Students will be able to effectively communicate orally in multiple contexts within the discipline.

When I first came to college I felt that I was not a strong communicator through oral presentations. Then in my Introduction to Ecology and Evolution course (BIOL 251) one of the very first things my lab group had to do was give a proposal in front of the class. My group had to present on the idea that we wanted to complete in lab. This assignment allowed my fellow peers and professor to give feedback on our proposed experiment to encourage us to refine our research and add more to it. As I look back to my sophomore year I realize that this encouragement allowed myself to grow as a scientist and continue to grow more confident in my presenting skills.

In my junior year I continued to grow in my presenting skills. A really project that I really enjoyed was the Immunodeficiency project I was able to work on with my fellow peers in BIOL 404 (Immunology). In this project my group was able to look into a case study and deduce what immunodeficiency our patient had. As a group we had to diagnose and decide what tests to administer to our patient. At the end my group and I had to present our findings in presentation format to the class and at the Research Showcase. My group was able to record and present virtually. I think presenting virtually has given me vital skills and has strengthen my ability to give an oral presentation.

Overall, when I first started at Longwood I did not have the necessary presenting skills that are needed to be a scientist. With the help of my classes, peers, and professors they have made me a better presenter and bolstered my confidence to be able to present at any given time now.