Biology News

STUDENTS TO TRAVEL TO AFRICA AS PART OF DISEASE PATHOGENESIS COURSE

In May, five Houghton students will travel to Zambia in Africa as part of their Disease Pathogenesis course. The Mayterm course, supervised by Dr. Jacqueline Crisman, pre-med advisor, includes a two-week practicum experience, shadowing a physician to gain hands-on experience and knowledge of the medical field. Global Partners, in conjunction with Houghton, will be overseeing the Africa trip. Other students enrolled in Disease Pathogenesis will shadow physicians in the U.S., including Houghton alumni.



NEW MAYTERM BOREAL ECOLOGY COURSE RANGES FROM THE ADIRONDACKS TO ALASKA

A new Mayterm course entitled Boreal Ecology: Adirondacks to Alaska will debut this coming spring. Dr. James Wolfe, who has led seven course trips to Alaska, will start the course at Houghton’s Star Lake campus before flying with students to Alaska for two weeks. Study in the Adirondacks is at the southern limit of the vast boreal (northern) biome which ranges above the Arctic Circle in northern Alaska. Natural history of characteristic plants and animals of the boreal ecosystem will include such charismatic fauna such as moose, caribou, grizzly and brown bears, and wolves. The itinerary in Alaska includes Denali National Park which encompasses the 20,320 foot Mount McKinley, the glaciated backcountry of the Chugach National Forest, as well as cold coastal marine ecosystems of the Kenai Peninsula where humpback and killer whales, Steller sea lions, and bald eagles are abundant. Another field biology course, Ornithology: Birds of the Adirondacks will also be taught at the Star Lake campus by Instructor Alan Belford who has just had two articles published in Canoe and Kayak magazine.



EMPHASIS IN FORESTRY FOR THE BIOLOGY MAJOR AND FORESTRY MINOR APPROVED FOR HOUGHTON STUDENTS

Houghton faculty approved a new track of a forestry emphasis within the Biology major in December. This program, in conjunction with the New York State Ranger School at Wanakena in the Adirondack Park, enables Houghton biology majors to take a year (fall and spring semesters) at the Ranger School, complete their biology degree and earn an Associate of Arts and Sciences in Forest Technology. The forestry technology program at the Ranger School was the first such program when instituted in 1912. Graduates from the Ranger School which is part of the State University of New York – College of Environmental Science and Forestry, have been successful in pursuing advanced degrees in forestry and wildlife management, jobs in industry, and positions in the Peace Corps. Houghton alumna Karen Wilson (2004) completed the Ranger School curriculum and is currently serving in Africa in the Peace Corps. This forestry emphasis at Houghton is unique among the Christian colleges and prepares students for forestry work overseas where mission organizations increasingly are working with local organizations to reforest areas degraded and deforested through poor stewardship. A minor in forest technology is also available for students who take the fall semester at the Ranger School. Further information and applications can be obtained from Dr. James Wolfe