Many classes in the College of Life Sciences have been using the world as their campus by going on field trips to study first hand the things they have learned in the class room.

Fieldtrips include Lytle Ranch in Southern Utah, other Utah sites, Nevada, Oregon and Yellowstone National Park.

Alan Harker, associate dean of the College of Life Sciences, and William McCleary, a professor in the Microbiology Department, recently took a group of students to Yellowstone to study microorganisms. The department covered transportation and camping fees. Students covered food by paying $15.

Benjamin Groves, a senior studying molecular biology, attended the Yellowstone trip, and said he's had to do some catch up for other classes since returning, but it was worth the experience.

"You get to see first hand how unique different areas are, and how important it is to do conservation," Groves said.

Professors Dennis Shiozawa and Riley Nelson are taking their aquatic ecology and aquatic entomology classes to Yellowstone also.

"We double up on both of our long trips," Shiozawa said. "About half or more of the students in my class are also in aquatic entomology."

Shiozawa also said some of his students would have to be excused from other classes, but by combining trips, it cuts back on the time that students are away.

Professor Jane Jefferies takes her field biology classes around campus to study trees and shrubs. Jefferies also has a trip planned to Bridal Veil Falls to learn a short list of native riparian species, including poison oak.

Harker also takes his microbial ecology class to Diamond Fork near Strawberry Reservoir each Friday to study the bacteria there.

"It's their normal lab time for the class," Harker said.

This ensures the students will not miss out on other classes during the three hours they take each week for the field trips.

Copyright Brigham Young University 18 Sep 2008