Longwood University’s Biology program allows students to take numerous courses beginning with broad biological concepts and gradually having each course become more specific. For example, as a senior biology major, I have taken broad courses like Introduction to Genetics and Cell Biology and Introduction to Ecology and Evolution and upper level courses such as Evolution. These kinds of broad courses provide the background knowledge required to fully comprehend and participate in upper level courses.
In Introduction to Genetics and Cell Biology, I conducted a project where I tested the effect of water flow on the bacterial diversity in Prince Edward County. I collected water samples from three different water locations with different flow rates and then characterized the diversity of bacteria that grew from each sample. Based on the results I could not conclude that water flow had an effect on diversity possibly due to small sampling size. Throughout this course and project, I learned basic information on cell theory and the central dogma. For example, we discussed the structure of the different bacterial cells as well as how genes can cause bacteria to be different colors. Below is my poster that I presented at Longwood University’s Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry in 2017.
The Effect of water flow on the Bacterial Diversity in Prince Edward County
In Introduction to Ecology and Evolution, I conducted a project where I assessed the daily activity patterns of birds in Lancer Park, Farmville, VA. I surveyed the diversity of bird species at three different time points over a five-week period. Based on the results there is a significant difference between the time of day and certain climate aspects compared to the diversity of species. Throughout this course and project, I learned basic information on ecological systems and how the climate can directly affect diversity and abundance. Below is my PowerPoint presentation that I presented at Longwood University’s Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry in 2017.
An Assessment of Daily Activity Patterns of Birds in Lancer Park
In Evolution, I created a proposal for an outreach program geared towards teaching elementary school children the basic concepts of evolution in order get them more interested in science. This proposal consisted of an interactive storybook, PowerPoint, and matching game that introduces concepts such as common ancestors and natural selection. Throughout this course and project, the most important evolutionary concept I learned was how humans evolved from a common ancestor with chimpanzees and not from chimpanzees. Below is my poster that I presented for my final presentation assignment in my Evolution course in the Fall of 2018.
These lectures and labs have provided me with a broad understanding of many different biological processes that have and will continue to help me better understand more complex topics in the future.