Undergraduates Share Research at 14th Annual Symposium

VALDOSTA - More than 60 College of Arts and Sciences undergraduate students will present research about topics ranging from the history of chocolate to the effects of urbanization on area streams during Valdosta State University’s 14th Annual Symposium on Undergraduate Research from 6-6:45 p.m. Thursday, April 10, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 11.

The symposium, which will feature 18 oral and 50 poster presentations, kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday with a reception and research poster presentations in the Hugh C. Bailey Science Center atrium and auditorium. Dr. Linda Calendrillo, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, will welcome students and the public before various department heads and program directors recognize students during the college’s student awards ceremony at 7 p.m.

Presentations will resume Friday with 15-minute paper presentations from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., after which guests may enjoy refreshments as they peruse posters that diagram student research findings until 11:30 a.m. The second paper session, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., will include presentations about what makes music beautiful, college graduation rates in the Southeast and a computational study of protein folding. Look forward to information about the effects of concealed weapons on crime rates and a documentary about diabetes during the third paper session, from 1:15-2:45 p.m. The fourth paper session, from 3-4:30 p.m., will highlight research projects about J.R.R. Tolkien’s northern influences and the sexuality and poetry of Arthur Rimbaud.

The Council on Undergraduate Research hosts the symposium, which provides students an opportunity to share research papers, laboratory experiments and independent study projects completed between spring semester 2007 and spring semester 2008. The council will recognize the best humanities and social sciences poster as well as the best science poster with a monetary award. The author of the best paper will also receive money.

A copy of the symposium program and a list of paper and poster presentations may be viewed at;

www.valdosta.edu/cas/cur/symposium/documents/2008Symposium_Program.doc

For more information about the symposium or the Council on Undergraduate Research, go to www.valdosta.edu/cur/.