays, which rules out Ecopsychology but opens me up for Cognitive Neuro.

Interview's on Tuesday.

I just spent the last 3 hours writing a CV. First I had to figure out HOW to, I've never done it before.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 08, 2015, 05:44:34 PM
Finished my Study Abroad application for the Peru trip. Shit's just rolling along.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on February 09, 2015, 08:28:41 AM
Where in Peru are you going to be located?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 09, 2015, 02:06:11 PM
All I know is "an off-grid site in the Peruvian Andes".
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on February 09, 2015, 07:04:58 PM
Hah, nice of them to narrow it down for you.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 10, 2015, 01:26:19 AM
Quote from: Cain on February 09, 2015, 07:04:58 PM
Hah, nice of them to narrow it down for you.

Right?

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 10, 2015, 01:28:46 AM
So today while I was at the Primate Center, I was talking to one of the other students about my interview tomorrow and a dude in the class turns around and says "You'll get it. I work there and you'll get it" and then proceeds to tell me that it's impossible to volunteer there because the summer is filled up with highly competitive internship spots.

So now I'm really, really confused.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 10, 2015, 10:02:22 PM
Interview has happened. "Your research interests are a perfect match", the good doctor said, after listening to me with a perfectly straight face while I explained that I am obsessed with Bad Ideas.

I start training ASAP. He wants me to apply for summer funding.

I mayyyy possibly have just found the lab I will do my graduate work in.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Vanadium Gryllz on February 11, 2015, 11:42:36 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 10, 2015, 10:02:22 PM
Interview has happened. "Your research interests are a perfect match", the good doctor said, after listening to me with a perfectly straight face while I explained that I am obsessed with Bad Ideas.


What are your research interests?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 11, 2015, 03:27:33 PM
Quote from: Xaz on February 11, 2015, 11:42:36 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 10, 2015, 10:02:22 PM
Interview has happened. "Your research interests are a perfect match", the good doctor said, after listening to me with a perfectly straight face while I explained that I am obsessed with Bad Ideas.


What are your research interests?

I just said them! Mostly bad ideas.

I'm also interested in ADHD and autism, as well as neurodegenerative diseases.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 11, 2015, 03:28:53 PM
I'm going to be working on a research study on decision-making in the teenage brain.

Muahahaha.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 11, 2015, 03:52:11 PM
Oh and BEST THING! I can probably parlay some of my work in the lab into a senior thesis. If not the lab, then surely I can shoehorn something about my Peru trip and sustainability into some sort of thesis project.

On a non-neuroscience note, I'm really interested in the urban relationship with wildlife, and particularly predators. As wild animals move back into regions they had previously been driven out of, ie. cities, humans will have to come up with an approach to cope with them. This approach is unlikely to take the form of "trap and shoot", as it has in the past; for the most part, we've moved beyond that and are more likely to take a conservationist, sustainable approach to cohabiting with wildlife.

So then, my question becomes, what does that approach look like? I'm not a wildlife biologist, but I will probably take a wildlife management class to try to get some insight into this problem. I'm starting to get some ideas, which started with an essay I wrote a year ago for my Honors College application, about wildness in the city.

I'd be really happy if my senior thesis was something that could be presented to the Urban Planning folks as a viable pathway for guiding city interaction with our nearby wilderness.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Vanadium Gryllz on February 11, 2015, 03:57:07 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 11, 2015, 03:27:33 PM

I just said them! Mostly bad ideas.

I'm also interested in ADHD and autism, as well as neurodegenerative diseases.

Ah I just clicked through the last couple of pages and there it was!

I think there is an interesting differentiation between bad ideas and Bad Ideas. Anyone can have the former while the latter ones are those that really shake things up.  :lol:

Tangentially related: a good friend of mine developed ataxia in his teens which sounds like a very unpleasant disease. I would be interested to hear if it's something you've come across in your studies.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 11, 2015, 04:01:06 PM
Quote from: Xaz on February 11, 2015, 03:57:07 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 11, 2015, 03:27:33 PM

I just said them! Mostly bad ideas.

I'm also interested in ADHD and autism, as well as neurodegenerative diseases.

Ah I just clicked through the last couple of pages and there it was!

I think there is an interesting differentiation between bad ideas and Bad Ideas. Anyone can have the former while the latter ones are those that really shake things up.  :lol:

Tangentially related: a good friend of mine developed ataxia in his teens which sounds like a very unpleasant disease. I would be interested to hear if it's something you've come across in your studies.

Ataxia was covered in Neurophysiology I, but I can't say we spent much time with it and I haven't looked into it on my own. Any particular questions about it? I can always look it up.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on February 12, 2015, 12:41:27 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 11, 2015, 03:52:11 PM
Oh and BEST THING! I can probably parlay some of my work in the lab into a senior thesis. If not the lab, then surely I can shoehorn something about my Peru trip and sustainability into some sort of thesis project.

On a non-neuroscience note, I'm really interested in the urban relationship with wildlife, and particularly predators. As wild animals move back into regions they had previously been driven out of, ie. cities, humans will have to come up with an approach to cope with them. This approach is unlikely to take the form of "trap and shoot", as it has in the past; for the most part, we've moved beyond that and are more likely to take a conservationist, sustainable approach to cohabiting with wildlife.

So then, my question becomes, what does that approach look like? I'm not a wildlife biologist, but I will probably take a wildlife management class to try to get some insight into this problem. I'm starting to get some ideas, which started with an essay I wrote a year ago for my Honors College application, about wildness in the city.

I'd be really happy if my senior thesis was something that could be presented to the Urban Planning folks as a viable pathway for guiding city interaction with our nearby wilderness.
That sounds fascinating!

I think wildness management in cities would for a large part be crowd psychology. Your knowledge of neuroscience may be tangentially useful there. Your proven insight in human behaviour will certainly be of use.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 12, 2015, 12:52:36 AM
Quote from: Reginald Ret (07/05/1983 - 06/11/2014) on February 12, 2015, 12:41:27 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 11, 2015, 03:52:11 PM
Oh and BEST THING! I can probably parlay some of my work in the lab into a senior thesis. If not the lab, then surely I can shoehorn something about my Peru trip and sustainability into some sort of thesis project.

On a non-neuroscience note, I'm really interested in the urban relationship with wildlife, and particularly predators. As wild animals move back into regions they had previously been driven out of, ie. cities, humans will have to come up with an approach to cope with them. This approach is unlikely to take the form of "trap and shoot", as it has in the past; for the most part, we've moved beyond that and are more likely to take a conservationist, sustainable approach to cohabiting with wildlife.

So then, my question becomes, what does that approach look like? I'm not a wildlife biologist, but I will probably take a wildlife management class to try to get some insight into this problem. I'm starting to get some ideas, which started with an essay I wrote a year ago for my Honors College application, about wildness in the city.

I'd be really happy if my senior thesis was something that could be presented to the Urban Planning folks as a viable pathway for guiding city interaction with our nearby wilderness.
That sounds fascinating!

I think wildness management in cities would for a large part be crowd psychology. Your knowledge of neuroscience may be tangentially useful there. Your proven insight in human behaviour will certainly be of use.

Good luck!

Thanks!

I was thinking more along the lines of wildlife corridors, greenspaces, nesting/denning habitat, and "So hey, what are these coyotes going to eat, anyway?"

The thing is, they're already here, so we have a few basic choices: trap and remove them (expensive, potentially dangerous, temporary fix, they come back), kill them (runs contrary to the conservation/sustainability direction society is moving in) or figure out how to accommodate them.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 13, 2015, 03:33:39 AM
I need to stop procrastinating studying for tomorrow's midterms.

Since I have seemingly endless capacity to sit on the internet and look shit up for purposes of posting here, I decided that I would make a list of things I need to memorize certain details of for tomorrow, and then I will look the things up and list the details that I need to memorize, annoyingly responding to my own post like a neurotic wanker.

Here we go:

Memory formation
Dyscalculia
Phantom limbs
Blindsight
Balint's syndrome
Kluver Bucy syndrome
Charles Bonnet syndrome
Hemispatial neglect
Anosognosia
Capgras syndrome
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Savant Syndrome
Pain asymbolia
Pseudocyesis

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 13, 2015, 04:10:41 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 13, 2015, 03:33:39 AM
I need to stop procrastinating studying for tomorrow's midterms.

Since I have seemingly endless capacity to sit on the internet and look shit up for purposes of posting here, I decided that I would make a list of things I need to memorize certain details of for tomorrow, and then I will look the things up and list the details that I need to memorize, annoyingly responding to my own post like a neurotic wanker.

Here we go:


Memory formation - Hippocampus

Dyscalculia - Damage to left angular gyrus

Phantom limbs - Interaction between postcentral (sensory) gyrus and precentral (motor) gyrus, visual/motor feedback loop, body map invasion

Blindsight - Damage to V1(Striate cortex) or optic nerve after branching to superior colliculi

Balint's syndrome - Single-object fixedness; bilateral damage to parietal lobes

Kluver Bucy syndrome - disinhibition, anterograde & retrograde amnesia, loss of object recognition, hypersexuality, hyperorality; complete bilateral destruction of temporal lobes

Charles Bonnet syndrome - Complex visual hallucinations in scotomas or cases of full-field blindness; multiple causes including macular degeneration, nerve damage.

Hemispatial neglect (Unilateral neglect) - Usually of the left side, caused by damage to contralateral parietal lobe

Anosognosia - Damage to (usually) right parietal or diffuse lesions on the fronto-temporal-parietal area in the right hemisphere

Capgras syndrome - Damage to amygdala

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy - electrical misfirings originating in limbic system, esp. hippocampi, & spreading to temporal lobes. Left medial temporal lobe seizures most typical

Savant Syndrome - Left angular gyrus - association area - is found to be larger in some savants

Pain asymbolia - Damage to the insular cortex, severing connections to the cingulate gyrus/limbic system

Pseudocyesis - Changes in endocrine system
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on February 14, 2015, 02:06:45 AM
So, my latest essay is going to upset people.

Because its to do with Nazis.  And Jews.  And Communists.  Basically, the question is the very trollish and devious "could opposition to the Nazis be called terrorist", or something to that effect.

As it turns out, yes some of it can.  I especially think the Belarussian Soviet Partisans, who executed schoolteachers and minor government officials for the crime of "collaboration", certainly qualify (and likely represented an attempt by the Soviet Union to wipe out any sectors of educated, middle class resistance for when they fully assumed control of those regions again). 

But the other major groups who could be considered terroristic in nature would be...well, the right wing Zionist groups in Poland.  The way in which they took over the Warsaw Ghetto, almost overnight, killing Jewish collaborators and police officers, ghetto administrative officials and Nazi officers reads like a classic tale of urban guerrilla warfare from South America.

And, of course, that is going to upset people.  Because even though, by a certain standard these groups were pretty nasty, they were fighting the Nazis.  Who, you know, were trying to kill them all.

So I can see this paper coming back to bite me in the arse.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on February 14, 2015, 02:56:30 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 12, 2015, 12:52:36 AM
Quote from: Reginald Ret (07/05/1983 - 06/11/2014) on February 12, 2015, 12:41:27 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 11, 2015, 03:52:11 PM
Oh and BEST THING! I can probably parlay some of my work in the lab into a senior thesis. If not the lab, then surely I can shoehorn something about my Peru trip and sustainability into some sort of thesis project.

On a non-neuroscience note, I'm really interested in the urban relationship with wildlife, and particularly predators. As wild animals move back into regions they had previously been driven out of, ie. cities, humans will have to come up with an approach to cope with them. This approach is unlikely to take the form of "trap and shoot", as it has in the past; for the most part, we've moved beyond that and are more likely to take a conservationist, sustainable approach to cohabiting with wildlife.

So then, my question becomes, what does that approach look like? I'm not a wildlife biologist, but I will probably take a wildlife management class to try to get some insight into this problem. I'm starting to get some ideas, which started with an essay I wrote a year ago for my Honors College application, about wildness in the city.

I'd be really happy if my senior thesis was something that could be presented to the Urban Planning folks as a viable pathway for guiding city interaction with our nearby wilderness.
That sounds fascinating!

I think wildness management in cities would for a large part be crowd psychology. Your knowledge of neuroscience may be tangentially useful there. Your proven insight in human behaviour will certainly be of use.

Good luck!

Thanks!

I was thinking more along the lines of wildlife corridors, greenspaces, nesting/denning habitat, and "So hey, what are these coyotes going to eat, anyway?"

The thing is, they're already here, so we have a few basic choices: trap and remove them (expensive, potentially dangerous, temporary fix, they come back), kill them (runs contrary to the conservation/sustainability direction society is moving in) or figure out how to accommodate them.

That sounds about right, I'll just brainstorm a bit on the subject, most of my points will be things you already thought about or even mentioned already.

Step one is finding out why they are there, were they always there or have they just arrived? What changed in the last couple decades that could have brought them back or caused a population boom?
Step two is risk assessment, not just what do they eat and do you mind if they eat that? But also what pathogens do they carry? do they have parasites or symbiotes that carry pathogens or are themselves dangerous to humans, pets, or livestock? I think these are the main factors to consider., though there probably are many more smaller ones.
Step three is can they be integrated in a profitable way? Maybe this can be a tourist attraction? Or they could fulfill an important role in managing and/or stabilizing the local ecosystem?
Step four is can human behaviour or municipal guidelines be changed so the damage can be mitigated? Garbage collection in animal-proof bins instead of loose bags is the easiest and best example here.
Step five is these steps are looking more and more like options, though just now one became a comment. Things are spinning out of control.

Step five-and-a-half is DON'T MESS WITH A STABLE (AND DIVERSE) ECOSYSTEM.

Step six is actively denying the unwanted species' needs. Limiting reproduction is best, if the unwanted species has specific courtship requirements that can easily be changed in your city then the problem is under control. If that is not the case making their nesting sites unsuitable is the next step. Try to avoid attack their food supply to the point where they go hungry, most species can adapt their diet and that is very risky. This is only a viable tactic if the species is in a food-driven population boom. Quite a lot of species' population growth is not limited by food but by other factors, trying to limit their food may just convince them to start eating your crops or pets.
But I've started to repeat myself.
Step seven is chemically or surgically sterilizing one or both of the genders. (sidenote: neuter your cats, they are genocidal at their current artificially elevated population levels) It is important to be cost-effective here, you want to sterilize the smallest number of animals while maximizing your effect on effective reproduction. Factors to consider are mate selection, promiscuity, and long-term consequences. Mate selection behaviour can tell you which gender to target, Lions can best be made extinct by sterilizing the most dominant males. High promiscuity species can be best attacked by sterilizing the females or both sexes. Low promiscuity species allow either male or female sterilization programs. Regarding long-term consequences: DON'T MESS WITH A STABLE (AND DIVERSE) ECOSYSTEM.
Obviously all sterilization programs work better if the sterilization does not negatively impact the sex-drive. Preferably it would even increase their sex-drive.
Step eight is moving the city. It is a big step and should not be taken lightly but it is better than the next step.
Step omega is either trap-and-remove or kill them, but each of these options is pointless and wasteful.

Brainstorm has lost momentum, it is more like a breeze now.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2015, 05:00:38 AM
I am really more interested in ways to apply a conservationist, ecological model of cohabiting with wildlife; think Systems Science, rather than the Forestry Management model of the 1950's.

FWIW we've been living with the urban coyotes here in my neighborhood for probably about eight years.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2015, 05:05:00 AM
Quote from: Cain on February 14, 2015, 02:06:45 AM
So, my latest essay is going to upset people.

Because its to do with Nazis.  And Jews.  And Communists.  Basically, the question is the very trollish and devious "could opposition to the Nazis be called terrorist", or something to that effect.

As it turns out, yes some of it can.  I especially think the Belarussian Soviet Partisans, who executed schoolteachers and minor government officials for the crime of "collaboration", certainly qualify (and likely represented an attempt by the Soviet Union to wipe out any sectors of educated, middle class resistance for when they fully assumed control of those regions again). 

But the other major groups who could be considered terroristic in nature would be...well, the right wing Zionist groups in Poland.  The way in which they took over the Warsaw Ghetto, almost overnight, killing Jewish collaborators and police officers, ghetto administrative officials and Nazi officers reads like a classic tale of urban guerrilla warfare from South America.

And, of course, that is going to upset people.  Because even though, by a certain standard these groups were pretty nasty, they were fighting the Nazis.  Who, you know, were trying to kill them all.

So I can see this paper coming back to bite me in the arse.

Nazis and Jews and Communists, oh my!

I really like your premise, please let us know how it goes. I hope your professor has the brains to overlook the inflammatory implications and see the kernel of holy shit that's a completely valid point.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2015, 05:10:46 AM
I got 100% on my neurophysiology midterm. I can't tell whether this is a really easy class, or whether my pre-existing obsession is making it go more smoothly for me. I suspect maybe some of both.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on February 14, 2015, 09:52:30 AM
My professor should be fine with it, if its the one who actually set the question who does the marking.  During our "terrorism in history" classes, only two of us showed up for the final tutorial, myself and another student.  We had a nice, long chat about the Eastern Front in WWII, and how much of a horror show that was.

The question is whether he does the marking.  Electives module is kinda shit in that regard, a new lecturer every two weeks.  Also the whole field of historical terrorism is considered suspect by some people.  But I'm mainly concerned further down the line.  Israel is a big source of counter-terrorism and terrorism studies funding.  And while the pro-Israel crowd are not quite as vocal or crazy in the UK as they are in the USA, they're still pretty vocal at times.

I've decided to add a small section on the French, just to ease people's concerns.  After all, if I'm going to call the French Resistance terrorism, I'm clearly using some other standard than "dark-skinned foreigner with a beard", although French people often do match that description.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on February 14, 2015, 03:58:45 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2015, 05:00:38 AM
I am really more interested in ways to apply a conservationist, ecological model of cohabiting with wildlife; think Systems Science, rather than the Forestry Management model of the 1950's.

FWIW we've been living with the urban coyotes here in my neighborhood for probably about eight years.
Agreed, that is why i had my first four points first.

I meant it like this:
IF NOT step X THEN step (X+1)

But i didn't quite get that across.

Consequently the latter steps are only for a worst case scenario.

Or did I misunderstand and did you give that reply because you think humans should adapt to nature instead of the other way around?
I hope you can get that to work.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2015, 06:22:35 PM
Quote from: Reginald Ret (07/05/1983 - 06/11/2014) on February 14, 2015, 03:58:45 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2015, 05:00:38 AM
I am really more interested in ways to apply a conservationist, ecological model of cohabiting with wildlife; think Systems Science, rather than the Forestry Management model of the 1950's.

FWIW we've been living with the urban coyotes here in my neighborhood for probably about eight years.
Agreed, that is why i had my first four points first.

I meant it like this:
IF NOT step X THEN step (X+1)

But i didn't quite get that across.

Consequently the latter steps are only for a worst case scenario.

Or did I misunderstand and did you give that reply because you think humans should adapt to nature instead of the other way around?
I hope you can get that to work.

Basically what I'm saying is that there is a lot of sustainability research going on right now, and the entire philosophy of sustainability is working to set up human systems that work without a lot of pushing once set in motion. I would like to explore how that type of theory could be applied to living with wildlife in urban environments. That means going into the project without a list of steps, because the first stage of research is observation. The entire "taking action with a list of steps and contingency plans" approach is escalatory, non-observational, and completely antithetical to beginning a research project.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2015, 06:26:35 PM
I appreciate the spirit behind your impulse to try to help, though. Do you have a background in biology? I can't remember.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2015, 07:21:07 PM
Unrelated to anything, here is a music video of a very cute coyote riding the Portland light rail.

http://vevo.ly/xGVW3E

A wild coyote hopped on the light rail here in 2002, and then Sleater-Kinney wrote a song about it. Unfortunately, it isn't a very good song and there is no video with a coyote in it. In fact, I don't even recommend clicking this link, it isn't worth your time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI1o39Oxh-w
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on February 15, 2015, 12:16:14 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2015, 06:22:35 PM
Quote from: Reginald Ret (07/05/1983 - 06/11/2014) on February 14, 2015, 03:58:45 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2015, 05:00:38 AM
I am really more interested in ways to apply a conservationist, ecological model of cohabiting with wildlife; think Systems Science, rather than the Forestry Management model of the 1950's.

FWIW we've been living with the urban coyotes here in my neighborhood for probably about eight years.
Agreed, that is why i had my first four points first.

I meant it like this:
IF NOT step X THEN step (X+1)

But i didn't quite get that across.

Consequently the latter steps are only for a worst case scenario.

Or did I misunderstand and did you give that reply because you think humans should adapt to nature instead of the other way around?
I hope you can get that to work.

Basically what I'm saying is that there is a lot of sustainability research going on right now, and the entire philosophy of sustainability is working to set up human systems that work without a lot of pushing once set in motion. I would like to explore how that type of theory could be applied to living with wildlife in urban environments. That means going into the project without a list of steps, because the first stage of research is observation. The entire "taking action with a list of steps and contingency plans" approach is escalatory, non-observational, and completely antithetical to beginning a research project.
Hmmm, well said and point taken.
Let's just chalk that one up to occupational deformation, my job requires me to make a lot of hard decisions fast.
I wish I didn't have to, it is shaping my thinking and personality in unacceptable ways. At least I have stepped down from the leadership position, I now have a more technical and organisational job. Being responsible for the logistical part of an international high-end brand with the accompanying responsibility but without the power to actually do anything about it was very bad for me.

Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2015, 06:26:35 PM
I appreciate the spirit behind your impulse to try to help, though. Do you have a background in biology? I can't remember.

Yeah, I'm a failed biology student. The subject still interests me. So I am always glad when you mention it here.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 15, 2015, 12:50:57 AM
Quote from: Reginald Ret (07/05/1983 - 06/11/2014) on February 15, 2015, 12:16:14 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2015, 06:22:35 PM
Quote from: Reginald Ret (07/05/1983 - 06/11/2014) on February 14, 2015, 03:58:45 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2015, 05:00:38 AM
I am really more interested in ways to apply a conservationist, ecological model of cohabiting with wildlife; think Systems Science, rather than the Forestry Management model of the 1950's.

FWIW we've been living with the urban coyotes here in my neighborhood for probably about eight years.
Agreed, that is why i had my first four points first.

I meant it like this:
IF NOT step X THEN step (X+1)

But i didn't quite get that across.

Consequently the latter steps are only for a worst case scenario.

Or did I misunderstand and did you give that reply because you think humans should adapt to nature instead of the other way around?
I hope you can get that to work.

Basically what I'm saying is that there is a lot of sustainability research going on right now, and the entire philosophy of sustainability is working to set up human systems that work without a lot of pushing once set in motion. I would like to explore how that type of theory could be applied to living with wildlife in urban environments. That means going into the project without a list of steps, because the first stage of research is observation. The entire "taking action with a list of steps and contingency plans" approach is escalatory, non-observational, and completely antithetical to beginning a research project.
Hmmm, well said and point taken.
Let's just chalk that one up to occupational deformation, my job requires me to make a lot of hard decisions fast.
I wish I didn't have to, it is shaping my thinking and personality in unacceptable ways. At least I have stepped down from the leadership position, I now have a more technical and organisational job. Being responsible for the logistical part of an international high-end brand with the accompanying responsibility but without the power to actually do anything about it was very bad for me.

Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2015, 06:26:35 PM
I appreciate the spirit behind your impulse to try to help, though. Do you have a background in biology? I can't remember.

Yeah, I'm a failed biology student. The subject still interests me. So I am always glad when you mention it here.

Maybe you need to apply some systems science to your job!


Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 15, 2015, 12:59:52 AM
WARNING: Hopelessly boring post ahead.

I just mapped out every class I'm taking for the next year in order to graduate on time, hoping, that is, that there are no weird scheduling conflicts that completely fuck me over.

This is what that looks like:

Spring 2015
Cell biology + lab
Cognitive neuroscience
Scientific Ethics

Summer 2015
Elementary microbiology + lab
Intro to psychopathology
Sustainability & permaculture immersion in Peru

Fall 2015
General Ecology
Microbiology + lab
Physics
Honors thesis workshop

Winter 2016
Neurophysiology (yes, more neurophysiology)
Conservation Biology
Other science (probably an online geology class)
Work on thesis

Spring 2016
Recombinant DNA techniques & lab
Biochemistry
Whatever psych class fits my schedule
Finish thesis

Having a schedule makes me feel secure.
It probably won't go that smoothly, though.




Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on February 15, 2015, 01:32:35 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 15, 2015, 12:59:52 AM
WARNING: Hopelessly boring post ahead.

I just mapped out every class I'm taking for the next year in order to graduate on time, hoping, that is, that there are no weird scheduling conflicts that completely fuck me over.

This is what that looks like:

Spring 2015
Cell biology + lab
Cognitive neuroscience
Scientific Ethics

Summer 2015
Elementary microbiology + lab
Intro to psychopathology
Sustainability & permaculture immersion in Peru

Fall 2015
General Ecology
Microbiology + lab
Physics
Honors thesis workshop

Winter 2016
Neurophysiology (yes, more neurophysiology)
Conservation Biology
Other science (probably an online geology class)
Work on thesis

Spring 2016
Recombinant DNA techniques & lab
Biochemistry
Whatever psych class fits my schedule
Finish thesis

Having a schedule makes me feel secure.
It probably won't go that smoothly, though.
Hey if I hop on a plane now, can you hide me in your book bag and sneak me into all your classes?
Those sound interesting.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 15, 2015, 03:09:07 AM
Quote from: Reginald Ret (07/05/1983 - 06/11/2014) on February 15, 2015, 01:32:35 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 15, 2015, 12:59:52 AM
WARNING: Hopelessly boring post ahead.

I just mapped out every class I'm taking for the next year in order to graduate on time, hoping, that is, that there are no weird scheduling conflicts that completely fuck me over.

This is what that looks like:

Spring 2015
Cell biology + lab
Cognitive neuroscience
Scientific Ethics

Summer 2015
Elementary microbiology + lab
Intro to psychopathology
Sustainability & permaculture immersion in Peru

Fall 2015
General Ecology
Microbiology + lab
Physics
Honors thesis workshop

Winter 2016
Neurophysiology (yes, more neurophysiology)
Conservation Biology
Other science (probably an online geology class)
Work on thesis

Spring 2016
Recombinant DNA techniques & lab
Biochemistry
Whatever psych class fits my schedule
Finish thesis

Having a schedule makes me feel secure.
It probably won't go that smoothly, though.
Hey if I hop on a plane now, can you hide me in your book bag and sneak me into all your classes?
Those sound interesting.

We're allowed to have service animals, and there are very few restrictions... maybe I can just convince them you're my Anxiety Belgian.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Eater of Clowns on February 15, 2015, 04:06:54 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 15, 2015, 03:09:07 AM
Quote from: Reginald Ret (07/05/1983 - 06/11/2014) on February 15, 2015, 01:32:35 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 15, 2015, 12:59:52 AM
WARNING: Hopelessly boring post ahead.

I just mapped out every class I'm taking for the next year in order to graduate on time, hoping, that is, that there are no weird scheduling conflicts that completely fuck me over.

This is what that looks like:

Spring 2015
Cell biology + lab
Cognitive neuroscience
Scientific Ethics

Summer 2015
Elementary microbiology + lab
Intro to psychopathology
Sustainability & permaculture immersion in Peru

Fall 2015
General Ecology
Microbiology + lab
Physics
Honors thesis workshop

Winter 2016
Neurophysiology (yes, more neurophysiology)
Conservation Biology
Other science (probably an online geology class)
Work on thesis

Spring 2016
Recombinant DNA techniques & lab
Biochemistry
Whatever psych class fits my schedule
Finish thesis

Having a schedule makes me feel secure.
It probably won't go that smoothly, though.
Hey if I hop on a plane now, can you hide me in your book bag and sneak me into all your classes?
Those sound interesting.

We're allowed to have service animals, and there are very few restrictions... maybe I can just convince them you're my Anxiety Belgian.

:spittake:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 16, 2015, 10:40:42 PM
I am cloistered in the honors commons until my evening meeting.

One of the freshmen is breathlessly offering me advice on making sure classes will transfer. I don't have the heart to tell her to stick it up a tree.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on February 17, 2015, 01:16:56 PM
Quote from: Cain on February 14, 2015, 09:52:30 AM
My professor should be fine with it, if its the one who actually set the question who does the marking.  During our "terrorism in history" classes, only two of us showed up for the final tutorial, myself and another student.  We had a nice, long chat about the Eastern Front in WWII, and how much of a horror show that was.

The question is whether he does the marking.  Electives module is kinda shit in that regard, a new lecturer every two weeks.  Also the whole field of historical terrorism is considered suspect by some people.  But I'm mainly concerned further down the line.  Israel is a big source of counter-terrorism and terrorism studies funding.  And while the pro-Israel crowd are not quite as vocal or crazy in the UK as they are in the USA, they're still pretty vocal at times.

I've decided to add a small section on the French, just to ease people's concerns.  After all, if I'm going to call the French Resistance terrorism, I'm clearly using some other standard than "dark-skinned foreigner with a beard", although French people often do match that description.

That premise sounds amazing, and I heartily support it (as if my opinion means anything).

I do see why you'd have to tread lightly, though.  I can only imagine some point in the future where you're being vetted for some IR work, and they come across the paper.  If a twitter comment can lay waste to a reputation, just think what a well-written paper can do.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 17, 2015, 02:08:46 PM
At least a paper offers context and explanation, although one can nonetheless assume that stupid and/or manipulative people will take quotes out of context.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 18, 2015, 03:56:21 PM
There's a goddamn power outage on campus today. Apparently Portland's power grid just can't handle all this sunny, mild spring weather.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on February 18, 2015, 10:35:04 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 15, 2015, 03:09:07 AM
Quote from: Reginald Ret (07/05/1983 - 06/11/2014) on February 15, 2015, 01:32:35 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 15, 2015, 12:59:52 AM
WARNING: Hopelessly boring post ahead.

I just mapped out every class I'm taking for the next year in order to graduate on time, hoping, that is, that there are no weird scheduling conflicts that completely fuck me over.

This is what that looks like:

Spring 2015
Cell biology + lab
Cognitive neuroscience
Scientific Ethics

Summer 2015
Elementary microbiology + lab
Intro to psychopathology
Sustainability & permaculture immersion in Peru

Fall 2015
General Ecology
Microbiology + lab
Physics
Honors thesis workshop

Winter 2016
Neurophysiology (yes, more neurophysiology)
Conservation Biology
Other science (probably an online geology class)
Work on thesis

Spring 2016
Recombinant DNA techniques & lab
Biochemistry
Whatever psych class fits my schedule
Finish thesis

Having a schedule makes me feel secure.
It probably won't go that smoothly, though.
Hey if I hop on a plane now, can you hide me in your book bag and sneak me into all your classes?
Those sound interesting.

We're allowed to have service animals, and there are very few restrictions... maybe I can just convince them you're my Anxiety Belgian.
OK, i'm going to put my money where my mouth is.
IF you get them to send me a letter on official Uni paper saying you can bring an Anxiety Belgian as a service animal THEN I will fly over to join you in one of your classes.
PM me for a mailing address. (yes I want it in dead-tree format)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 18, 2015, 11:05:27 PM
Quote from: Reginald Ret (07/05/1983 - 06/11/2014) on February 18, 2015, 10:35:04 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 15, 2015, 03:09:07 AM
Quote from: Reginald Ret (07/05/1983 - 06/11/2014) on February 15, 2015, 01:32:35 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 15, 2015, 12:59:52 AM
WARNING: Hopelessly boring post ahead.

I just mapped out every class I'm taking for the next year in order to graduate on time, hoping, that is, that there are no weird scheduling conflicts that completely fuck me over.

This is what that looks like:

Spring 2015
Cell biology + lab
Cognitive neuroscience
Scientific Ethics

Summer 2015
Elementary microbiology + lab
Intro to psychopathology
Sustainability & permaculture immersion in Peru

Fall 2015
General Ecology
Microbiology + lab
Physics
Honors thesis workshop

Winter 2016
Neurophysiology (yes, more neurophysiology)
Conservation Biology
Other science (probably an online geology class)
Work on thesis

Spring 2016
Recombinant DNA techniques & lab
Biochemistry
Whatever psych class fits my schedule
Finish thesis

Having a schedule makes me feel secure.
It probably won't go that smoothly, though.
Hey if I hop on a plane now, can you hide me in your book bag and sneak me into all your classes?
Those sound interesting.

We're allowed to have service animals, and there are very few restrictions... maybe I can just convince them you're my Anxiety Belgian.
OK, i'm going to put my money where my mouth is.
IF you get them to send me a letter on official Uni paper saying you can bring an Anxiety Belgian as a service animal THEN I will fly over to join you in one of your classes.
PM me for a mailing address. (yes I want it in dead-tree format)

Oh ho HO. It's on like Donkey Kong.  :lol:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Ⅎuᴉzz on February 18, 2015, 11:08:48 PM
If they (and you) actually play along with that, you might wind up going viral and starting a new trend of 'Anxiety Belgians'.
I'm starting to want one already and I don't even understand why.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 18, 2015, 11:24:01 PM
I am pretty sure that not only can I make it happen, but that I can get credit for it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Ⅎuᴉzz on February 19, 2015, 12:13:47 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 18, 2015, 11:24:01 PM
I am pretty sure that not only can I make it happen, but that I can get credit for it.

"Get your Anxiety Belgian™ today!"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Eater of Clowns on February 19, 2015, 12:21:57 AM
That's not just a niche market, that's an industry. Registering anxietybros.com.

"I don't know, I just don't think I'm prepared for this presentation. A board member is going to be there!"

Pan left, to mildly disheveled but amiable young man. He places a hand on the speaker's shoulder. "It's cool, brah, you got this."

"Thanks anxiety bro!"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Ⅎuᴉzz on February 19, 2015, 12:32:35 AM
Beautiful.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on February 20, 2015, 06:21:04 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 18, 2015, 11:24:01 PM
I am pretty sure that not only can I make it happen, but that I can get credit for it.
:eek: Shit.

I'm actually going to have to do this, I know how you get when it comes to furthering your academic career.  :argh!:

I will start saving more money.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on February 20, 2015, 01:59:59 PM
Looking foward to my next set of essays...I'm currently leaning towards "Competing analyses of al-Qaeda give rise to competing counter-terrorism responses – Discuss".  Theories on Al-Qaeda?  Sure, I can name 4 different ones off the top of my head.  Hell, I can name an author who gives 4 in the intro to his book, and I'm not including him in that first count.  I mean, we all know it'll basically come down to Sageman versus Hoffman and "bunch of guys" versus "clandestine cells commanded from the Khyber Pass", but getting there will at least not want to make me tear my teeth out in frustration.

As for the other one, I'm leaning towards "To what extent do Richard English's seven policy recommendations in Terrorism: How to Respond apply when conceiving responses to far right terrorism and political violence?"  It's a bit dull, but the problem with the elective essays are that they're a lot shorter than the others.  As such, it's easy to get carried away, try to show off, and end up having to cut most of it and hand in a substandard paper instead.  Which is precisely what happened with my Nazi paper.  Either that or I'll go for "To what extent have governments been 'blind in the right eye'?"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on February 20, 2015, 02:16:48 PM
I have to say, I really liked your economic analysis in the AI thread.  To me, the non-ideological motivators and deciding factors rounds out the actors, and offers insight into what seems like a very silly narrative.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on February 20, 2015, 02:22:43 PM
Thanks.  It is, of course, only one factor among many, but it's one to consider.  They own oil fields, and are smugging priceless artifacts out of Syria.  Obviously, there's a means to an end element to that, you need money to wage war etc. but it's also quite likely a factor in and of itself for some people in ISIS.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 20, 2015, 02:29:33 PM
Quote from: Cain on February 20, 2015, 01:59:59 PM
Looking foward to my next set of essays...I'm currently leaning towards "Competing analyses of al-Qaeda give rise to competing counter-terrorism responses – Discuss".  Theories on Al-Qaeda?  Sure, I can name 4 different ones off the top of my head.  Hell, I can name an author who gives 4 in the intro to his book, and I'm not including him in that first count.  I mean, we all know it'll basically come down to Sageman versus Hoffman and "bunch of guys" versus "clandestine cells commanded from the Khyber Pass", but getting there will at least not want to make me tear my teeth out in frustration.

This sounds REALLY interesting.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on February 20, 2015, 02:31:03 PM
Here's a quick primer on their feud

http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2008/06/10/Sageman-vs-Hoffman-The-new-war-of-ideas.aspx?COLLCC=741964328&

I lean more towards Sageman's analysis, though I think AQ Central still plays a role (a vastly reduced role).
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 20, 2015, 02:41:36 PM
The grad student who is teaching our Advanced Neuro class for a whole two weeks is doing the typical grad student thing of "I'll give them a taste of what grad school is like, it'll be good for them!" with complete disregard for two facts: in grad school they only take two classes at a time, while most undergrads are taking four, and also with complete disregard that none of us have the background to understand the studies she's having us review. Five studies in one week, all about using a drug to inhibit an enzyme that deacetylates histone tails to enhance memory formation, to various effects. I barely comprehend them... and I'm the only biology major in the class, these make no sense at all to the psych majors. Panic ensues. The best part? Group presentations. Ten people have one week to review five papers and prepare a presentation on one of them.

This is sure to go well.  :lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on February 20, 2015, 02:43:37 PM
Yeah...there are reasons undergrads do not get the full grad student experience.  I mean, c'mon, it's University.  It's fair to assume at least some fairly intelligent people had a had in designing the appropriate levels of work for various different degree types.

Sounds like typical "Imma super smart grad student" syndrome.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 20, 2015, 02:43:40 PM
Quote from: Cain on February 20, 2015, 02:31:03 PM
Here's a quick primer on their feud

http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2008/06/10/Sageman-vs-Hoffman-The-new-war-of-ideas.aspx?COLLCC=741964328&

I lean more towards Sageman's analysis, though I think AQ Central still plays a role (a vastly reduced role).

Oh, academic feuds! :lol: Always amusing. Both of them should read Katherine Schultz's book.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 20, 2015, 02:47:23 PM
Quote from: Cain on February 20, 2015, 02:43:37 PM
Yeah...there are reasons undergrads do not get the full grad student experience.  I mean, c'mon, it's University.  It's fair to assume at least some fairly intelligent people had a had in designing the appropriate levels of work for various different degree types.

Sounds like typical "Imma super smart grad student" syndrome.

It is exactly that.

Combined with an apparent complete lack of comprehension that in grad school you actually have the background for interpreting papers like the five she's thrown at us, whereas these undergrad students, including myself... well, we don't. I am literally the most equipped person in the class to interpret these papers because of my biology background, and fortunately I read a book on epigenetics on my own time last year, but PSU doesn't teach epigenetics and this class is oriented toward psych majors, most of whom have never heard of histones, acetylation, methylathion, ubiquitination, etc.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 22, 2015, 02:05:55 AM
I wrote a proposal for the NIH that is apparently actually going to be presented to the NIH.

If they implement it, I will have done something actually useful with my life.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 22, 2015, 02:13:03 AM
Other than that, I went to Eugene, and now I am too damn tired to do anything but watch videos.

Good news: my handlers will almost certainly extend my funding for my last couple of terms even though they claim not to generally extend funding for double majors.

I am really looking forward to only taking 3 classes a term from here on out.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 22, 2015, 03:41:25 PM
I'm totally procrastinating my summaries and critiques. Mostly because I'm so full of resentment at having to do them. But I have to finish by noon, which is PLENTY of time if I start now.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 25, 2015, 03:55:39 AM
Soooo

A guy who was for mysterious reasons "unable to present" with his group was added to ours, and he is a FUCKING INSANE DRAMA WHORE and now the whole thing has blown up into crazy.

It's not like it's a big deal presentation or anything. It's super simple and straightforward.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 25, 2015, 03:56:44 AM
This guy is a full on nutjob though. And this one girl... well, she seems completely unable to comprehend that "title page and figures ONLY" means "Title page and figures ONLY".
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Vanadium Gryllz on February 25, 2015, 09:41:30 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 25, 2015, 03:55:39 AM
Soooo

A guy who was for mysterious reasons "unable to present" with his group was added to ours, and he is a FUCKING INSANE DRAMA WHORE and now the whole thing has blown up into crazy.


Sounds like a fun story. Care to elaborate?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 25, 2015, 03:00:17 PM
Quote from: Xaz on February 25, 2015, 09:41:30 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 25, 2015, 03:55:39 AM
Soooo

A guy who was for mysterious reasons "unable to present" with his group was added to ours, and he is a FUCKING INSANE DRAMA WHORE and now the whole thing has blown up into crazy.


Sounds like a fun story. Care to elaborate?

I considered posting the emails with the names edited out, but it's such a raft of nutjobbery that I don't know if it would even make sense without all the backstory, which is really really boring.

Short version is this: We have to do a quick group presentation of a research paper someone else wrote. There were ten people in the group. I started a group email chain for us to discuss our doings. One girl posted a slide presentation that was way over the top, and I pointed out that the instructions say we need a title page and figures ONLY, and also the instructor said in class, slides should only include a title page and figures from the paper. Several people agree. Girl revises slides, removing the tacky background and cartoon graphics but leaving boxes and bullet points. Everyone ignores it, probably assuming we could clean it up later.

Things are proceeding. Some of us meet after class, discuss things in the email thread. We get to a point where all we need to do is decide the order in which we are presenting.

Yesterday some guy gets added to our group. He, the slide girl, and one other person met in the library, and afterward new guy sends out this email:

QuoteHello Group,

The three of us that showed up for collaboration on our group presentation ((student names redacted)) elected to make some executive decisions.

Given the amount of time we had to work, and our lack of workers, we choose to use the outstanding original set of slides so as to optimize the time we had.

Those of us whom expressed preference on a specific section to cover have been assigned to that portion of the presentation. Those whom did not express preference have been assigned a slide/topic to cover so as to move the group forward towards individual preparation.

Intro - (student name redacted)
Materials - (student name redacted)
Methods - (student name redacted)
Figure 1 - (student name redacted)
Figure 2 - (student name redacted)
Figure 3 - (student name redacted)
Figure 4 - (student name redacted)
Figure 5 - (student name redacted)
Conclusions - (student name redacted)
Critiques – (student names redacted)

It is up to individual responsibility to prepare a 1 minute (cannot exceed 2min) speech that summarize the slide topic. Not just reading the text we have, but supplementing it. You can also feel free to edit the text in the slide(s) you are assigned. Ideally the text serves the visual learners in the class to give a foundation understanding of the slide; it need not be comprehensive of all of what you will say during your speech time.

Please do not edit any other aspect of the presentation such as color, background or lack of animations. The time for aesthetic input has ended; we now need to move towards content refinement and preparedness for Friday.

Some slides are obviously more complete than others. The three of us ran out of time to complete the slides due to other pending responsibilities. If you do edit your slide(s) please email back to this chain a power point file OF JUST THE EDITED SLIDE(S) and Anne-Marie will integrate this into our final presentation file.

Please submit any slide edits by Wednesday Night/Thursday morning so (student name redacted) has time to compile them without it disrupting her schedule as she has already contributed significantly to our collective success.

Work Hard, Go Team!

Attached were the original slides. Note that we had discussed the slides as a group, and decided not to use them because they did not follow the explicit directions given by the instructor.

The slides, in fact, other than containing the figures from the paper, aren't supposed to be the focus of the presentation at all.

It gets better (worse) but I don't know if I have time to finish the story.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 25, 2015, 03:06:08 PM
I have four minutes.

So the rest of it goes like this: I ask whether there is a reason we are not following the instructions. Several other people chime in to agree that we need to follow the instructions. MUCH BUTTHURT ENSUES, along with the pronouncement that the people who "actually showed up to the meeting" were the people who should get to make decisions. A couple of people complain to the instructor. New guy posts this flaming wall of tl;dr douchebaggery:

QuoteBOOM! POW! BANG! CRASH! SHAZAAM!. . .okay sorry, I was having a retro batman moment as I read the email thread, sound effects and all.

Wow, epic. Okay psych majors, lets figure this out.

RE: Blurry Pictures - I agree that the figure pics are kinda blurry, I didn't want to spend group time stretching each picture or trying to re-cut and paste. Each person with a figure slide can re-copy the picture from the PDF of the article and try and make it work better. The blurriness is a conjunction of auto stretch to fit that PowerPoint does and the low base resolution of the image from the PDF. We can address the former but not the later.

RE: Text Being Off - If you open this file straight from the email it will be all whacked out. You need to download the file and open it either in PowerPoint or OpenOffice.

RE: Color Scheme - We changed the text color to a very readable off white.

RE: How Will It Look On the Big Screen - I work at OIT here on campus and my team's conference room has a large projector. I will test out the PowerPoint on that screen tomorrow between class and work to see how it looks. I will report back to the group either way. We don't need to stress about it until then as changing background/color scheme is really easy. It is the generation of the content that takes a bit more time. In reality, 90% of this project is making damn sure we each know our sections and collectively understand the material presented in the study. Fielding questions is something the other groups/members in previous presentations were hit or miss with. Lets look confident and sharp!

RE: Specific Instructions - we followed the instructions listed in the document "Syllabus for My Classes". Here is a cut and paste of the language:

*******
Presentation
In groups of 10 you will present 1 of 5 papers that explore the role of epigenetic modulators in learning and memory paradigms. You will have half an hour to go over the introduction, methods, results, and discussion. The intro should be brief. You should focus most of your time describing the methods, results, and discussion. Figures should be arranged in a power point presentation (nothing fancy, just copy and paste the figures) so that we can go through the results as a class. . .
*******
->Our reading of this, in the larger context of (Instructor's) very informal writing style and obvious 'wiggle room' and consistence use of humor, was as follows:
1) A brief introduction in a 30 min presentation should be no more than a few minutes. Slide 1 names the article and group, Slide 2 presents the question and aim of the study, and Slide 3 provides an understanding of the mechanisms of Alzheimer's Disease that this chemical may address. These 3 slides should fit the bill for 'brief introduction'. The remaining time is all methods, results, discussion etc. so we cover the 'focus' aspect of the instructions.

2) With regards to the figure slides, aside from the stretch issue, we agreed that some text along with it will help serve the visual learners whilst the speeches serve the auditory learners. Moreover, all of our figures are actually numerous figures combined and so some labeling beyond the figure itself seemed useful. This does decrease the overall size of the figure with respect to what the class will see but as they are already blurry this may not be a bad thing. Moreover, the figures themselves are all bar graphs, aside from 5c, so there isn't much detail miss out on.

3) I can't find a mention of 'only a title page', is there a set of instructions I/we today were in ignorance of? It seemed to us that some none 'figure only' slides in the materials. methods and behavioral procedure slides would add some vibrancy to the presentation. The presentations so far felt very sterile. I agree that the figure slides should not be over the top, but the bells and whistles earlier for the folks discussing intro, materials, methods etc. is an opportunity to engage our audience with visual cues, humor (mighty mouse) and cuteness (did you see that the two mice cuddling have a teddy bear!). Christie and Bill are constantly cracking jokes so this is in alignment with their pedagogical approach. Moreover, at this point in the term with how hard this class has been the collective could probably use some softheartedness. It doesn't detract from the legitimacy of our presentation, only our candor and knowledge can do that, it does convey to the audience an acknowledgement of their humanness and the shared stressful context we are all operating within.

Taking a pause for some Compassion and Ownership:
I'll be frank, the three of us that showed had some frustration about being 3/11. Was that vented aggressively? No. . .but it wasn't processed and released either. Don't worry, we didn't bad talk or anything, but we did kinda share stories of past group projects that were less than ideal. We weren't making a comparison, but the contextual association alone is probably unfair in an objective assessment. Compassion both ways between the 3/11 and the 8/11 is ultimately what we all want. This class is stressing us all out, let alone other classes, work, family, romance, life, the universe and everything else. . .damn this human shit is hard. Lets all support each other and make sure this is something we can be proud of. We don't need to tear done or passively omit the hard work of others, we also don't need to create more work than is needed for others: the middle path is what we need to collectively choose which is work with what we got as efficiently and effectively as possible. Was the candor of the first email sent out today laying a hard line, you bet. The point was to catapult us from creating to concluding this project.

Clarifications of What Comes Next
The instructions were rushed as 1 of us had to get to work and the other 2 needed to get the critiques done by 5. We spent a great deal of our time aggregating all of the information, reviewing the study to ensure accuracy in what slides we had and deciding on what the least amount of work moving forward would be for everybody.

The instructions were a little unclear. Let me try and improve and please feel free to ask for more clarification.

1) Look at the list in the first email and review the slide associated with you.
2) Some slides need the figure picture fixed, some are done, some are empty, some are partially complete. It is what it is. Anyone that needs help or wants some feedback on their ideas of editing/creating their slide please email the group; we are here to support each other. The slides gotta get done though.
2a) In particular the methods/behavioral procedure need some visioning and creation of text and visual aides.
2b) The 'conclusions' and 'critiques' sections don't necessarily need a slide. . .but why not? I mean, it doesn't take that long to make them. A picture, some text, bam, we look better than other groups.
3) Have about a minute of prepped speech for your section. In general folks with say more than they intend so we can error towards being succinct.

Work Smart, Go Team!

About ten minutes later, instructor lays the smack down.

New guy has been quiet ever since. Slide girl is crying about how everyone is mean and disrespectful.

Fuck alla this.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on February 25, 2015, 03:16:42 PM
You'd think that once the instructor lays a smackdown, all of this should stop immediately.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Eater of Clowns on February 25, 2015, 03:21:33 PM
SWEET MERCIFUL FUCK THIS IS INSUFFERABLE HOW HAVE YOU NOT KILLED THIS MAN
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Vanadium Gryllz on February 25, 2015, 05:42:50 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 25, 2015, 03:06:08 PM
I have four minutes.

So the rest of it goes like this: I ask whether there is a reason we are not following the instructions. Several other people chime in to agree that we need to follow the instructions. MUCH BUTTHURT ENSUES, along with the pronouncement that the people who "actually showed up to the meeting" were the people who should get to make decisions. A couple of people complain to the instructor. New guy posts this flaming wall of tl;dr douchebaggery:

QuoteBOOM! POW! BANG! CRASH! SHAZAAM!. . .okay sorry, I was having a retro batman moment as I read the email thread, sound effects and all.

Wow, epic. Okay psych majors, lets figure this out.

RE: Blurry Pictures - I agree that the figure pics are kinda blurry, I didn't want to spend group time stretching each picture or trying to re-cut and paste. Each person with a figure slide can re-copy the picture from the PDF of the article and try and make it work better. The blurriness is a conjunction of auto stretch to fit that PowerPoint does and the low base resolution of the image from the PDF. We can address the former but not the later.

RE: Text Being Off - If you open this file straight from the email it will be all whacked out. You need to download the file and open it either in PowerPoint or OpenOffice.

RE: Color Scheme - We changed the text color to a very readable off white.

RE: How Will It Look On the Big Screen - I work at OIT here on campus and my team's conference room has a large projector. I will test out the PowerPoint on that screen tomorrow between class and work to see how it looks. I will report back to the group either way. We don't need to stress about it until then as changing background/color scheme is really easy. It is the generation of the content that takes a bit more time. In reality, 90% of this project is making damn sure we each know our sections and collectively understand the material presented in the study. Fielding questions is something the other groups/members in previous presentations were hit or miss with. Lets look confident and sharp!

RE: Specific Instructions - we followed the instructions listed in the document "Syllabus for My Classes". Here is a cut and paste of the language:

*******
Presentation
In groups of 10 you will present 1 of 5 papers that explore the role of epigenetic modulators in learning and memory paradigms. You will have half an hour to go over the introduction, methods, results, and discussion. The intro should be brief. You should focus most of your time describing the methods, results, and discussion. Figures should be arranged in a power point presentation (nothing fancy, just copy and paste the figures) so that we can go through the results as a class. . .
*******
->Our reading of this, in the larger context of (Instructor's) very informal writing style and obvious 'wiggle room' and consistence use of humor, was as follows:
1) A brief introduction in a 30 min presentation should be no more than a few minutes. Slide 1 names the article and group, Slide 2 presents the question and aim of the study, and Slide 3 provides an understanding of the mechanisms of Alzheimer's Disease that this chemical may address. These 3 slides should fit the bill for 'brief introduction'. The remaining time is all methods, results, discussion etc. so we cover the 'focus' aspect of the instructions.

2) With regards to the figure slides, aside from the stretch issue, we agreed that some text along with it will help serve the visual learners whilst the speeches serve the auditory learners. Moreover, all of our figures are actually numerous figures combined and so some labeling beyond the figure itself seemed useful. This does decrease the overall size of the figure with respect to what the class will see but as they are already blurry this may not be a bad thing. Moreover, the figures themselves are all bar graphs, aside from 5c, so there isn't much detail miss out on.

3) I can't find a mention of 'only a title page', is there a set of instructions I/we today were in ignorance of? It seemed to us that some none 'figure only' slides in the materials. methods and behavioral procedure slides would add some vibrancy to the presentation. The presentations so far felt very sterile. I agree that the figure slides should not be over the top, but the bells and whistles earlier for the folks discussing intro, materials, methods etc. is an opportunity to engage our audience with visual cues, humor (mighty mouse) and cuteness (did you see that the two mice cuddling have a teddy bear!). Christie and Bill are constantly cracking jokes so this is in alignment with their pedagogical approach. Moreover, at this point in the term with how hard this class has been the collective could probably use some softheartedness. It doesn't detract from the legitimacy of our presentation, only our candor and knowledge can do that, it does convey to the audience an acknowledgement of their humanness and the shared stressful context we are all operating within.

Taking a pause for some Compassion and Ownership:
I'll be frank, the three of us that showed had some frustration about being 3/11. Was that vented aggressively? No. . .but it wasn't processed and released either. Don't worry, we didn't bad talk or anything, but we did kinda share stories of past group projects that were less than ideal. We weren't making a comparison, but the contextual association alone is probably unfair in an objective assessment. Compassion both ways between the 3/11 and the 8/11 is ultimately what we all want. This class is stressing us all out, let alone other classes, work, family, romance, life, the universe and everything else. . .damn this human shit is hard. Lets all support each other and make sure this is something we can be proud of. We don't need to tear done or passively omit the hard work of others, we also don't need to create more work than is needed for others: the middle path is what we need to collectively choose which is work with what we got as efficiently and effectively as possible. Was the candor of the first email sent out today laying a hard line, you bet. The point was to catapult us from creating to concluding this project.

Clarifications of What Comes Next
The instructions were rushed as 1 of us had to get to work and the other 2 needed to get the critiques done by 5. We spent a great deal of our time aggregating all of the information, reviewing the study to ensure accuracy in what slides we had and deciding on what the least amount of work moving forward would be for everybody.

The instructions were a little unclear. Let me try and improve and please feel free to ask for more clarification.

1) Look at the list in the first email and review the slide associated with you.
2) Some slides need the figure picture fixed, some are done, some are empty, some are partially complete. It is what it is. Anyone that needs help or wants some feedback on their ideas of editing/creating their slide please email the group; we are here to support each other. The slides gotta get done though.
2a) In particular the methods/behavioral procedure need some visioning and creation of text and visual aides.
2b) The 'conclusions' and 'critiques' sections don't necessarily need a slide. . .but why not? I mean, it doesn't take that long to make them. A picture, some text, bam, we look better than other groups.
3) Have about a minute of prepped speech for your section. In general folks with say more than they intend so we can error towards being succinct.

Work Smart, Go Team!

About ten minutes later, instructor lays the smack down.

New guy has been quiet ever since. Slide girl is crying about how everyone is mean and disrespectful.

Fuck alla this.

Wow. Well at least his opening lines set the tone for the entire email.  :horrormirth:

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 25, 2015, 06:49:25 PM
Right? He's kind of fucking incredible.

One of the other guys in the group knows someone who was in the group this guy was mysteriously "unable" to present with, and has asked him why, exactly, he didn't present with them.

None of us are really sure who he is or what he looks like. Total mystery.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 25, 2015, 06:53:59 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on February 25, 2015, 03:16:42 PM
You'd think that once the instructor lays a smackdown, all of this should stop immediately.

Yes. You would, wouldn't you?

At this point, nobody is posting. I am probably going to make slides that meet the specifications myself, just to make sure that gets done.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on February 25, 2015, 07:18:22 PM
I think it's a TA, trolling you all. 
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 25, 2015, 07:34:07 PM
Quote from: Cain on February 25, 2015, 07:18:22 PM
I think it's a TA, trolling you all.

Hahahaha, it would be pretty funny if we were being graded on how we handle a troll in our group!

Shit, that would make an awesome psychological experiment.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 26, 2015, 06:11:48 AM
Additional pointless drama has ensued.

This thing is worth maybe 2% of our grade. At this point I have checked out completely.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 26, 2015, 03:07:23 PM
Ha. Hahahaha.

I hate being a TA. There's one girl who can't seem to print her homework, OR to email it to us. She has so many excuses all the time and I just don't fucking care, I wish she would stop telling me her excuses because it's not going to improve her grade. After 2 months of class you can't figure out how to save a Word file, use the school computers, print, or email files? This is not my problem. How the fuck are you even in an upper-division class, anyway?

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 03, 2015, 09:28:20 PM
I just got asked to TA again next term.

It kind of makes me want to slit my wrists, but I'm considering it.  :kingmeh:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 03, 2015, 09:28:40 PM
Also HI GUYS IT'S FINALS.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Junkenstein on March 03, 2015, 10:20:06 PM
QuoteRE: Color Scheme - We changed the text color to a very readable off white.


Please tell me it's a white background.


Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 03, 2015, 10:22:43 PM
Quote from: Junkenstein on March 03, 2015, 10:20:06 PM
QuoteRE: Color Scheme - We changed the text color to a very readable off white.


Please tell me it's a white background.

:lulz: Oh my god, I didn't even notice that.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 03, 2015, 10:24:03 PM
I talked to a professor today who wants to introduce me to another professor who runs a LAB FULL OF SNAKES OH MY GOD YOU GUYS she researches the endocrine system in SNAKES.

I so want to go work in that lab. Fuck neuroimaging, dude, SNAKES.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 03, 2015, 10:25:34 PM
I want to do SCIENCE in a SNAKE LAB.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Junkenstein on March 03, 2015, 10:44:21 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 03, 2015, 10:22:43 PM
Quote from: Junkenstein on March 03, 2015, 10:20:06 PM
QuoteRE: Color Scheme - We changed the text color to a very readable off white.


Please tell me it's a white background.

:lulz: Oh my god, I didn't even notice that.

I just don't understand this at all. It's "Make X slides (1 each) here's all the info on a plate". It's fucking busywork. Slides are black and white. No bullshit no clip art convey info. It surely takes a cretin to fuck this up and surely multiple revisions of the fucking slide format are not required.

I'm actually annoyed for you. Tell him total strangers think he's a gibbering fucking clown and I wouldn't trust him not to shit himself in public. Literally, not metaphorically and not through ill health. Make that quite clear if you would.

Tell the fucker I'm speaking for justice for the 8/11.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on March 03, 2015, 11:03:54 PM
"Gibbering fuck clown."


:spittake:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 04, 2015, 03:05:13 PM
Quote from: Junkenstein on March 03, 2015, 10:44:21 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 03, 2015, 10:22:43 PM
Quote from: Junkenstein on March 03, 2015, 10:20:06 PM
QuoteRE: Color Scheme - We changed the text color to a very readable off white.


Please tell me it's a white background.

:lulz: Oh my god, I didn't even notice that.

I just don't understand this at all. It's "Make X slides (1 each) here's all the info on a plate". It's fucking busywork. Slides are black and white. No bullshit no clip art convey info. It surely takes a cretin to fuck this up and surely multiple revisions of the fucking slide format are not required.

I'm actually annoyed for you. Tell him total strangers think he's a gibbering fucking clown and I wouldn't trust him not to shit himself in public. Literally, not metaphorically and not through ill health. Make that quite clear if you would.

Tell the fucker I'm speaking for justice for the 8/11.

Luckily, that presentation is over and we're on to another one. WITHOUT THAT ASSHOLE.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on March 04, 2015, 03:55:59 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 03, 2015, 10:25:34 PM
I want to do SCIENCE in a SNAKE LAB.

With actual snakes, one presumes?

Corn snakes are awesome.  Hopefully the lab has those.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 04, 2015, 09:10:39 PM
Quote from: Cain on March 04, 2015, 03:55:59 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 03, 2015, 10:25:34 PM
I want to do SCIENCE in a SNAKE LAB.

With actual snakes, one presumes?

Corn snakes are awesome.  Hopefully the lab has those.

They are actually adorable garter snakes, which IMO are the cutest snakes of all.

I realized today that if there is anything that this class has taught me, it's that I don't want to work in behavioral neuroscience. Behavioral neuroscience is essentially the interface of psychology and neuroimaging, and I realized today that the thing about it is that it is neuroimaging is to neuroscience what geography is to geology; it makes a great map, but it doesn't tell you much about the territory.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on March 04, 2015, 10:23:13 PM
That's an awesome analogy.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on March 04, 2015, 10:31:03 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 03, 2015, 09:28:40 PM
Also HI GUYS IT'S FINALS.

AND MIDTERMS
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on March 04, 2015, 10:43:29 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 04, 2015, 09:10:39 PM
Quote from: Cain on March 04, 2015, 03:55:59 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 03, 2015, 10:25:34 PM
I want to do SCIENCE in a SNAKE LAB.

With actual snakes, one presumes?

Corn snakes are awesome.  Hopefully the lab has those.

They are actually adorable garter snakes, which IMO are the cutest snakes of all.

I realized today that if there is anything that this class has taught me, it's that I don't want to work in behavioral neuroscience. Behavioral neuroscience is essentially the interface of psychology and neuroimaging, and I realized today that the thing about it is that it is neuroimaging is to neuroscience what geography is to geology; it makes a great map, but it doesn't tell you much about the territory.

Garter snakes are good too.  Those and ball pythons are acceptable corn snake substitutes.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 04, 2015, 11:02:21 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on March 04, 2015, 10:23:13 PM
That's an awesome analogy.

Thanks! I admit I'm a little proud of myself for that one.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 04, 2015, 11:03:22 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on March 04, 2015, 10:31:03 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 03, 2015, 09:28:40 PM
Also HI GUYS IT'S FINALS.

AND MIDTERMS

YOU SAY THAT LIKE IT IS SOME KIND OF A JOKE BUT I HAD A FINAL LAST WEEK AND NEXT WEEK I HAVE A MIDTERM AND A FINAL FOLLOWED BY FINALS.

SEND HELP.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 04, 2015, 11:04:01 PM
Quote from: Cain on March 04, 2015, 10:43:29 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 04, 2015, 09:10:39 PM
Quote from: Cain on March 04, 2015, 03:55:59 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 03, 2015, 10:25:34 PM
I want to do SCIENCE in a SNAKE LAB.

With actual snakes, one presumes?

Corn snakes are awesome.  Hopefully the lab has those.

They are actually adorable garter snakes, which IMO are the cutest snakes of all.

I realized today that if there is anything that this class has taught me, it's that I don't want to work in behavioral neuroscience. Behavioral neuroscience is essentially the interface of psychology and neuroimaging, and I realized today that the thing about it is that it is neuroimaging is to neuroscience what geography is to geology; it makes a great map, but it doesn't tell you much about the territory.

Garter snakes are good too.  Those and ball pythons are acceptable corn snake substitutes.

Awww ball pythons!  They're so sweet. Little sweet bundles of snaky sweetness.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 04, 2015, 11:04:53 PM
So then I got an email from the neuroimaging lab, wanting to touch bases and asking me for all the things I have already sent them. Twice.

It's a sign.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 10, 2015, 01:34:22 AM
Here's the summary I wrote tonight.
I am not at all sure  that I can finish the last two.

QuoteSentence comprehension in autism: thinking in pictures with decreased functional connectivity

Rajesh K. Kana, Timothy A. Keller, Vladimir L. Cherkassky, Nany J. Minshew, and Marcel Adam Just

Article Summary: Previous research and first-hand of "thinking in pictures" led this research team to hypothesize uncerconnection of certain cortical areas important in linguistic processing. To test this hypothesis, Kana et al performed fMRI scans on 12 participants with autism (AS) and 13 typically-developing controls (TDC), while asking them to process either low-imagery questions (ie., questions that require little to no visualization in order to answer them) or high-imagery questions (ie., questions that require visualization, such as imagining the number 8 turned on its side, in order to answer them) which would require collaboration between the visuospatial and the linguistic processing systems in order to comprehend. The researchers hypothesized that:

1. The AS group would have lower connectivity between these two regions than the control group.
2. The AS group would show more activation in the parietal or occipital while processing low-imagery questions than the control group.
3. Key areas of the corpus collossum would be smaller in the AS group than in the control group.

The participants in the two groups were matched on the basis of age and IQ.
Baseline was assessed in a fixation condition in which participants fixated on an asterisk without performing a task. The fMRI was done using a 3-Tesla machine, and the questions were rear-projected onto a plastic screen seriously you don't care about these details, do you? It's Finals week. Now we talk about things I don't understand but can kind of visualize in a cartoon-like mockery, like sixteen adjacent oblique-axial slices acquired in an interleaved sequence. You realize we never covered interleaved sequences? It doesn't matter, you only had three hours of lecture to talk to us about these things. You're like a mother who died before she could tell her daughter about menstruation.

So this is where one of my classmates made a show in our study session of talking about how images were corrected for slice acquisition timing, motion-corrected, normalized to the Montreal Neurological Institute template, re-sampled to 2x2x2mm voxels and smoothed with an 8-mm Gaussian kernel, but I know as well as  you do that most likely the only words he understood in there are the same ones I do, "voxels" and "smoothed". OK, I understand motion correction as well.

Group analyses, I'll have you know, were performed using a random-effects model.

21 functional regions of interest were defined I don't care I don't care I don't care, including the medial frontal gyrus and (bilaterally) the inferior frontal gyrus and IFG2, middle frontal gyrus, intraparietal sulcus, superior parietal lobule, inferior parietal lobule, inferior temporal, inferior occipital gyrus, and middle occipital gyrus, and then there is some gibberish about being assigned wth reference to the parcellation of the MNI T1-weighted dataset. Is this related to the T1 protocol you spoke about in lecture? Because the way it's framed, it really doesn't sound like it, but I don't know what else to make of it.

There's also some shit about what sounds like maybe a Pagan wedding, what with the "union of four spheres". Maybe it's wizards. Hot polyamorous wizard love would be pretty cool to read about right now, maybe I should change my major to contemporary literature.

Anyway, the upshot is that they measured functional connectivity in both groups during the high-imagery and low-imagery tasks, using the aforementioned ROIs. Which might also be a euphemism for wizard love. The ROIs were grouped together according to lobe, because that helps us make sense of the data, right?

Results, ordered by hypothesis mentioned above:

1. Yep, more activation in parietal and occipital

2. Yes, mostly frontal-parietal

3. Pretty much yup



Questions & Critique:
I'm going to be blunt, and I hope you will take it in the spirit meant. I've just finished reading the fourth paper, as I warm up to summarize the third after a couple of read-throughs, and I feel a little like a first-year Spanish student asked to critique Pablo Neruda in his mother tongue. Multi-echo echo-planar imaging? Flip angle? 3mm isotopic? 64x64 matrix? Despiking? Temporal band-pass filtering? Linear and quadratic detrending? Linear registration? I'm not saying I didn't get the gist of the paper, or that I didn't understand the fundamentals of what they're measuring, and how they're measuring it – I do – but I am woefully underprepared to ask meaningful "big picture" questions when I barely speak the language, and I don't think that with even the best of lecturers, three hours is enough time for anyone, even someone with a solid biology background and some neuroscience and systems science classes under her belt, to learn more than the most rudimentary elements of this complex and highly specific language. It is presumptious of me, at the very least, to offer critique, and the questions I could ask might be less than meaningful. That said, I will make my best attempt.

1. One control and one AS group were female. I know this is an easy thing to pick on, but come on, what? At least first establish that there are no significant gender differences in brain connectivity in AS, maybe?

2. Is there any particular reason the authors repeat the same information over and over and over again in nearly identical phrases? Is it to meet some word length requirement?

3. I am definitely not going into behavioral neuroscience, give me cells and molecules any way. I feel like a geologist trapped in a geography lab.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 11, 2015, 07:20:04 PM
I got an email back from Dr. Snake Scientist saying that my interests are well-suited to her lab! I am going to be all up in a snake science lab!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 11, 2015, 07:20:38 PM
I AM GOING TO BRAIN SCIENCE WITH SNAKES!!!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 11, 2015, 07:25:02 PM
It's not an internationally famous prestigious brain imaging lab. I feel a little weird turning down a spot in an internationally famous brain imaging science lab, with a scientist who won the Presidential Award, at one of the nation's most prominent and well-funded brain research facilities, in order to work in a completely obscure and underfunded basement lab full of snakes. :lol:

But for some reason, I am convinced that this is the right avenue for me.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Junkenstein on March 11, 2015, 09:11:21 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 11, 2015, 07:20:38 PM
I AM GOING TO BRAIN SCIENCE WITH SNAKES!!!

Newsfeed.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Demolition Squid on March 11, 2015, 09:14:09 PM
Congrats Nigel!  :)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on March 11, 2015, 09:37:13 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 10, 2015, 01:34:22 AM
Here's the summary I wrote tonight.
I am not at all sure  that I can finish the last two.

QuoteSentence comprehension in autism: thinking in pictures with decreased functional connectivity

Rajesh K. Kana, Timothy A. Keller, Vladimir L. Cherkassky, Nany J. Minshew, and Marcel Adam Just

Article Summary: Previous research and first-hand of "thinking in pictures" led this research team to hypothesize uncerconnection of certain cortical areas important in linguistic processing. To test this hypothesis, Kana et al performed fMRI scans on 12 participants with autism (AS) and 13 typically-developing controls (TDC), while asking them to process either low-imagery questions (ie., questions that require little to no visualization in order to answer them) or high-imagery questions (ie., questions that require visualization, such as imagining the number 8 turned on its side, in order to answer them) which would require collaboration between the visuospatial and the linguistic processing systems in order to comprehend. The researchers hypothesized that:

1. The AS group would have lower connectivity between these two regions than the control group.
2. The AS group would show more activation in the parietal or occipital while processing low-imagery questions than the control group.
3. Key areas of the corpus collossum would be smaller in the AS group than in the control group.

The participants in the two groups were matched on the basis of age and IQ.
Baseline was assessed in a fixation condition in which participants fixated on an asterisk without performing a task. The fMRI was done using a 3-Tesla machine, and the questions were rear-projected onto a plastic screen seriously you don't care about these details, do you? It's Finals week. Now we talk about things I don't understand but can kind of visualize in a cartoon-like mockery, like sixteen adjacent oblique-axial slices acquired in an interleaved sequence. You realize we never covered interleaved sequences? It doesn't matter, you only had three hours of lecture to talk to us about these things. You're like a mother who died before she could tell her daughter about menstruation.

So this is where one of my classmates made a show in our study session of talking about how images were corrected for slice acquisition timing, motion-corrected, normalized to the Montreal Neurological Institute template, re-sampled to 2x2x2mm voxels and smoothed with an 8-mm Gaussian kernel, but I know as well as  you do that most likely the only words he understood in there are the same ones I do, "voxels" and "smoothed". OK, I understand motion correction as well.

Group analyses, I'll have you know, were performed using a random-effects model.

21 functional regions of interest were defined I don't care I don't care I don't care, including the medial frontal gyrus and (bilaterally) the inferior frontal gyrus and IFG2, middle frontal gyrus, intraparietal sulcus, superior parietal lobule, inferior parietal lobule, inferior temporal, inferior occipital gyrus, and middle occipital gyrus, and then there is some gibberish about being assigned wth reference to the parcellation of the MNI T1-weighted dataset. Is this related to the T1 protocol you spoke about in lecture? Because the way it's framed, it really doesn't sound like it, but I don't know what else to make of it.

There's also some shit about what sounds like maybe a Pagan wedding, what with the "union of four spheres". Maybe it's wizards. Hot polyamorous wizard love would be pretty cool to read about right now, maybe I should change my major to contemporary literature.

Anyway, the upshot is that they measured functional connectivity in both groups during the high-imagery and low-imagery tasks, using the aforementioned ROIs. Which might also be a euphemism for wizard love. The ROIs were grouped together according to lobe, because that helps us make sense of the data, right?

Results, ordered by hypothesis mentioned above:

1. Yep, more activation in parietal and occipital

2. Yes, mostly frontal-parietal

3. Pretty much yup



Questions & Critique:
I'm going to be blunt, and I hope you will take it in the spirit meant. I've just finished reading the fourth paper, as I warm up to summarize the third after a couple of read-throughs, and I feel a little like a first-year Spanish student asked to critique Pablo Neruda in his mother tongue. Multi-echo echo-planar imaging? Flip angle? 3mm isotopic? 64x64 matrix? Despiking? Temporal band-pass filtering? Linear and quadratic detrending? Linear registration? I'm not saying I didn't get the gist of the paper, or that I didn't understand the fundamentals of what they're measuring, and how they're measuring it – I do – but I am woefully underprepared to ask meaningful "big picture" questions when I barely speak the language, and I don't think that with even the best of lecturers, three hours is enough time for anyone, even someone with a solid biology background and some neuroscience and systems science classes under her belt, to learn more than the most rudimentary elements of this complex and highly specific language. It is presumptious of me, at the very least, to offer critique, and the questions I could ask might be less than meaningful. That said, I will make my best attempt.

1. One control and one AS group were female. I know this is an easy thing to pick on, but come on, what? At least first establish that there are no significant gender differences in brain connectivity in AS, maybe?

2. Is there any particular reason the authors repeat the same information over and over and over again in nearly identical phrases? Is it to meet some word length requirement?

3. I am definitely not going into behavioral neuroscience, give me cells and molecules any way. I feel like a geologist trapped in a geography lab.
Please tell me you sent it in like this!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 11, 2015, 10:50:49 PM
Quote from: Reginald Ret on March 11, 2015, 09:37:13 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 10, 2015, 01:34:22 AM
Here's the summary I wrote tonight.
I am not at all sure  that I can finish the last two.

QuoteSentence comprehension in autism: thinking in pictures with decreased functional connectivity

Rajesh K. Kana, Timothy A. Keller, Vladimir L. Cherkassky, Nany J. Minshew, and Marcel Adam Just

Article Summary: Previous research and first-hand of "thinking in pictures" led this research team to hypothesize uncerconnection of certain cortical areas important in linguistic processing. To test this hypothesis, Kana et al performed fMRI scans on 12 participants with autism (AS) and 13 typically-developing controls (TDC), while asking them to process either low-imagery questions (ie., questions that require little to no visualization in order to answer them) or high-imagery questions (ie., questions that require visualization, such as imagining the number 8 turned on its side, in order to answer them) which would require collaboration between the visuospatial and the linguistic processing systems in order to comprehend. The researchers hypothesized that:

1. The AS group would have lower connectivity between these two regions than the control group.
2. The AS group would show more activation in the parietal or occipital while processing low-imagery questions than the control group.
3. Key areas of the corpus collossum would be smaller in the AS group than in the control group.

The participants in the two groups were matched on the basis of age and IQ.
Baseline was assessed in a fixation condition in which participants fixated on an asterisk without performing a task. The fMRI was done using a 3-Tesla machine, and the questions were rear-projected onto a plastic screen seriously you don't care about these details, do you? It's Finals week. Now we talk about things I don't understand but can kind of visualize in a cartoon-like mockery, like sixteen adjacent oblique-axial slices acquired in an interleaved sequence. You realize we never covered interleaved sequences? It doesn't matter, you only had three hours of lecture to talk to us about these things. You're like a mother who died before she could tell her daughter about menstruation.

So this is where one of my classmates made a show in our study session of talking about how images were corrected for slice acquisition timing, motion-corrected, normalized to the Montreal Neurological Institute template, re-sampled to 2x2x2mm voxels and smoothed with an 8-mm Gaussian kernel, but I know as well as  you do that most likely the only words he understood in there are the same ones I do, "voxels" and "smoothed". OK, I understand motion correction as well.

Group analyses, I'll have you know, were performed using a random-effects model.

21 functional regions of interest were defined I don't care I don't care I don't care, including the medial frontal gyrus and (bilaterally) the inferior frontal gyrus and IFG2, middle frontal gyrus, intraparietal sulcus, superior parietal lobule, inferior parietal lobule, inferior temporal, inferior occipital gyrus, and middle occipital gyrus, and then there is some gibberish about being assigned wth reference to the parcellation of the MNI T1-weighted dataset. Is this related to the T1 protocol you spoke about in lecture? Because the way it's framed, it really doesn't sound like it, but I don't know what else to make of it.

There's also some shit about what sounds like maybe a Pagan wedding, what with the "union of four spheres". Maybe it's wizards. Hot polyamorous wizard love would be pretty cool to read about right now, maybe I should change my major to contemporary literature.

Anyway, the upshot is that they measured functional connectivity in both groups during the high-imagery and low-imagery tasks, using the aforementioned ROIs. Which might also be a euphemism for wizard love. The ROIs were grouped together according to lobe, because that helps us make sense of the data, right?

Results, ordered by hypothesis mentioned above:

1. Yep, more activation in parietal and occipital

2. Yes, mostly frontal-parietal

3. Pretty much yup



Questions & Critique:
I'm going to be blunt, and I hope you will take it in the spirit meant. I've just finished reading the fourth paper, as I warm up to summarize the third after a couple of read-throughs, and I feel a little like a first-year Spanish student asked to critique Pablo Neruda in his mother tongue. Multi-echo echo-planar imaging? Flip angle? 3mm isotopic? 64x64 matrix? Despiking? Temporal band-pass filtering? Linear and quadratic detrending? Linear registration? I'm not saying I didn't get the gist of the paper, or that I didn't understand the fundamentals of what they're measuring, and how they're measuring it – I do – but I am woefully underprepared to ask meaningful "big picture" questions when I barely speak the language, and I don't think that with even the best of lecturers, three hours is enough time for anyone, even someone with a solid biology background and some neuroscience and systems science classes under her belt, to learn more than the most rudimentary elements of this complex and highly specific language. It is presumptious of me, at the very least, to offer critique, and the questions I could ask might be less than meaningful. That said, I will make my best attempt.

1. One control and one AS group were female. I know this is an easy thing to pick on, but come on, what? At least first establish that there are no significant gender differences in brain connectivity in AS, maybe?

2. Is there any particular reason the authors repeat the same information over and over and over again in nearly identical phrases? Is it to meet some word length requirement?

3. I am definitely not going into behavioral neuroscience, give me cells and molecules any way. I feel like a geologist trapped in a geography lab.
Please tell me you sent it in like this!

I took out the swear words, but yes.

'cause I am OVER IT.  :lol:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on March 11, 2015, 10:55:00 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 11, 2015, 10:50:49 PM
Quote from: Reginald Ret on March 11, 2015, 09:37:13 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 10, 2015, 01:34:22 AM
Here's the summary I wrote tonight.
I am not at all sure  that I can finish the last two.

QuoteSentence comprehension in autism: thinking in pictures with decreased functional connectivity

Rajesh K. Kana, Timothy A. Keller, Vladimir L. Cherkassky, Nany J. Minshew, and Marcel Adam Just

Article Summary: Previous research and first-hand of "thinking in pictures" led this research team to hypothesize uncerconnection of certain cortical areas important in linguistic processing. To test this hypothesis, Kana et al performed fMRI scans on 12 participants with autism (AS) and 13 typically-developing controls (TDC), while asking them to process either low-imagery questions (ie., questions that require little to no visualization in order to answer them) or high-imagery questions (ie., questions that require visualization, such as imagining the number 8 turned on its side, in order to answer them) which would require collaboration between the visuospatial and the linguistic processing systems in order to comprehend. The researchers hypothesized that:

1. The AS group would have lower connectivity between these two regions than the control group.
2. The AS group would show more activation in the parietal or occipital while processing low-imagery questions than the control group.
3. Key areas of the corpus collossum would be smaller in the AS group than in the control group.

The participants in the two groups were matched on the basis of age and IQ.
Baseline was assessed in a fixation condition in which participants fixated on an asterisk without performing a task. The fMRI was done using a 3-Tesla machine, and the questions were rear-projected onto a plastic screen seriously you don't care about these details, do you? It's Finals week. Now we talk about things I don't understand but can kind of visualize in a cartoon-like mockery, like sixteen adjacent oblique-axial slices acquired in an interleaved sequence. You realize we never covered interleaved sequences? It doesn't matter, you only had three hours of lecture to talk to us about these things. You're like a mother who died before she could tell her daughter about menstruation.

So this is where one of my classmates made a show in our study session of talking about how images were corrected for slice acquisition timing, motion-corrected, normalized to the Montreal Neurological Institute template, re-sampled to 2x2x2mm voxels and smoothed with an 8-mm Gaussian kernel, but I know as well as  you do that most likely the only words he understood in there are the same ones I do, "voxels" and "smoothed". OK, I understand motion correction as well.

Group analyses, I'll have you know, were performed using a random-effects model.

21 functional regions of interest were defined I don't care I don't care I don't care, including the medial frontal gyrus and (bilaterally) the inferior frontal gyrus and IFG2, middle frontal gyrus, intraparietal sulcus, superior parietal lobule, inferior parietal lobule, inferior temporal, inferior occipital gyrus, and middle occipital gyrus, and then there is some gibberish about being assigned wth reference to the parcellation of the MNI T1-weighted dataset. Is this related to the T1 protocol you spoke about in lecture? Because the way it's framed, it really doesn't sound like it, but I don't know what else to make of it.

There's also some shit about what sounds like maybe a Pagan wedding, what with the "union of four spheres". Maybe it's wizards. Hot polyamorous wizard love would be pretty cool to read about right now, maybe I should change my major to contemporary literature.

Anyway, the upshot is that they measured functional connectivity in both groups during the high-imagery and low-imagery tasks, using the aforementioned ROIs. Which might also be a euphemism for wizard love. The ROIs were grouped together according to lobe, because that helps us make sense of the data, right?

Results, ordered by hypothesis mentioned above:

1. Yep, more activation in parietal and occipital

2. Yes, mostly frontal-parietal

3. Pretty much yup



Questions & Critique:
I'm going to be blunt, and I hope you will take it in the spirit meant. I've just finished reading the fourth paper, as I warm up to summarize the third after a couple of read-throughs, and I feel a little like a first-year Spanish student asked to critique Pablo Neruda in his mother tongue. Multi-echo echo-planar imaging? Flip angle? 3mm isotopic? 64x64 matrix? Despiking? Temporal band-pass filtering? Linear and quadratic detrending? Linear registration? I'm not saying I didn't get the gist of the paper, or that I didn't understand the fundamentals of what they're measuring, and how they're measuring it – I do – but I am woefully underprepared to ask meaningful "big picture" questions when I barely speak the language, and I don't think that with even the best of lecturers, three hours is enough time for anyone, even someone with a solid biology background and some neuroscience and systems science classes under her belt, to learn more than the most rudimentary elements of this complex and highly specific language. It is presumptious of me, at the very least, to offer critique, and the questions I could ask might be less than meaningful. That said, I will make my best attempt.

1. One control and one AS group were female. I know this is an easy thing to pick on, but come on, what? At least first establish that there are no significant gender differences in brain connectivity in AS, maybe?

2. Is there any particular reason the authors repeat the same information over and over and over again in nearly identical phrases? Is it to meet some word length requirement?

3. I am definitely not going into behavioral neuroscience, give me cells and molecules any way. I feel like a geologist trapped in a geography lab.
Please tell me you sent it in like this!

I took out the swear words, but yes.

'cause I am OVER IT.  :lol:
:lol: HAHAHA You, milady, are insane! Well done!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 11, 2015, 10:57:41 PM
Thank you! I figured that the worst-case scenario is, the damn thing is only worth two points, based mainly on whether it indicates that we read the paper.

Which I CLEARLY did.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cainad (dec.) on March 12, 2015, 01:00:47 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 11, 2015, 07:25:02 PM
It's not an internationally famous prestigious brain imaging lab. I feel a little weird turning down a spot in an internationally famous brain imaging science lab, with a scientist who won the Presidential Award, at one of the nation's most prominent and well-funded brain research facilities, in order to work in a completely obscure and underfunded basement lab full of snakes. :lol:

But for some reason, I am convinced that this is the right avenue for me.

Snakes are ALWAYS correct.

Something something Tree of Knowledge something, Eve something apple. Ya know?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 12, 2015, 01:03:02 AM
Quote from: Cainad (dec.) on March 12, 2015, 01:00:47 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 11, 2015, 07:25:02 PM
It's not an internationally famous prestigious brain imaging lab. I feel a little weird turning down a spot in an internationally famous brain imaging science lab, with a scientist who won the Presidential Award, at one of the nation's most prominent and well-funded brain research facilities, in order to work in a completely obscure and underfunded basement lab full of snakes. :lol:

But for some reason, I am convinced that this is the right avenue for me.

Snakes are ALWAYS correct.

Something something Tree of Knowledge something, Eve something apple. Ya know?

GOOD POINT.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on March 13, 2015, 02:30:10 AM
So...I got a distinction for my last essay.

Even though I handed it three days late, and had virtually no discussion regarding the definition of terrorism in regards to the topic at hand. 

My professor was actually slightly obnoxious in how much he praised the piece, the feedback was full of stuff like "excellent piece of work that answers the essay question in quite some detail and in an utterly convincing, thoughtful fashion by way of a high-level, critical and nuanced analysis" and "[list of case examples] all in one dense paragraph that alone drove home the point that you've done your homework, and a lot of background reading on top of that." and "your section on the Jewish Resistance is equally convincing – and equally well supported by interesting historical details as a basis for a high-level argumentation."[/list]
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 13, 2015, 01:33:27 PM
That's awesome! Your work deserves recognition.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on March 13, 2015, 02:53:03 PM
Thanks.  I'm just kinda amazed that this is my best marked paper - that indeed, the professor in question had no criticisms beyond it being handed in late.  I thought it was...well, not a big bag of shit, but not so far off.  I definitely rushed elements of it, and the low word count made things even more difficult for dealing with the complexities of the issues - complexities I side-stepped in favour of going into the historical side more.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on March 19, 2015, 07:22:08 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 11, 2015, 07:20:38 PM
I AM GOING TO BRAIN SCIENCE WITH SNAKES!!!

:batman:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 31, 2015, 02:07:47 AM
Quote from: Don Coyote on March 19, 2015, 07:22:08 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 11, 2015, 07:20:38 PM
I AM GOING TO BRAIN SCIENCE WITH SNAKES!!!

:batman:

:lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 31, 2015, 02:10:57 AM
I think I may have found my subfield.

http://www.academia.edu/5345332/Microbial_Genes_Brain_and_Behaviour_-_Epigenetic_Regulation_of_the_Gut-Brain_Axis

Research in this arena is sure to continue apace as I work on my PhD, opening significant space for investigating potential GE microbe therapies for mood and cognitive disorders, thus merging all of my interests.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on March 31, 2015, 06:08:50 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 31, 2015, 02:10:57 AM
I think I may have found my subfield.

http://www.academia.edu/5345332/Microbial_Genes_Brain_and_Behaviour_-_Epigenetic_Regulation_of_the_Gut-Brain_Axis

Research in this arena is sure to continue apace as I work on my PhD, opening significant space for investigating potential GE microbe therapies for mood and cognitive disorders, thus merging all of my interests.
downloading and pinting for later reading.
Now I'm registered for an academic site as an independent researcher!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 31, 2015, 06:13:11 AM
Quote from: Reginald Ret on March 31, 2015, 06:08:50 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 31, 2015, 02:10:57 AM
I think I may have found my subfield.

http://www.academia.edu/5345332/Microbial_Genes_Brain_and_Behaviour_-_Epigenetic_Regulation_of_the_Gut-Brain_Axis

Research in this arena is sure to continue apace as I work on my PhD, opening significant space for investigating potential GE microbe therapies for mood and cognitive disorders, thus merging all of my interests.
downloading and pinting for later reading.
Now I'm registered for an academic site as an independent researcher!

Haha, yay!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 01, 2015, 05:06:32 AM
Sooooo

for some reason, professors from two of my four classes have decided that it's completely reasonable to give homework with a two-day timeline the first week of classes.

I don't mind getting an assignment the first week. What I mind is the presumption that I have NOTHING ELSE AT ALL to do, let alone three other classes, in a two-day span.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 10, 2015, 07:07:38 AM
I'm having myself a fine old freak-out over the fact that I haven't had my 2015 scholarship renewal approved yet.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on April 10, 2015, 08:01:55 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 10, 2015, 07:07:38 AM
I'm having myself a fine old freak-out over the fact that I haven't had my 2015 scholarship renewal approved yet.
Ouch, (you will be fine.)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 10, 2015, 05:02:57 PM
The financial aid liaison still hasn't replied to my email from Wednesday, either.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 10, 2015, 05:03:54 PM
FREAKING OUT
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on April 10, 2015, 05:48:54 PM
Stupid humans.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on April 10, 2015, 11:58:28 PM
Instead of studying, I've been learning how to mod, so I can entirely eliminate Frostbite spiders from any future game of Skyrim I play.

I feel this is a valuable use of my spare time.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Eater of Clowns on April 11, 2015, 02:30:37 AM
Quote from: Cain on April 10, 2015, 11:58:28 PM
Instead of studying, I've been learning how to mod, so I can entirely eliminate Frostbite spiders from any future game of Skyrim I play.

I feel this is a valuable use of my spare time.

Figure out how to mod them into IRL.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on April 11, 2015, 03:04:58 AM
That's easy.  All you need is a dog, some furs, and some tree branches, paint them white, and then tie them to the dog. Instant Frostbite Spider!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on April 11, 2015, 05:01:34 AM
Quote from: Cain on April 11, 2015, 03:04:58 AM
That's easy.  All you need is a dog, some furs, and some tree branches, paint them white, and then tie them to the dog. Instant Frostbite Spider!

That kid was an asshole. :lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on April 11, 2015, 05:26:55 AM
If you kill his parents, you can adopt him.

And then Fus Ro Dah him off a cliff.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 11, 2015, 07:05:54 AM
Quote from: Cain on April 10, 2015, 11:58:28 PM
Instead of studying, I've been learning how to mod, so I can entirely eliminate Frostbite spiders from any future game of Skyrim I play.

I feel this is a valuable use of my spare time.

:lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 13, 2015, 06:11:28 PM
So, as absolutely much as I am glad I went to Borneo and feel incredibly fortunate about getting to go, the lack of a break between terms seems to have sapped my enthusiasm for school.

I just don't have the fire in me this term.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2015, 06:31:45 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 13, 2015, 06:11:28 PM
So, as absolutely much as I am glad I went to Borneo and feel incredibly fortunate about getting to go, the lack of a break between terms seems to have sapped my enthusiasm for school.

I just don't have the fire in me this term.

Sounds like you're worn to a nub.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on April 13, 2015, 06:37:44 PM
It happens.  I know by the end of my four years at Uni, despite learning some incredibly cool shit (Geopolitics, ethics in conflict, MOAR terrorism), I was also just looking forward to it all being over.  Shut up and give me my credentials.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 13, 2015, 10:00:15 PM
I hope I get some kind of second wind or last gasp, I have a year left. I do get a breather at the end of this term, at least.

I love cell bio but I just can't seem to sit down and read this book. I have about 70 pages this week which is really only ten pages a day if you think about it, and every time I sit down with it I get uncontrollably sleepy.

I'm supposed to draw and label a left sagittal brain view for cognitive neuroscience, and that should sound fun but it just doesn't and fuuuuuuuck I want a nap.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 13, 2015, 10:01:52 PM
Another possibility is that it could be the doxycycline. I only have two more weeks on it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2015, 10:13:17 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 13, 2015, 10:01:52 PM
Another possibility is that it could be the doxycycline. I only have two more weeks on it.

"It's never the drugs, Dok."
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 13, 2015, 10:15:44 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2015, 10:13:17 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 13, 2015, 10:01:52 PM
Another possibility is that it could be the doxycycline. I only have two more weeks on it.

"It's never the drugs, Dok."

:lol:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 13, 2015, 10:17:55 PM
Only problem is that in those two weeks, I have to apply for a grant program that would pay for my lab research, and write a paper about insect diversity in North Borneo, as well as all the midterms.

Seriously thinking about quitting the doxy. The quandary is, if I was exposed to malaria quitting before the course is run could mean I develop it.

But I probably wasn't exposed.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2015, 10:20:19 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 13, 2015, 10:17:55 PM
Only problem is that in those two weeks, I have to apply for a grant program that would pay for my lab research, and write a paper about insect diversity in North Borneo, as well as all the midterms.

Seriously thinking about quitting the doxy. The quandary is, if I was exposed to malaria quitting before the course is run could mean I develop it.

But I probably wasn't exposed.

Malaria is like herpes, though.  Once it's dug in, it's in.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 13, 2015, 10:28:01 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on April 13, 2015, 10:20:19 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 13, 2015, 10:17:55 PM
Only problem is that in those two weeks, I have to apply for a grant program that would pay for my lab research, and write a paper about insect diversity in North Borneo, as well as all the midterms.

Seriously thinking about quitting the doxy. The quandary is, if I was exposed to malaria quitting before the course is run could mean I develop it.

But I probably wasn't exposed.

Malaria is like herpes, though.  Once it's dug in, it's in.

Ugh.

I guess I'll stay on the stuff. But I hate it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Zenpatista on April 14, 2015, 05:16:26 AM
Quote from: Choppas an' Sluggas on September 09, 2014, 12:13:30 AM
Here's a few pictures of the campus I'm going to: 
(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpsomas.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F07%2Ffac-education_Pima-Community-College.jpg&f=1)

(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pima.edu%2Fcampuses-centers%2Fimages%2Fnwc-small-slide.jpg&f=1)

(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fazbex.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F06%2FPima-Community-College-New-Building.jpg&f=1)

Since it's up in Oro Valley, they've made sure to put pretty plants and rocks next to the road and all around the place, all perfectly just so and "wild" looking.

Hey I taught two semesters of chemistry at that campus many years ago. It was my first time as an adjunct.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 15, 2015, 05:59:35 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 14, 2015, 05:16:26 AM
Quote from: Choppas an' Sluggas on September 09, 2014, 12:13:30 AM
Here's a few pictures of the campus I'm going to: 
(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpsomas.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F07%2Ffac-education_Pima-Community-College.jpg&f=1)

(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pima.edu%2Fcampuses-centers%2Fimages%2Fnwc-small-slide.jpg&f=1)

(https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fazbex.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F06%2FPima-Community-College-New-Building.jpg&f=1)

Since it's up in Oro Valley, they've made sure to put pretty plants and rocks next to the road and all around the place, all perfectly just so and "wild" looking.

Hey I taught two semesters of chemistry at that campus many years ago. It was my first time as an adjunct.

Ooooh, is this back when adjunct professors still made enough to keep them above the poverty line??
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Zenpatista on April 17, 2015, 01:20:55 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 15, 2015, 05:59:35 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 14, 2015, 05:16:26 AM
Quote from: Choppas an' Sluggas on September 09, 2014, 12:13:30 AM
Here's a few pictures of the campus I'm going to: 

Since it's up in Oro Valley, they've made sure to put pretty plants and rocks next to the road and all around the place, all perfectly just so and "wild" looking.

Hey I taught two semesters of chemistry at that campus many years ago. It was my first time as an adjunct.

Ooooh, is this back when adjunct professors still made enough to keep them above the poverty line??

Not really. $3.2k for 4 credits. It was good work experience and they were organized about it. But it was weird being 1 of 10-20 adjuncts in a department with only 2 full time faculty.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on April 17, 2015, 04:24:27 AM
One more essay to go.  Then dissertation time.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 17, 2015, 07:16:42 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 17, 2015, 01:20:55 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 15, 2015, 05:59:35 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 14, 2015, 05:16:26 AM
Quote from: Choppas an' Sluggas on September 09, 2014, 12:13:30 AM
Here's a few pictures of the campus I'm going to: 

Since it's up in Oro Valley, they've made sure to put pretty plants and rocks next to the road and all around the place, all perfectly just so and "wild" looking.

Hey I taught two semesters of chemistry at that campus many years ago. It was my first time as an adjunct.

Ooooh, is this back when adjunct professors still made enough to keep them above the poverty line??

Not really. $3.2k for 4 credits. It was good work experience and they were organized about it. But it was weird being 1 of 10-20 adjuncts in a department with only 2 full time faculty.

But I don't know how long ago it was, or how much time 4 credits is worth in your university system. If you're talking the equivalent of Oregon in 1971, that's a pretty tidy sum.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 17, 2015, 07:18:24 AM
So my funders are under the impression that I only took 16 credits last term. Not sure whether this affects me or not.

More paperwork.  :kingmeh:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Zenpatista on April 17, 2015, 02:14:27 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 17, 2015, 07:16:42 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 17, 2015, 01:20:55 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 15, 2015, 05:59:35 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 14, 2015, 05:16:26 AM
Quote from: Choppas an' Sluggas on September 09, 2014, 12:13:30 AM
Here's a few pictures of the campus I'm going to: 

Since it's up in Oro Valley, they've made sure to put pretty plants and rocks next to the road and all around the place, all perfectly just so and "wild" looking.

Hey I taught two semesters of chemistry at that campus many years ago. It was my first time as an adjunct.

Ooooh, is this back when adjunct professors still made enough to keep them above the poverty line??

Not really. $3.2k for 4 credits. It was good work experience and they were organized about it. But it was weird being 1 of 10-20 adjuncts in a department with only 2 full time faculty.

But I don't know how long ago it was, or how much time 4 credits is worth in your university system. If you're talking the equivalent of Oregon in 1971, that's a pretty tidy sum.

It was about 7 years ago. It wasn't great pay but it helped keep the family comfortable. Four credits were for a typical lecture+laboratory 15-week course. I taught second semester gen. chem. there and most of the students were hoping to transfer the credit to a 4 year degree. I gather you're in a 10-week system?

Good luck with your paperwork!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 17, 2015, 04:02:50 PM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 17, 2015, 02:14:27 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 17, 2015, 07:16:42 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 17, 2015, 01:20:55 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 15, 2015, 05:59:35 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 14, 2015, 05:16:26 AM
Quote from: Choppas an' Sluggas on September 09, 2014, 12:13:30 AM
Here's a few pictures of the campus I'm going to: 

Since it's up in Oro Valley, they've made sure to put pretty plants and rocks next to the road and all around the place, all perfectly just so and "wild" looking.

Hey I taught two semesters of chemistry at that campus many years ago. It was my first time as an adjunct.

Ooooh, is this back when adjunct professors still made enough to keep them above the poverty line??

Not really. $3.2k for 4 credits. It was good work experience and they were organized about it. But it was weird being 1 of 10-20 adjuncts in a department with only 2 full time faculty.

But I don't know how long ago it was, or how much time 4 credits is worth in your university system. If you're talking the equivalent of Oregon in 1971, that's a pretty tidy sum.

It was about 7 years ago. It wasn't great pay but it helped keep the family comfortable. Four credits were for a typical lecture+laboratory 15-week course. I taught second semester gen. chem. there and most of the students were hoping to transfer the credit to a 4 year degree. I gather you're in a 10-week system?

Good luck with your paperwork!

Yes, quarter system. I hate quarters. A 4-credit course is your typical undergraduate lecture course, genchem is 5 credits with lab, ochem is 6 credits with lab.

Paperwork will be fine, just irritating. Thanks!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Zenpatista on April 17, 2015, 04:17:46 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 17, 2015, 04:02:50 PM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 17, 2015, 02:14:27 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 17, 2015, 07:16:42 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 17, 2015, 01:20:55 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 15, 2015, 05:59:35 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 14, 2015, 05:16:26 AM
Quote from: Choppas an' Sluggas on September 09, 2014, 12:13:30 AM
Here's a few pictures of the campus I'm going to: 

Since it's up in Oro Valley, they've made sure to put pretty plants and rocks next to the road and all around the place, all perfectly just so and "wild" looking.

Hey I taught two semesters of chemistry at that campus many years ago. It was my first time as an adjunct.

Ooooh, is this back when adjunct professors still made enough to keep them above the poverty line??

Not really. $3.2k for 4 credits. It was good work experience and they were organized about it. But it was weird being 1 of 10-20 adjuncts in a department with only 2 full time faculty.

But I don't know how long ago it was, or how much time 4 credits is worth in your university system. If you're talking the equivalent of Oregon in 1971, that's a pretty tidy sum.

It was about 7 years ago. It wasn't great pay but it helped keep the family comfortable. Four credits were for a typical lecture+laboratory 15-week course. I taught second semester gen. chem. there and most of the students were hoping to transfer the credit to a 4 year degree. I gather you're in a 10-week system?

Good luck with your paperwork!

Yes, quarter system. I hate quarters. A 4-credit course is your typical undergraduate lecture course, genchem is 5 credits with lab, ochem is 6 credits with lab.

Paperwork will be fine, just irritating. Thanks!

Were you ever in the semester system? I had to figure out quarters when I moved to CA for schooling. It took me a while to get used to it. I think I like the semesters better.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 17, 2015, 04:25:02 PM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 17, 2015, 04:17:46 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 17, 2015, 04:02:50 PM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 17, 2015, 02:14:27 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 17, 2015, 07:16:42 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 17, 2015, 01:20:55 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 15, 2015, 05:59:35 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on April 14, 2015, 05:16:26 AM
Quote from: Choppas an' Sluggas on September 09, 2014, 12:13:30 AM
Here's a few pictures of the campus I'm going to: 

Since it's up in Oro Valley, they've made sure to put pretty plants and rocks next to the road and all around the place, all perfectly just so and "wild" looking.

Hey I taught two semesters of chemistry at that campus many years ago. It was my first time as an adjunct.

Ooooh, is this back when adjunct professors still made enough to keep them above the poverty line??

Not really. $3.2k for 4 credits. It was good work experience and they were organized about it. But it was weird being 1 of 10-20 adjuncts in a department with only 2 full time faculty.

But I don't know how long ago it was, or how much time 4 credits is worth in your university system. If you're talking the equivalent of Oregon in 1971, that's a pretty tidy sum.

It was about 7 years ago. It wasn't great pay but it helped keep the family comfortable. Four credits were for a typical lecture+laboratory 15-week course. I taught second semester gen. chem. there and most of the students were hoping to transfer the credit to a 4 year degree. I gather you're in a 10-week system?

Good luck with your paperwork!

Yes, quarter system. I hate quarters. A 4-credit course is your typical undergraduate lecture course, genchem is 5 credits with lab, ochem is 6 credits with lab.

Paperwork will be fine, just irritating. Thanks!

Were you ever in the semester system? I had to figure out quarters when I moved to CA for schooling. It took me a while to get used to it. I think I like the semesters better.

Nope. I just can't seem to help noticing that all the textbooks are written for semesters, which means that we typically rush through them while glossing over some stuff and leaving other things out entirely (insert running joke about skipping chapter 9).

It tends to work fine for any classes that are taught as full-year sequences, because 3 quarters is the same as two semesters. But for ANYTHING ELSE it sucks ass. Molecular bio was nightmarish.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 17, 2015, 04:33:09 PM
Argh I need to do many things! So many things! Sigh.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on April 17, 2015, 04:51:43 PM
Final essay for May 8th.  Fortunately, I have some time off coming up, and it's not a long one, and its on a topic dear to my heart (far-right terrorism).

And then, assuming I get the score I want, the dissertation.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 19, 2015, 04:34:25 AM
Quote from: Cain on April 17, 2015, 04:51:43 PM
Final essay for May 8th.  Fortunately, I have some time off coming up, and it's not a long one, and its on a topic dear to my heart (far-right terrorism).

And then, assuming I get the score I want, the dissertation.

SWEEET.

I, too, have an essay due May 8. Which I should really start work on sometime this week.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 19, 2015, 04:38:26 AM
Today I applied for a program that, if I get in, will make me eligible for funding that would pay me a wage for the time I spend in the lab working on my neurogenesis project, which would be awesome because that would make me that much more likely to have a publishable paper by the end of next year.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞ on April 19, 2015, 06:05:31 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 19, 2015, 04:38:26 AM
Today I applied for a program that, if I get in, will make me eligible for funding that would pay me a wage for the time I spend in the lab working on my neurogenesis project, which would be awesome because that would make me that much more likely to have a publishable paper by the end of next year.


Nice! I hope you get it!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 19, 2015, 07:20:08 AM
Thank you! I think my chances are good. I also think I might accidentally have gotten roped into a project with the Cognitive Neuroscience professor, which isn't exactly bad but I don't know if I really have time for it. I'm really interested in the history of Nissl staining and how this method, which first enabled us to visualize the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum over a hundred years ago, is still vital to labs using the most state-of-the-art methods imaginable when they're imaging tissues. It's incredible. But that doesn't necessarily mean I should give a presentation on it.

Nonetheless, Franz Nissl was also a bit of a prankster. I'm glad his legacy lives on.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 23, 2015, 03:44:46 AM
I'm studying for tomorrow's midterm and typing up my notes from class. I don't know if I've mentioned how much I love endoplasmic reticulum and the whole ribosome thing, really.

So a little ribosome is chugging along out in the cytoplasm, and it finds a bit of RNA so it latches on and starts cranking out a protein, and at the N-terminus of that protein, there's a signal sequence that says it's meant for the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Just as the protein starts snaking out of the ribosome, a signal recognition particle comes up behind it and gives it a little cuddle

a creepy little cuddle

saying "Shhhh baby, don't do that. Not here. Not now" and puts its hand over the extrusion site for the protein.

And then they just wait like that in a silent embrace, floating in the cytoplasm, until diffusion takes them to the rough endoplasmic reticulum, where a signal recognition particle receptor binds them and the signal recognition particle shoves the ribosome onto a translocator and says "Do it there!" and then the ribosome finishes pooping the protein directly into the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on April 23, 2015, 04:52:16 AM
I want to learn biology the Nigel way. 
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 23, 2015, 05:00:44 AM
Maybe later in my career I will start writing textbooks.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on April 23, 2015, 06:06:05 AM
Quote from: Cain on April 11, 2015, 05:26:55 AM
If you kill his parents, you can adopt him.

And then Fus Ro Dah him off a cliff.

oh my god thats amazing and i have to try it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on April 23, 2015, 06:08:00 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 23, 2015, 03:44:46 AM
I'm studying for tomorrow's midterm and typing up my notes from class. I don't know if I've mentioned how much I love endoplasmic reticulum and the whole ribosome thing, really.

So a little ribosome is chugging along out in the cytoplasm, and it finds a bit of RNA so it latches on and starts cranking out a protein, and at the N-terminus of that protein, there's a signal sequence that says it's meant for the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Just as the protein starts snaking out of the ribosome, a signal recognition particle comes up behind it and gives it a little cuddle

a creepy little cuddle

saying "Shhhh baby, don't do that. Not here. Not now" and puts its hand over the extrusion site for the protein.

And then they just wait like that in a silent embrace, floating in the cytoplasm, until diffusion takes them to the rough endoplasmic reticulum, where a signal recognition particle receptor binds them and the signal recognition particle shoves the ribosome onto a translocator and says "Do it there!" and then the ribosome finishes pooping the protein directly into the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

That's the most hilarious and disturbing way I've heard cellular processes described.  Ever.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 25, 2015, 05:24:28 AM
So for some reason for next week my cognitive neuroscience professor decided that it was a completely good idea to assign one chapter, six papers, and a 40-minute Youtube video to us. :kingmeh:

I'm not talking about nice tidy little 14-page papers, either. http://jn.physiology.org/content/106/3/1125

That's just a goddamn dick move.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 28, 2015, 12:07:51 AM
It's the beginning of the end.

The Fall schedule came out. I'm in a lab, eligible for research credits, and solid to start my own project and move forward with a thesis. Looks like I'll be taking Microbio with my beloved Dr. Reysenbach this fall, along with either Sleep & Dreaming or Psychopathology, which will be my last psych class. After that, everything will be an upper-division bio elective, or an Other Science elective.

I need to check with my advisor about how these research credits are going to affect my degree, because I might end up graduating a term earlier than planned if I collect four per term just for working in the lab.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 28, 2015, 12:08:20 AM
Oh and it's time to start stressing out about the GRE and grad school applications.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on April 28, 2015, 12:55:19 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 28, 2015, 12:08:20 AM
Oh and it's time to start stressing out about the GRE and grad school applications.

I almost had a breakdown over that in December after I graduated. I'm not even sure I want to go anymore.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cainad (dec.) on April 28, 2015, 03:04:49 AM
Even though I was learning super fun stuff in the last two years, school was making me not really want to be alive anymore towards the end.

You're definitely doing a lot better than I did, you'll be fine. Kick everything's ass.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 29, 2015, 07:28:53 AM
Quote from: Don Coyote on April 28, 2015, 12:55:19 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 28, 2015, 12:08:20 AM
Oh and it's time to start stressing out about the GRE and grad school applications.

I almost had a breakdown over that in December after I graduated. I'm not even sure I want to go anymore.

I'm going to take the GRE over the summer, when I am literally taking only one class that counts.

And then I'll have until January 1 to get my shit together for grad school applications.  :horrormirth:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 29, 2015, 07:29:51 AM
Quote from: Cainad (dec.) on April 28, 2015, 03:04:49 AM
Even though I was learning super fun stuff in the last two years, school was making me not really want to be alive anymore towards the end.

You're definitely doing a lot better than I did, you'll be fine. Kick everything's ass.

I have gotten really lucky and fallen in with a group of supernerds who are all about the neuroscience, which is really helpful in terms of making me not want to die.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Zenpatista on May 01, 2015, 01:16:54 AM
GRE and grad applications?  :horrormirth: Good luck with that guys. I applied to 4, heard back from 3 and visited 2 before I settled. I do not want to go through any of that again. On the other hand, my happy place is going back to grad school - this time for marine biology - learning scuba, and studying manta rays.

I'm glad the semester is about over. My last discussion section was today. Now I have 18 presentations and papers to grade and two finals to proctor (and possibly partially grade).
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 01, 2015, 07:12:29 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on May 01, 2015, 01:16:54 AM
GRE and grad applications?  :horrormirth: Good luck with that guys. I applied to 4, heard back from 3 and visited 2 before I settled. I do not want to go through any of that again. On the other hand, my happy place is going back to grad school - this time for marine biology - learning scuba, and studying manta rays.

I'm glad the semester is about over. My last discussion section was today. Now I have 18 presentations and papers to grade and two finals to proctor (and possibly partially grade).

Marine biology sounds delightful!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 05, 2015, 01:37:01 AM
So my scientific ethics professor, although undeniably brilliant (I've seen her research... I don't understand it, she deals in making things fluoresce that don't normally fluoresce, like silicon) and eminently likable, clearly doesn't have time for teaching this class. Two of the six essays I'm supposed to peer-review this week are nowhere to be found. I emailed her, and I KNOW that she was online because I could see her tinkering with the class page, but no response, no essays.

OK, well, I guess that if I don't get them, I'm only reviewing four.  :lol:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on May 05, 2015, 02:06:20 AM
X-posts from FB, where I'm posting tidbits of my research for this final paper before the dissertation:

QuoteOK, final essay before dissertation time: "Lone wolves "and far right terrorism. I only regret I have such a low word limit to discuss this topic, as I was pretty well versed on it even before I signed up to the course.

QuoteOh boy, time to read 2083: A European Declaration of Independence again. It was bad enough reading this shit first time around, when I was arguing with the counterjihadists on their blogs. The second time, in the aftermath of the Oslo attacks was definitely more vomit-inducing, though.

QuoteHeh. The concept of leaderless resistance was originally coined by paranoid right wingers afraid of Communist invasion. Inevitably, the concept was turned against the "internal enemy" as said invasion failed to materialise and those on the extreme fringes realised there was no mass base for popular action.

If only we had some kind of pithy name for this sort of process, like "the Gladio delusion" or similar.

QuoteHeh, it gets even better. The actual originator of the "leaderless resistance" paper was a former OSS officer, Col. Ulius Amoss. Interesting CV....station chief and assassin recruiter in Cairo, then some CIA work, then "unofficial cover" working with the Cubans.

He was pissed that the KGB kept capturing American spies behind the Iron Curtain...which if I remember my espionage history correctly, was because the Nazis recruited by the Office of Policy Coordination (the CIA's predecessor) were already double agents and feeding back information to Moscow.

So he came up with a theory which was only needed because of Nazis, which then went on to be adopted by Neo-Nazis. Funny how that works out.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 05, 2015, 02:57:55 AM
 :lulz: So I take it that your paper is going to be a bit scathing?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on May 05, 2015, 03:06:03 AM
Sadly it's just an analysis, this paper.  As interesting as that is, it mostly falls out of the remit of the question, but I've put the relevant links in the footnotes, so anyone who is actually interested can find out about the whole thing.  I know the professor for this module has a personal interest in far right terrorism, he's from Germany and its what he originally studied while over there (in the field, I mean), so he may find that interesting. 

Incidentally I know about that whole sordid affair with the turned Nazi intelligence agents because of a very good book by a former State Department official who was a "Nazi Hunter" of a sort.  He's known for having very close links to Israeli intelligence who, I suspect, were none too pleased about the Office of Policy Coordination shielding wanted war criminals guilty of slaughtering Jewish civilians.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 12:16:00 AM
Got 88% on my Cognitive Neuroscience midterm, evidently because I didn't use enough bullshit jargon terms, and also apparently because I needed to explain the words "mechanism" and "stable".

I don't even want to talk to him, he's a senile dinosaur trapped in a mire of psychology jargon. He keeps talking about how cognitive neuroscience needs a "grand unified theory" and I want to dropkick him and his whole class and shit on them from a great height.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 12:16:51 AM
I am honestly not even sure he understands what I wrote my essays about.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Vanadium Gryllz on May 06, 2015, 09:08:06 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 12:16:00 AM
Got 88% on my Cognitive Neuroscience midterm, evidently because I didn't use enough bullshit jargon terms, and also apparently because I needed to explain the words "mechanism" and "stable".

I don't even want to talk to him, he's a senile dinosaur trapped in a mire of psychology jargon. He keeps talking about how cognitive neuroscience needs a "grand unified theory" and I want to dropkick him and his whole class and shit on them from a great height.

Isn't 88% good? What are the grade boundaries?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on May 06, 2015, 10:31:50 AM
Quote from: Xaz on May 06, 2015, 09:08:06 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 12:16:00 AM
Got 88% on my Cognitive Neuroscience midterm, evidently because I didn't use enough bullshit jargon terms, and also apparently because I needed to explain the words "mechanism" and "stable".

I don't even want to talk to him, he's a senile dinosaur trapped in a mire of psychology jargon. He keeps talking about how cognitive neuroscience needs a "grand unified theory" and I want to dropkick him and his whole class and shit on them from a great height.

Isn't 88% good? What are the grade boundaries?
The reasons for the point deductions were bullshit though.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 04:00:13 PM
Quote from: Xaz on May 06, 2015, 09:08:06 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 12:16:00 AM
Got 88% on my Cognitive Neuroscience midterm, evidently because I didn't use enough bullshit jargon terms, and also apparently because I needed to explain the words "mechanism" and "stable".

I don't even want to talk to him, he's a senile dinosaur trapped in a mire of psychology jargon. He keeps talking about how cognitive neuroscience needs a "grand unified theory" and I want to dropkick him and his whole class and shit on them from a great height.

Isn't 88% good? What are the grade boundaries?

The usual, above 90% is an A.

However, I have no problem accepting a B if I earned a B. The problem I have is that my essays were completely sound and he marked me down only because I failed (read, refused) to use his pet jargon words, many of which I'm pretty sure he made up himself.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 04:00:37 PM
Quote from: Reginald Ret on May 06, 2015, 10:31:50 AM
Quote from: Xaz on May 06, 2015, 09:08:06 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 12:16:00 AM
Got 88% on my Cognitive Neuroscience midterm, evidently because I didn't use enough bullshit jargon terms, and also apparently because I needed to explain the words "mechanism" and "stable".

I don't even want to talk to him, he's a senile dinosaur trapped in a mire of psychology jargon. He keeps talking about how cognitive neuroscience needs a "grand unified theory" and I want to dropkick him and his whole class and shit on them from a great height.

Isn't 88% good? What are the grade boundaries?
The reasons for the point deductions were bullshit though.

Yes.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on May 06, 2015, 09:08:40 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 04:00:37 PM
Quote from: Reginald Ret on May 06, 2015, 10:31:50 AM
Quote from: Xaz on May 06, 2015, 09:08:06 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 12:16:00 AM
Got 88% on my Cognitive Neuroscience midterm, evidently because I didn't use enough bullshit jargon terms, and also apparently because I needed to explain the words "mechanism" and "stable".

I don't even want to talk to him, he's a senile dinosaur trapped in a mire of psychology jargon. He keeps talking about how cognitive neuroscience needs a "grand unified theory" and I want to dropkick him and his whole class and shit on them from a great height.

Isn't 88% good? What are the grade boundaries?
The reasons for the point deductions were bullshit though.

Yes.
I can only imagine a very limited set of situations in which "mechanism" has to be explained, and even then it would only be necessary if the reader is somehow incapable of using context clues.
I am not aware of any confusing or contradictory definitions of "stable", unless he was thinking of the building with horses?
Other than that, fuck jargon. If you can explain it using simple words, good. that means you not only "know", but also "understand".


*Know: This concept indicates absorbing but not necessarily understanding data.
**Understand: This concept indicates a deeper insight in the intricacies of the subject matter, it usually allows the 'understanding' subject to apply knowledge in unusual ways. Compare "Grok".
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 11:09:41 PM
Quote from: Reginald Ret on May 06, 2015, 09:08:40 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 04:00:37 PM
Quote from: Reginald Ret on May 06, 2015, 10:31:50 AM
Quote from: Xaz on May 06, 2015, 09:08:06 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 12:16:00 AM
Got 88% on my Cognitive Neuroscience midterm, evidently because I didn't use enough bullshit jargon terms, and also apparently because I needed to explain the words "mechanism" and "stable".

I don't even want to talk to him, he's a senile dinosaur trapped in a mire of psychology jargon. He keeps talking about how cognitive neuroscience needs a "grand unified theory" and I want to dropkick him and his whole class and shit on them from a great height.

Isn't 88% good? What are the grade boundaries?
The reasons for the point deductions were bullshit though.

Yes.
I can only imagine a very limited set of situations in which "mechanism" has to be explained, and even then it would only be necessary if the reader is somehow incapable of using context clues.
I am not aware of any confusing or contradictory definitions of "stable", unless he was thinking of the building with horses?
Other than that, fuck jargon. If you can explain it using simple words, good. that means you not only "know", but also "understand".


*Know: This concept indicates absorbing but not necessarily understanding data.
**Understand: This concept indicates a deeper insight in the intricacies of the subject matter, it usually allows the 'understanding' subject to apply knowledge in unusual ways. Compare "Grok".

:lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 11:55:06 PM
Now I feel like going into his office and offering alternate explanations for those words, just to rub in how completely ridiculous he is.

But actually, it looks like instead my Scientific Ethics professor is going to let me use him for my term project case study, so in the end, I win.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on May 07, 2015, 07:22:04 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 06, 2015, 11:55:06 PM
Now I feel like going into his office and offering alternate explanations for those words, just to rub in how completely ridiculous he is.

But actually, it looks like instead my Scientific Ethics professor is going to let me use him for my term project case study, so in the end, I win.
Yay for winning!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on May 08, 2015, 03:20:44 AM
Final essay (barring dissertation) sent.

Now I can kick back and concentrate on the important things: sleep.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 08, 2015, 08:18:01 AM
Quote from: Cain on May 08, 2015, 03:20:44 AM
Final essay (barring dissertation) sent.

Now I can kick back and concentrate on the important things: sleep.

Oh the beautiful magic of sleep.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on May 15, 2015, 11:48:48 PM
Blargh, half a point off a distinction grade in my Al-Qaeda paper.

I probably could have got it, if I had not farted it out in the two weeks before the due date.  It occurs to me if I ever actually sit down and plan my work consistently ahead of time, I'd be pretty fucking awesome.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 16, 2015, 03:06:51 AM
Quote from: Cain on May 15, 2015, 11:48:48 PM
Blargh, half a point off a distinction grade in my Al-Qaeda paper.

I probably could have got it, if I had not farted it out in the two weeks before the due date.  It occurs to me if I ever actually sit down and plan my work consistently ahead of time, I'd be pretty fucking awesome.

I am having a similar feeling this term.

I'm usually good at getting things done waaay early, but this term, not so much. Burnout I guess.

I also decided to go ahead and apply for the MD/PhD program, and I have an appointment on the 27th to talk to them about it. This is totally stressing me out but I know it's the right decision, even though this now means that I have to take a full year of physics, which means that I made this decision in absolutely the nick of time. Also due to some weird prereq mismatch I have to take a math placement test, which I am trying not to think about until after Finals.

After Finals, I brush up on math, take the GRE and the MCAT, and start working on my application. I have letters of recommendation from the director of the School of Public Health, the director of the Honors College, and as long as I don't fuck up, the lab I work in. If my test scores are high enough and I keep my grades where they are now and also somehow give a convincing interview, I think I have a very very good chance at getting in.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on May 16, 2015, 01:38:14 PM
Our system sounds so much more...relaxed than yours.  Like, my application was literally my academic transcripts, an essay and proof of ID/basic personal information.  And prerequisites are basically "is your course one of X degree courses strongly correlated with this field of study"?  No interview.  No having to take classes (aside from a refresher course on academic plaigarism, which was a requirement for everyone).

Still waiting to hear back on that last essay, but I suspect it wont be entirely terrible...and even if it is, average score grade should drag it up to something respectable.  Then I can dissertate and look at how I can fund a PhD.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cuddlefish on May 17, 2015, 01:40:27 PM
Graduation today. Nothing sounds more fun than hours in the sun and humidity in a silly black dress.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 18, 2015, 02:01:23 AM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 17, 2015, 01:40:27 PM
Graduation today. Nothing sounds more fun than hours in the sun and humidity in a silly black dress.

Congratulations, Mister College Degree Having Man!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 18, 2015, 02:03:33 AM
Quote from: Cain on May 16, 2015, 01:38:14 PM
Our system sounds so much more...relaxed than yours.  Like, my application was literally my academic transcripts, an essay and proof of ID/basic personal information.  And prerequisites are basically "is your course one of X degree courses strongly correlated with this field of study"?  No interview.  No having to take classes (aside from a refresher course on academic plaigarism, which was a requirement for everyone).

Still waiting to hear back on that last essay, but I suspect it wont be entirely terrible...and even if it is, average score grade should drag it up to something respectable.  Then I can dissertate and look at how I can fund a PhD.

I has envy.

The extra classes and one of the tests are for the medical school part, because to mess about with people's physical health you have to have a year of all three physical sciences. But I can make it work.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 02:52:08 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 18, 2015, 02:01:23 AM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 17, 2015, 01:40:27 PM
Graduation today. Nothing sounds more fun than hours in the sun and humidity in a silly black dress.

Congratulations, Mister College Degree Having Man!

Thanks! Graduated Summa cum laude! After years of being a degenerate criminal! COGNITIVE DISSONANCE FTW
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 18, 2015, 03:22:09 AM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 02:52:08 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 18, 2015, 02:01:23 AM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 17, 2015, 01:40:27 PM
Graduation today. Nothing sounds more fun than hours in the sun and humidity in a silly black dress.

Congratulations, Mister College Degree Having Man!

Thanks! Graduated Summa cum laude! After years of being a degenerate criminal! COGNITIVE DISSONANCE FTW

Whoa.  Congratulations.

Don't let the other punk rockers find out.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 18, 2015, 05:58:03 AM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 02:52:08 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 18, 2015, 02:01:23 AM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 17, 2015, 01:40:27 PM
Graduation today. Nothing sounds more fun than hours in the sun and humidity in a silly black dress.

Congratulations, Mister College Degree Having Man!

Thanks! Graduated Summa cum laude! After years of being a degenerate criminal! COGNITIVE DISSONANCE FTW

That is bad ass!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: EK WAFFLR on May 18, 2015, 09:30:46 AM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 02:52:08 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 18, 2015, 02:01:23 AM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 17, 2015, 01:40:27 PM
Graduation today. Nothing sounds more fun than hours in the sun and humidity in a silly black dress.

Congratulations, Mister College Degree Having Man!

Thanks! Graduated Summa cum laude! After years of being a degenerate criminal! COGNITIVE DISSONANCE FTW

AWESOME!

Please become a real life Scooby Doo Villain!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 05:17:12 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 18, 2015, 03:22:09 AM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 02:52:08 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 18, 2015, 02:01:23 AM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 17, 2015, 01:40:27 PM
Graduation today. Nothing sounds more fun than hours in the sun and humidity in a silly black dress.

Congratulations, Mister College Degree Having Man!

Thanks! Graduated Summa cum laude! After years of being a degenerate criminal! COGNITIVE DISSONANCE FTW

Whoa.  Congratulations.

Don't let the other punk rockers find out.

Most of them wouldn't understand even if they did find out.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 18, 2015, 05:34:36 PM
What's up next in your life adventures?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 05:41:46 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 18, 2015, 05:34:36 PM
What's up next in your life adventures?

Six months off to finish up the new album, rewrite my senior project for publication, take the GRE's, and find a school to go to for my Phd. I would also like to find a girl friend of some sort, but I'm not holding my breath. Also, if it's not too stressful to book our CD release show, I'll probably be looking to meat up with some NE Discordians.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on May 18, 2015, 05:43:57 PM
A reminder that Frost Heaves still exists, if you're looking for bands to play with.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 18, 2015, 06:46:42 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 05:41:46 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 18, 2015, 05:34:36 PM
What's up next in your life adventures?

Six months off to finish up the new album, rewrite my senior project for publication, take the GRE's, and find a school to go to for my Phd. I would also like to find a girl friend of some sort, but I'm not holding my breath. Also, if it's not too stressful to book our CD release show, I'll probably be looking to meat up with some NE Discordians.

Rock on! I was hoping you were going to say grad school. :)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 18, 2015, 09:02:51 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 05:41:46 PM
I would also like to find a girl friend of some sort, but I'm not holding my breath.

NO.  Nothing good ever happens to the grad student with the significant other.  It's a classic trope, as unyielding as the laws of physics.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 10:21:54 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 18, 2015, 09:02:51 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 05:41:46 PM
I would also like to find a girl friend of some sort, but I'm not holding my breath.

NO.  Nothing good ever happens to the grad student with the significant other.  It's a classic trope, as unyielding as the laws of physics.

Maybe I should have said "someone to have 'grown up hugs' with"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 19, 2015, 12:06:11 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 18, 2015, 09:02:51 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 05:41:46 PM
I would also like to find a girl friend of some sort, but I'm not holding my breath.

NO.  Nothing good ever happens to the grad student with the significant other.  It's a classic trope, as unyielding as the laws of physics.

This is true, and also why I am not going to try to date until after I get my PhD.

So when I'm 53.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 19, 2015, 12:22:14 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 19, 2015, 12:06:11 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 18, 2015, 09:02:51 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 05:41:46 PM
I would also like to find a girl friend of some sort, but I'm not holding my breath.

NO.  Nothing good ever happens to the grad student with the significant other.  It's a classic trope, as unyielding as the laws of physics.

This is true, and also why I am not going to try to date until after I get my PhD.

So when I'm 53.

:lulz:

The rule is "Significant other", so you can date.  You just can't fall in love, or you get eaten by a dinosaur or get squished by giant alien killer robots or some shit.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on May 19, 2015, 12:23:35 AM
I conveniently get around this rule by having no social life whatsoever.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 19, 2015, 12:25:12 AM
Quote from: Cain on May 19, 2015, 12:23:35 AM
I conveniently get around this rule by having no social life whatsoever.

Based on Jurassic Park and every other movie involving people using their brains, this means you get to live through whatever it is.

You can have brains or popularity.  Not both, or you're a fuckin' dead man.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 19, 2015, 06:56:33 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 19, 2015, 12:22:14 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 19, 2015, 12:06:11 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 18, 2015, 09:02:51 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 05:41:46 PM
I would also like to find a girl friend of some sort, but I'm not holding my breath.

NO.  Nothing good ever happens to the grad student with the significant other.  It's a classic trope, as unyielding as the laws of physics.

This is true, and also why I am not going to try to date until after I get my PhD.

So when I'm 53.

:lulz:

The rule is "Significant other", so you can date.  You just can't fall in love, or you get eaten by a dinosaur or get squished by giant alien killer robots or some shit.

I don't have time to date, anyway. I have Charley, that's just  going to have to hold me.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 19, 2015, 02:51:24 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 19, 2015, 06:56:33 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 19, 2015, 12:22:14 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 19, 2015, 12:06:11 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 18, 2015, 09:02:51 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 05:41:46 PM
I would also like to find a girl friend of some sort, but I'm not holding my breath.

NO.  Nothing good ever happens to the grad student with the significant other.  It's a classic trope, as unyielding as the laws of physics.

This is true, and also why I am not going to try to date until after I get my PhD.

So when I'm 53.

:lulz:

The rule is "Significant other", so you can date.  You just can't fall in love, or you get eaten by a dinosaur or get squished by giant alien killer robots or some shit.

I don't have time to date, anyway. I have Charley, that's just  going to have to hold me.

Charley is an exception to many rules.  He stands out in Portland like a sore thumb.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 19, 2015, 03:39:20 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 19, 2015, 02:51:24 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 19, 2015, 06:56:33 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 19, 2015, 12:22:14 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 19, 2015, 12:06:11 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 18, 2015, 09:02:51 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on May 18, 2015, 05:41:46 PM
I would also like to find a girl friend of some sort, but I'm not holding my breath.

NO.  Nothing good ever happens to the grad student with the significant other.  It's a classic trope, as unyielding as the laws of physics.

This is true, and also why I am not going to try to date until after I get my PhD.

So when I'm 53.

:lulz:

The rule is "Significant other", so you can date.  You just can't fall in love, or you get eaten by a dinosaur or get squished by giant alien killer robots or some shit.

I don't have time to date, anyway. I have Charley, that's just  going to have to hold me.

Charley is an exception to many rules.  He stands out in Portland like a sore thumb.

He certainly does. The best part is that he doesn't even know it, in his Hawaiian shirt and cowboy hat, just going around all happy.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 19, 2015, 06:36:10 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 19, 2015, 03:39:20 PM
He certainly does. The best part is that he doesn't even know it, in his Hawaiian shirt and cowboy hat, just going around all happy.

Seriously, he's all real and shit.  3-D, even.  Aside from you and Jeremy - who isn't a native Portlander - that's practically unique.

Also, he's one hell of a nice guy, and I really enjoyed meeting him.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 02:47:28 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 19, 2015, 06:36:10 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 19, 2015, 03:39:20 PM
He certainly does. The best part is that he doesn't even know it, in his Hawaiian shirt and cowboy hat, just going around all happy.

Seriously, he's all real and shit.  3-D, even.  Aside from you and Jeremy - who isn't a native Portlander - that's practically unique.

Also, he's one hell of a nice guy, and I really enjoyed meeting him.

He's full color and everything. And grew up in a bungalow just a few blocks away from my house.

Somehow we manage to get into just the RIGHT amount of trouble, which is surprising because we both have "why not?" personalities.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:29:50 AM
I have a three hour training that I need to have completed by Thursday. I don't want to do it tomorrow because tomorrow I  have to finish chapter 15, transcribe about 30 pages of notes, review somewhere in the ballpark of 175 slides, and prepare my insect diversity in Borneo presentation.

That means I have to do it tonight.  :horrormirth:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:31:09 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:29:50 AM
I have a three hour training that I need to have completed by Thursday. I don't want to do it tomorrow because tomorrow I  have to finish chapter 15, transcribe about 30 pages of notes, review somewhere in the ballpark of 175 slides, and prepare my insect diversity in Borneo presentation.

That means I have to do it tonight.  :horrormirth:

Better get on it.

Jesus, I can't wait til you have your doctorate.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:33:39 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:31:09 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:29:50 AM
I have a three hour training that I need to have completed by Thursday. I don't want to do it tomorrow because tomorrow I  have to finish chapter 15, transcribe about 30 pages of notes, review somewhere in the ballpark of 175 slides, and prepare my insect diversity in Borneo presentation.

That means I have to do it tonight.  :horrormirth:

Better get on it.

Jesus, I can't wait til you have your doctorate.

ONLY NINE MORE YEARS!  :banana:

I am enjoying procrastinating, for the moment. To tell the truth.

The training, not the doctorate.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:34:36 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:33:39 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:31:09 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:29:50 AM
I have a three hour training that I need to have completed by Thursday. I don't want to do it tomorrow because tomorrow I  have to finish chapter 15, transcribe about 30 pages of notes, review somewhere in the ballpark of 175 slides, and prepare my insect diversity in Borneo presentation.

That means I have to do it tonight.  :horrormirth:

Better get on it.

Jesus, I can't wait til you have your doctorate.

ONLY NINE MORE YEARS!  :banana:

I am enjoying procrastinating, for the moment. To tell the truth.

The training, not the doctorate.

Have a chai.  You can do the training when you're another person.  Specifically, a person with a gut-load of delicious chai.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:41:40 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:34:36 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:33:39 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:31:09 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:29:50 AM
I have a three hour training that I need to have completed by Thursday. I don't want to do it tomorrow because tomorrow I  have to finish chapter 15, transcribe about 30 pages of notes, review somewhere in the ballpark of 175 slides, and prepare my insect diversity in Borneo presentation.

That means I have to do it tonight.  :horrormirth:

Better get on it.

Jesus, I can't wait til you have your doctorate.

ONLY NINE MORE YEARS!  :banana:

I am enjoying procrastinating, for the moment. To tell the truth.

The training, not the doctorate.

Have a chai.  You can do the training when you're another person.  Specifically, a person with a gut-load of delicious chai.

That sounds like not a bad idea AT ALL.  :lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:45:51 AM
Speaking of procrastination, I went and saw this lady speak last week: http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/fykny6/patricia-churchland
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:51:43 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:45:51 AM
Speaking of procrastination, I went and saw this lady speak last week: http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/fykny6/patricia-churchland

Oh, she's GOOD.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:54:01 AM
Also has a Toronto accent.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:57:25 AM
I don't think I like the reality she's explaining, though.

I love my wife.  It's not oxytosin.

:argh!:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:59:09 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:51:43 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:45:51 AM
Speaking of procrastination, I went and saw this lady speak last week: http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/fykny6/patricia-churchland

Oh, she's GOOD.

She really, REALLY is. Someone asked her whether she was concerned that neuroscience was sucking the mystery out of life, and she just cocked her head and said, kind of wistfully, "You know, people ask about the mystery and I think about all the people I've known with schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's, muscular dystrophy, bipolar disorder... what were you saying about 'mystery'?"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 04:00:38 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:57:25 AM
I don't think I like the reality she's explaining, though.

I love my wife.  It's not oxytosin.

:argh!:

:lulz:

I love that reality, because the more I know about it the less I can explain it.

I mean, really explain it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 04:01:42 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 04:00:38 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:57:25 AM
I don't think I like the reality she's explaining, though.

I love my wife.  It's not oxytosin.

:argh!:

:lulz:

I love that reality, because the more I know about it the less I can explain it.

I mean, really explain it.

In the end, I just make monkey noises and keep loving my wife.

:showus:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 04:03:02 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 04:01:42 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 04:00:38 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:57:25 AM
I don't think I like the reality she's explaining, though.

I love my wife.  It's not oxytosin.

:argh!:

:lulz:

I love that reality, because the more I know about it the less I can explain it.

I mean, really explain it.

In the end, I just make monkey noises and keep loving my wife.

:showus:

:lol: That's probably the best response.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cainad (dec.) on May 20, 2015, 04:26:26 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:59:09 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:51:43 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:45:51 AM
Speaking of procrastination, I went and saw this lady speak last week: http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/fykny6/patricia-churchland

Oh, she's GOOD.

She really, REALLY is. Someone asked her whether she was concerned that neuroscience was sucking the mystery out of life, and she just cocked her head and said, kind of wistfully, "You know, people ask about the mystery and I think about all the people I've known with schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's, muscular dystrophy, bipolar disorder... what were you saying about 'mystery'?"

Hear, hear!

People who think the mystery of life can be dispelled by learning things are either pitiably misguided or have incredibly small imaginations.

Imagine all of human knowledge as a big sphere, and the outer edge of that sphere is mystery. When you expand human knowledge, you push the surface of that sphere further outward. This increases the surface area of the sphere, thereby increasing the total amount of mystery.

You can pretend I'm smoking a clove cigarette and sipping a latte while I say the above statement.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on May 20, 2015, 01:13:32 PM
I'm thinking this:

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on May 21, 2015, 12:02:44 PM
And....I got a distinction for my final paper.  Only just a distinction, mind, unlike last time, but I'll take it.

Obviously I have to wait for them to actually tally everything up and do the paperwork, but this means I'm 100% in for the dissertation module.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 21, 2015, 03:09:29 PM
Quote from: Cain on May 21, 2015, 12:02:44 PM
And....I got a distinction for my final paper.  Only just a distinction, mind, unlike last time, but I'll take it.

Obviously I have to wait for them to actually tally everything up and do the paperwork, but this means I'm 100% in for the dissertation module.

Oh awesome!

I am feeling none too confident about my midterm today.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on May 21, 2015, 05:38:09 PM
Thanks.  And you're a good student, you'll do well enough.  Just don't let the stress get to you.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞ on May 22, 2015, 03:23:36 AM
Quote from: Cain on May 21, 2015, 12:02:44 PM
And....I got a distinction for my final paper.  Only just a distinction, mind, unlike last time, but I'll take it.

Obviously I have to wait for them to actually tally everything up and do the paperwork, but this means I'm 100% in for the dissertation module.
:awesome:

Glad to hear that!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞ on May 22, 2015, 03:27:23 AM
So I just got invited to an invite-only paid internship to do web programming full-time.

:banana:

It gets finalized in two weeks.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 22, 2015, 03:42:34 AM
Quote from: N E T on May 22, 2015, 03:27:23 AM
So I just got invited to an invite-only paid internship to do web programming full-time.

:banana:

It gets finalized in two weeks.

Congratulations!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞ on May 22, 2015, 03:47:42 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 22, 2015, 03:42:34 AM
Quote from: N E T on May 22, 2015, 03:27:23 AM
So I just got invited to an invite-only paid internship to do web programming full-time.

:banana:

It gets finalized in two weeks.

Congratulations!

Thanks! I'm impossibly excited about it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 22, 2015, 05:07:53 AM
Quote from: Cain on May 21, 2015, 05:38:09 PM
Thanks.  And you're a good student, you'll do well enough.  Just don't let the stress get to you.

I have been questioning myself a lot this week. One of my classes is terrible, another is kind of a joke (just in terms of not being challenging at all), I hate TAing, and I'm feeling too burned out to even keep up with the one class I love. Then I get comments from people whose goal seems to be to let me know that they just SAILED through Cell Bio, and I'm like, am I really cut out for this? Is it just a fluke that I've made it so far?

I know, I know. Impostor syndrome. But I have a presentation to give tomorrow and I have literally not even started preparing. I wrote the paper weeks ago but I haven't so much as put together five images for the slides, nor made a bullet-pointed list of what I should talk about. For Honors. Like, I honestly don't know what the fuck I'm doing.

And my dog is dying and one of my kids won't talk to me.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 22, 2015, 05:47:01 AM
My professor did tell the class that he got a C in Cell, which made me feel a little better I guess.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on May 22, 2015, 06:04:39 AM
Nigel, you can do this. Ignore the comments of those fools who say they sailed through it.
You are there to learn, and that is more work than simply jumping through the hoops.
They may have passed the tests but your goal is higher, you actually want to understand what is going on and you do.

I hope your dog can have a good death, insofar as such a thing exists.
Your kid will get over it, I know it hurts but it won't last forever.


unwanted advice trigger warning.

Get the presentation prepared but don't worry about the slides quality, the slides are quite meaningless if your story is clear, and you know this stuff.
it can take as little as 10 minutes if you half-ass it properly.

Get some sleep, get the fuck outside, and know that I wish you the best in all three problem areas.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 22, 2015, 04:42:33 PM
Thamks, RR. I got nine hours of sleep and feel a little less frazzled.

Dog is still hanging in. I woke up to a friend pressuring me to have the dog euthanized. Thing is, I've thought about that, but I feel like it would be more for my convenience than his comfort.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on May 22, 2015, 05:24:50 PM
If he's not in distress or pain, it's the decent thing to do.  I mean, that's what putting animals down is for.  Not because they're being a pain in the arse (though we should allow that for children).
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 23, 2015, 06:36:53 AM
Yeah, he doesn't seem to be in pain. The only thing that's bumming me out right now is that he won't go in his doghouse and I think it might rain.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: minuspace on May 24, 2015, 11:12:17 AM
Quote from: Cainad (dec.) on May 20, 2015, 04:26:26 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:59:09 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 20, 2015, 03:51:43 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 20, 2015, 03:45:51 AM
Speaking of procrastination, I went and saw this lady speak last week: http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/fykny6/patricia-churchland

Oh, she's GOOD.

She really, REALLY is. Someone asked her whether she was concerned that neuroscience was sucking the mystery out of life, and she just cocked her head and said, kind of wistfully, "You know, people ask about the mystery and I think about all the people I've known with schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's, muscular dystrophy, bipolar disorder... what were you saying about 'mystery'?"

Hear, hear!

People who think the mystery of life can be dispelled by learning things are either pitiably misguided or have incredibly small imaginations.

Imagine all of human knowledge as a big sphere, and the outer edge of that sphere is mystery. When you expand human knowledge, you push the surface of that sphere further outward. This increases the surface area of the sphere, thereby increasing the total amount of mystery.

You can pretend I'm smoking a clove cigarette and sipping a latte while I say the above statement.

  Swans Commentary » swans.comDecember 31, 2014  
 

 

Perspectives: A Review of 2014

 

"Lanterninosofia" the Philosophy of Small Lanterns
 
 

by Guido Monte

 

Multilingual Poetry

 

Translation by Adele Ward

 

Verses inspired by "Lanterninosofia" and "Non conclude" ("it does not end") by Pirandello

 

 

(Swans - December 31, 2014)  

darkness doesn't exist?
we people feel alive,
a feeling like a small lamp
which lights us up inside; the moment
our last breath arrives,
and the perpetual night of being is here
for us, burnt out and remote fireflies
in the darkness of time.

the small lamps have so many colours
and a common colour for each age;
red was the great lantern of pagan virtue,
violet, that of christian virtue.
because of this, many still get from the church
oil for their small lanterns.
but sometimes the wind
even puts out large lanterns.
and then the small lanterns swing around.
they turn back or cry
like abandoned ants, like nowadays.
darkness and confusion,
with the large lanterns extinguished!

in its own way the small lantern shows us
only shadows of strange ghosts,
at which we can be frightened or laugh.
but what if even darkness is a trick?
and if the lantern going out
is only a way to re-enter
the eternal stream of being,
into a life that is universal
and without an end
to everything?

in the flow you no longer have a name;
"names are for the dead,
who have finished".
the ones who live are the tree,
new leaves, a cloud, a book, the wind,
all the fresh things from dawn,
clouds mountains air sky.
blades of grass, a donkey, assorted fields:
you are reborn every moment in things.
the sound of bells: instant death
to be reborn again, without memories;
alive, no longer inside yourself,v but "all on the outside",
in the outside of things.
 

 

Adele Ward is a poet, novelist, and co-owner of Ward Wood Publishing in London.
 


 

· · · · · ·
 

Care about Guido's work? Then please consider a donation. Thank you.

· · · · · ·
 

Legalese.
This material is copyrighted, © Guido Monte 2014. All rights reserved
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 24, 2015, 08:03:12 PM
If you scroll down to page 5, there is an interview with yours truly in this month's University family newsletter: https://www.pdx.edu/family/sites/www.pdx.edu.family/files/May_2015_Final.pdf
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on May 25, 2015, 04:22:24 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 24, 2015, 08:03:12 PM
If you scroll down to page 5, there is an interview with yours truly in this month's University family newsletter: https://www.pdx.edu/family/sites/www.pdx.edu.family/files/May_2015_Final.pdf

Fancy!  I wish I were half as eloquent as you.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 25, 2015, 04:53:07 AM
Thanks!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 01, 2015, 03:20:16 AM
OK, so I got into the McNair program. This is good because it means that next summer they will pay for me to do a research project. Doubly good because it means I'll have a job next summer! Triply good because apparently WSU has a special application process for McNair Scholars.

Basically this means that I will very likely have 2 bona fide neuroendocrinology publications by the end of next year.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on June 01, 2015, 03:50:55 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 01, 2015, 03:20:16 AM
OK, so I got into the McNair program. This is good because it means that next summer they will pay for me to do a research project. Doubly good because it means I'll have a job next summer! Triply good because apparently WSU has a special application process for McNair Scholars.

Basically this means that I will very likely have 2 bona fide neuroendocrinology publications by the end of next year.

:banana:

It's a crime against science that you couldn't have done all this 25 years ago.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 01, 2015, 06:07:15 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on June 01, 2015, 03:50:55 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 01, 2015, 03:20:16 AM
OK, so I got into the McNair program. This is good because it means that next summer they will pay for me to do a research project. Doubly good because it means I'll have a job next summer! Triply good because apparently WSU has a special application process for McNair Scholars.

Basically this means that I will very likely have 2 bona fide neuroendocrinology publications by the end of next year.

:banana:

It's a crime against science that you couldn't have done all this 25 years ago.

I've had that  thought as well.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cainad (dec.) on June 02, 2015, 02:50:54 PM
You're just 20 years weirder than all the young pups, that's all.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 03, 2015, 06:44:49 PM
Quote from: Cainad (dec.) on June 02, 2015, 02:50:54 PM
You're just 20 years weirder than all the young pups, that's all.

:lulz: Thanks!

I am kind of hitting a wall, here. I have eight days of finals left, plus grading. I need to:

Give a presentation at 2pm today (I should be working on that right now)
Read the chapter on memory and learning
Read the chapter on mitosis
Write a five-page paper on using metagenomic analysis in investigating the interconnection between microbiome and CNS
Review all the slides from Cell Bio

I just feel stuck. I know I'll get through it, I always get through it. But I really am having a hard time with the workload and am wondering how I'm going to make it through Fall. Not to mention how I'm going to finish my Honors thesis and all the classes I need to take AND do McNair. It's too many things.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 03, 2015, 06:45:37 PM
I probably wouldn't feel like this if I wasn't also doing the TA thing. I think that's a big contributor to how fucked I feel right now.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on June 03, 2015, 11:01:41 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 03, 2015, 06:45:37 PM
I probably wouldn't feel like this if I wasn't also doing the TA thing. I think that's a big contributor to how fucked I feel right now.
awww :(

Good luck, I hope you feel better soon.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 04, 2015, 05:05:42 AM
Quote from: Reginald Ret on June 03, 2015, 11:01:41 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 03, 2015, 06:45:37 PM
I probably wouldn't feel like this if I wasn't also doing the TA thing. I think that's a big contributor to how fucked I feel right now.
awww :(

Good luck, I hope you feel better soon.

Thank you!

I gave my last presentation today. I also realized that my 5-page paper is already more than half done and won't be a big deal to wrap up this weekend.

I still have a ton of work to do but most of it is pretty focused, so that's a good thing.

I'm still kind of a wreck but the end is near...
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 04, 2015, 05:07:40 AM
Oh, and I got inducted into Phi Kappa Phi today, and saw the President of Honors, and she said that I can totally definitely combine my McNair with my Honors thesis. That is a HUGE weight lifted, I will be able to stay in my lab for a whole year and next summer I won't be doing anything but research.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on June 04, 2015, 05:44:45 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 04, 2015, 05:07:40 AM
Oh, and I got inducted into Phi Kappa Phi today, and saw the President of Honors, and she said that I can totally definitely combine my McNair with my Honors thesis. That is a HUGE weight lifted, I will be able to stay in my lab for a whole year and next summer I won't be doing anything but research.

This is full of awesome.   :)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 04, 2015, 06:56:58 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on June 04, 2015, 05:44:45 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 04, 2015, 05:07:40 AM
Oh, and I got inducted into Phi Kappa Phi today, and saw the President of Honors, and she said that I can totally definitely combine my McNair with my Honors thesis. That is a HUGE weight lifted, I will be able to stay in my lab for a whole year and next summer I won't be doing anything but research.

This is full of awesome.   :)

I am pretty damn stoked because I was stressing pretty hard about how I would manage to get it all done.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on June 06, 2015, 06:51:17 AM
I've finally heard back about the dissertation:

QuoteGood afternoon, Everyone.

You have now completed the fourth module of the programme and are now ready to progress to the dissertation element of the programme. A progression board still needs to be held (next week) to enable all of you who have achieved a minimum mark of 13.5 overall the four modules to progress to the Dissertation element. You will not have had to achieve this in every individual module, the results of all four are added up and divided by four to achieve your overall mark. Anyone achieving the minimum overall mark of 16.5 will have a distinction (DC _ Distinction in the Course Work). It is assumed that everyone who achieves the 13.5 and more mark will automatically progress to Module IR5999, those who have failed to achieve this will exit the programme and graduate with the PG Dip. Should you wish to exit the programme with the award of PG Dip, please let me know.

You should now begin to think about the topic you will choose for your dissertation which you will start in September and any ethical implications this may have. We will email you later in the summer (Summer? We hope for one anyway) with a request for you to submit a 50 word proposal and based on this, you will be allocated a supervisor so that you are ready to run with it once you have matriculated (registered) again in September. Please be aware that everyone will be expected to submit an Ethical Application Form, irrespective of whether or not you will be using only second sources, anything with implications will be presented to the Ethics Committee for approval and this can cause some delay so please take this into consideration.

[...]

It will all go a bit quiet over the next few months so please don't be concerned about this but I hope this will give you some sort of a time frame.

Any queries, please don't hesitate to seek clarification.
All the very best

Well that gives me something to do over the summer.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 06, 2015, 07:47:49 AM
Quote from: Cain on June 06, 2015, 06:51:17 AM
I've finally heard back about the dissertation:

QuoteGood afternoon, Everyone.

You have now completed the fourth module of the programme and are now ready to progress to the dissertation element of the programme. A progression board still needs to be held (next week) to enable all of you who have achieved a minimum mark of 13.5 overall the four modules to progress to the Dissertation element. You will not have had to achieve this in every individual module, the results of all four are added up and divided by four to achieve your overall mark. Anyone achieving the minimum overall mark of 16.5 will have a distinction (DC _ Distinction in the Course Work). It is assumed that everyone who achieves the 13.5 and more mark will automatically progress to Module IR5999, those who have failed to achieve this will exit the programme and graduate with the PG Dip. Should you wish to exit the programme with the award of PG Dip, please let me know.

You should now begin to think about the topic you will choose for your dissertation which you will start in September and any ethical implications this may have. We will email you later in the summer (Summer? We hope for one anyway) with a request for you to submit a 50 word proposal and based on this, you will be allocated a supervisor so that you are ready to run with it once you have matriculated (registered) again in September. Please be aware that everyone will be expected to submit an Ethical Application Form, irrespective of whether or not you will be using only second sources, anything with implications will be presented to the Ethics Committee for approval and this can cause some delay so please take this into consideration.

[...]

It will all go a bit quiet over the next few months so please don't be concerned about this but I hope this will give you some sort of a time frame.

Any queries, please don't hesitate to seek clarification.
All the very best

Well that gives me something to do over the summer.

Woot! So yeah, that should keep you busy...
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on June 06, 2015, 02:23:37 PM
"Ethical implications"?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on June 06, 2015, 02:30:43 PM
Actually its about ethics in dissertation writing and research.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on June 06, 2015, 02:36:20 PM
:rimshot:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on June 07, 2015, 05:54:42 AM
Nigel's being shy.  She got a medallion and everything.  She joined the Greek army or something.

I don't pretend to understand it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 07, 2015, 07:09:40 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on June 07, 2015, 05:54:42 AM
Nigel's being shy.  She got a medallion and everything.  She joined the Greek army or something.

I don't pretend to understand it.

Apparently I have alphabet power now, or something.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Reginald Ret on June 07, 2015, 11:06:37 PM
Speaking of greek, I still am amazed that in greek rivers are called Potamus.
I love that megalopotamus means big river and cryopotamus means cold river. Greek is just amazing, anyone with a half-decent education can understand 50% of it.
It sounds so potable.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 08, 2015, 01:28:37 AM
Quote from: Reginald Ret on June 07, 2015, 11:06:37 PM
Speaking of greek, I still am amazed that in greek rivers are called Potamus.
I love that megalopotamus means big river and cryopotamus means cold river. Greek is just amazing, anyone with a half-decent education can understand 50% of it.
It sounds so potable.

Back when I was a young, fresh thing, I wanted to be an etymologist. I love being able to mine the meaning of words from their roots.

Unfortunately, the local college didn't have an etymology degree, nor offered Latin or Greek, so I settled on Computer Information Systems instead.

Then my mom stopped paying for college, and that year they changed the age of dependency for purposes of financial aid from 18 to 23, and I was 19 so I had to drop out.

When I think back to that, I want to cry all over again. I was an A student then, too, except for the B I got in History of Western Civ (most boring class of all time). I might not have stuck with Computer Information Systems because, as it turns out, databases are boring as fuck, but I probably would have gone into networking as soon as it became a thing.

Whole different life path, there. Oh well.

Parents, please never cut your child off from a college education in an attempt to control their life, unless the thing you are trying to control is them wasting their college fund by failing classes. I would have left that guy eventually anyway, and I would have been in a vastly better situation if I had a degree when I did.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Dubya on June 08, 2015, 02:36:29 AM
That last paragraph. Spot on.

Though I'd also add don't force them into college if they don't want to go. Wasted five years that way, and now have to jump through all kinds of hoops to get out of default on loans I didn't want to take out in the first place now that I actually want to go.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 08, 2015, 04:17:51 AM
Quote from: Dubya on June 08, 2015, 02:36:29 AM
That last paragraph. Spot on.

Though I'd also add don't force them into college if they don't want to go. Wasted five years that way, and now have to jump through all kinds of hoops to get out of default on loans I didn't want to take out in the first place now that I actually want to go.

Totally. My kids have college funds... which they can use when they are ready to go because they want to, and not because they feel like they have to.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 22, 2015, 01:20:21 AM
I have been stressing the fuck OUT about graduation and the MCAT and grad school applications and all the things I am going to need to do and whether I can actually sustain the load I would have to take to finish my pre-med requirements under this scholarship, and today I realized that I really just don't have to do that. I can proceed without the pre-med (all I'll be missing is two terms of 200-level physics!) and take it relatively easy, wait until Fall to decide whether I want to apply for standalone PhD programs this year or wait until next year and apply for the MD/PhD, and just finish up my damn biology degree.

If I want to go for the MD/PhD, I can get a job for a year, take the two Physics classes at community college, and pay out of pocket. It's not that big of a deal.

If I want to apply for standalone PhD programs, I can either do it this fall or next fall. It'll be fine either way.

I feel a strange sense of relief.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on July 16, 2015, 08:54:37 AM
My transfer to UMass is complete, and my transfer credits have been updated to include Cell Bio and Physics 1.

I have to fulfill a diversity requirement, which I am doing by taking World Music. Cool with it, but it definitely means I have to finish in 4 semesters rather than 3. My other classes are Population Biology and Chemistry 1. I am waitlisted for Calculus and if I can't get it, I'm probably going to have to CLEP just to get the damn thing out of the way, and then take another whatever class to make sure I'm firmly within financial aid's requirements (I'll have to look into that though)

There's another tricky bit.

I have to meet an intermediate writing assessment by either taking a test or submitting a portfolio, sometime by the end of Fall semester, due to the amount of credits I have (otherwise they put all future classes on hold). There's something funky about that because there are specific dates involved with either option.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on July 16, 2015, 04:48:40 PM
American colleges are weird.

In other news, it looks like I have a full year to do my dissertation.  I'm not sure how I feel about that...my plan is to try and do it for Xmas regardless, as I don't want it hanging over me.

Once I decide what I want to do.  I still have a couple of weeks on that.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on July 16, 2015, 04:52:50 PM
Quote from: Legate Gene O'Mick, PhD on July 16, 2015, 08:54:37 AM
My transfer to UMass is complete, and my transfer credits have been updated to include Cell Bio and Physics 1.

I have to fulfill a diversity requirement, which I am doing by taking World Music. Cool with it, but it definitely means I have to finish in 4 semesters rather than 3. My other classes are Population Biology and Chemistry 1. I am waitlisted for Calculus and if I can't get it, I'm probably going to have to CLEP just to get the damn thing out of the way, and then take another whatever class to make sure I'm firmly within financial aid's requirements (I'll have to look into that though)

There's another tricky bit.

I have to meet an intermediate writing assessment by either taking a test or submitting a portfolio, sometime by the end of Fall semester, due to the amount of credits I have (otherwise they put all future classes on hold). There's something funky about that because there are specific dates involved with either option.

Woohoo, congrats! I'm taking upper division Microbiology, Ecology, Developmental Bio, and a thesis class this fall. And starting work on my thesis research!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on July 16, 2015, 04:53:38 PM
Quote from: Cain on July 16, 2015, 04:48:40 PM
American colleges are weird.

In other news, it looks like I have a full year to do my dissertation.  I'm not sure how I feel about that...my plan is to try and do it for Xmas regardless, as I don't want it hanging over me.

Once I decide what I want to do.  I still have a couple of weeks on that.

That definitely seems like something it would be better done and out of the way, especially while you're still in the academic groove.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on July 16, 2015, 04:58:05 PM
Yeah.  Then again, if I get this new job, I'll only have one day off a week (plus a little bit during the day), so I may need it.  On the other hand, I could probably get a serious amount done during the holidays.

And if I'm still here...well, I figure a couple of hours, every day I'm not working, will quickly get me to where I want to be.  15,000-20,000 words isn't honestly that much.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on July 16, 2015, 07:23:59 PM
Well, the first week of teaching children is over. Yay!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on July 18, 2015, 08:33:12 PM
I got dinged on my paper for not citing in APA style

...but I cited in APA style.  :?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on July 18, 2015, 09:02:03 PM
Cite that you cited it in the APA style...in the Chicago style.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on July 18, 2015, 11:15:03 PM
Quote from: Cain on July 18, 2015, 09:02:03 PM
Cite that you cited it in the APA style...in the Chicago style.

Tempting. Very tempting.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Zenpatista on August 25, 2015, 03:52:59 AM
Once more into the breach.

U of AZ had it's first day of the semester today. Students have been trickling into town over the past week. I have dusted off my syllabus and am getting ready to teach my first discussion section (biochemistry) of the school year. Proteins and enzymes ftw!  :)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on August 25, 2015, 04:56:34 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on August 25, 2015, 03:52:59 AM
Once more into the breach.

U of AZ had it's first day of the semester today. Students have been trickling into town over the past week. I have dusted off my syllabus and am getting ready to teach my first discussion section (biochemistry) of the school year. Proteins and enzymes ftw!  :)

Wait.  You're at U of A?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Zenpatista on August 25, 2015, 05:14:57 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 25, 2015, 04:56:34 AM
Wait.  You're at U of A?

Yes indeed. I've been there nearly 15 years (off and on) working multiple jobs in research with a side of teaching.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on August 25, 2015, 06:34:05 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on August 25, 2015, 05:14:57 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 25, 2015, 04:56:34 AM
Wait.  You're at U of A?

Yes indeed. I've been there nearly 15 years (off and on) working multiple jobs in research with a side of teaching.

I'm in Tucson.  How have you never fallen in with the Hoodlum Cabal?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Zenpatista on August 25, 2015, 02:13:31 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 25, 2015, 06:34:05 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on August 25, 2015, 05:14:57 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 25, 2015, 04:56:34 AM
Wait.  You're at U of A?

Yes indeed. I've been there nearly 15 years (off and on) working multiple jobs in research with a side of teaching.

I'm in Tucson.  How have you never fallen in with the Hoodlum Cabal?

I don't know. Hoodlum cabal sounds fun though. Wait - that's not like the sheriff's posse up in Phoenix, right?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on August 25, 2015, 04:48:48 PM
Quote from: Zenpatista on August 25, 2015, 02:13:31 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 25, 2015, 06:34:05 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on August 25, 2015, 05:14:57 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 25, 2015, 04:56:34 AM
Wait.  You're at U of A?

Yes indeed. I've been there nearly 15 years (off and on) working multiple jobs in research with a side of teaching.

I'm in Tucson.  How have you never fallen in with the Hoodlum Cabal?

I don't know. Hoodlum cabal sounds fun though. Wait - that's not like the sheriff's posse up in Phoenix, right?

No, that's the Nazi Hoodlums.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on August 27, 2015, 03:49:40 PM
Research...is coming.

Also winter, but mostly research, since saying "winter is coming" when it's already struggling to get above 15C outside and raining all day isn't really all that ominous.

Tuition paid.  I have 4 days then I can put in my thesis (broadly speaking I'm hoping to do research on counterjihadists), and get it confirmed and so actually start writing by the end of the month.  I probably wont finish in time for Xmas, but that is my attempted goal.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on August 28, 2015, 08:27:28 PM
So, my son and I met with Zenpatista.  He's a very cool guy.  The only problem we had was a loud drunk that wanted to tell us his vast collection of war stories.  Other than that, everything more or less went well.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Zenpatista on August 31, 2015, 12:17:41 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 28, 2015, 08:27:28 PM
So, my son and I met with Zenpatista.  He's a very cool guy.  The only problem we had was a loud drunk that wanted to tell us his vast collection of war stories.  Other than that, everything more or less went well.

Thanks & likewise. I had a lot of fun & it was great to meet you & your son. Hope to meet up again soon. The venue too - I can see why it's a landmark pub. Some of the grad students told me stories about it, but I'd never been in the "meet rack" before.

Quote from: Cain on August 27, 2015, 03:49:40 PM
Research...is coming.

Also winter, but mostly research, since saying "winter is coming" when it's already struggling to get above 15C outside and raining all day isn't really all that ominous.

Tuition paid.  I have 4 days then I can put in my thesis (broadly speaking I'm hoping to do research on counterjihadists), and get it confirmed and so actually start writing by the end of the month.  I probably wont finish in time for Xmas, but that is my attempted goal.

Good luck with the thesis. If you ever feel like posting a chapter or so, I bet a few besides myself would be interested in reading it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on August 31, 2015, 11:59:22 AM
Thanks.  And sure, I'll keep it in mind, though I'm not sure how interesting it will be.  Lots of Bat Ye'or and Oriana Fallaci in my future reading  :sad:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2015, 12:26:54 AM
I can't believe I'm done with my psych degree and only have three terms left on my bio degree.

I'm completely stumped on applying to grad school. I just don't feel like I have time to take my GRE and write application essays before January. I'm thinking maybe I should go ahead and plan on taking a year off... and maybe going ahead and taking some of the math classes I always wanted to take, just for fun. Get a job in a lab and save up some money, or something.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on September 11, 2015, 03:34:57 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2015, 12:26:54 AM
I can't believe I'm done with my psych degree and only have three terms left on my bio degree.

I'm completely stumped on applying to grad school. I just don't feel like I have time to take my GRE and write application essays before January. I'm thinking maybe I should go ahead and plan on taking a year off... and maybe going ahead and taking some of the math classes I always wanted to take, just for fun. Get a job in a lab and save up some money, or something.

Then all you have to do is, yanno, actually be able to go back.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2015, 04:12:16 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on September 11, 2015, 03:34:57 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2015, 12:26:54 AM
I can't believe I'm done with my psych degree and only have three terms left on my bio degree.

I'm completely stumped on applying to grad school. I just don't feel like I have time to take my GRE and write application essays before January. I'm thinking maybe I should go ahead and plan on taking a year off... and maybe going ahead and taking some of the math classes I always wanted to take, just for fun. Get a job in a lab and save up some money, or something.

Then all you have to do is, yanno, actually be able to go back.

I don't see that being a problem. Maybe if I was 24, rather than 44, it might be.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on September 11, 2015, 10:36:33 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2015, 04:12:16 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on September 11, 2015, 03:34:57 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2015, 12:26:54 AM
I can't believe I'm done with my psych degree and only have three terms left on my bio degree.

I'm completely stumped on applying to grad school. I just don't feel like I have time to take my GRE and write application essays before January. I'm thinking maybe I should go ahead and plan on taking a year off... and maybe going ahead and taking some of the math classes I always wanted to take, just for fun. Get a job in a lab and save up some money, or something.

Then all you have to do is, yanno, actually be able to go back.

I don't see that being a problem. Maybe if I was 24, rather than 44, it might be.

I wasn't thinking in motivational terms.  I have no doubt you'd manage that.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on September 12, 2015, 12:35:27 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2015, 12:26:54 AM
I can't believe I'm done with my psych degree and only have three terms left on my bio degree.

I'm completely stumped on applying to grad school. I just don't feel like I have time to take my GRE and write application essays before January. I'm thinking maybe I should go ahead and plan on taking a year off... and maybe going ahead and taking some of the math classes I always wanted to take, just for fun. Get a job in a lab and save up some money, or something.

Taking a year to save up and think about your application doesn't sound like an entirely terrible idea.

I know it took me a couple of months to get everything (paperwork wise) for mine sorted.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 12, 2015, 04:39:08 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on September 11, 2015, 10:36:33 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2015, 04:12:16 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on September 11, 2015, 03:34:57 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2015, 12:26:54 AM
I can't believe I'm done with my psych degree and only have three terms left on my bio degree.

I'm completely stumped on applying to grad school. I just don't feel like I have time to take my GRE and write application essays before January. I'm thinking maybe I should go ahead and plan on taking a year off... and maybe going ahead and taking some of the math classes I always wanted to take, just for fun. Get a job in a lab and save up some money, or something.

Then all you have to do is, yanno, actually be able to go back.

I don't see that being a problem. Maybe if I was 24, rather than 44, it might be.

I wasn't thinking in motivational terms.  I have no doubt you'd manage that.

Oh, in terms of getting into a program? That is DEFINITELY a worry... and one advantage to jumping on this Winter's application cycle would be that I am just about a year ahead of the wave in terms of neuroscience hopefuls. I'd be two years ahead if I hadn't double majored. I just don't know when the hell I'd take the GRE, between the lab and classes.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 12, 2015, 04:40:08 AM
Quote from: Cain on September 12, 2015, 12:35:27 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2015, 12:26:54 AM
I can't believe I'm done with my psych degree and only have three terms left on my bio degree.

I'm completely stumped on applying to grad school. I just don't feel like I have time to take my GRE and write application essays before January. I'm thinking maybe I should go ahead and plan on taking a year off... and maybe going ahead and taking some of the math classes I always wanted to take, just for fun. Get a job in a lab and save up some money, or something.

Taking a year to save up and think about your application doesn't sound like an entirely terrible idea.

I know it took me a couple of months to get everything (paperwork wise) for mine sorted.

It would definitely make it easier for me to get myself organized and prepared. And, if I was feeling really ambitious, I could finish the physics series and take the MCAT.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 12, 2015, 04:43:13 AM
My grad student who is the boss of me just emailed me and was all "you could take next week off, you know. Classes haven't started yet". Maybe she's on to something. Maybe I should study for the GRE.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Doktor Howl on September 12, 2015, 06:54:53 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 12, 2015, 04:39:08 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on September 11, 2015, 10:36:33 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2015, 04:12:16 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on September 11, 2015, 03:34:57 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2015, 12:26:54 AM
I can't believe I'm done with my psych degree and only have three terms left on my bio degree.

I'm completely stumped on applying to grad school. I just don't feel like I have time to take my GRE and write application essays before January. I'm thinking maybe I should go ahead and plan on taking a year off... and maybe going ahead and taking some of the math classes I always wanted to take, just for fun. Get a job in a lab and save up some money, or something.

Then all you have to do is, yanno, actually be able to go back.

I don't see that being a problem. Maybe if I was 24, rather than 44, it might be.

I wasn't thinking in motivational terms.  I have no doubt you'd manage that.

Oh, in terms of getting into a program? That is DEFINITELY a worry... and one advantage to jumping on this Winter's application cycle would be that I am just about a year ahead of the wave in terms of neuroscience hopefuls. I'd be two years ahead if I hadn't double majored. I just don't know when the hell I'd take the GRE, between the lab and classes.

I'm also thinking that the USA is chopping education funding across the board.  I don't think the environment is going to get any friendlier anytime soon.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 12, 2015, 09:14:51 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on September 12, 2015, 06:54:53 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 12, 2015, 04:39:08 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on September 11, 2015, 10:36:33 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2015, 04:12:16 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on September 11, 2015, 03:34:57 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2015, 12:26:54 AM
I can't believe I'm done with my psych degree and only have three terms left on my bio degree.

I'm completely stumped on applying to grad school. I just don't feel like I have time to take my GRE and write application essays before January. I'm thinking maybe I should go ahead and plan on taking a year off... and maybe going ahead and taking some of the math classes I always wanted to take, just for fun. Get a job in a lab and save up some money, or something.

Then all you have to do is, yanno, actually be able to go back.

I don't see that being a problem. Maybe if I was 24, rather than 44, it might be.

I wasn't thinking in motivational terms.  I have no doubt you'd manage that.

Oh, in terms of getting into a program? That is DEFINITELY a worry... and one advantage to jumping on this Winter's application cycle would be that I am just about a year ahead of the wave in terms of neuroscience hopefuls. I'd be two years ahead if I hadn't double majored. I just don't know when the hell I'd take the GRE, between the lab and classes.

I'm also thinking that the USA is chopping education funding across the board.  I don't think the environment is going to get any friendlier anytime soon.

That is also possible, although the funding the program I want into is largely fed by donations from the people who are most scared of neurodegenerative disorders and other diseases of age.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on September 13, 2015, 12:59:45 PM
Finally been assigned a thesis advisor.

Need to email them to make an appointment to talk to them at some point.

Advisor seems to be a good choice, in some ways.  He's a jihadi specialist, but his PhD thesis was about online jihadist communities.  My own thesis will of course involve a similar amount of web-trawling.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 13, 2015, 04:07:28 PM
Quote from: Cain on September 13, 2015, 12:59:45 PM
Finally been assigned a thesis advisor.

Need to email them to make an appointment to talk to them at some point.

Advisor seems to be a good choice, in some ways.  He's a jihadi specialist, but his PhD thesis was about online jihadist communities.  My own thesis will of course involve a similar amount of web-trawling.

Woot!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 16, 2015, 09:02:28 PM
Well one of the two professors I asked to write a letter of recommendation for me responded that he would. Now I'm waiting on the second one, and I still need to dig up another reference.

Meanwhile, polishing the cruft from "To slay a jabberwocky," and digging through my other poetry playing the "is this something I want to include in my writing sample" game. And let me tell you what, "To slay a jabberwocky" had some weird cruft in it, and a small handful of flat out grammatical errors.

And then my personal statements.

Hopefully I can beat my brain trying to killing me for next few weeks.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 17, 2015, 01:10:55 AM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 16, 2015, 09:02:28 PM
Well one of the two professors I asked to write a letter of recommendation for me responded that he would. Now I'm waiting on the second one, and I still need to dig up another reference.

Meanwhile, polishing the cruft from "To slay a jabberwocky," and digging through my other poetry playing the "is this something I want to include in my writing sample" game. And let me tell you what, "To slay a jabberwocky" had some weird cruft in it, and a small handful of flat out grammatical errors.

And then my personal statements.

Hopefully I can beat my brain trying to killing me for next few weeks.

You can do this! I believe in your abilities.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 17, 2015, 01:13:32 AM
Today I wrote a letter and put together my materials for asking my handlers for a whole lot more money so I can finish my Bio degree and do the McNair program.

My stomach is in knots, which is probably from stress but may or may not also be related to drinking this weird mucilaginous sports drink that came in a sample box.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 18, 2015, 12:11:47 AM
I sent my extension request! Worst case scenario, I just end up taking out loans for the next couple terms, which will add significantly to my debt but won't kill me.

Now I need to finish a paper that I started a few days ago, and start another paper that I can't recall the due date for.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 18, 2015, 04:15:48 AM
Hope you get that extension.

Why are you drinking mucus? Snot is not a sports drink.

And I am almost at the point I was a few years ago, you know that point when I stressing out about trying to get into UW?

Stupid universities.
Wanting EVERY college I went to.
Wanting the MONTH and YEAR for them.
Transcripts don't have that!!!

And I don't have the student login crap for the two colleges I went to for ONE semester to get unofficial transcripts to upload in my applications. Applications for Masters programs. WHAT DOES IT MATTER WHAT TWO YEAR COLLEGES I WENT TO? And it's not like the important stuff didn't get transferred for my BA.

On the brightsides, I have ONE person that's said will write me a letter for recommendation, and I have collected and edited a suitable amount of my best (or worst but favorite) poetry. Brown wants 15-20 pages of poetry? HA HERE IS 19 PAGES INCLUDING A LIMERICK!!!!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 18, 2015, 04:19:40 AM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 18, 2015, 04:15:48 AM
Hope you get that extension.

Why are you drinking mucus? Snot is not a sports drink.

And I am almost at the point I was a few years ago, you know that point when I stressing out about trying to get into UW?

Stupid universities.
Wanting EVERY college I went to.
Wanting the MONTH and YEAR for them.
Transcripts don't have that!!!

And I don't have the student login crap for the two colleges I went to for ONE semester to get unofficial transcripts to upload in my applications. Applications for Masters programs. WHAT DOES IT MATTER WHAT TWO YEAR COLLEGES I WENT TO? And it's not like the important stuff didn't get transferred for my BA.

On the brightsides, I have ONE person that's said will write me a letter for recommendation, and I have collected and edited a suitable amount of my best (or worst but favorite) poetry. Brown wants 15-20 pages of poetry? HA HERE IS 19 PAGES INCLUDING A LIMERICK!!!!

Oh my god that sounds so stressful! Why do they want the transcripts from your community colleges??? Won't everything relevant be in your University transcript? Is this what I have to look forward to? FUUUUUUUUCK.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 18, 2015, 04:20:10 AM
Did you have to take the GRE? IF YES TELL ME ABOUT THE MATH PART. I am so rusty in math.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 18, 2015, 04:27:31 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 18, 2015, 04:20:10 AM
Did you have to take the GRE? IF YES TELL ME ABOUT THE MATH PART. I am so rusty in math.

I specifically chose the programs I'm applying to because I don't need the GRE.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 18, 2015, 04:32:34 AM
I'm going to fire off a couple of emails tomorrow for clarification. I don't really feel like spending money ordering transcripts from the four community colleges I didn't graduate from, two of which I was only at for a semester each, and all of those classes transferred over. Unlike the other two, which had a lot of stuff not transfer over, I'm not surprised that a class on "Basic Knife Design" didn't transfer to UW, among others.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 18, 2015, 04:36:02 AM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 18, 2015, 04:32:34 AM
I'm going to fire off a couple of emails tomorrow for clarification. I don't really feel like spending money ordering transcripts from the four community colleges I didn't graduate from, two of which I was only at for a semester each, and all of those classes transferred over. Unlike the other two, which had a lot of stuff not transfer over, I'm not surprised that a class on "Basic Knife Design" didn't transfer to UW, among others.

Yeah, it seems like if everything relevant transferred, you shouldn't need transcripts from the original institution, but what do I know. College bureaucracy can be baffling as hell.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 18, 2015, 04:39:41 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 18, 2015, 04:36:02 AM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 18, 2015, 04:32:34 AM
I'm going to fire off a couple of emails tomorrow for clarification. I don't really feel like spending money ordering transcripts from the four community colleges I didn't graduate from, two of which I was only at for a semester each, and all of those classes transferred over. Unlike the other two, which had a lot of stuff not transfer over, I'm not surprised that a class on "Basic Knife Design" didn't transfer to UW, among others.

Yeah, it seems like if everything relevant transferred, you shouldn't need transcripts from the original institution, but what do I know. College bureaucracy can be baffling as hell.

I could maybe see them wanting to have a fuller picture of applicants, but at the same time I'd rather not have transcripts from when I had terrible support and failed ENGLISH multiple times be part of my application for MFA in POETRY or LITERARY ARTS.

Looking at the transcripts from my first college just filled me some hate and resentment towards my parents.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 23, 2015, 04:37:22 PM
I now have two professors who have agreed to write me letters of recommendation. I'm waiting on a third while I debate asking a fourth, just in case #3 says no. If those fall through I guess I'll try asking my section. Sure, I'd prefer to have all three from academic sources, and sure my job in the Army is not at all related to my desired degree, and sure maybe I am aiming too high with two of my desired universities.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 23, 2015, 05:32:27 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 23, 2015, 04:37:22 PM
I now have two professors who have agreed to write me letters of recommendation. I'm waiting on a third while I debate asking a fourth, just in case #3 says no. If those fall through I guess I'll try asking my section. Sure, I'd prefer to have all three from academic sources, and sure my job in the Army is not at all related to my desired degree, and sure maybe I am aiming too high with two of my desired universities.

If you had a good academic relationship with the third, they won't say no.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 23, 2015, 09:14:02 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 23, 2015, 05:32:27 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 23, 2015, 04:37:22 PM
I now have two professors who have agreed to write me letters of recommendation. I'm waiting on a third while I debate asking a fourth, just in case #3 says no. If those fall through I guess I'll try asking my section. Sure, I'd prefer to have all three from academic sources, and sure my job in the Army is not at all related to my desired degree, and sure maybe I am aiming too high with two of my desired universities.

If you had a good academic relationship with the third, they won't say no.

My uncertainty comes from having taken only one class with him, and it being about two years ago.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 23, 2015, 10:02:57 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 23, 2015, 09:14:02 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 23, 2015, 05:32:27 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 23, 2015, 04:37:22 PM
I now have two professors who have agreed to write me letters of recommendation. I'm waiting on a third while I debate asking a fourth, just in case #3 says no. If those fall through I guess I'll try asking my section. Sure, I'd prefer to have all three from academic sources, and sure my job in the Army is not at all related to my desired degree, and sure maybe I am aiming too high with two of my desired universities.

If you had a good academic relationship with the third, they won't say no.

My uncertainty comes from having taken only one class with him, and it being about two years ago.

Ohhhh. Yeah, that's more of a problem.

I am trying to ignore the fact that I should be working on my applications right now. RIGHT. NOW.

I'm also supposed to be writing a 6-8 page paper on food forests. I just can't bring myself to care.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 23, 2015, 10:09:50 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 23, 2015, 10:02:57 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 23, 2015, 09:14:02 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 23, 2015, 05:32:27 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 23, 2015, 04:37:22 PM
I now have two professors who have agreed to write me letters of recommendation. I'm waiting on a third while I debate asking a fourth, just in case #3 says no. If those fall through I guess I'll try asking my section. Sure, I'd prefer to have all three from academic sources, and sure my job in the Army is not at all related to my desired degree, and sure maybe I am aiming too high with two of my desired universities.

If you had a good academic relationship with the third, they won't say no.

My uncertainty comes from having taken only one class with him, and it being about two years ago.

Ohhhh. Yeah, that's more of a problem.

I am trying to ignore the fact that I should be working on my applications right now. RIGHT. NOW.

I'm also supposed to be writing a 6-8 page paper on food forests. I just can't bring myself to care.

I know those feelings.

I'm glad all I have left to do for my applications is three personal statements, which are brewing in my head and on page, wait for a yea or nay on from that one professor, and wait on a response about why I need transcripts for colleges that transferred fully to my degree granting university and show up on the transcript for that uni.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 24, 2015, 01:34:01 AM
Well my worries were for naught.

QuoteI certainly do remember you! You were one of the standouts of our TLIT 390 class; you were a major contributor to our discussions, and your final project was ambitious and interesting.

I would be happy to write a letter of recommendation, but I'll be able to do a better job if I know a little more about the programs you're interested in. I haven't set my office hours for the fall quarter yet, but it would be a good idea for us to meet and chat. Also, if you don't have any application materials together yet, no worries, but if you have anything (especially writing sample and CV/resume), would you mind sending it my way?

Let's get in touch soon to discuss a good time to meet.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 24, 2015, 03:34:12 AM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 24, 2015, 01:34:01 AM
Well my worries were for naught.

QuoteI certainly do remember you! You were one of the standouts of our TLIT 390 class; you were a major contributor to our discussions, and your final project was ambitious and interesting.

I would be happy to write a letter of recommendation, but I'll be able to do a better job if I know a little more about the programs you're interested in. I haven't set my office hours for the fall quarter yet, but it would be a good idea for us to meet and chat. Also, if you don't have any application materials together yet, no worries, but if you have anything (especially writing sample and CV/resume), would you mind sending it my way?

Let's get in touch soon to discuss a good time to meet.

That's so awesome!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 24, 2015, 04:19:12 PM
And Cornell, has officially told me that they do not require transcripts from the colleges as the credits were transferred to my degree. So 3/3 references, and 2/3 universities (so far) only need my transcript from UW. Just waiting on a response from UW Bothell, which is now looking like my 2nd choice, Cornell is still my 3rd (so far).
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on September 24, 2015, 04:27:59 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 23, 2015, 09:14:02 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 23, 2015, 05:32:27 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 23, 2015, 04:37:22 PM
I now have two professors who have agreed to write me letters of recommendation. I'm waiting on a third while I debate asking a fourth, just in case #3 says no. If those fall through I guess I'll try asking my section. Sure, I'd prefer to have all three from academic sources, and sure my job in the Army is not at all related to my desired degree, and sure maybe I am aiming too high with two of my desired universities.

If you had a good academic relationship with the third, they won't say no.

My uncertainty comes from having taken only one class with him, and it being about two years ago.

I wouldn't worry about that too much.

One of my academic referees only taught me for a single semester and, at the time of application, that was 4 years previously.

Edit: hah, should've read on.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 24, 2015, 05:51:05 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 24, 2015, 04:19:12 PM
And Cornell, has officially told me that they do not require transcripts from the colleges as the credits were transferred to my degree. So 3/3 references, and 2/3 universities (so far) only need my transcript from UW. Just waiting on a response from UW Bothell, which is now looking like my 2nd choice, Cornell is still my 3rd (so far).

What's your #1?

I seriously need to get my ass in gear and start the application process. I'm so anxious about the GRE but I know I probably shouldn't be.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 24, 2015, 06:02:47 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 24, 2015, 05:51:05 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 24, 2015, 04:19:12 PM
And Cornell, has officially told me that they do not require transcripts from the colleges as the credits were transferred to my degree. So 3/3 references, and 2/3 universities (so far) only need my transcript from UW. Just waiting on a response from UW Bothell, which is now looking like my 2nd choice, Cornell is still my 3rd (so far).

What's your #1?

I seriously need to get my ass in gear and start the application process. I'm so anxious about the GRE but I know I probably shouldn't be.

Brown. Originally it was Bothell.

On reflection, I am not sure why I had bumped Cornell to #3.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 24, 2015, 06:06:39 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 24, 2015, 06:02:47 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 24, 2015, 05:51:05 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 24, 2015, 04:19:12 PM
And Cornell, has officially told me that they do not require transcripts from the colleges as the credits were transferred to my degree. So 3/3 references, and 2/3 universities (so far) only need my transcript from UW. Just waiting on a response from UW Bothell, which is now looking like my 2nd choice, Cornell is still my 3rd (so far).

What's your #1?

I seriously need to get my ass in gear and start the application process. I'm so anxious about the GRE but I know I probably shouldn't be.

Brown. Originally it was Bothell.

On reflection, I am not sure why I had bumped Cornell to #3.

I hope you get into your #1, that's awesome. Grad school choices are hard; I'm limited by geography (especially now that my older childrens' dad is moving to Ohio and abandoning them) but am fortunate to live in a corner of the country that is a growing mecca for neuro and other cellular science. My #1 was primarily informed by my desire to do my postdoc at the OHSU.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 24, 2015, 06:15:14 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 24, 2015, 06:06:39 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 24, 2015, 06:02:47 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 24, 2015, 05:51:05 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 24, 2015, 04:19:12 PM
And Cornell, has officially told me that they do not require transcripts from the colleges as the credits were transferred to my degree. So 3/3 references, and 2/3 universities (so far) only need my transcript from UW. Just waiting on a response from UW Bothell, which is now looking like my 2nd choice, Cornell is still my 3rd (so far).

What's your #1?

I seriously need to get my ass in gear and start the application process. I'm so anxious about the GRE but I know I probably shouldn't be.

Brown. Originally it was Bothell.

On reflection, I am not sure why I had bumped Cornell to #3.

I hope you get into your #1, that's awesome. Grad school choices are hard; I'm limited by geography (especially now that my older childrens' dad is moving to Ohio and abandoning them) but am fortunate to live in a corner of the country that is a growing mecca for neuro and other cellular science. My #1 was primarily informed by my desire to do my postdoc at the OHSU.

I had originally planned on sticking to the PNW, but I really didn't want to pay to take a test to show how smart I am at taking tests. Then I noticed UW is a fairly well rated school and decided to swing for the fences. I didn't expect to get into the Army, and I didn't expect to get into UW, and I didn't expect to do as well I did, even though it's been a near constant chain of soul crushing despair and work.

And then I look at poetry that is in the canon, and what is being published to today, and I think to myself, "My shit is just as good as this, maybe."
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 24, 2015, 07:17:49 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 24, 2015, 06:15:14 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 24, 2015, 06:06:39 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 24, 2015, 06:02:47 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 24, 2015, 05:51:05 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 24, 2015, 04:19:12 PM
And Cornell, has officially told me that they do not require transcripts from the colleges as the credits were transferred to my degree. So 3/3 references, and 2/3 universities (so far) only need my transcript from UW. Just waiting on a response from UW Bothell, which is now looking like my 2nd choice, Cornell is still my 3rd (so far).

What's your #1?

I seriously need to get my ass in gear and start the application process. I'm so anxious about the GRE but I know I probably shouldn't be.

Brown. Originally it was Bothell.

On reflection, I am not sure why I had bumped Cornell to #3.

I hope you get into your #1, that's awesome. Grad school choices are hard; I'm limited by geography (especially now that my older childrens' dad is moving to Ohio and abandoning them) but am fortunate to live in a corner of the country that is a growing mecca for neuro and other cellular science. My #1 was primarily informed by my desire to do my postdoc at the OHSU.

I had originally planned on sticking to the PNW, but I really didn't want to pay to take a test to show how smart I am at taking tests. Then I noticed UW is a fairly well rated school and decided to swing for the fences. I didn't expect to get into the Army, and I didn't expect to get into UW, and I didn't expect to do as well I did, even though it's been a near constant chain of soul crushing despair and work.

And then I look at poetry that is in the canon, and what is being published to today, and I think to myself, "My shit is just as good as this, maybe."

You are a damn good poet.

You make a fair point about taking a test to test your test-taking abilities. When I talked to the folks on the hill about med school, they basically said that they have a cutoff because they need to be reasonably sure that the people they accept are capable of passing boards, but otherwise they feel the same way you do about it; the scores just tell them how good you are at taking a test, so they don't put much stock in it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 25, 2015, 07:04:49 PM
And Bothell is now number three choice.

Quote
Thank you for your email and your interest in the MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics at the University of Washington Bothell. The primary reason we ask for all prior transcripts is so that we can see the actual names of the courses you've previously taken. In many cases, when classes are transferred into a university, they'll show up on that transcript with a prefix and then just xxxxx in place of the name of the course so we might see "ENGL XXXX". It's, of course, much more helpful when we can see "ENGL CREATIVE WRITING", for example, so that we know what classes you have taken.



The other reason for this is that not all courses transfer in so there may be other courses on an old transcript that are not visible because they didn't transfer. Generally, if someone took 10 or less credits and is having trouble obtaining a transcript, we'll waive it. If it's over 10 and the course names are not listed on the recent transcript, then we like to review it. If the cost of getting transcripts is prohibitive, we can always petition the admissions committee and request a waiver as we certainly wouldn't want anyone to not be able to apply to the program due to inability to get old transcripts. 

My next step is swing by the registrar at UWT and ask very nicely if they have my old transcripts and then ask very nicely to have copies of the official transcripts that I submitted to them for admission. And then by Pierce College, which is local, and then calling fucking University of Maryland University College (how that is a legit name and a legit college I will never know), since the email used to register is I believe my AKO, which is 1) no longer operational across the board and 2) I have no access currently to military email.

It's not the cost of getting transcripts, it's the dumbassry of all that.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 28, 2015, 07:34:44 PM
Asking UW if I could get copies of the transcripts I submitted when I was applying for my BA:

QuoteIt is against university policy to make copies of transcripts. Once the university
receives a transcript they become property of the university.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 28, 2015, 11:00:14 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 28, 2015, 07:34:44 PM
Asking UW if I could get copies of the transcripts I submitted when I was applying for my BA:

QuoteIt is against university policy to make copies of transcripts. Once the university
receives a transcript they become property of the university.

Academic bureaucracy! Welcome to the rest of your life.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 28, 2015, 11:14:06 PM
First day of classes, here. Developmental Biology is going to be AWESOME, I already love it. The Ecology professor is super weird and I'm not sure about the class yet, but it looks like a shit ton of it is going to be genetics simple statistical analysis and I'm hella good at that (or at least, I was last time I was doing it on a regular basis) so it shouldn't be a hard class.

I have a ton of reading to do though. It's homework time.

Alty's classes started a couple weeks ago. He's photoshopping the fuck out of a turtle.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 29, 2015, 04:03:38 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 28, 2015, 11:14:06 PM
First day of classes, here. Developmental Biology is going to be AWESOME, I already love it. The Ecology professor is super weird and I'm not sure about the class yet, but it looks like a shit ton of it is going to be genetics simple statistical analysis and I'm hella good at that (or at least, I was last time I was doing it on a regular basis) so it shouldn't be a hard class.

I have a ton of reading to do though. It's homework time.

Alty's classes started a couple weeks ago. He's photoshopping the fuck out of a turtle.

Why must he mess with nature and create a fuckless turtle?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 29, 2015, 03:12:27 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 29, 2015, 04:03:38 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 28, 2015, 11:14:06 PM
First day of classes, here. Developmental Biology is going to be AWESOME, I already love it. The Ecology professor is super weird and I'm not sure about the class yet, but it looks like a shit ton of it is going to be genetics simple statistical analysis and I'm hella good at that (or at least, I was last time I was doing it on a regular basis) so it shouldn't be a hard class.

I have a ton of reading to do though. It's homework time.

Alty's classes started a couple weeks ago. He's photoshopping the fuck out of a turtle.

Why must he mess with nature and create a fuckless turtle?

Somebody needs to think of the children. Children loves turtles. Do we want our precious assets playing with a fucking turtle?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 29, 2015, 03:14:06 PM
Yesterday The Grad Student Who Is The Boss Of Me was rushing out of the lab and said in passing "Remind  me that I need to get a picture of you for Dr. L's talk!"

I have no idea what she's talking about.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 29, 2015, 03:22:34 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 29, 2015, 03:14:06 PM
Yesterday The Grad Student Who Is The Boss Of Me was rushing out of the lab and said in passing "Remind  me that I need to get a picture of you for Dr. L's talk!"

I have no idea what she's talking about.

Sounds ominous.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 29, 2015, 07:26:21 PM
I seem to have writers block regarding my personal statement. :argh!:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 29, 2015, 07:46:07 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 29, 2015, 03:22:34 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 29, 2015, 03:14:06 PM
Yesterday The Grad Student Who Is The Boss Of Me was rushing out of the lab and said in passing "Remind  me that I need to get a picture of you for Dr. L's talk!"

I have no idea what she's talking about.

Sounds ominous.

I am presuming she's giving some kind of academic talk and will be telling other PI's about the joys of having undergraduates doing research, which is swell.

I also met the person who is going to be helping on my project, and she remembered me from a panel I did for the new grant program, so that was cool.

Monday, my micro professor, who is amazing and brilliant and one of the foremost researchers on microorganisms around deep sea vents, is giving a science pub talk. Gonna try to go to that even though that is usually ladies dinner night.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on September 29, 2015, 07:52:07 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 29, 2015, 07:46:07 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 29, 2015, 03:22:34 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 29, 2015, 03:14:06 PM
Yesterday The Grad Student Who Is The Boss Of Me was rushing out of the lab and said in passing "Remind  me that I need to get a picture of you for Dr. L's talk!"

I have no idea what she's talking about.

Sounds ominous.

I am presuming she's giving some kind of academic talk and will be telling other PI's about the joys of having undergraduates doing research, which is swell.

I also met the person who is going to be helping on my project, and she remembered me from a panel I did for the new grant program, so that was cool.

Monday, my micro professor, who is amazing and brilliant and one of the foremost researchers on microorganisms around deep sea vents, is giving a science pub talk. Gonna try to go to that even though that is usually ladies dinner night.

Or they announce they've been doing SCIENCE!! to you.

All of that sounds cool.

Science stuff always sounds cool.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 30, 2015, 03:39:56 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 29, 2015, 07:52:07 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 29, 2015, 07:46:07 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on September 29, 2015, 03:22:34 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 29, 2015, 03:14:06 PM
Yesterday The Grad Student Who Is The Boss Of Me was rushing out of the lab and said in passing "Remind  me that I need to get a picture of you for Dr. L's talk!"

I have no idea what she's talking about.

Sounds ominous.

I am presuming she's giving some kind of academic talk and will be telling other PI's about the joys of having undergraduates doing research, which is swell.

I also met the person who is going to be helping on my project, and she remembered me from a panel I did for the new grant program, so that was cool.

Monday, my micro professor, who is amazing and brilliant and one of the foremost researchers on microorganisms around deep sea vents, is giving a science pub talk. Gonna try to go to that even though that is usually ladies dinner night.

Or they announce they've been doing SCIENCE!! to you.

All of that sounds cool.

Science stuff always sounds cool.

I'm super excited about SCIENCE! right now because I'm doing background reading on glucocorticoids and neuronal development for my thesis prospectus, and holy shit this project I'm working on could turn out to be REALLY cool. Or not. We'll see. But I'm super excited to run the analysis!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 01, 2015, 12:55:29 AM
The advantage of working on a project prospectus that nobody else in my thesis group understands is that there is no way they can ding me in the peer review process.

The disadvantage is that they also can't help me by giving me useful feedback. :(
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 15, 2015, 09:59:52 PM
Talked to my academic advisor today; I am indeed on track for finishing classes in the Spring and I can get credit for my lab work this term.

Woot!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on October 16, 2015, 12:09:38 AM
Woot
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 19, 2015, 01:31:52 AM
I feel like I have been incredibly lazy and remiss in my studies this term, so I am working on a study guide for my midterm that is tomorrow morning, and realizing that life would be MUCH easier if I wrote up a study guide every weekend instead of just before a midterm.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 20, 2015, 03:01:32 PM
I got a B on my dev bio midterm.

It is clear that I need to step up my game. Still, I don't feel SO bad, given that I got that B after basically blowing off studying and while under the influence of a dizzying stew of love hormones. If I just read the damn book and write up my study guide answers on a weekly basis I should own this class.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 29, 2015, 02:03:53 PM
Week 5 is almost over. I am completely no longer on board with 8 am classes. The midterm season is in full force and I have  five more midterms before Finals. Five. Midterms.

I talked to my mentor yesterday and she told me that I need to email the PI of the lab I'm interested in posthaste so I'ma do that today. She was also like, sometimes you have to just let your grades slip so you can fit in other things that are important to you, so I didn't feel so bad about getting a B on her midterm. Also she is lending me a book I need for endocrinology next term, yay for saving $200.

Added 2 credits of neuroscience research to my load.

I am finishing my damn permaculture paper today if it kills me.

IF IT KILLS ME.

I wish I was in bed right now.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on October 29, 2015, 02:21:08 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v711/Marburger/Eris%20propoganda/MIDTERM%20SEASON_zpsy5aqyd7r.jpg)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2015, 08:14:05 PM
Quote from: LMNO on October 29, 2015, 02:21:08 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v711/Marburger/Eris%20propoganda/MIDTERM%20SEASON_zpsy5aqyd7r.jpg)

:horror:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2015, 08:22:00 PM
In other news, all of a sudden I am definitely applying for graduate school right now, which means that I am both excited as hell and a bit of a trainwreck. I talked to my undergrad research advisor on Wednesday, who basically demanded to know my graduate school plans and then told me that I need to email the researcher I want as my graduate advisor immediately, which I did, and then he emailed me back right away telling me that he has a 2016 opening in his lab, invited me to come visit, and told me I need to apply to WSU right away. The priority deadline is the 15th of November. I am losing my shit a little. I'm taking the GRE on the 11th.

Luckily Alty is a rock and an amazing support person because he is methodical and has the ability to get me to focus on just one thing at a time, something that I am terrible at.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: The Good Reverend Roger on October 31, 2015, 12:22:57 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2015, 08:22:00 PM
In other news, all of a sudden I am definitely applying for graduate school right now, which means that I am both excited as hell and a bit of a trainwreck. I talked to my undergrad research advisor on Wednesday, who basically demanded to know my graduate school plans and then told me that I need to email the researcher I want as my graduate advisor immediately, which I did, and then he emailed me back right away telling me that he has a 2016 opening in his lab, invited me to come visit, and told me I need to apply to WSU right away. The priority deadline is the 15th of November. I am losing my shit a little. I'm taking the GRE on the 11th.

Luckily Alty is a rock and an amazing support person because he is methodical and has the ability to get me to focus on just one thing at a time, something that I am terrible at.

:banana:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 31, 2015, 12:51:08 AM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on October 31, 2015, 12:22:57 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 30, 2015, 08:22:00 PM
In other news, all of a sudden I am definitely applying for graduate school right now, which means that I am both excited as hell and a bit of a trainwreck. I talked to my undergrad research advisor on Wednesday, who basically demanded to know my graduate school plans and then told me that I need to email the researcher I want as my graduate advisor immediately, which I did, and then he emailed me back right away telling me that he has a 2016 opening in his lab, invited me to come visit, and told me I need to apply to WSU right away. The priority deadline is the 15th of November. I am losing my shit a little. I'm taking the GRE on the 11th.

Luckily Alty is a rock and an amazing support person because he is methodical and has the ability to get me to focus on just one thing at a time, something that I am terrible at.

:banana:

SO FAR SO GOOD. My biggest problem is that when I decide to do something I typically want to DO IT NOW and I want ALL THE THINGS NOW and at least one of my references is out of town until Monday.

So, I have to wait. :(

I need to write a personal statement (I'm super good at bullshitting, but get super paralyzed when the bullshitting is IMPORTANT) and figure out what to submit as a writing sample. I'm leaning toward my 2013 research poster, but I'm not sure whether research posters are appropriate as writing samples.

So basically, I've done everything I can do today and all I can do between now and Monday is work on my personal statement. And troll the shit out of Dark'N'edgy.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: The Good Reverend Roger on October 31, 2015, 04:46:44 AM
May not have to.  At least two of them have regged here.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 31, 2015, 05:23:46 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on October 31, 2015, 04:46:44 AM
May not have to.  At least two of them have regged here.

:mittens:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 11, 2015, 04:17:29 PM
GRE today.

I feel pretty good about everything except the geometry of triangles, because triangles, man. So many ratio rules that I never memorized.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on November 13, 2015, 06:12:34 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 11, 2015, 04:17:29 PM
GRE today.

I feel pretty good about everything except the geometry of triangles, because triangles, man. So many ratio rules that I never memorized.

Triangles, lazy ass cones  :argh!:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 13, 2015, 09:30:56 PM
Quote from: Don Coyote on November 13, 2015, 06:12:34 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 11, 2015, 04:17:29 PM
GRE today.

I feel pretty good about everything except the geometry of triangles, because triangles, man. So many ratio rules that I never memorized.

Triangles, lazy ass cones  :argh!:

RIGHT?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 13, 2015, 09:38:51 PM
I'm waiting on my final score but it should be 318-319. Which is completely fine.

I'm all dressed and ready to go meet with my prospective mentor. Sooooo nervous! Hoping I strike the right balance of nerdy/collegiate/professional/informal.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 19, 2015, 05:40:38 AM
My prospective mentor visit went insanely well and he wants me in his lab. Now I just need to get into the program. I am hoping that my ace in the hole will be that hardly anybody knows about this tiny little brand-new program in Vancouver.

I registered for classes. I was torn about whether to maybe skip biochemistry in the Spring and just take something easy to meet my other science credits, ("Exploring Mars" is an actual class!) but my research adviser thinks I'll want biochemistry and she's never steered me wrong so far. So this Fall it's behavioral endocrinology, neurophysiology for biology majors, and physics. In the Spring it'll be biochemistry, recombinant DNA, Cell lab, and then holy shit I'm done with classes. Except I think I'm going to take Elementary Functions online over the summer while I'm writing my thesis, to get me ready for calculus.

Had my Ecology midterm today and it seemed to go pretty well except I flat-out forgot the rate of infectiousness equation.


Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on November 21, 2015, 06:39:46 PM
Ooooooo, good luck with everything Nigel!  :D
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 21, 2015, 11:11:41 PM
Thanks!

It occurred to me today that 18 credits and graduate-level classes do not go particularly well together.

I are smart.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on December 07, 2015, 08:34:41 PM
I now have to wait until March to find out if I got accepted and to which universities.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2015, 01:45:58 AM
Quote from: Don Coyote on December 07, 2015, 08:34:41 PM
I now have to wait until March to find out if I got accepted and to which universities.

NOT NERVE-WRACKING AT ALL.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on December 08, 2015, 04:11:56 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2015, 01:45:58 AM
Quote from: Don Coyote on December 07, 2015, 08:34:41 PM
I now have to wait until March to find out if I got accepted and to which universities.

NOT NERVE-WRACKING AT ALL.

i am totally 1000% calm pay no attention to the soulless pits where my eyes were
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cuddlefish on December 08, 2015, 04:53:10 PM
Submitted my paper on teaching classical categorical logic to the journal 'Teaching Philosophy.' I'd imagine that it wouldn't be picked up, but I think the paper was good enough that I at least have a chance... What's worse than rejection is waiting to see if you'll be rejected. In fact, I don't really care either way, the waiting just sucks.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2015, 04:16:41 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on December 08, 2015, 04:53:10 PM
Submitted my paper on teaching classical categorical logic to the journal 'Teaching Philosophy.' I'd imagine that it wouldn't be picked up, but I think the paper was good enough that I at least have a chance... What's worse than rejection is waiting to see if you'll be rejected. In fact, I don't really care either way, the waiting just sucks.

Oooooh, good luck! That would be an awesome publication credit.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cuddlefish on December 10, 2015, 03:25:58 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2015, 04:16:41 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on December 08, 2015, 04:53:10 PM
Submitted my paper on teaching classical categorical logic to the journal 'Teaching Philosophy.' I'd imagine that it wouldn't be picked up, but I think the paper was good enough that I at least have a chance... What's worse than rejection is waiting to see if you'll be rejected. In fact, I don't really care either way, the waiting just sucks.

Oooooh, good luck! That would be an awesome publication credit.

I'm planning on using the paper as a writing sample for grad school apps. Having it published would really set it apart from other people's. In either case, it's a great sample. I'm dying to get back to my studies... Non-academic life is so... mundane.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 10, 2015, 11:51:15 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on December 10, 2015, 03:25:58 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2015, 04:16:41 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on December 08, 2015, 04:53:10 PM
Submitted my paper on teaching classical categorical logic to the journal 'Teaching Philosophy.' I'd imagine that it wouldn't be picked up, but I think the paper was good enough that I at least have a chance... What's worse than rejection is waiting to see if you'll be rejected. In fact, I don't really care either way, the waiting just sucks.

Oooooh, good luck! That would be an awesome publication credit.

I'm planning on using the paper as a writing sample for grad school apps. Having it published would really set it apart from other people's. In either case, it's a great sample. I'm dying to get back to my studies... Non-academic life is so... mundane.

A publication would definitely be a feather in your cap for grad school apps!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 10, 2015, 11:52:11 PM
I'm hoping I get into grad school this round for much the reason you mention. I can take a year off and work, but... I like it in academialand. It's a weird and wonderful little universe.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Don Coyote on December 11, 2015, 02:07:34 AM
Yeah not being in academialand this last year has been really shitty.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Aucoq on December 11, 2015, 01:21:40 PM
Reading along as you guys power through school is really inspiring. I break out in cold sweats just "listening" to you all nonchalantly talk about the subjects you're taking. My hope is that one day I can be a total academic badass like you all.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cuddlefish on December 11, 2015, 06:04:33 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 10, 2015, 11:51:15 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on December 10, 2015, 03:25:58 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2015, 04:16:41 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on December 08, 2015, 04:53:10 PM
Submitted my paper on teaching classical categorical logic to the journal 'Teaching Philosophy.' I'd imagine that it wouldn't be picked up, but I think the paper was good enough that I at least have a chance... What's worse than rejection is waiting to see if you'll be rejected. In fact, I don't really care either way, the waiting just sucks.

Oooooh, good luck! That would be an awesome publication credit.

I'm planning on using the paper as a writing sample for grad school apps. Having it published would really set it apart from other people's. In either case, it's a great sample. I'm dying to get back to my studies... Non-academic life is so... mundane.

A publication would definitely be a feather in your cap for grad school apps!

Yeah, that's the plan. I hear that you are doing well with your studies, which also makes me happy: Non-traditional students, FTW
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2015, 07:29:00 PM
Quote from: Aucoq on December 11, 2015, 01:21:40 PM
Reading along as you guys power through school is really inspiring. I break out in cold sweats just "listening" to you all nonchalantly talk about the subjects you're taking. My hope is that one day I can be a total academic badass like you all.

Aw, thank you! If that's what you want, then you can do it, believe me!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 11, 2015, 07:31:07 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on December 11, 2015, 06:04:33 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 10, 2015, 11:51:15 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on December 10, 2015, 03:25:58 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2015, 04:16:41 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on December 08, 2015, 04:53:10 PM
Submitted my paper on teaching classical categorical logic to the journal 'Teaching Philosophy.' I'd imagine that it wouldn't be picked up, but I think the paper was good enough that I at least have a chance... What's worse than rejection is waiting to see if you'll be rejected. In fact, I don't really care either way, the waiting just sucks.

Oooooh, good luck! That would be an awesome publication credit.

I'm planning on using the paper as a writing sample for grad school apps. Having it published would really set it apart from other people's. In either case, it's a great sample. I'm dying to get back to my studies... Non-academic life is so... mundane.

A publication would definitely be a feather in your cap for grad school apps!

Yeah, that's the plan. I hear that you are doing well with your studies, which also makes me happy: Non-traditional students, FTW

Thanks! This term was pretty nerve-wracking, but I think part of that is being in a new relationship; it's hard to find the right balance of study time when all you want to be doing is spending time with your new partner. But I did OK, and the next two terms should go smoothly. I think I'll relax a lot when I find out whether I get into my grad program.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 15, 2015, 08:05:14 PM
Submitted my application yesterday. I decided to do just the one, which is... maybe risky? But it's the only program I really want to get into. If I don't get in, my plan is to look for a lab job or maybe tutor for a year, publish my current research project, take calculus and the rest of the physics series, and reapply next year, both to this program and to the MD/PhD program at OHSU.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Zenpatista on December 17, 2015, 07:53:54 PM
I am done grading. I only had one page of a 9 page final exam (thank heaven for TAs) but there were 160 students. I'm also done grading the final papers from the 16 honors students. And, I'm done uploading letters of recommendation to every known format of graduate & medical school website. Why people want letters from a lowly staff scientist, I don't know. I try to dissuade them and tell them to get a letter from a real, tenured professor. No matter. I. Am. Done. Now for (more) coffee, and to get back to sciencing the shit out of some proteins.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 18, 2015, 06:02:32 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on December 17, 2015, 07:53:54 PM
I am done grading. I only had one page of a 9 page final exam (thank heaven for TAs) but there were 160 students. I'm also done grading the final papers from the 16 honors students. And, I'm done uploading letters of recommendation to every known format of graduate & medical school website. Why people want letters from a lowly staff scientist, I don't know. I try to dissuade them and tell them to get a letter from a real, tenured professor. No matter. I. Am. Done. Now for (more) coffee, and to get back to sciencing the shit out of some proteins.

I'm gonna science some proteins tonight, if you know what I mean.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on December 18, 2015, 12:46:25 PM
:lmnuendo:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 19, 2015, 03:10:04 AM
Quote from: LMNO on December 18, 2015, 12:46:25 PM
:lmnuendo:

That's right.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 27, 2016, 06:41:38 AM
Maximum amount of credits this semester. Two days in and I'm wondering how crushing the workload will end up being. But at least this semester there's no more math courses, and it's largely stuff that's directly relevant to what I'm aiming to do from here on out.

Evolution, and lab
Bioinformatics and lab
Chemical Principles II and lab
Black American Music (which, funny enough, an old lab partner from BHCC is in)

Labs are considered separate co-requisites at UMass, so I'm technically taking 7 classes.

Professors for Chemistry lecture and BAM are professors I had last semester (for Chemistry and World Music).

Also, I gotta do finishing touches on my resume and gimme an internship essay. For once, I'm glad I put it off a little. I'm now considering changing my third choice to working under my Bioinformatics professor.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 31, 2016, 01:29:20 AM
That is a hell of a load.

The labs at PSU are mostly 2 credits, but for some reason they are almost always as much homework as a full 4-credit lecture class. The only lab I'm taking this term is Physics, and every lab is a nightmare clusterfuck of outdated instructions and malfunctioning equipment. My labmates, who are all lovely people, seem mightily confused and appear to entirely rely on me to do the data analysis, which is alarming because it's been years since my last math class and I never even took trig.

This term I'm taking Behavioral Endocrinology, Neurophysiology, Physics, and a McNair seminar class which is essentially a repeat of the Honors thesis class I took last term. I don't actually have to go to that one, and assignments are functionally just editing my assignments from last term and turning those in, so really it's like I'm only taking three classes plus the lab, and also 2 credits of research.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 31, 2016, 01:32:28 AM
OH AND NEXT TERM

NEXT TERM

I am only taking two lectures, two labs, and one seminar class for McNair. And then I'm DONE with undergrad lectures except for the thesis support class over the summer. I'm also taking trig online, because if I'm going to need calculus for my grad program I'd better get warmed up.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on February 04, 2016, 12:50:44 AM
GOOD LUCK ALL YOUSE SPAGS WITH THE SCHOOLING AND THINGS
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 04, 2016, 04:50:17 AM
THANK YOU!

The Spring schedule came out, and of course biochemistry clashes with the recombinant DNA techniques lab. And technically I'm supposed to have taken a full year of Ochem before taking biochemistry, but I've only taken the first class.

According to the WSU graduate handbook, students admitted to the neuroscience graduate program are expected to have had biochemistry, or to take it in their first year of grad school. However, I am a molecular biology major, so I've had molecular and cell biology, which they may consider equivalent. Not only that, but WSU doesn't offer biochemistry. Furthermore, I think that recombinant DNA techniques will be WAY more practically useful in the lab I want to do my grad work in than biochemistry.

I'm seriously thinking about just going for it, and taking Earthquakes and Volcanoes to make up my last three "other science" credits.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 10, 2016, 08:20:18 PM
I'm definitely taking biochemistry, so next term is biochem, recombinant DNA theory, cell bio lab, and micro lab. And that's it for the degree, after that all I need to do is write my thesis and get ready for grad school.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on February 11, 2016, 08:54:20 PM
Recombinant DNA theory sounds like something you need for to be a mad scientist.  And therefore awesome.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 11, 2016, 09:21:12 PM
Quote from: Choppas an' Sluggas on February 11, 2016, 08:54:20 PM
Recombinant DNA theory sounds like something you need for to be a mad scientist.  And therefore awesome.

Yes! I will need it for some of the stem cell therapy experiments that I want to do.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on February 18, 2016, 01:40:24 AM
Every time I hear of your plans for the future and what all you are studying, it blows my mind.  You are one of the coolest people I know.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 18, 2016, 03:21:21 AM
Quote from: Choppas an' Sluggas on February 18, 2016, 01:40:24 AM
Every time I hear of your plans for the future and what all you are studying, it blows my mind.  You are one of the coolest people I know.

Damn, thanks! :)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 01, 2016, 05:12:20 PM
Well, it's technically almost a month out from the start of Fall term, but since I'm already in the lab anyway my advisor has started me already. We have five litters of the most adorable baby noodles, which I have been feeding, and we spent yesterday setting up for the snakes we're bringing back from Manitoba in a couple of weeks. Which means I am going to Manitoba, yayyyy!

Manitoba road trip. A van full of scientists and snakes driving across the country. Yep. The stuff dreams are made of.

I am doing my graduate work on deiodinase 2 and deiodinase 3, which is gonna be awesome given that I don't know what they are or do.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 01, 2016, 05:13:05 PM
Oh and I can't find my passport anywhere. :(
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 02, 2016, 01:28:46 AM
My first module for my professional certificate program starts tomorrow. It's an online course offered through Cal State Long Beach, and its for collection management and care of costume and textiles in a museum setting. Conservation, preservation, etc. History is over, now I get to learn the SCIENCE. I find it generally hilarious, and yet not at all surprising, to become a specialist in a museum field takes another year or so of extra work on top of a graduate degree. Because I haven't spent enough money yet.  :roll:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 02, 2016, 05:03:54 AM
Quote from: SuuCal on September 02, 2016, 01:28:46 AM
My first module for my professional certificate program starts tomorrow. It's an online course offered through Cal State Long Beach, and its for collection management and care of costume and textiles in a museum setting. Conservation, preservation, etc. History is over, now I get to learn the SCIENCE. I find it generally hilarious, and yet not at all surprising, to become a specialist in a museum field takes another year or so of extra work on top of a graduate degree. Because I haven't spent enough money yet.  :roll:

Is that like a post-doc fellowship sort of thing?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 02, 2016, 05:27:26 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 02, 2016, 05:03:54 AM
Quote from: SuuCal on September 02, 2016, 01:28:46 AM
My first module for my professional certificate program starts tomorrow. It's an online course offered through Cal State Long Beach, and its for collection management and care of costume and textiles in a museum setting. Conservation, preservation, etc. History is over, now I get to learn the SCIENCE. I find it generally hilarious, and yet not at all surprising, to become a specialist in a museum field takes another year or so of extra work on top of a graduate degree. Because I haven't spent enough money yet.  :roll:

Is that like a post-doc fellowship sort of thing?

Not really. You get paid for post-docs, and they're typically research positions, which I'll probably end up doing once I finish my PhD someday. This is a professional designation, or certificate for post-MA grads to make them a specialist in their field for doing practical work versus academic work. A conservator has to have a specialization, so while I have the MA in museum studies which gives me the basic knowledge of the systems and processes, the specialization certificates are what set me in a specific field. So I'll be doing textiles and costumes (shock, I know) while some other folks do sculpture and pottery, paintings, etc. Each require a very specific skill set, so you really can't do each of them. I mean, I'm sure I could, but that would take a while, and I want to start working.

In addition, conservation specialists also work in archaeological lab to help process and preserve finds. So that's more of what I'd like to do. So in addition to having the historical and archival knowledge, now I need a healthy dose of basic organic chemistry and learn textile-specific treatments. It's short, only 5 1-month classes, and then 120 hours of fieldwork. Then I'm good to go to enter a conservation lab.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 02, 2016, 05:34:26 PM
Quote from: SuuCal on September 02, 2016, 05:27:26 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 02, 2016, 05:03:54 AM
Quote from: SuuCal on September 02, 2016, 01:28:46 AM
My first module for my professional certificate program starts tomorrow. It's an online course offered through Cal State Long Beach, and its for collection management and care of costume and textiles in a museum setting. Conservation, preservation, etc. History is over, now I get to learn the SCIENCE. I find it generally hilarious, and yet not at all surprising, to become a specialist in a museum field takes another year or so of extra work on top of a graduate degree. Because I haven't spent enough money yet.  :roll:

Is that like a post-doc fellowship sort of thing?

Not really. You get paid for post-docs, and they're typically research positions, which I'll probably end up doing once I finish my PhD someday. This is a professional designation, or certificate for post-MA grads to make them a specialist in their field for doing practical work versus academic work. A conservator has to have a specialization, so while I have the MA in museum studies which gives me the basic knowledge of the systems and processes, the specialization certificates are what set me in a specific field. So I'll be doing textiles and costumes (shock, I know) while some other folks do sculpture and pottery, paintings, etc. Each require a very specific skill set, so you really can't do each of them. I mean, I'm sure I could, but that would take a while, and I want to start working.

In addition, conservation specialists also work in archaeological lab to help process and preserve finds. So that's more of what I'd like to do. So in addition to having the historical and archival knowledge, now I need a healthy dose of basic organic chemistry and learn textile-specific treatments. It's short, only 5 1-month classes, and then 120 hours of fieldwork. Then I'm good to go to enter a conservation lab.

So it's a certificate program? That makes sense.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 03, 2016, 01:22:01 AM
I got my assistantship assignment today! It's Principles of Bio. I'm so relieved it isn't something I've never taken, like A&P!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on September 03, 2016, 05:08:10 AM
Woot!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on September 03, 2016, 02:24:20 PM
Congrats.

I'm looking forward to Monday, when I can start putting in some more PhD applications.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 06, 2016, 02:00:42 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 02, 2016, 05:34:26 PM
Quote from: SuuCal on September 02, 2016, 05:27:26 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 02, 2016, 05:03:54 AM
Quote from: SuuCal on September 02, 2016, 01:28:46 AM
My first module for my professional certificate program starts tomorrow. It's an online course offered through Cal State Long Beach, and its for collection management and care of costume and textiles in a museum setting. Conservation, preservation, etc. History is over, now I get to learn the SCIENCE. I find it generally hilarious, and yet not at all surprising, to become a specialist in a museum field takes another year or so of extra work on top of a graduate degree. Because I haven't spent enough money yet.  :roll:

Is that like a post-doc fellowship sort of thing?

Not really. You get paid for post-docs, and they're typically research positions, which I'll probably end up doing once I finish my PhD someday. This is a professional designation, or certificate for post-MA grads to make them a specialist in their field for doing practical work versus academic work. A conservator has to have a specialization, so while I have the MA in museum studies which gives me the basic knowledge of the systems and processes, the specialization certificates are what set me in a specific field. So I'll be doing textiles and costumes (shock, I know) while some other folks do sculpture and pottery, paintings, etc. Each require a very specific skill set, so you really can't do each of them. I mean, I'm sure I could, but that would take a while, and I want to start working.

In addition, conservation specialists also work in archaeological lab to help process and preserve finds. So that's more of what I'd like to do. So in addition to having the historical and archival knowledge, now I need a healthy dose of basic organic chemistry and learn textile-specific treatments. It's short, only 5 1-month classes, and then 120 hours of fieldwork. Then I'm good to go to enter a conservation lab.

So it's a certificate program? That makes sense.

Yeah. I need the additional exp points, but there's no way in hell I have the brain capacity to continue to my PhD right now. The amount of work I had to do for my master's was intense, and I didn't see my husband through most of it. My mind is still fucking broken from my thesis, to the point when I had to give a presentation on it last month, I actually didn't want to look at it again. But, so many people are interested in my work, and it's currently under review for presentation at Kalamazoo at the International Congress on Medieval Studies, which is the largest conference of its type in the world.

I'm also working on a paper about cotton cultivation in medieval Anatolia and the culture of cotton garments from Byzantium into Western Europe, which probably sounds boring, but we were under this assumption that cotton didn't make it to Europe until much later, despite consistent cultivation in Egypt through most of the classical period. Farms in Anatolia means that the Byzantine Empire was controlling the trade like they were controlling their silk, but still only giving the cotton to the military and lower classes. It reads like, "You can't have this, it's OUR garbage!" There has to be more to it than that, though I wouldn't put it besides the Byzantines to bogart even inferior fibers.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 06, 2016, 03:42:28 PM
Quote from: Cain on September 03, 2016, 02:24:20 PM
Congrats.

I'm looking forward to Monday, when I can start putting in some more PhD applications.

Where are you applying, if I may ask? Will you likely be relocating?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on September 06, 2016, 03:50:05 PM
I'm applying anywhere which will pay in full for the course and has one.  So relocation is pretty likely.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 06, 2016, 03:52:50 PM
Quote from: SuuCal on September 06, 2016, 02:00:42 AM

Yeah. I need the additional exp points, but there's no way in hell I have the brain capacity to continue to my PhD right now. The amount of work I had to do for my master's was intense, and I didn't see my husband through most of it. My mind is still fucking broken from my thesis, to the point when I had to give a presentation on it last month, I actually didn't want to look at it again. But, so many people are interested in my work, and it's currently under review for presentation at Kalamazoo at the International Congress on Medieval Studies, which is the largest conference of its type in the world.

I'm also working on a paper about cotton cultivation in medieval Anatolia and the culture of cotton garments from Byzantium into Western Europe, which probably sounds boring, but we were under this assumption that cotton didn't make it to Europe until much later, despite consistent cultivation in Egypt through most of the classical period. Farms in Anatolia means that the Byzantine Empire was controlling the trade like they were controlling their silk, but still only giving the cotton to the military and lower classes. It reads like, "You can't have this, it's OUR garbage!" There has to be more to it than that, though I wouldn't put it besides the Byzantines to bogart even inferior fibers.

That actually sounds fairly interesting; I find it fascinating that many of our long-held historical assumptions just don't hold up to scrutiny by an expert.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 08, 2016, 09:55:24 PM
Quote from: Cain on September 06, 2016, 03:50:05 PM
I'm applying anywhere which will pay in full for the course and has one.  So relocation is pretty likely.

That seems exciting! Potentially, at least.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 08, 2016, 09:56:46 PM
Well, it looks like they aren't going to take my thesis down, and my advisor says it's fine because we will revise it enough that it's not a big deal to have an earlier version floating about. So, as promised, here's the link if anyone is interested:

http://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/honorstheses/340/
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Junkenstein on September 08, 2016, 10:47:52 PM
Read the abstract and felt quite dumb. Currently googling terms. Conclusion does beg questions RE likely to be replicated in mammals so would additional proof eventually lead to looking at human habitats? Curious as somewhere is now trialling guaranteed income (way above poverty line) and I'm expecting to see good results with lack of stress factors.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 09, 2016, 02:45:41 AM
Quote from: Junkenstein on September 08, 2016, 10:47:52 PM
Read the abstract and felt quite dumb. Currently googling terms. Conclusion does beg questions RE likely to be replicated in mammals so would additional proof eventually lead to looking at human habitats? Curious as somewhere is now trialling guaranteed income (way above poverty line) and I'm expecting to see good results with lack of stress factors.

I know what you mean... I feel that way every time I read a paper from someone with a different specialty. I don't know if you've had the chance to get through the intro yet, but although no one has done my exact experiment in mammals (and frankly, I am not sure if most neonatal mammals have significant neurogenesis that could be reliably tested in this way... possibly shrews or voles? Nobody's going to replicate this with bears or raccoons), I think Meaney has some really robust data using rat and mouse pups that demonstrate significant difference in histone acetylation for glucocorticoid receptors between pups of stressed and non-stressed dams. Meaney is actually one of the seminal sources for this area of study... he's now doing some really exciting research on development in toddlers who were exposed to acute ongoing prenatal stress.

I, too, would anticipate that all of the impacts of prolonged acute prenatal stress would be ameliorated to a pretty high degree with basic income, so in ten to twenty years there should be some very strong data coming from that trial.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 09, 2016, 03:19:21 AM
FWIW, the body of the paper is much less dense and more accessible than the abstract! I explain and define most of the terms I use; it's written for a diverse academic body.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Junkenstein on September 09, 2016, 11:54:08 AM
Handy to know, thanks! I assumed if I couldn't understand the abstract to a reasonable degree the main text would just be like trying to read wingdings or Proust.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on September 09, 2016, 01:47:38 PM
Downloaded for reading later, thanks!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 09, 2016, 05:32:25 PM
Thanks for giving it a go, guys! I really appreciate it. And when you do, please forgive the shittiness of the header formatting. You'll see what I mean.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Vanadium Gryllz on September 10, 2016, 10:34:24 AM
Cool paper Nigel!

How do the levels of stress hormones that you introduced compare to those that might be produced naturally?

Also, were there many ethical concerns/complications involved experimenting on snakes?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 10, 2016, 03:36:57 PM
Quote from: Xaz on September 10, 2016, 10:34:24 AM
Cool paper Nigel!

How do the levels of stress hormones that you introduced compare to those that might be produced naturally?

Also, were there many ethical concerns/complications involved experimenting on snakes?

The levels were physiologically relevant, ie. approximately the same as those you would find in an acutely stressed animal in  the wild.

The ethical issues are the same with the snakes as those all researchers who work with animals face. The NIH has guidelines which we adhere to strictly. https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/air/
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on September 10, 2016, 07:31:07 PM
That was a great read, Nigel.  I was particularly fascinated that the stress hormone inhibitor offspring were possibly too sensitive to stress (at least, that's how I understood it, correct me if I'm wrong). 

Also, for no particular reason, "normal goat serum" made me laugh.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 11, 2016, 11:46:26 PM
Quote from: Freeky on September 10, 2016, 07:31:07 PM
That was a great read, Nigel.  I was particularly fascinated that the stress hormone inhibitor offspring were possibly too sensitive to stress (at least, that's how I understood it, correct me if I'm wrong). 

Also, for no particular reason, "normal goat serum" made me laugh.

Heehee! Thanks, and thanks for reading it.

It seems that there are optimal levels of stress hormones, and if you deviate too far from optimal in either direction, it kind of "breaks" the system.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on September 12, 2016, 03:06:14 AM
It makes sense, in a way.  Sort of like the trope of how sheltered people lose their security and easy lives have meltdowns because they can't take the pressure, and people who constantly live with stress sort of shut down eventually.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on September 12, 2016, 07:03:15 AM
That sounds similar to something I once read, but I can't for the life of me think where....
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 12, 2016, 03:55:55 PM
Quote from: Freeky on September 12, 2016, 03:06:14 AM
It makes sense, in a way.  Sort of like the trope of how sheltered people lose their security and easy lives have meltdowns because they can't take the pressure, and people who constantly live with stress sort of shut down eventually.

Yes. Endocrine burnout is real.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 12, 2016, 03:56:29 PM
Quote from: Cain on September 12, 2016, 07:03:15 AM
That sounds similar to something I once read, but I can't for the life of me think where....

Sapolsky? Meaney? Possibly the Whitehall reports?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on September 12, 2016, 04:20:20 PM
Could be Sapolsky, I know you've linked to some of his stuff before.  Can't say for sure though.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 13, 2016, 12:40:39 AM
Sapolsky is like, my science heartthrob. His research is so seminal.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 14, 2016, 06:25:48 AM
I don't understand why people whine about paying for academic papers. Scholars deserve to be paid just as much as artists or any worker does. Research can take months, or even years, and paywalls and journals exist for a reason: to help protect their intellectual rights and ensure that they can be paid fairly by the publication for their work. Yes, sometimes they can get pretty damn steep, and I understand not everybody can swing a JStor account, but that's why we have nifty things like interlibrary loan and research librarians who can help you do this at almost any public library.

Guys, seriously. I've paid too much goddamn money to go to school. Nigel has paid too much goddamn money to go to school. Millions of people have paid too much goddamn money to go to school, and put in hours of work hitting the books and labs to be able to write a coherent, peer-reviewed article. I charge 8 bucks for digital copies of my thesis. Eight. Bucks. That's it. I'd give it away for free if I wasn't paying off mountains of debt.

Scholars should not be treated any differently than artists. Time, training, and talent has a price. Please, do the right thing and obtain the research you need through the right channels. There are a great deal of tools if you can't swing journal subscriptions: Interlibrary loan, research librarians, Academia.edu, Scribd, Project Gutenberg for out of copyright releases, etc. It's just not cool to yell at people who won't just give you their research for free. Don't be that guy. It's bad enough a lot of academics find themselves dying of exposure these days anyway, it's typically called adjuncting.

-Suu
Who is riproaring pissed at some bitch right now who is calling her all sorts of things because she wouldn't give her free copies of her longest papers that are currently under review.  :argh!:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Vanadium Gryllz on September 14, 2016, 06:48:55 AM
Roughly how much could an author of a paper expect to receive from publishing a paper? I was under the impression that the vast majority of the cost of obtaining a paper goes to the publisher rather than the authors.

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 14, 2016, 07:12:15 AM
Quote from: Xaz on September 14, 2016, 06:48:55 AM
Roughly how much could an author of a paper expect to receive from publishing a paper? I was under the impression that the vast majority of the cost of obtaining a paper goes to the publisher rather than the authors.

Depends on the publisher. It's not enough to make a living, but it can be a good supplement if you can churn out 2-3 papers a year for a good publication. If you publish an "article" length paper, which was described to me as 15,000 words, at 15 cents a word, you're getting over 2 grand, which is why published articles are getting shorter.

There's a lot of fighting going on right now between academics and journals, much along the same lines of artists and assholes involving "exposure", basically it looks good on grant applications. Grants are where the money is, but you sometimes can't publish without grants, and you can't get grants without being published.  :roll:

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 14, 2016, 01:44:38 PM
Quote from: Xaz on September 14, 2016, 06:48:55 AM
Roughly how much could an author of a paper expect to receive from publishing a paper? I was under the impression that the vast majority of the cost of obtaining a paper goes to the publisher rather than the authors.

In my field, authors get a pack on the back and a line in their CV.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on September 14, 2016, 06:16:43 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 14, 2016, 01:44:38 PM
Quote from: Xaz on September 14, 2016, 06:48:55 AM
Roughly how much could an author of a paper expect to receive from publishing a paper? I was under the impression that the vast majority of the cost of obtaining a paper goes to the publisher rather than the authors.

In my field, authors get a pack on the back and a line in their CV.

"Just think of the grant money you can get when they see you've been published! Here, eat this exposure!" 
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 22, 2016, 06:02:47 PM
Quote from: SuuCal on September 14, 2016, 06:16:43 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 14, 2016, 01:44:38 PM
Quote from: Xaz on September 14, 2016, 06:48:55 AM
Roughly how much could an author of a paper expect to receive from publishing a paper? I was under the impression that the vast majority of the cost of obtaining a paper goes to the publisher rather than the authors.

In my field, authors get a pack on the back and a line in their CV.

"Just think of the grant money you can get when they see you've been published! Here, eat this exposure!"

To be fair, in my field grad students are paid.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 22, 2016, 06:14:45 PM
Speaking of which, academic bureaucracy has found a novel way of making my life more frustrating this term! This is a good one, too. I have a scholarship, but they need my official transcript that shows I've graduated and am admitted into the graduate program. Final grades for my thesis posted on August 12th and my degrees posted August 13th. Billing for Fall term also posted August 13th. There is a hold on my transcript until I pay my bill, which is just under $5k.

It gets better. I get a $6000/quarter teaching stipend and full tuition remission. But, I don't get paid until October 31st, and my tuition bill is due October 6th. The way tuition remission works is, you pay the bill, then they reimburse you.

I also am eligible for a Perkins loan that would cover tuition, but my scholarship is tied to my financial aid and since my scholarship is waiting for my transcript, they can't disburse my financial aid until all requirements are fulfilled.

This would be hilarious if I wasn't so fucked.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on September 22, 2016, 06:23:41 PM
I honestly cannot for the life of me figure out whether I get my scholarship funding ON TOP OF my stipend and tuition remission, but if I do, that is going to be completely awesome. It would be enough to actually support a family on. I'll be paying taxes for the first time in five years!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on October 26, 2016, 05:34:40 AM
My Academia.edu page is fluctuating between the top 2-3% of profiles. Some of my papers up there aren't that great, so I'm surprised they're getting hits at all.

The Crusades have been a hot topic lately, though. My short paper on Geoffrey de Villehardouin is my most popular piece, and it's being downloaded a lot by students back at UNH, so I ran a search on this semester's courses, and shonuff, one of my former profs and thesis committee Russian Judge is teaching the Crusades this semester. My guess is that he just hit the 4th Crusade. Last year at this time, we had a student in the colloquium use my paper for his piece on Villehardouin, so I at least hope I'm being cited (I BETTER be cited) and that the prof gets to see my name as a source.  :lulz: He's a great instructor though, really, he's just tough as nails. I wonder if there's a sense of pride, or dread, in seeing former students' work being used by current students. It certainly was hilarious sitting in the colloquium last year and listening to the undergrad present his paper.

I was asked to present my thesis research at the International Congress of Medieval Studies in Kalamazoo next May. I'm flattered and terrified, because this is basically Medievalpalooza, including the live music. Some of my academic heroes will be there, and you can't really fangirl out when it comes to Peter Frankopan like you can with a comic artist.

In other, more sad news, I've lost library and database access through UNH. I can get it back with an alumni library card, but they require me to physically go to the library on campus to apply for one, probably for identification purposes. Why the hell didn't they tell us this before we left? It's a bummer, really, because there's a few things I'm working on right now, including a paper on cotton cultivation in Medieval Anatolia, and a short article on purple dye.  That, and work, is why I haven't been posting on the boards as much. I can get some database access through CSU, but not the ILL privileges like I had at UNH. Ugh, time to get cozy with the San Diego Public Library.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 26, 2016, 06:02:26 AM
I got nothin' but that I was on campus 82 hours last week. :kingmeh:

At least it appears that my students are improving, which was the goal.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Suu on October 26, 2016, 06:26:07 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 26, 2016, 06:02:26 AM
I got nothin' but that I was on campus 82 hours last week. :kingmeh:

At least it appears that my students are improving, which was the goal.

I know that feel.

Did the financial aid situation work itself out?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 26, 2016, 10:19:06 PM
Quote from: SuuCal on October 26, 2016, 06:26:07 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 26, 2016, 06:02:26 AM
I got nothin' but that I was on campus 82 hours last week. :kingmeh:

At least it appears that my students are improving, which was the goal.

I know that feel.

Did the financial aid situation work itself out?

Yes, very nicely, in fact. It was tough in the interim, but now I should be all set even during the inevitable period next term when they fuck it up again.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 26, 2016, 10:27:34 PM
Today is the first time since the start of the term when I actually feel like I can probably get all this shit done. I should be grading or something right this second, actually, but I'm taking a moment to have a cup of tea and relax. I dropped five hours from my mentoring job, so that opened up my Monday and Wednesday midafternoons, plus I've started grading papers during lab section when my students are engaged in doing what they are supposed to do (getting them to do what they are supposed to do is a whole other hurdle: apparently they will not take notes while I explain simple step-by-step procedures, but instead ignore everything I say and then call me over to hold their hand through it when they get to the procedure).

I am epically behind on reading for my research, but I am fairly confident that I can catch up reasonably quickly now that I have time.

My data analysis clicked for me today, and I was R scripting like a boss; the professor caught up on his lecture from Monday and what was opaque is made clear.

Now I just have to rewrite my scoping statement and specific aims, find a non-mammalian deiodinase immunohistochemistry protocol, grade 37 lab reports, and read 2 papers a day this week, and I'm golden. I feel like these are doable goals. Until a wrench gets thrown into the works, then I will be back to shitting bricks.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on October 26, 2016, 10:30:27 PM
Oh and

A bunch of students got busted copy and pasting answers from Coursehero on their lab reports.

All the answers are IN THE LAB MANUAL. On the first two pages of the lab section for the week. Which they should have read before doing the lab, and can use for reference while writing their lab report. We literally hand them the answers, all they have to do is look.

:lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on November 12, 2016, 11:35:14 PM
I am thoroughly uninterested in my graduate research project.

I didn't realize how uninterested I am until today.

Fuck.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 04, 2016, 01:19:17 AM
OK, so in a follow-up to my last post, my interest has picked back up, even though it's still not as interesting as the effects of prenatal stress on brain development.

But that aside, one of my students is driving me fucking crazy. He keeps fucking asking me how he can get better grades, and I told him answer all the fucking questions on your fucking homework. He cornered me after class on Tuesday and was like "But how can I get better grades tho?" and once again, I told him that the main two areas he loses points are A. not following the directions and B. not answering all the questions. I gave him detailed directions on how best to use the lab addendum to make sure he doesn't miss any questions and follows all the directions, and stayed with him for half an hour after class discussing study strategies.

Lo and behold, I am grading his fucking lab report and he has only answered three out of nine questions. I probably don't need to tell you whether he followed the directions.

:asshat:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: MMIX on December 04, 2016, 02:28:22 AM
I love students . . . but I couldn't eat a whole one
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 05, 2016, 03:59:25 PM
Quote from: MMIX on December 04, 2016, 02:28:22 AM
I love students . . . but I couldn't eat a whole one

My god, I had no idea. I had one email me today to complain about receiving a zero grade on an assignment she never turned in.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on December 05, 2016, 06:14:40 PM
The gross entitlement people seem to feel is, as ever, awe-inspiring and astonishing.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 05, 2016, 08:48:46 PM
I try to be super nice about it, and respond with things like "I don't have a file in your Dropbox for that assignment. Can you double-check to see if it's showing up on your end? If there was a technical error, you can always re-upload the file: the creation and last save date are embedded in it so we can verify that you did the assignment on time."

They never, ever do.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Vanadium Gryllz on December 05, 2016, 09:24:24 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 05, 2016, 08:48:46 PM
I try to be super nice about it, and respond with things like "I don't have a file in your Dropbox for that assignment. Can you double-check to see if it's showing up on your end? If there was a technical error, you can always re-upload the file: the creation and last save date are embedded in it so we can verify that you did the assignment on time."

They never, ever do.

Dealbreaker.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on December 05, 2016, 09:26:00 PM
It's no consolation, but that sort of thing keep happening after they leave college, too.  The amount of times someone's clever plan breaks down because I, you know, went and looked, is flummoxing.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 06, 2016, 04:21:56 PM
Quote from: LMNO on December 05, 2016, 09:26:00 PM
It's no consolation, but that sort of thing keep happening after they leave college, too.  The amount of times someone's clever plan breaks down because I, you know, went and looked, is flummoxing.

Dammit.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Roly Poly Oly-Garch on December 08, 2016, 02:31:57 AM
I have a makefile to write and a bash script to turn in tonight. Those may be my last two assignments...ever.

I have decisions to make--but on the plus side, I'll be able to stop lying on applications after next week.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2016, 04:16:03 AM
Quote from: NoLeDeMiel on December 08, 2016, 02:31:57 AM
I have a makefile to write and a bash script to turn in tonight. Those may be my last two assignments...ever.

I have decisions to make--but on the plus side, I'll be able to stop lying on applications after next week.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2016, 04:16:36 AM
I gave my presentation and it went well. Perhaps... TOO well.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Vanadium Gryllz on December 08, 2016, 10:18:46 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2016, 04:16:36 AM
I gave my presentation and it went well. Perhaps... TOO well.

CONGRATULATIONS!?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2016, 06:51:24 PM
Quote from: Xaz on December 08, 2016, 10:18:46 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2016, 04:16:36 AM
I gave my presentation and it went well. Perhaps... TOO well.

CONGRATULATIONS!?

I've been asked to present again in front of an audience of undergrads, so... YES.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: The Wizard Joseph on December 08, 2016, 08:59:07 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2016, 06:51:24 PM
Quote from: Xaz on December 08, 2016, 10:18:46 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2016, 04:16:36 AM
I gave my presentation and it went well. Perhaps... TOO well.

CONGRATULATIONS!?

I've been asked to present again in front of an audience of undergrads, so... YES.

You know... the power of presentation is AT LEAST as important as the Science itself. Anybody can theoretically work in a lab or do a field study, but it take a certain something extra to be a front person and that something is in high demand.

More power to you Nigel!
I mean this!
:banana: :magick: :banana:
:cainftw: :cainftw: :cainftw: :cainftw:  :elvis: <----- Rockstar Science Nigel
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2016, 09:44:07 PM
Quote from: The Wizard Joseph on December 08, 2016, 08:59:07 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2016, 06:51:24 PM
Quote from: Xaz on December 08, 2016, 10:18:46 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2016, 04:16:36 AM
I gave my presentation and it went well. Perhaps... TOO well.

CONGRATULATIONS!?

I've been asked to present again in front of an audience of undergrads, so... YES.

You know... the power of presentation is AT LEAST as important as the Science itself. Anybody can theoretically work in a lab or do a field study, but it take a certain something extra to be a front person and that something is in high demand.

More power to you Nigel!
I mean this!
:banana: :magick: :banana:
:cainftw: :cainftw: :cainftw: :cainftw:  :elvis: <----- Rockstar Science Nigel

Meh. If I wasn't good at presenting I would still publish, which disseminates the science more effectively anyway.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 20, 2016, 04:18:38 PM
The one thing that drives me most insane about academia isn't the bureaucracy, which is shockingly inefficient, tedious, and time-wasting, but the fact that it's absolutely chock-full of adult babies. Not diaper wearers, but people who went to college out of high school and then never left. Sure, they got their degrees and then they went to grad school and then they got adult jobs at universities and have been doing those adult jobs for years or decades, but I think that something about the protected environment they have spent their lives in has led many of them to have very poor emotional regulation and generally to seem emotionally stunted despite being highly intellectually developed.

I'm honestly not sure I can work long-term in an environment largely populated with emotionally stunted sheltered adults who are, frankly, spoiled and lack perspective.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 20, 2016, 04:19:58 PM
This is also why I am seriously considering doing the jump to epidemiology. Public health people, like social workers, generally spend a lot of time working with people who are actually seriously fucked. It seems to help them get the fuck over themselves.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on December 20, 2016, 04:25:10 PM
I had eyed being a "professional student" back in the day, but now I'm glad I didn't do that.  Those people are awful.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 20, 2016, 05:40:40 PM
Quote from: LMNO on December 20, 2016, 04:25:10 PM
I had eyed being a "professional student" back in the day, but now I'm glad I didn't do that.  Those people are awful.

Yep. And that's how you get professors.

I suspect, from my experiences so far, that hard sciences are the worst for this, because of the degree people must sacrifice their personal lives to pursue those avenues of study. While it may make social rejects and freaks such as myself into productive contributors to society, it also robs them of a lot of opportunity for interpersonal learning and emotional growth, with the result that they have trouble managing emotions and conflict in a mature adult manner. This is a problem when they are managing graduate students who also have not had the opportunity to learn those skills, and it turns into a cycle of emotionally immature professors mentoring emotionally immature graduate students who then become professors, and so on. 

I feel really fortunate in my lab, because all the other students are also older and have significant life experience and people skills that they learned outside of academia. In fact, of my cohort, which is admittedly very small, half of us are over 30, which is a huge departure from the traditional student trajectory. This gives me some hope for the future of the culture in biology, at least here at PSU, but my cohort is only 11 people so it's not like we're more than a drop in the bucket, and I doubt it's a robust trend because PSU trends toward nontraditional students. But outside of my lab, the dysfunction runs deep, and I can see it in my advisor as well, who is a lovely person and a brilliant researcher, but prone to overly emotional outbursts of frustration that are, frankly, childlike in the way her emotions cloud her reasoning and lead her to impulsive behavior. I feel fortunate that I recognize that and am able to work with it, but it's so reflective of the cultural environment in research -- and she's one of the better ones -- that it really gives me pause about pursuing a PhD in Biology.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 31, 2016, 12:10:17 AM
I've been researching epidemiology programs, and although it doesn't formally exist at OHSU, I think I want to pursue neuroepidemiology; it really seems to tie all my academic interests and background together, opens doors to both field and clinical research in human populations, and gives me an avenue for influencing policy without having to actually become that most dreaded of all beasts, a public policy bureaucrat. Plus, it would allow me to indulge my love-hate relationship with statistics, which I am particularly good at even though I feel about statistics much like I feel about pie dough; get your hands in it as little as possible and get it over with before you fuck it up irreparably.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 05, 2017, 03:05:18 AM
Been a while.

Nigel, good to know what I might have to be looking forward to when I get to grad school as far as the other people go.

So, I see the last thing I posted was pretty much last year. This past semester it was Game Theory & Evolution, Genomics, Organic Chemistry, and Independent Study I. My Genomics professor is also my Independent Study PI. Failed Orgo lecture, but passed the lab, A's in Genomics and Independent Study, B in GT&E. This semester coming up (my last as an undergrad) is Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, Physics II and Independent Study II. Microbial Ecology is a graduate level course--my professor invited people who aced Genomics.

And then that will be that. In theory, I'm preparing to apply to grad school, but I'm dragging my feet on that a little. I'm having trouble thinking about what to put in my personal statement. Aside from that I have to write an application for a fellowship that has a deadline in three weeks. On the bright side, maybe I can just recycle some stuff from that, since it will be put towards my independent study.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 05, 2017, 03:17:28 AM
Oh! I knew I had something in the back of my head re: people who are emotionally incapable.

We had a final quiz in Organic  Chemistry lab and it counted for a good chunk of the grade. Now basically if we had done our notebooks right and put everything we were supposed to in it, the answers were in the notebook. We could bring our notebooks in, but nothing else. One of the lab students went to go in and he had torn pages out of his notebook--they were loose pages. Now, we were all told not to remove the duplicate pages, only the original copies and attach them to the lab reports. The TA told him he couldn't bring those pages in. So he starts to protest, saying "but they're the carbon copies!" When the TA doesn't budge, he shouts, "Well just forget about it!" and storms off. Which was strange and hilarious to me. He'd only torn out a few pages. All of the answers might have been on the pages that weren't torn out and he'd get an A on the final. Worst case scenario, those pages were important and maybe he misses 5 questions. But instead he flips out and gets an automatic 0, just because he couldn't shrug off him fucking up something obvious. It seemed bizarre even taking into account he might be 15 years younger than me.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 05, 2017, 08:36:50 PM
WOOOO TWID, COMING DOWN THE HOMESTRETCH!!!

Having now had an entire quarter of getting to know students from the teaching side, I am betting that student was not doing well in the class, did not take good notes, and was looking for an excuse to blame someone else for his poor performance. Not being allowed to take torn-out pages from his notebook (or, more likely, notes he had copied from someone else and was claiming were his) was probably not the reason he walked off, but rather, the excuse he will use when he has to retake the class.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 05, 2017, 08:43:49 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 05, 2017, 08:36:50 PM
WOOOO TWID, COMING DOWN THE HOMESTRETCH!!!

Having now had an entire quarter of getting to know students from the teaching side, I am betting that student was not doing well in the class, did not take good notes, and was looking for an excuse to blame someone else for his poor performance. Not being allowed to take torn-out pages from his notebook (or, more likely, notes he had copied from someone else and was claiming were his) was probably not the reason he walked off, but rather, the excuse he will use when he has to retake the class.

That seems pretty likely. On the way in, I quipped to the TA, "well, at least I'm not at the bottom of the class!"
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2017, 12:04:06 AM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on January 05, 2017, 08:43:49 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 05, 2017, 08:36:50 PM
WOOOO TWID, COMING DOWN THE HOMESTRETCH!!!

Having now had an entire quarter of getting to know students from the teaching side, I am betting that student was not doing well in the class, did not take good notes, and was looking for an excuse to blame someone else for his poor performance. Not being allowed to take torn-out pages from his notebook (or, more likely, notes he had copied from someone else and was claiming were his) was probably not the reason he walked off, but rather, the excuse he will use when he has to retake the class.

That seems pretty likely. On the way in, I quipped to the TA, "well, at least I'm not at the bottom of the class!"

I've definitely noticed a substantial difference between students who are struggling to understand the material, and students who are trying to half-ass their way through the class. It's the half-assers who tend to try to cheat. Irony... they usually cheat by copying from other half-assers, because the strugglers aren't going to help them (they're working too damn hard at really learning) and the top students definitely won't help them.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 06, 2017, 05:39:26 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2017, 12:04:06 AM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on January 05, 2017, 08:43:49 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 05, 2017, 08:36:50 PM
WOOOO TWID, COMING DOWN THE HOMESTRETCH!!!

Having now had an entire quarter of getting to know students from the teaching side, I am betting that student was not doing well in the class, did not take good notes, and was looking for an excuse to blame someone else for his poor performance. Not being allowed to take torn-out pages from his notebook (or, more likely, notes he had copied from someone else and was claiming were his) was probably not the reason he walked off, but rather, the excuse he will use when he has to retake the class.

That seems pretty likely. On the way in, I quipped to the TA, "well, at least I'm not at the bottom of the class!"

I've definitely noticed a substantial difference between students who are struggling to understand the material, and students who are trying to half-ass their way through the class. It's the half-assers who tend to try to cheat. Irony... they usually cheat by copying from other half-assers, because the strugglers aren't going to help them (they're working too damn hard at really learning) and the top students definitely won't help them.

That sounds about right. Two days before the Genomics final draft was due, I was waiting for my GT&E classmates to talk about our final presentation. I had already submitted my final draft (in fact, I got the grade for it the day before, because, I like Genomics), and a classmate who I've never even noticed came up to me and was like "Hey, you're in my Genomics class, right?" "Umm... there's only one Genomics class?" "Yeah, can you help me with..." "No. I'm :waving at my laptop: busy doing something else for another class" "Ok, how long are you going to be here today?" "As long as I have to for :wave at laptop" this. Then I'm going to go to work because I need money."
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2017, 03:46:07 PM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on January 06, 2017, 05:39:26 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2017, 12:04:06 AM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on January 05, 2017, 08:43:49 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 05, 2017, 08:36:50 PM
WOOOO TWID, COMING DOWN THE HOMESTRETCH!!!

Having now had an entire quarter of getting to know students from the teaching side, I am betting that student was not doing well in the class, did not take good notes, and was looking for an excuse to blame someone else for his poor performance. Not being allowed to take torn-out pages from his notebook (or, more likely, notes he had copied from someone else and was claiming were his) was probably not the reason he walked off, but rather, the excuse he will use when he has to retake the class.

That seems pretty likely. On the way in, I quipped to the TA, "well, at least I'm not at the bottom of the class!"

I've definitely noticed a substantial difference between students who are struggling to understand the material, and students who are trying to half-ass their way through the class. It's the half-assers who tend to try to cheat. Irony... they usually cheat by copying from other half-assers, because the strugglers aren't going to help them (they're working too damn hard at really learning) and the top students definitely won't help them.

That sounds about right. Two days before the Genomics final draft was due, I was waiting for my GT&E classmates to talk about our final presentation. I had already submitted my final draft (in fact, I got the grade for it the day before, because, I like Genomics), and a classmate who I've never even noticed came up to me and was like "Hey, you're in my Genomics class, right?" "Umm... there's only one Genomics class?" "Yeah, can you help me with..." "No. I'm :waving at my laptop: busy doing something else for another class" "Ok, how long are you going to be here today?" "As long as I have to for :wave at laptop" this. Then I'm going to go to work because I need money."

They never seem to be able to figure out how to start or join study groups, either. They just do that, whatever that is, instead.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Bruno on January 06, 2017, 04:49:12 PM
My department (along with a couple others) at the Vo-Tech college just moved into their shiny new building across the street from the Nissan plant. We had a 2 1/2 week break for the holidays. They started moving the equipment out of the old building about 3 weeks before the break which, of course made it very difficult for students to use said equipment for their schoolwork. Now that the new term has begun, they're not actually ready to begin classes. The classroom came self-assembly required, so we're spending the first two weeks of the new term putting together chairs and tables, installing drop-down outlets, miscellaneous other wiring, and who knows what else before we begin our actual studies.

They also have a rather strict attendance policy. 5 tardies in a 4 month term and I am "in jeopardy" of being suspended. My first day I got there about 30 seconds late. One of the instructors looks at me like he wants to fight, and says "YOUR LATE!" I look back at him, nod, and reply, "yuh-huh", and take a seat. So not only are they wasting the better part of a month of my time, and expect me to perform free labor for them in lieu of making actual academic progress, I better be there by 7:45 am SHARP, or they'll kick me out.

In spite of all this, I'm not too terribly disgruntled. After all, financial aid is paying for all of this, so at least I'M not actually paying for this mess out of my own pocket, but there are some there who are, and they're pretty steamed about it, and rightly so.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 06, 2017, 06:55:06 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2017, 03:46:07 PM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on January 06, 2017, 05:39:26 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2017, 12:04:06 AM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on January 05, 2017, 08:43:49 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 05, 2017, 08:36:50 PM
WOOOO TWID, COMING DOWN THE HOMESTRETCH!!!

Having now had an entire quarter of getting to know students from the teaching side, I am betting that student was not doing well in the class, did not take good notes, and was looking for an excuse to blame someone else for his poor performance. Not being allowed to take torn-out pages from his notebook (or, more likely, notes he had copied from someone else and was claiming were his) was probably not the reason he walked off, but rather, the excuse he will use when he has to retake the class.

That seems pretty likely. On the way in, I quipped to the TA, "well, at least I'm not at the bottom of the class!"

I've definitely noticed a substantial difference between students who are struggling to understand the material, and students who are trying to half-ass their way through the class. It's the half-assers who tend to try to cheat. Irony... they usually cheat by copying from other half-assers, because the strugglers aren't going to help them (they're working too damn hard at really learning) and the top students definitely won't help them.

That sounds about right. Two days before the Genomics final draft was due, I was waiting for my GT&E classmates to talk about our final presentation. I had already submitted my final draft (in fact, I got the grade for it the day before, because, I like Genomics), and a classmate who I've never even noticed came up to me and was like "Hey, you're in my Genomics class, right?" "Umm... there's only one Genomics class?" "Yeah, can you help me with..." "No. I'm :waving at my laptop: busy doing something else for another class" "Ok, how long are you going to be here today?" "As long as I have to for :wave at laptop" this. Then I'm going to go to work because I need money."

They never seem to be able to figure out how to start or join study groups, either. They just do that, whatever that is, instead.

It's so weird. It's like, if you wanted me to help with your final report (whatever help she was expecting at the final draft phase), the time to ask was not during finals week.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on January 06, 2017, 06:57:43 PM
Quote from: Emo Howard on January 06, 2017, 04:49:12 PM
My department (along with a couple others) at the Vo-Tech college just moved into their shiny new building across the street from the Nissan plant. We had a 2 1/2 week break for the holidays. They started moving the equipment out of the old building about 3 weeks before the break which, of course made it very difficult for students to use said equipment for their schoolwork. Now that the new term has begun, they're not actually ready to begin classes. The classroom came self-assembly required, so we're spending the first two weeks of the new term putting together chairs and tables, installing drop-down outlets, miscellaneous other wiring, and who knows what else before we begin our actual studies.

They also have a rather strict attendance policy. 5 tardies in a 4 month term and I am "in jeopardy" of being suspended. My first day I got there about 30 seconds late. One of the instructors looks at me like he wants to fight, and says "YOUR LATE!" I look back at him, nod, and reply, "yuh-huh", and take a seat. So not only are they wasting the better part of a month of my time, and expect me to perform free labor for them in lieu of making actual academic progress, I better be there by 7:45 am SHARP, or they'll kick me out.

In spite of all this, I'm not too terribly disgruntled. After all, financial aid is paying for all of this, so at least I'M not actually paying for this mess out of my own pocket, but there are some there who are, and they're pretty steamed about it, and rightly so.

Making a fuss over being 10 minutes I can see, but 30 seconds is having trouble finding a parking spot or the bus was late.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 07, 2017, 02:01:52 AM
Quote from: Emo Howard on January 06, 2017, 04:49:12 PM
My department (along with a couple others) at the Vo-Tech college just moved into their shiny new building across the street from the Nissan plant. We had a 2 1/2 week break for the holidays. They started moving the equipment out of the old building about 3 weeks before the break which, of course made it very difficult for students to use said equipment for their schoolwork. Now that the new term has begun, they're not actually ready to begin classes. The classroom came self-assembly required, so we're spending the first two weeks of the new term putting together chairs and tables, installing drop-down outlets, miscellaneous other wiring, and who knows what else before we begin our actual studies.

They also have a rather strict attendance policy. 5 tardies in a 4 month term and I am "in jeopardy" of being suspended. My first day I got there about 30 seconds late. One of the instructors looks at me like he wants to fight, and says "YOUR LATE!" I look back at him, nod, and reply, "yuh-huh", and take a seat. So not only are they wasting the better part of a month of my time, and expect me to perform free labor for them in lieu of making actual academic progress, I better be there by 7:45 am SHARP, or they'll kick me out.

In spite of all this, I'm not too terribly disgruntled. After all, financial aid is paying for all of this, so at least I'M not actually paying for this mess out of my own pocket, but there are some there who are, and they're pretty steamed about it, and rightly so.

So... they're not ready for students, but you damn well better not be 30 seconds late? Sounds like THEY need to be suspended for lack of academic progress.



Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on January 07, 2017, 02:07:19 AM
Considering re-writing/expanding on a couple of my University papers and throwing them up on Academia.edu.  I'm thinking terrorism in history might be a good niche to claim as my own.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 07, 2017, 02:55:11 AM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on January 06, 2017, 06:55:06 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2017, 03:46:07 PM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on January 06, 2017, 05:39:26 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 06, 2017, 12:04:06 AM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on January 05, 2017, 08:43:49 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 05, 2017, 08:36:50 PM
WOOOO TWID, COMING DOWN THE HOMESTRETCH!!!

Having now had an entire quarter of getting to know students from the teaching side, I am betting that student was not doing well in the class, did not take good notes, and was looking for an excuse to blame someone else for his poor performance. Not being allowed to take torn-out pages from his notebook (or, more likely, notes he had copied from someone else and was claiming were his) was probably not the reason he walked off, but rather, the excuse he will use when he has to retake the class.

That seems pretty likely. On the way in, I quipped to the TA, "well, at least I'm not at the bottom of the class!"

I've definitely noticed a substantial difference between students who are struggling to understand the material, and students who are trying to half-ass their way through the class. It's the half-assers who tend to try to cheat. Irony... they usually cheat by copying from other half-assers, because the strugglers aren't going to help them (they're working too damn hard at really learning) and the top students definitely won't help them.

That sounds about right. Two days before the Genomics final draft was due, I was waiting for my GT&E classmates to talk about our final presentation. I had already submitted my final draft (in fact, I got the grade for it the day before, because, I like Genomics), and a classmate who I've never even noticed came up to me and was like "Hey, you're in my Genomics class, right?" "Umm... there's only one Genomics class?" "Yeah, can you help me with..." "No. I'm :waving at my laptop: busy doing something else for another class" "Ok, how long are you going to be here today?" "As long as I have to for :wave at laptop" this. Then I'm going to go to work because I need money."

They never seem to be able to figure out how to start or join study groups, either. They just do that, whatever that is, instead.

It's so weird. It's like, if you wanted me to help with your final report (whatever help she was expecting at the final draft phase), the time to ask was not during finals week.

Oh hell no. I think that falls under the "Failure to plan on your part does not equal an emergency on my part" clause.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 07, 2017, 02:55:52 AM
Quote from: Cain on January 07, 2017, 02:07:19 AM
Considering re-writing/expanding on a couple of my University papers and throwing them up on Academia.edu.  I'm thinking terrorism in history might be a good niche to claim as my own.

Oooh, good idea!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 08, 2017, 02:50:53 PM
I am so so not ready for the start of the term. I'm taking grant writing and scientific teaching, which sound cool, but I am not looking forward to teaching biology at 7:45 am. The silver lining; it's the organismal term. We break Principles into three terms: term 1 is molecular, term 2 is organismal, and term 3 is ecological. In my opinion, this order makes zero sense, as who can even be curious about the molecular level stuff if they don't yet understand the organismal level stuff? But that's how we do it. Anyway, the nice thing is that it means that this term will probably be pretty exciting and fun for most of my students, particularly the pre-med ones, so hopefully they'll be more engaged than they were when moving clear fluids around with pipettors.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on January 09, 2017, 12:52:33 PM
Quote from: Cain on January 07, 2017, 02:07:19 AM
Considering re-writing/expanding on a couple of my University papers and throwing them up on Academia.edu.  I'm thinking terrorism in history might be a good niche to claim as my own.

This is your moment, sir.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Cain on January 09, 2017, 03:38:25 PM
Well, once I get a good night's sleep.  And put in some job applications so I no longer have to reside at this nuthouse.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 21, 2017, 07:16:56 PM
I emailed the other two people I want on my graduate committee yesterday evening.

My institution literally has only four biological neuroscientists, and one cognitive neuroscientist who is a complete hack. Of the four, two are not currently doing research. Of the two who research, both are superb scientists with large bibliographies, one is my advisor, and one is retiring next year.

So, yeah, pickings were slim. I hope neither of these fuckers says no.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on January 29, 2017, 10:13:12 PM
I found a course on video game programming that is both free and theoretically has other students taking it I can interact with.

SO EXCITE.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 31, 2017, 03:52:05 AM
Quote from: Freeky on January 29, 2017, 10:13:12 PM
I found a course on video game programming that is both free and theoretically has other students taking it I can interact with.

SO EXCITE.

That sounds super awesome!

I have an assignment to do tonight and I don't wanna.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 31, 2017, 03:55:06 AM
I'm also trying to foster the kind of deeply obsessive interest in my thesis topic that made my undergrad thesis paper so good, but now that my interest is kindled, of course I have another trainee, and no time for extra reading. :kingmeh: I need to have much, much more context about what effects thyroid hormone and its various actors have on the brain in order to get a good solid obsession on.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on February 03, 2017, 04:32:12 AM
Okay, so I'm getting a little pissed off at the actual graded assignment we have for this week. 

There were like maybe ten lectures so far, mostly covering how to make a program do a thing and then tell you that thing, and the three that were dedicated to numbers had to do with data types, integer types, and real number data, and the explanation of these at no point entered into the realm of the Math methods (that's what functions are called in C#, it's unintuitive). 

There are three labs, using the information we got from the lectures, that took a bit of slogging through but could be done.  These were optional.

In the actual graded assignment, his only hint was USE atan2 IT'S GOING TO HELP YOU OUT and I'm over here like motherfucker, I know there's a lot of code but YOU NEVER TOLD US HOW TO USE ANY OF THE MATH CLASS, OR EVEN HOW TO CHANGE CLASSES.

So I'm spending hours trawling google with stupid ass questions, hoping to find out how to format shit we haven't even covered, and hoping I'll know I find what I'm looking for.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: P3nT4gR4m on February 03, 2017, 10:40:20 AM
Stick with it. Hacking has a ridiculously steep learning curve but the most important lesson you will ever learn is how to google the code snippet you're trying to write :lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Faust on February 03, 2017, 12:09:30 PM
Quote from: Freeky on February 03, 2017, 04:32:12 AM
Okay, so I'm getting a little pissed off at the actual graded assignment we have for this week. 

There were like maybe ten lectures so far, mostly covering how to make a program do a thing and then tell you that thing, and the three that were dedicated to numbers had to do with data types, integer types, and real number data, and the explanation of these at no point entered into the realm of the Math methods (that's what functions are called in C#, it's unintuitive). 

There are three labs, using the information we got from the lectures, that took a bit of slogging through but could be done.  These were optional.

In the actual graded assignment, his only hint was USE atan2 IT'S GOING TO HELP YOU OUT and I'm over here like motherfucker, I know there's a lot of code but YOU NEVER TOLD US HOW TO USE ANY OF THE MATH CLASS, OR EVEN HOW TO CHANGE CLASSES.

So I'm spending hours trawling google with stupid ass questions, hoping to find out how to format shit we haven't even covered, and hoping I'll know I find what I'm looking for.

Most of the Math methods will take a double (what with needing all those tasty decimal points) and return a double. if you are doing any data manipulation before hand c# does a couple of funny things when handling multiplication and division with doubles and ints... for instance dividing a double by an int will give you back an int (losing all  the decimal information).

This is bad advice in general; but dealing with doubles wherever you can for calculations (even using Convert.ToDouble()) might avoid some issues here.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 03, 2017, 04:38:59 PM
Quote from: Freeky on February 03, 2017, 04:32:12 AM
Okay, so I'm getting a little pissed off at the actual graded assignment we have for this week. 

There were like maybe ten lectures so far, mostly covering how to make a program do a thing and then tell you that thing, and the three that were dedicated to numbers had to do with data types, integer types, and real number data, and the explanation of these at no point entered into the realm of the Math methods (that's what functions are called in C#, it's unintuitive). 

There are three labs, using the information we got from the lectures, that took a bit of slogging through but could be done.  These were optional.

In the actual graded assignment, his only hint was USE atan2 IT'S GOING TO HELP YOU OUT and I'm over here like motherfucker, I know there's a lot of code but YOU NEVER TOLD US HOW TO USE ANY OF THE MATH CLASS, OR EVEN HOW TO CHANGE CLASSES.

So I'm spending hours trawling google with stupid ass questions, hoping to find out how to format shit we haven't even covered, and hoping I'll know I find what I'm looking for.

That is incredibly lame. The info you need should have been covered in either a handout or previous exercises. Giving you an assignment that requires knowledge he hasn't taught  you yet is some super-shitty teaching.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 03, 2017, 04:52:56 PM
So, just a funny coincidence.

The biology department is currently on a search, so yesterday the grad students were turned loose on one of the interviewees. Seems like a super nice guy, but the interesting part is that he is the scientist who does the telomerase research that one lunatic in Spokane is obsessed with... you know the guy who got national news coverage because he was kicked out of a Starbucks for hitting on the 16-year-old barista? The guy who writes crazy screeds about how Millennial women are bigots because they won't date him? Poor thing has become the laughingstock of the Internet, but he's really just a sad, homeless schizophrenic who needs help.

Anyway, I hope we hire the telomerase researcher, he seems nice and his research is brilliant. I'm actually kind of surprised that a large grant recipient at an R1 institution is applying to our little State university; this guy is currently at Johns Hopkins and studied under the Nobel Prizewinner who discovered telomeres. If we get him, and with him his grants and doctoral students, it'd be a good sign that we're moving in the R1 direction, which would be nice if only so my Masters degree has a little more clout. At the moment hardly anyone even knows we do research here.



Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on February 03, 2017, 05:35:37 PM
Quote from: Faust on February 03, 2017, 12:09:30 PM
Most of the Math methods will take a double (what with needing all those tasty decimal points) and return a double. if you are doing any data manipulation before hand c# does a couple of funny things when handling multiplication and division with doubles and ints... for instance dividing a double by an int will give you back an int (losing all  the decimal information).

This is bad advice in general; but dealing with doubles wherever you can for calculations (even using Convert.ToDouble()) might avoid some issues here.

I'll keep that all in mind, thanks.

Quote from: P3nT4gR4m on February 03, 2017, 10:40:20 AM
Stick with it. Hacking has a ridiculously steep learning curve but the most important lesson you will ever learn is how to google the code snippet you're trying to write :lulz:

I figured as much.  It's otherwise a lot of fun!

Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 03, 2017, 04:38:59 PM
That is incredibly lame. The info you need should have been covered in either a handout or previous exercises. Giving you an assignment that requires knowledge he hasn't taught  you yet is some super-shitty teaching.

Yeah.  So glad I didn't have to pay for this shit.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on February 03, 2017, 05:36:51 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 03, 2017, 04:52:56 PM
So, just a funny coincidence.

The biology department is currently on a search, so yesterday the grad students were turned loose on one of the interviewees. Seems like a super nice guy, but the interesting part is that he is the scientist who does the telomerase research that one lunatic in Spokane is obsessed with... you know the guy who got national news coverage because he was kicked out of a Starbucks for hitting on the 16-year-old barista? The guy who writes crazy screeds about how Millennial women are bigots because they won't date him? Poor thing has become the laughingstock of the Internet, but he's really just a sad, homeless schizophrenic who needs help.

Anyway, I hope we hire the telomerase researcher, he seems nice and his research is brilliant. I'm actually kind of surprised that a large grant recipient at an R1 institution is applying to our little State university; this guy is currently at Johns Hopkins and studied under the Nobel Prizewinner who discovered telomeres. If we get him, and with him his grants and doctoral students, it'd be a good sign that we're moving in the R1 direction, which would be nice if only so my Masters degree has a little more clout. At the moment hardly anyone even knows we do research here.

That sounds super cool, I hope you get him!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 03, 2017, 06:23:33 PM
Looks like I'm escorting him from lunch to the department head's office today.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on February 07, 2017, 05:06:51 AM
I have a seemingly unsolvable problem in physics concerning how much money a family would save over switching from an electrical heating thing to a heat pump. My answer was essentially "insufficient data"

Obviously I'm going everyone else came to the save conclusion. Also, I have a procedure for my independent study that starts tomorrow and hopefully has results by Friday. I might document my progress here as well as in my notebook for shits and giggles
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:39:17 AM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on February 07, 2017, 05:06:51 AM
I have a seemingly unsolvable problem in physics concerning how much money a family would save over switching from an electrical heating thing to a heat pump. My answer was essentially "insufficient data"

Obviously I'm going everyone else came to the save conclusion. Also, I have a procedure for my independent study that starts tomorrow and hopefully has results by Friday. I might document my progress here as well as in my notebook for shits and giggles

That indeed sounds like insufficient data, if you ask me, but I barely skated through physics with a B+ and I plan to re-take it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:45:21 AM
I am currently experiencing a combination of pure rage and pure WTFever toward my advisor, because last term I asked her about traveling to Germany and she was super supportive about it, but when I asked her about proposed dates she had a goddamn hissy-fit about it that very nearly suggested that I might as well just not even bother being a graduate student because it would be so fucking inconvenient for her.

You know what I don't especially like? Giant adult babies who are in authority positions because higher education puts inexperienced children into administration. Any stay-at-home-mom with five years childrearing has more emotional intelligence than your average career academic. Any retail worker has minimum 200 times more human engineering experience than any mom or career academic. This shit is a goddamn mess, and in order to get into any position in which I could remotely address any of this garbage, I will have to put up with it for at least six more years.

Academia is mostly children, is the takeaway.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:46:17 AM
What changed? I had a TAship, and she wants me to have an RAship.

That's all. That's it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:49:23 AM
I am just going to be a fucking asshole and tell her

if you want my brain in your fucking lab, you might just have to let me have a couple weeks off.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:50:45 AM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on February 07, 2017, 05:06:51 AM
I have a seemingly unsolvable problem in physics concerning how much money a family would save over switching from an electrical heating thing to a heat pump. My answer was essentially "insufficient data"

Obviously I'm going everyone else came to the save conclusion. Also, I have a procedure for my independent study that starts tomorrow and hopefully has results by Friday. I might document my progress here as well as in my notebook for shits and giggles

Are you supposed to do research in your area to determine which is cheaper for the same monetary outlay? That should be doable.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:51:58 AM
The odd thing about it is that it's not a physics question, but a civics question, because cost depends on the price of gas vs. electricity in your area.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on February 07, 2017, 03:10:11 PM
The two are unrelated, the independent study I just have to get phage from E. faecalis

here's the problem from the book:
(II) How much less per year would it cost a family to operate a heat pump that has a coefficient of performance of 2.9 than an electric heater that costs $2000 to heat their home for a year? If the conversion to the heat pump costs $15,000, how long would it take the family to break even on the heating costs? How much would the family save in 20 years?

From the previous questions, "II" seems to indicate that the question deals with heat pumps rather than refrigerators, which isn't helpful. I have the formula for COP, but only one variable, and no indication of how much heating is being done for $2000 by the electric heater, etc.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Vanadium Gryllz on February 07, 2017, 03:48:25 PM
Do they give you the COP for an electric heater anywhere in the question? From that you could calculate total work done maybe...

It certainly looks like not enough info from what you've posted.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on February 07, 2017, 04:03:46 PM
On the face of it, it seems like you'd need the coefficient of performance for the electric heater as well, wouldn't you?

Unless the electric heater is considered to have a coefficient of 1, since it looks like the point of the heat pump is to not just create heat (as an electric heater would), but circulate existing heat as well.

If so, you have 1=$2000, and so 2.9=X (which should be less than $2k - I don't know the formulas being used)

The conversion costs would be $15k / ($2k-X), which is the amount of savings per year divided by the cost of the installation.

The savings would = ($2k-X) * Y years (Y being 20 years - the number of years to pay off the conversion)



Keep in mind, it's been a really long time since I did this stuff, and I could be horribly, horribly wrong. 
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Vanadium Gryllz on February 07, 2017, 04:48:45 PM
From here: http://www.powerknot.com/how-efficient-is-your-air-conditioning-system.html

QuoteConsider a simple electric heater. All of the electricity that is input to the unit is converted to heat. There is no waste and the power output (in heat) equals the power input (in electricity), so the COP is one. The COP can be used to describe any system, not just heating and cooling.

So it looks like LMNO's assumption there was correct.

Maybe if we say 2.9 = 2000/W we can get the Work for a heat pump annually being equivalent to $670 (assuming, as Nigel pointed out, that price-per-unit values for gas and electricity are the same) and therefore $1310 savings annually.

Plugging these into LMNO's sums gives... $15k/$1.31 = 11.45 years to break even,

and savings = 1310*8.55 = $11200 over 20 years.


Disclaimer: I may be wrong.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on February 07, 2017, 05:43:14 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:46:17 AM
What changed? I had a TAship, and she wants me to have an RAship.

That's all. That's it.

Research Assistantship? 

Also, that's a pile of bullshit, Nigel. :sad:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on February 07, 2017, 06:11:07 PM
Hmm. Damn. That makes sense. Thanks guys
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:00:02 PM
Quote from: Freeky on February 07, 2017, 05:43:14 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:46:17 AM
What changed? I had a TAship, and she wants me to have an RAship.

That's all. That's it.

Research Assistantship? 

Also, that's a pile of bullshit, Nigel. :sad:

Yes.

At least I'm mad.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on February 07, 2017, 07:17:52 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:00:02 PM
Quote from: Freeky on February 07, 2017, 05:43:14 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:46:17 AM
What changed? I had a TAship, and she wants me to have an RAship.

That's all. That's it.

Research Assistantship? 

Also, that's a pile of bullshit, Nigel. :sad:

Yes.

At least I'm mad.

I don't get why it's even an inconvenience for her, especially where she was cool about it before
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on February 07, 2017, 07:40:55 PM
I'm guessing she figured out how smart and awesome Nigel is, and now doesn't want her to leave the lab.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 08:38:37 PM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on February 07, 2017, 07:17:52 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:00:02 PM
Quote from: Freeky on February 07, 2017, 05:43:14 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:46:17 AM
What changed? I had a TAship, and she wants me to have an RAship.

That's all. That's it.

Research Assistantship? 

Also, that's a pile of bullshit, Nigel. :sad:

Yes.

At least I'm mad.

I don't get why it's even an inconvenience for her, especially where she was cool about it before

That's the thing. I don't think her sudden ire is even about me; I think she's taking some other frustration out on me.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 08:39:24 PM
Quote from: LMNO on February 07, 2017, 07:40:55 PM
I'm guessing she figured out how smart and awesome Nigel is, and now doesn't want her to leave the lab.

Awww. :)
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on February 07, 2017, 08:48:03 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 08:38:37 PM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on February 07, 2017, 07:17:52 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:00:02 PM
Quote from: Freeky on February 07, 2017, 05:43:14 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:46:17 AM
What changed? I had a TAship, and she wants me to have an RAship.

That's all. That's it.

Research Assistantship? 

Also, that's a pile of bullshit, Nigel. :sad:

Yes.

At least I'm mad.

I don't get why it's even an inconvenience for her, especially where she was cool about it before

That's the thing. I don't think her sudden ire is even about me; I think she's taking some other frustration out on me.

That sucks. I don't get why people do that. It doesn't fix your own problem and it makes someone else's day worse.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 08:53:04 PM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on February 07, 2017, 08:48:03 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 08:38:37 PM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on February 07, 2017, 07:17:52 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:00:02 PM
Quote from: Freeky on February 07, 2017, 05:43:14 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:46:17 AM
What changed? I had a TAship, and she wants me to have an RAship.

That's all. That's it.

Research Assistantship? 

Also, that's a pile of bullshit, Nigel. :sad:

Yes.

At least I'm mad.

I don't get why it's even an inconvenience for her, especially where she was cool about it before

That's the thing. I don't think her sudden ire is even about me; I think she's taking some other frustration out on me.

That sucks. I don't get why people do that. It doesn't fix your own problem and it makes someone else's day worse.

It seems very common among career academics in the sciences; I suspect it comes from literally growing up in an academic bubble and never having to learn good interpersonal skills.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on February 08, 2017, 06:09:21 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:00:02 PM
Quote from: Freeky on February 07, 2017, 05:43:14 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 07, 2017, 07:46:17 AM
What changed? I had a TAship, and she wants me to have an RAship.

That's all. That's it.

Research Assistantship? 

Also, that's a pile of bullshit, Nigel. :sad:

Yes.

At least I'm mad.


SHIT FUCK DAMN HERE COME THE SPIKIEST DILDOES
:omg:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 14, 2017, 09:12:49 PM
I'm so frustrated right now.

I have a massive list of things to do, as I always do, and the fucking lab printer isn't working. At all. I need it to make labels for my antibody aliquots.

We have a dinner party tonight but I am training an undergrad until six so I will have zero time to help prep.

I could have gotten aliquots done yesterday but got roped into a behavioral trial that - guess what? - actually needs to happen today. But since my project partner has a midterm today, we can't do behavioral until 3, the same time my undergrad arrives.

FML.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Salty on February 17, 2017, 02:02:59 AM
So, Technical/Professional writing, right?
Group project, more about learning to work with a team than reporting on the benefits of tea for students at my school.

I hate group work and have successfully avoided it since the 6th grade when a science project teammate bailed on me, joined another project, and neglected to tell me. I found out two days before my assignment was due and had to build a balsa wood bridge my own damned self. I did a poor job of it, no doubt.

Anyway. Tea report. We all try the tea, we have a video conference meeting. Our roles are pre-determined by the instructor. I am proofreading, the other three are editing, designing, and leading. The editor crams together huge, poorly written paragraphs, the designer shoves in some tiny photos of tea brands and makes letter head improper. The leader occasional asks if we need anything and does nothing.

I fix just about everything, edit, resize, shift paragraphs and change headers, etc. I get it all done and send an email saying I am going to turn it in at 5pm.

The leader swoops in and says she is going to turn in as thought I hadn't SAID A GOD DAMNED MOTHERFUCKING THING.

But, whatever, right? So. I get the grade back and we are short of a 100% because she didn't download the motherfucking thing as a PDF so the formatting was all fucky.

Me:
:walken::walken::walken::walken::walken::walken::walken::walken::walken:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 17, 2017, 02:58:39 AM
My advisor: You need to do this thing.
Me: I did that thing several weeks ago.
My advisor: Your time is too valuable for that, it's something an undergrad can do.

:um:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on February 17, 2017, 02:50:30 PM
I suddenly realized that my advisor has been treating me differently since a few weeks ago when she asked me how much graduate support I'm getting from the Ford Family Foundation.

I think that in some twisted way, she thinks that's HER money, and that I should have to work extra for it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nast on March 09, 2017, 12:51:59 AM
So I decided I want to go for my BA so I went for it and finally applied for UCSB this semester! I'll find out some time this spring if I'm accepted or not. As for major, it was pretty much an equal toss up between archaeology, art history, or Asian studies for me, but I went with Asian studies because it was the easiest thing to apply to and it meshed well with my previous skill set. 

So now I'm back at community college finishing up my IGETC requirements. Two of my classes are going fine and I really like them, but the two that I'm taking online - Statistics and Critical Thinking - are a miserable slog.

It's been a whirlwind six months, honestly. I got a new job, entered a new relationship, broke off said relationship, was hospitalized twice - once for salmonella (lol) and then for a spider bite (lol wut), my grandma died, and of course all this craziness going on in the world just contributes to the general stress level. Now it's the middle of the semester now and I just feel kind of burnt out and unable to bring myself to care.

I'm trying to drum up the motivation to apply myself since these two classes are utterly crucial for me, but...blargh, just blargh.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nast on March 09, 2017, 12:56:22 AM
Quote from: Salty on February 17, 2017, 02:02:59 AM
So, Technical/Professional writing, right?
Group project, more about learning to work with a team than reporting on the benefits of tea for students at my school.

I hate group work and have successfully avoided it since the 6th grade when a science project teammate bailed on me, joined another project, and neglected to tell me. I found out two days before my assignment was due and had to build a balsa wood bridge my own damned self. I did a poor job of it, no doubt.

Anyway. Tea report. We all try the tea, we have a video conference meeting. Our roles are pre-determined by the instructor. I am proofreading, the other three are editing, designing, and leading. The editor crams together huge, poorly written paragraphs, the designer shoves in some tiny photos of tea brands and makes letter head improper. The leader occasional asks if we need anything and does nothing.

I fix just about everything, edit, resize, shift paragraphs and change headers, etc. I get it all done and send an email saying I am going to turn it in at 5pm.

The leader swoops in and says she is going to turn in as thought I hadn't SAID A GOD DAMNED MOTHERFUCKING THING.

But, whatever, right? So. I get the grade back and we are short of a 100% because she didn't download the motherfucking thing as a PDF so the formatting was all fucky.


Group work is pretty much the worst thing ever. I would almost rather do everything myself, since that's usually what ends up happening anyway.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on March 09, 2017, 01:04:15 AM
Hang in there, Nast.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 11, 2017, 04:39:06 AM
Don't die, Nast!

Also, just plod on through those classes. It's what the caveman did.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 11, 2017, 03:03:13 PM
I'm trying to figure out my next steps. I am pretty sure that I want to apply to the MD/PhD program, which means I need to finish the Physics series, which shouldn't be too hard -- in fact, if I defend next Spring, I can just take it over the following summer. However, ideally I would then go directly into the program in Fall, and to do that I need to apply this cycle, which means I should have my MCAT scores, but I don't have time to study for the MCAT. A third year is looking questionable, because of  State budget issues, so I can't count on that. My side project, though, is looking super interesting, because we now have a working glucocorticoid receptor assay for intact tissue, so I could defend, then finish my side project as a volunteer, finish physics, and take the MCAT, applying for the 2019 cycle.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Salty on March 22, 2017, 05:32:25 PM
Quote from: Nast on March 09, 2017, 12:51:59 AM
So I decided I want to go for my BA so I went for it and finally applied for UCSB this semester! I'll find out some time this spring if I'm accepted or not. As for major, it was pretty much an equal toss up between archaeology, art history, or Asian studies for me, but I went with Asian studies because it was the easiest thing to apply to and it meshed well with my previous skill set. 

So now I'm back at community college finishing up my IGETC requirements. Two of my classes are going fine and I really like them, but the two that I'm taking online - Statistics and Critical Thinking - are a miserable slog.

It's been a whirlwind six months, honestly. I got a new job, entered a new relationship, broke off said relationship, was hospitalized twice - once for salmonella (lol) and then for a spider bite (lol wut), my grandma died, and of course all this craziness going on in the world just contributes to the general stress level. Now it's the middle of the semester now and I just feel kind of burnt out and unable to bring myself to care.

I'm trying to drum up the motivation to apply myself since these two classes are utterly crucial for me, but...blargh, just blargh.

That's awesome, I hope you keep plugging away at it.

I was having a hard time with math, but recently turned the corner on it after about a month of daily Kahn Academy sessions. Burn out is super lame, the last couple of papers I turned in were really half-assed, can't be bothered to give a fuck.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Salty on March 22, 2017, 05:36:39 PM
Turns out that for Biochem I need to learn ALL THE MATHS.

I have to cram College Algrebra and Elementary Functions into this summer so I can start Calculus in the fall and continue the Calc series through the year.

Then next year, it'll be Physics W/Calc.

It's daunting, but what I have found most helpful is to funnel the feelings I get when clearing out a Dwemer ruin into getting an A. It works!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 23, 2017, 04:07:16 PM
There is something incredibly cathartic and consuming about plunging yourself into studying math and science. I am going to be super envious when you get ahead of me in math!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 23, 2017, 04:11:39 PM
After much thinking, I think my best bet is to take a gap year after I finish my Masters. I am on track to defend next Spring, and then I can take Physics and study for the MCAT over next summer, and apply for MD/PhD programs in Fall 2018 for 2019 admissions. I should be able to get a lab job or teach A&P at the community college to tide me over.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 23, 2017, 08:09:51 PM
Dammit

This A&P assignment is already interfering with my research. Not only that, but while teaching Principles required a weekly 2-hour meeting, plus 2 3-hour sections, plus one office hour, plus two to three hours of grading, it was possible to get it done in 12 hours a week, max. A&P requires one three-hour weekly meeting, two hours of dissection, two 3-hour sections, 2 hours of open lab, and, for the first year, sitting in on another TA's 3-hour section. How many hours am I getting paid for? NOT SIXTEEN.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 23, 2017, 08:10:30 PM
Oh, and it's conflicting with my preadsorption that I was going to finish Monday, and also I might not be able to go to Manitoba.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on March 24, 2017, 12:31:09 AM
That sucks, Nigel.  :sad:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on March 24, 2017, 03:51:12 AM
Quote from: Freeky on March 24, 2017, 12:31:09 AM
That sucks, Nigel.  :sad:

Thanks, Freeky!

I think I may have worked it out; there is a cadaver pair we won't be using this term, because we don't have enough sections and they're pretty beat up from the last two terms. I've asked the professor if I can dissect ahead on them, so that I already know the anatomy well before I leave.

And also I'm definitely going, which also means not speaking at the Women in Neuroscience event, but, ah, fuck it.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on March 24, 2017, 01:20:41 PM
I love watching this thread.  It's really inspiring.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Freeky on March 27, 2017, 09:25:22 PM
Quote from: LMNO on March 24, 2017, 01:20:41 PM
I love watching this thread.  It's really inspiring.

Yeah this.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Salty on April 05, 2017, 04:22:59 PM
One of my classes this term is Social Problems. It's going to be a heck of a bummer, but I love talking about that kind of stuff. It's basically Liberal-Snowflake Critical Thinking 101.

At one point we were discussing social movements that enact change. The first example given was M.A.D.D., Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

For the second example, the teacher wrote B.L.M. and asked us what it meant. The overwhelming majority of my classmates said: "Bureau of Land Management".

:facepalm:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 05, 2017, 05:25:47 PM
Quote from: Salty on April 05, 2017, 04:22:59 PM
One of my classes this term is Social Problems. It's going to be a heck of a bummer, but I love talking about that kind of stuff. It's basically Liberal-Snowflake Critical Thinking 101.

At one point we were discussing social movements that enact change. The first example given was M.A.D.D., Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

For the second example, the teacher wrote B.L.M. and asked us what it meant. The overwhelming majority of my classmates said: "Bureau of Land Management".

:facepalm:

Awwww, Portlanders!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 05, 2017, 05:27:15 PM
I got my course reviews back from last term. Apparently my afternoon class LOVED me, but my 7:30am class? Not so much.  :lulz: Good thing I'm not teaching at buttcrack-30 this term.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: The Wizard Joseph on April 05, 2017, 08:34:13 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 05, 2017, 05:27:15 PM
I got my course reviews back from last term. Apparently my afternoon class LOVED me, but my 7:30am class? Not so much.  :lulz: Good thing I'm not teaching at buttcrack-30 this term.

"Never Nigel Before Noon" was the thought that hit me.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 05, 2017, 11:19:42 PM
Quote from: The Wizard Joseph on April 05, 2017, 08:34:13 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 05, 2017, 05:27:15 PM
I got my course reviews back from last term. Apparently my afternoon class LOVED me, but my 7:30am class? Not so much.  :lulz: Good thing I'm not teaching at buttcrack-30 this term.

"Never Nigel Before Noon" was the thought that hit me.

This seems apt.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Salty on April 22, 2017, 08:14:38 PM
As I march steadily toward a career in science I find myself at home.

Nobody cares how you dress as a scientist. If you never shave regularly, or there's food on your clothing, or your hair is a greasy curls, and your glasses are filthy, everyone assumes that's OK because you're too busy thinking. And, to a point, they're correct. It's just I'm usually waffling back and forth between terror thoughts and shit like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6FvyLdNG6Y

I've gotten real socially awkward in the last few years. The other day I got really excited about the fact that Charles Whitman used that fucking M1 carbine to kill most of those people, fucking Marines, man, wow before I  realize the classmates speech outline I was reviewing was actually about the importance of play to the development of a healthy, well-developed mind. And THAT'S why she suddenly started gathering her papers and turning away from me.

The important part of this small story is I didn't even put it all together until hours later. 
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on April 23, 2017, 12:29:31 AM
Quote from: Salty on April 22, 2017, 08:14:38 PM
As I march steadily toward a career in science I find myself at home.

Nobody cares how you dress as a scientist. If you never shave regularly, or there's food on your clothing, or your hair is a greasy curls, and your glasses are filthy, everyone assumes that's OK because you're too busy thinking. And, to a point, they're correct. It's just I'm usually waffling back and forth between terror thoughts and shit like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6FvyLdNG6Y

I've gotten real socially awkward in the last few years. The other day I got really excited about the fact that Charles Whitman used that fucking M1 carbine to kill most of those people, fucking Marines, man, wow before I  realize the classmates speech outline I was reviewing was actually about the importance of play to the development of a healthy, well-developed mind. And THAT'S why she suddenly started gathering her papers and turning away from me.

The important part of this small story is I didn't even put it all together until hours later.

Someday, you will never put it all together because your brain will  have stopped letting you care enough to think about it.

That's the goal, anyway.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on June 07, 2017, 02:50:25 PM
Well, I graduated. I still have my senior thesis to finish, but I have my BS.

My professor said when he gets back from vacation we can discuss having me stay on in the lab between now and grad school.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: LMNO on June 07, 2017, 02:52:57 PM
Woot!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Vanadium Gryllz on June 07, 2017, 02:56:11 PM
Congratulations!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on June 07, 2017, 02:59:21 PM
I don't think it's quite hit me yet. Maybe because in was busy after graduation with moving and I still have the thesis.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 07, 2017, 03:42:48 PM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on June 07, 2017, 02:50:25 PM
Well, I graduated. I still have my senior thesis to finish, but I have my BS.

My professor said when he gets back from vacation we can discuss having me stay on in the lab between now and grad school.

Congratulations, that is badass!!!
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on June 07, 2017, 03:48:10 PM
Thanks! I'm particularly happy about staying in the lab in the interim. I don't want to lose momentum.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 07, 2017, 04:01:08 PM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on June 07, 2017, 03:48:10 PM
Thanks! I'm particularly happy about staying in the lab in the interim. I don't want to lose momentum.

Yeah, that's really awesome! Will he take you as a grad student? More relevant question; do you want to do your grad work in his lab?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 07, 2017, 04:05:26 PM
Totally unrelated to anything, a grad student I barely know asked me to babysit for him during another student's thesis defense. Like in the middle of the day on a Friday. I was just like, wut? :? Is this a thing?
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on June 07, 2017, 04:42:22 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 07, 2017, 04:01:08 PM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on June 07, 2017, 03:48:10 PM
Thanks! I'm particularly happy about staying in the lab in the interim. I don't want to lose momentum.

Yeah, that's really awesome! Will he take you as a grad student? More relevant question; do you want to do your grad work in his lab?

Yep, we had discussed the possibility of me coming in as a PhD student, but he's eying retirement, but he said he's happy to take me on as a master's student. I'm probably going to continue to follow up on my senior thesis and related stuff either way, so I definitely want to work in his lab, can worry about the PhD in another year or so. When I was doing my poster presentation I was talking with my microbiology TA and she asked me what my interests were. When I said the overlap of microbiology, virology, genomics, and evolution, she said, "yeah, that's Mike. That's definitely Mike."
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Zenpatista on June 07, 2017, 05:43:40 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 07, 2017, 04:05:26 PM
Totally unrelated to anything, a grad student I barely know asked me to babysit for him during another student's thesis defense. Like in the middle of the day on a Friday. I was just like, wut? :? Is this a thing?

Yes, this is a thing. The senior grad student who trained me sauntered into the lab one day, handed me her first born and said, "Here. Hold her a while. I have to start some stuff." Of course, I was in the middle of my own stuff and in the middle of the lab. So, I went and sat in the office with the little one. Her kid was a newborn at the time, but I was a 20-something man-child. It was like I could feel myself growing up just sitting there.

My wife, OTOH, raised her first child as a single parent while in grad school. She wasn't impressed by my "maturation".  :lulz:

Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on June 07, 2017, 09:50:29 PM
Quote from: Zenpatista on June 07, 2017, 05:43:40 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 07, 2017, 04:05:26 PM
Totally unrelated to anything, a grad student I barely know asked me to babysit for him during another student's thesis defense. Like in the middle of the day on a Friday. I was just like, wut? :? Is this a thing?

Yes, this is a thing. The senior grad student who trained me sauntered into the lab one day, handed me her first born and said, "Here. Hold her a while. I have to start some stuff." Of course, I was in the middle of my own stuff and in the middle of the lab. So, I went and sat in the office with the little one. Her kid was a newborn at the time, but I was a 20-something man-child. It was like I could feel myself growing up just sitting there.

My wife, OTOH, raised her first child as a single parent while in grad school. She wasn't impressed by my "maturation".  :lulz:

:lulz:
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 08, 2017, 12:57:53 AM
Quote from: Zenpatista on June 07, 2017, 05:43:40 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 07, 2017, 04:05:26 PM
Totally unrelated to anything, a grad student I barely know asked me to babysit for him during another student's thesis defense. Like in the middle of the day on a Friday. I was just like, wut? :? Is this a thing?

Yes, this is a thing. The senior grad student who trained me sauntered into the lab one day, handed me her first born and said, "Here. Hold her a while. I have to start some stuff." Of course, I was in the middle of my own stuff and in the middle of the lab. So, I went and sat in the office with the little one. Her kid was a newborn at the time, but I was a 20-something man-child. It was like I could feel myself growing up just sitting there.

My wife, OTOH, raised her first child as a single parent while in grad school. She wasn't impressed by my "maturation".  :lulz:

That's weird.

However, I have gladly watched the senior grad student in my lab's dogs while she did other shit.

This guy isn't in my lab and I don't even know his name. I had a conversation with him once.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 08, 2017, 12:58:48 AM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on June 07, 2017, 04:42:22 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 07, 2017, 04:01:08 PM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on June 07, 2017, 03:48:10 PM
Thanks! I'm particularly happy about staying in the lab in the interim. I don't want to lose momentum.

Yeah, that's really awesome! Will he take you as a grad student? More relevant question; do you want to do your grad work in his lab?

Yep, we had discussed the possibility of me coming in as a PhD student, but he's eying retirement, but he said he's happy to take me on as a master's student. I'm probably going to continue to follow up on my senior thesis and related stuff either way, so I definitely want to work in his lab, can worry about the PhD in another year or so. When I was doing my poster presentation I was talking with my microbiology TA and she asked me what my interests were. When I said the overlap of microbiology, virology, genomics, and evolution, she said, "yeah, that's Mike. That's definitely Mike."

Very cool.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 10, 2017, 04:07:57 PM
I taught my last class of the term and formally accepted my RAship for the summer. I'm excited because 50 hours a week is so much less than I've been working, but also kind of bummed because technically I'm only supposed to be working 15 hours a week and my advisor is formally violating university policy and State and possibly Federal law by demanding that I work 3x the hours I'm being paid for.
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Nephew Twiddleton on June 12, 2017, 01:34:35 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 10, 2017, 04:07:57 PM
I taught my last class of the term and formally accepted my RAship for the summer. I'm excited because 50 hours a week is so much less than I've been working, but also kind of bummed because technically I'm only supposed to be working 15 hours a week and my advisor is formally violating university policy and State and possibly Federal law by demanding that I work 3x the hours I'm being paid for.

Whoa
Title: Re: Academia Ghetto Thread
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 12, 2017, 07:31:40 PM
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on June 12, 2017, 01:34:35 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on June 10, 2017, 04:07:57 PM
I taught my last class of the term and formally accepted my RAship for the summer. I'm excited because 50 hours a week is so much less than I've been working, but also kind of bummed because technically I'm only supposed to be working 15 hours a week and my advisor is formally violating university policy and State and possibly Federal law by demanding that I work 3x the hours I'm being paid for.

Whoa

Yeah, in fact I just looked at my contract again, and I am approved at 57.5 hours PER MONTH. I'm not enrolled in any credits this summer either, so it's not like I'm working to earn credits. I'm just  flat-out being illegally exploited, but it's a time-honored tradition and I'm not sure there's anything I can do about it without derailing my program.