Over the past few months, I've had a few people show some interest in the research I'm doing for my Plan at Marlboro College. So, to avoid answering questions like "What are you doing for Plan?" "How is Plan going?" "What's up with those bats these days?" etc. over and over again, I thought I'd try and keep everyone up-to-date with a blog.
First off, for those of you who don't know, 'Plan' is Marlboro College's senior thesis equivalent, which many have likened to writing a master's thesis. I'm starting this blog rather late, since I've already finished one semester 'on Plan' and starting next week, I'll be plunging into the second semester of Plan, and my final semester at Marlboro (unless some rather unfortunate or fortunate things happen between now and May).
Second, here's a rather brief description of what my Plan is about. My Plan consists of three different sections: a review-type paper comparing White Nose Syndrome in Bats to Colony Collapse Disorder in Bees and Chytridiomycosis in Amphibians (worth 30% of my grade), a research article/lab write up type paper that will come from the research I've been doing since last May, which includes exposing cultured mammalian cells to G. destructans (the fungus associated with White Nose Syndrome (worth 50%), and finally, a biochemistry exam (worth 20%). At some later date I'll give a bit more description on what exactly I'm doing for my research and what of that I've done so far.
After finishing all my research and writing, I get to send it all off to an outside examiner (someone who's knowledgeable in the field and is not associated with the college) who will (presumably) read it, and then come for my orals, where I'll babble about White Nose Syndrome and molecular biology for awhile, and then stand anxiously outside the room while the outside examiner and my Plan sponsor decided on an appropriate grade.
Finally, I should note two things. First, I'm not a writer by any means, that's part of the reason why I'm a science student. Thus, I apologize in advance for spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and generally poor writing. Second, I am on Plan while writing this, so I doubt I'll bother to update it very often. I'd like to make a goal of once a week, but something makes me think it won't even happen that often.
Okay- for next time, a review of what I've actually been doing in terms of research for the past few months.
