A Student Review of Harvard University

A Student Review of Harvard University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Lauren graduated from Harvard University in 2013 where she earned a Bachelors degree in Anthropology. She currently tutors several subjects in Washington D.C., specializing inAP U.S. History tutoring, French tutoring, and Essay Editing tutoring. Check out her review of Harvard University: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Lauren: The campus is embedded in the historical city of Cambridge, just across the Charles River from Boston. You have easy access to the Boston subway and bus system, but Cambridge and the campus itself are extremely walkable with many bike paths. I love that Cambridge has all the excitement and entertainment of city life, but that it retains the charm and history that makes it special. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Lauren: While professors are a little busier, they constantly offer scheduled office hours, and they are eager to talk with students. They are so pleased when a student conveys special interest in their teaching, so do not hesitate to sign up for a meeting! Advisers and teaching assistants make every effort to be available whenever you need them, and they are very approachable and passionate about helping you succeed. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Lauren: Dorm life is unique at Harvard in that all the freshmen live in Harvard Yard, the heart of campus and Cambridge. They are then sorted into houses at the end of their first year, in which they reside for sophomore year onward. It is a lot like Harry Potter in that there is a lot of house pride (and friendly competition with other houses), but you get to choose who you will live with! All freshmen eat together in Annenberg dining hall, but every house has its own dining hall, so everyone gets to know each other and to help foster house spirit. You are free to dine in any hall you like, so your community can be as large or small as you want! There are endless opportunities to meet others through study breaks, campus groups, intramural sportsyou name it! VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Lauren: I can honestly say that all academic programs are thoroughly represented and supported. I studied anthropology because I have always been interested in why and how we divide into our social groups and settings, and anthropology encourages an intimate, participant observation of the interactions that shape our cultural lives. I felt extremely supported and constantly motivated to pursue innovative and rigorous academic pursuits. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Lauren: There is not a whole lot of Greek life, though I chose to join a sorority. I found it easy to make friends due to the huge variety of interests represented on campus. There are over 400 official student groups, teams, and clubs (and that is just the official ones!), so you are bound to find people who share your passions. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Lauren: The Career Center is very helpful if you take the time to make your goals and interests clear to them. Hundreds of companies recruit every year on campus, from large investment banks and consulting firms to non-profits and graduate schools. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Lauren:Harvard unfortunately lacks a student union, but there are ample libraries of all sizes and resources scattered around campus. It is easy to find somewhere that suits your study style, whether that is dead silence or light chatter, bright lights or subtle ambiance, or even comfortable leather couches or large, sturdy tables. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Lauren: Harvard Square is a lot of fun, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops to keep you busy. But after a while, you may become bored of the same activities and feel trapped in a bubble. That is what Boston is for! It is so close and easy to get to, and too many students forget about it. There is also more to Cambridge than Harvard Squarejust hop on the subway and you are one stop away from a different world! VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Lauren: The undergraduate student body is roughly 7,000 people, so it is a medium-sized school. I was pleased that most of my classes were small seminars, which is true of most majors/fields of study. The largest classes are your introductory lectures, such as economics or math, but taking those is entirely dependent on your academic path. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Lauren: I loved writing my senior thesis with my favorite professor as my adviser and mentor. I got so much one-on-one time, and I was able to truly pick his brain, as well as get to know him as the awesome person he is. I am exceedingly proud of my thesis because I was so dedicated, and my professor made the experience of researching and writing over 100 pages fun! It taught me to believe in my abilities and never shy away from a daunting task, especially when you have the help of someone who truly wants you to succeed. Check out Laurens tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Nucleus

Nucleus Nucleus: Nucleus in biology can be very well defined as a dense organelle present in most eukaryotic cells, typically a single rounded structure bounded by a double membrane, containing the genetic material. Nucleus can also be defined as a specialized, usually spherical mass of protoplasm encased in a double membrane, and found in most living eukaryotic cells, directing their growth, metabolism, and reproduction, and functioning in the transmission of genic characters. What is a Nucleus ? The nucleus is the controlling center of eukaryotic cell. It contains most of the genetic materials of the cell. It was first observed by Antonie von Leeuvenhoek in the lumen of RBCs and was named in the year 1833 by Robert brown who discovered it in plant cells. Structure of Nucleus: Nuclear Envelope: The nuclear envelope consists of two concentric membranes called the inner and outer membranes. The outer membrane is continuous with ER. In contrast the inner membrane carries unique proteins that are specific to the nucleus. A network of intermediate filaments present on the nuclear side of the inner membrane is known as nuclear lamina which is made up of lamin proteins providing mechanical support to the nucleus. Nuclear pores: The nuclear envelope contains nuclear pores for transport of macromolecules between cytoplasm and nucleus. Each nuclear pore is formed from an elaborate structure called nuclear pore complex. The proteins that make up the nuclear pore complex are known as nucleoporins. Nucleolar-organizing region (NORs): The nucleolus organizing region is a region of chromosome around which the nucleolus forms. In the human, the five chromosomes contain NORs, which can be identified as secondary constrictions on metaphase chromosomes. The position of secondary constriction in a chromosome is specific and species specific. As compared to secondary constrictions, the primary constrictions also called as centromere, attaches sister chromatids together. Chromosomes and chromatin: A chromatin is an organized structure of DNA and protein that is found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. It contains a single dsDNA in coiled and condensed form. The basic difference between chromatin and chromosomes is that chromatin is less condensed and extended DNA while chromosomes are highly condensed DNA. The extent of chromatin condensation varies during the life cycle of the cell. In non-dividing as well as interphase stages of cell, most of the chromatin remain relatively de-condensed. The light staining, less condensed portions of chromatin are termed as euchromatin. This region is transcriptionally active and contains most of the transcribing genes. The darkly stained and highly condensed region of chromatin is termed as heterochromatin. This region is transcriptionally inactive. img alt=chromosomes and chromatin data-cke-saved-src=http://images.tutorpace.com/biology/nucleus_5.jpg src=http://images.tutorpace.com/biology/nucleus_5.jpg 518px;= height:= 254px;= Centromere: The constricted region of linear chromosomes is known as the centromere. Although this constriction is called the centromere, it is usually not located exactly in the center of the chromosome and, in some cases, is located almost at the chromosomes end. Telomere: Telomeres are specialized structures, which cap the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. It consists of a long array of short, tandemly repeated sequences. Origin of Replication: The origin of replication is a particular sequence in a chromosome at which replication is initiated. One chromosome contains multiple origins of replication. Chromosome number: All eukaryotic cells have multiple linear chromosomes. Every cell maintains a characteristic number of chromosomes. Depending upon the eukaryotic organism, the number of chromosomes varies from 2 to several hundreds. Chromosome number in different eukaryotic organisms: Species Haploid number of chromosomes Saccharomyces cerevisiae 16 Arabidopsis thaliana 06 Drosophila thaliana 04 Mus musculus 19 +X and Y Homo sapiens 22 + X and Y Functions of Nucleus: It is the prime control center of cellular activities. It controls the enzymatic activities. It controls the process of synthesizing proteins. It regulates the hereditary characteristics of an individual It participates in the process of cell division, differentiation and growth of cell. It controls the reliability of genes and its expression. Helps in the transport of RNA and DNA across the cell. Nucleolus is called ribosomal factory of the cell. Transcription takes place in nucleus.