April
11 , 2003 Symposium
to Showcase Senior Work
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Photo:
Jiim Gipe
Craig
Woodard, associate professor of biological sciences, explores
with students the properties of fruit flies in one of Kendade
Hall's new laboratories. A study of fruit flies by
Divya Mathur '03 is among the presentations scheduled
for this year's symposium. |
Mount Holyoke's
2003 science symposium, the College's showcase of thesis
and independent research work by seniors in biology, chemistry,
biochemistry, neuroscience, physics, computer science, mathematics,
geology, and environmental studies, is scheduled to take place
Friday, April 11, 1–6 pm, in Cleveland Hall. Fifty-two students
will participate in the twenty-eighth annual event. This year,
as a first step toward opening the symposium to all majors, the
science symposium will be augmented by performing and studio art
presentations at sites across campus. A complete schedule of science
and arts events is available online at http://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/comm/news/symposium.html
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Dozens of presentations
will feature the strong science programs at Mount Holyoke, which
ranked fifth among similar colleges ("baccalaureate colleges,"
based on Carnegie classification) in graduates earning doctorates
in the biological sciences, and sixteenth in graduates earning
doctorates in all sciences and engineering between 1991 and 1995.
Research to be presented at the symposium includes biology studies
of an AIDS-like virus in mice, geological investigations of billion-year-old
rock formations, computer science experiments with robotics, a
neuroscientist's study of the brain's visual system,
and much more.
"The science symposium is a very impressive event,"
says Steve Dunn, associate professor and chair of the department
of earth and environment. "We are extremely proud of the
quality of the scientific research accomplished by Mount Holyoke
students, and the poise and professionalism of their symposium
presentations. The annual science symposium clearly demonstrates
that Mount Holyoke truly deserves its strong reputation in the
sciences."
Interdisciplinary arts presentations will enhance this year's
symposium, as dance, theatre, and studio arts majors share work
developed in the seminar Collaboration in the Arts.
"This
course is an attempt to learn about and create new forms of collaboration
between the arts and to encourage the students to try out crossover
projects beyond the usual performance and exhibition spaces on
campus," says Visiting Professor of Theatre Arts Holger
Teschke, who is teaching the seminar with Professor of Dance James
Coleman and Associate Professor of Art Joseph Smith.
Fifteen students from Mount Holyoke, Smith, and Hampshire Colleges,
and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst will perform six
site-specific works, titled Site Works. The presentations are
scheduled for 3:30 pm in the 1904 Garden, at 4 pm in Talcott Greenhouse,
at 4:20 pm in the art museum lobby,
at 4:40 pm in the Marion Craig Potter '49 Atrium of Kendade
Hall, at 5 pm in the library atrium, and at 5:20 pm in Abbey Chapel.
"Over the years, the science symposium has provided an opportunity
for seniors in the sciences to publicly present their work,"
said Dean of Faculty Donal O'Shea. "It is a terrific
event that simultaneously celebrates student work and showcases
its range and depth. I would love to see the symposium eventually
include students and faculty from all disciplines. Such an event
would not only be fun, it would give a panoramic view of the variety
of academic and artistic work in which we are engaged."
The symposium is open to the public, and all members of the MHC
community are encouraged to attend one or many of its presentations.
The
counter is
2,093
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