Biological Science Students Prepare For Advanced Training The Department of Biology made a significant contribution to the general education of aJ I students as well as providing in - depth preparation of students for graduate study and the study of nursing, medicine and other health·related fields. In the fall there were 87 students declaring biology as their major. During 1980·81, 18 students had graduated with a major in biology. During the summer, Dr. Michael V. Plummer devoted full time to herpetological research and he maintained an active program of research during the regular school year. His involvement of students in the projects made a valuable contribution to their education. During the year, Dr. Plummer attended meetings of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, the Herpetologists' League, and the Southwestern Association for Naturalists_ He also served as index editor for the Journal of Herpetologica. During the summer of 1981 Ronald Doran and his famil; were in Guatemala where he studied the ecology of that area. In preparation for this study, he attended last spring the National Science Foundation Chautauqua-type short course on "Desert Ecology" at the University of South Carolina. In addition to his ecological research, Mr. Doran and his wife assisted the medical missionaries, most of whom were Harding graduates, in their work. Early in the fall semester, Dr. Jack Wood Sears, Chairman of the department, participated in the Science Information Liaison Office established by the Arkansas Legislature. Dr. Bryce Roberson and Dr. George Woodruff attended NSF Chautauqua-type short courses at Christian Brothers College in Memphis. Four 1981 biology majors were accepted to medical school, four to dental school one to dental hygiene school: one to physical therapy school, and one to physician's assistant 78 - Biological Science school. Two majors received assistantships for graduate study. ~ With a major emphasis on informing individuals regarding current application procedures, Harding's Pre Med Club spent another fruitful season orienting students who were planning a career in medicine or veterinary. The group met on the average of once a month to hear from doctors, medical school deans and Harding alumni presently in med school. Physicians in the Searcy area held a conference with the club 'on applying Christianity to the medical profession and Dean Bolding from the University of Arkansas medical school made his annual trip to Searcy for a speech to the Harding memo bers. . The Pre Med Club, the largest of the health service clubs on campus, was sponsored by Dr. Michael Plummer of the Biology Department. The club graduates 10-12 students yearly and has had great success in medical school placement in the past, approximately 25 % above the national average. Pre Med Club president Don Browning said, "I feel as far as medical education, Harding has ~ great program. The University IS responsible for putting well prepared people in some very respected medical schools across the country." ~ Ronald Doran, MA Assoc. Prof. Michael Plummer, PhD Assoc. Prof. Bryce Roberson, PhD Prof. William Rushton, MA Assoc. Prof. Jack Wood Sears. PhD Prof., Chairman George Woodruff, EdD Prof. -Ed Randle
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