Briefs

Fulbright study-abroad grants: Two informational meetings to explore the Fulbright program will be held today, Aug. 30, at 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Sept. 4, at 4:30 p.m., both in G08 Uris Hall. Fulbright grants for study or research abroad for the 2002-03 academic year are awarded on a nationally competitive basis to U.S. citizens who are graduate students or will have earned their bachelor's degree prior to September 2002. The grants cover travel, living costs for the academic year and necessary tuition at overseas universities. Though there are a limited number of openings and competition is keen, this is an attractive opportunity for students with a serious interest in advanced study or research overseas. During the informational meetings today and Sept. 4, Professor Milton Esman, Cornell's Fulbright adviser, will outline eligibility criteria, explain procedures for application and answer questions. Students interested in learning more about Fulbright opportunities are urged to attend.

New engineering courses: The College of Engineering is offering two new undergraduate courses this semester as part of an effort to develop new distribution courses on topics of importance to the college in biology and technology. Lois Pollack, assistant professor of applied and engineering physics, is offering "The Physics of Life" (AEP252/ENGRD 252), a course for students in the physical sciences or engineering who have little or no background in biology. The course will introduce the physics of biological macromolecules, such as RNA, DNA and proteins, from the perspectives of their biological function and their physical interactions. Techniques for characterization will be discussed. George Malliaras, assistant professor of materials science and engineering, is offering "Introduction to the Electronic Properties of Materials" (ENGRD262/MS262), a course that will describe the properties of materials used in semiconductor devices. The course will combine lectures with hands-on work, such as carrying out experiments on materials processing and characterization, device fabrication and evaluation.

Extramural study: Any adults interested in continuing their education and pursuing personal and professional growth are invited to register for Extramural Study at Cornell. Registration takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 30 through Sept. 7, in B20 Day Hall on the Cornell campus. This program, sponsored by the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions, offers adults the opportunity to register for virtually any Cornell course and take full advantage of the university's wide range of academic resources either on campus or via distance learning. Fall term courses begin Aug. 30. Participants are invited to update job skills, explore personal interests or work towards advanced degrees by taking classes on such diverse subjects as management practices, advanced computing, marketing, English literature and foreign languages. Area residents, Cornell employees and sponsored students from other universities may register for credit, audit classes without a grade or enroll on a noncredit basis through the Visitor's Program for a nominal fee. For more information visit the web site http://www.sce.cornell.edu/exmu/ , e-mail cusce@cornell.edu , call 255-4987, or write Cornell University School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions, B20 Day Hall, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853-2801.

Library unveils e-Reference Collection: Cornell University Library recently launched the e-Reference Collection to provide library patrons with more streamlined access to research tools available through the Library Gateway (www.library. cornell.edu). Formerly known as Networked Resources, the e-Reference Collection primarily contains online catalogs and periodical indexes (e.g. biosis, historical abstracts, econlit) that direct users to information. It also offers access to full text resources such as almanacs, encyclopedias and directories. All of these resources in the e-Reference Collection also may be obtained through the CU Library Catalog. Patrons accustomed to using Networked Resources to find individual online journal titles or to search for electronic journals in their subject area may now do so via the CU Library Catalog. Instructions for these searches, as well as answers to other questions about the e-Reference collection, may be found at the e-Reference FAQ page at http://campusgw.library.cornell.edu/eref/faq.html.

ESL classes: Volunteer teachers of the Cornell Campus Club will offer ESL (English as a Second Language) classes at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels from Sept. 10. Registration for classes will be Thursday, Sept. 6, in the Cafe of Anabel Taylor Hall from 7: 30 to 8:30 p.m. Schedules and other information are available at the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) and other locations, including university housing sites. If you have questions, contact Gail Sakai at 277-5209 or pattmore@baka.com.