BIOL 1610/1615
“How has your view of yourself as a biologist changed from the beginning of this semester to now?”
Two years ago, if you had asked me if I were someone who studied life as a science, I would have answered, "no." However, that would have been incorrect! As I am coming back to school after nine years and working my way into a health sciences field, I am realizing that I have always been someone who is at least interested in life as a science. People, their behavior, the way we interact with the world around us... all of these things I have found interesting over the years but did not know I was interested in learning more about or dedicating myself to as a career. At the beginning of this semester I was excited to get into biology foundations. My last biology class was in eleventh grade and playing catch-up I knew would be difficult. I severely underestimated just how difficult! Though the class was difficult, the professor panned it carefully and everything was well structured to help us succeed, and by working my way up this scaffolding, I found I was able to beat my own expectations of myself as a biologist. I didn't know that's what I am, but it is who I am, and always have been. There's more to learn every day and more ways to create and synthesize within this field than I expected. Where I expected rigor and cold analytical behavior I've found warmth, humor and camaraderie. The desire to succeed and the drive to follow one's passions are clear in this field, despite professional setbacks and personal crises. In two years I hope to still be studying science, and I will be thinking of myself as a biologist, for everyday I am a student of life, and life's processes continue on around me and within me, and I want to understand them to better understand others and myself.
Scientist Spotlight Assignments
Presented with a biography and overview of a scientist’s work, we were encouraged to reflect on how learning about these scientists expanded our expectations for the kinds of people we see as “doing science.” These three biologists are passionate, driven, and good team players.