David Cole, Ph.D. Prof, Phys . Sci ., Dep t . Chair S(eve Coope r, M.S. Lect ., BioI. Ronald Do ran, M.S. Prof, BioI. Don England , Ph.D. Disl. Prof , Phy s . Sci. Terry Fletcher, Ph .D. AsS 'I. Prof , Phys. Sci . Jo Goy, M.s. Lect ., BioI. Joe Goy, Ph.D. ASS·I. Prof , Bioi. Ma rsha Hendricks, Ph. D. ASS 'I. Prof , Phys. Sci . James Mackey, Ph.D. Prof , Phys. Sci . Crabill impresses Jifi& with project; biology course is expanded <Physical Science The powerfu l combination of a dedicated student and a caring professorwas the driving force behind a cutting-edge research project nestled in the back hallways of the Pryor Science Building.The project brought Dr. Ed Wilson, professor of chemistry, a nd sophomore Trisha Crab ill together, took them across the country and received nods from top-level scientists at NASA. The project used a laser to measure the amount of water vapor (and eventually other trace gases) in the atmosphere. The project combined a laser, special mirrors and machinetooled parts to crea te a measuring device seldom found in the typical university classroom. "I knew tha t NASA was interested in these types of projects, and this seemed like an idea l chance to get involved in something that was very interesting," Wilson said. Crabill has been working on the project since her freshman yea r and spends about five hours a week finetuning and adjusting the delicate appa ratus. "It is sometimes hard to juggle my time , which is why I like the summer better because I can spend more time working on it," Crabill said. She has received a scholarship from NASA to cover her schooling and has had to adopt a "learn as she goes" attitude toward her research. tffir 72 Academics In his 28 years at Harding, Wilson said, the time he holds most dear is the time he spends with students . "What gives me pleasure is (0 see [Crabilll as she develops all these skills, sees a project come together, and gets some publicity," Wilson said. - Scott Loftis 'l3iology Biology 275 , a one-semester Anatomy and Physiology course, is being dropped after this year. In the upcoming school year, the course will be split into two separate classes. "It always was a very demanding course, " Dr. John Moon, head of the Biology Department, said. There were three ma jor reasons for the split. One was to allow students a better opportunity to have a stronger fou nd ation in anatomy and physiology. Kelly Moody, a sophomore nurSing major, said, "I'm glad they're going to make it a longer course because there is so much information to learn. " Second,most pre-physical therapy programs are now requiring that students have two courses in Human Anatomy and Physiology. Until this year, physical therapy programs have accepted Harding's Biology 275 along with another physiology course , but starting next year, they will no longer do that. The third reason for the change dealt with the time li ness of the Sophomore Trisha Crabillfine-tunes herresearchproject .Crabill has already been giving presentations on her project at the annualUndergraduateResearch Conferenceandotherscientific outlets across the country. Photo by Kristi Burns. program. Harding 's biology department was out of sync with most departments, which already had a two-semester course. "One of the best diffe rences in the courses with this change is in the lab, " Steve Cooper, a new biology instructor, said. "Before, lab was almost a catch-up time for lectures , and there wasn 't time to do labs. " Next year, there will be more time for labs , and students will comprehend materials better by learning handson. "I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand ," Cooper said , quoting an old Chinese Proverb . - Christy Pittman
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