LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily - Friday, September 18, 1998 - 5 *New cognitive science program introduced Round up By Jewel Gopwanl For the Daily 0 Students involved in the Cognition and Perception Graduate program will soon be learning to read minds literally. "It's a program that focuses on the relationship between cognitive processes like short-term memory and selective intention and the brain," said psychology Prof. Ed Smith, co- director of Cognitive Science Cognitive Neuroscience (CSCN) pro- Ogram, a curriculum within the cogni- ion and perception program. With the start of the program this month, Smith hopes to give graduate students more exposure to the grow- ing field of cognitive neuroscience. "Traditionally, people studying cognition used behavioral experi- ments," said psychology assistant Prof. Thad Polk, CSCN co-director. "More recently, there's been a grow- *ng interest in how cognition is imple- mented in the brain, which has given rise .to the new field of cognitive neu- roscience." Cognitive sciences, Polk said, offer an alternative explanation for previ- ously accepted theories of behavior. "Mind and brain work is a tremen- dously booming research field," Smith said. "We are trying to attract students from psychology, neuro- science and other fields." The program is geared specifically toward graduate students pursuing a Ph.D. Requirements to complete the program include laboratory research in the psychology department or at the Medical School, four required classes and three electives in cogni- tive science and neuroscience. Students who complete the program receive certificates citing their CSCN training. With the help of technological advances used for studying the brain, cognitive neuroscience is a rapidly expanding field. For example, the University uses a Positron Emission Tomography Center and Function Magnetic Resource Imagery, ways to view brain images conceived in the past few years. Smith said the advancements made in the past 15 years have been among the most important in this field of study. "These developments are exploding the field of cognitive neu- roscience," Smith said. Students involved in the program will learn to analyze cognition through the use of computers. "Another major thrust of cognitive science research has been in develop- ing computer simulations of cogni- tion," Polk said. "One major theme is to give gradu- ate students training in cognitive neu- roscience and in computational approaches to cognition." Students enrolled in CSCN gener- ally pursue careers in university research. CSCN offers advantages to its students by allowing them to explore new territory. "The program will make it easier for students to get formal training in the topics and methods that are cen- tral to the field right now," said Christy Marcheutz, a student in CSCN and the Cognition and Perception Graduate Program. The advantages are apparent to numerous students. "CSCN is a fairly new structural program, and it will provide addition- al job opportunities that otherwise would not be available," said Trey Hedden, a student in CSCN and a graduate student of psychology. . CSCN is Smith's brainchild. With input from Polk and other psychology faculty members, Smith wrote a pro- posal outlining the program, which the Rackham Executive Board approved last spring. "We've had a lot of students express an interest in the program, said Polk. AP PHOTO9 Police officer Brian Spagna watches as shepherd Joshua Moody and one of his dogs chase down part of a flock of sheep in New Hampshire. The shepherd was hired to have his herd of 500 sheep eat away vegetation along power lines. Flung studentsay atted religioncl.asses *State senator: Pols should report all contributions LANSING, (AP) Public officials should be penal- ized for flouting state campaign finance laws, a state senator said yesterday as he unveiled a proposal to *toughen finance reporting laws. "We're all pledged to the law," said Sen. Michael Bouchard (R-Birmingham). "Public officials should be held to the same standard as everyone else." Under Bouchard's proposal, which is backed by Secretary of State Candice Miller, a candidate would be barred from running for office if they were delinquent in filing campaign finance statements. And public officials would forfeit their salary per- rmanently, with no retroactive salary payment - until they filed the required papers. Now, there is a fine of 25 a day, up to a maximum of $500, for late filing, ouchard said. Finally, lists of delinquent candidates would be made available to the public, "to let the whole world know who is delinquent." "The public has a right to know and a right to know on a timely basis," Bouchard said. "You pay a late fee when you bring a book back late to the library." Bouchard's proposal came about two webks after it was revealed that Rep. Mary Lou Parks, the Democratic candidate for secretary of state, has paid more than $1,920 in penalties for filing late campaign finance forms. Parks, who sent her checks to the same office she's seeking, has also been cited for erroneously completing campaign finance forms during her 1994 and 1996 elec- tions, according to records kept by the secretary of state's office. Fl U1JJSIHING, Mich (AP) Children in this Genesee County school district soon may be attending monthly religion classes during the school day, if their parents allow it. Parents of elementary and middle school students are being asked to let their children attend the classes at a local church. The nearby Montrose district already allows such an arrangement, called "released time." "People who attend church see the importance of a well-rounded educa- tion, including the Bible," Rob Beery, a missionary from the Kalamazoo-based RBM Ministries who teaches the monthly course in Montrose and in about 25 districts in Saginaw and Gratiot counties. Released time is a voluntary program in which the state allows students to receive up to two hours of religious instruction per week. Their parents must consent. Montrose has been offering the off- campus class for years; Flushing's pro- gram could start as early as next month, The Flint Journal reported. Like the Montrose program, Flushing students would take a private bus to First Baptist Church once a month for a Bible-based religious education class. "For years, we've been prohibited from teaching religion in the schools," said the Rev. Kevin Prevett, pastor of the Flushing church. "What we want to do is give the children an alternative and help them learn more about what the Bible teaches them." Flushing parents learned about the program through fliers sent home with students. Superintendent William ijunnicliffsaid the Flushing district neither encoug nor discourages the program. "We can't support or oppose" hl program, Thnnicliff said. "We wkild just as soon not release the studenti We'd prefer these classes be taught iia the church proper." State and school district oflic ia[ don't track released-time enrollmern But RBM Ministries estimated its 14 missionaries provide religious instruc- tion to about 8,000 students througlout Michigan. The Kearsley School District i1 still considering a proposal froilf local religious leaders to offer.an optional high school Bible course.. "Very rarely, if ever, is the Bible brought up in our history courses, said Bill Clark, a parent of twvo Kearsley students and a supporter o the Bible class. ,1 4 I We're looking for thinkers. Not just their diplomas. It's all about making an impact. Information presentations-Tuesday, September 22, 7:00 p.m. 1013 Dow, North Campus. Thursdav Sentember 24 7-00 nm. KuPn7PI eRnnm Michinan l ninn N I