Biology May Term
Take your May Term opportunity to the next level
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Adventure into Nature
Instructor: Dr. Steve Powers
Is there adventure in your future? In this course, students build their “roughing it” skills through camping, eating and “going” in the wild. Students snorkel in rivers, hike and learn what field naturalists know. They develop the skills needed to plan and execute their next adventure in nature.
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Ticked Off: Vector-Borne Diseases in Southwest Virginia
Instructor: Dr. Meg Steinweg
Ripped from the headlines are scary news reports about vector-borne disease that impact humans and wildlife alike. But what are vector-borne diseases and how can we apply the scientific method to learn more? In this class, students bring together field and lab research skills to focus on ticks and mosquitoes as vectors of impactful diseases in our area. No science experience needed.
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The National Park System: Explore Your America
Instructor: Dr. Chris Lassiter
Students explore the National Parks of Texas, New Mexico and Colorado in this boots-on-the-ground, immersive experience. From the desert to alpine ecosystems, students learn about the ecology, history and culture of these unique areas and the role the National Park Service plays in their preservation.
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Natural History of the Southern Appalachians
Instructor: Dr. Rachel Collins
Curious about the Appalachian forests and all the biodiversity within? Students explore forest communities as naturalists do. Through hiking and a multiday camping trip, students keep field notebooks and identify trees, forest wildflowers, birds, and other animals common in the region.
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It Could Happen To Us
Instructor: Dr. Brooks Crozier
Well, it did happen to us in 2019. This on-campus course explores the causes and outcomes of human diseases when they sweep through populations. Students examine the historical and biological aspects of major human epidemics. Through readings, videos, and class discussions students will go on an interdisciplinary journey on the how and why of diseases and how human perception of disease impacts everything.
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Desperately Seeking Dragons
Instructor: Dr. DB Poli
Are you up for an odyssey? Trek through castles, museums, churches, and fossil sites exploring the depth of dragon folklore through a scientific lens. Through multidisciplinary viewpoints, students will explore where dragons came from and why they persist.