GEORGIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

Volume 61 2003 Number 4

CONTENTS

President's Comments and Report from the Academy Council

Lisa Hibbard 186

Registration for 81st Annual Meeting, Berry College Information 187

SEEC Conference Information 190

Teaching College Algebra Using Supplemental Instruction Versus

the Traditional Lecture Method

Andreas Lazari, Kathy Simons 192

Saturn in 2002-03

Richard W. Schmude, Jr. 199

Analysis of Forest Community Structure at the Margaret & Luke Pettit

Environmental Preserve, Bartow County, Georgia

Shannon B. Cutler, Eric M. Johnson, Heather D. Sutton,

Paula C. Jackson 209

Size and Age Class Estimates of North American Eocene Palaeopheid Snakes

Dennis Parmley, Harold W. Reed 220

Food Preferences and Bioenergetics of the White-Footed Mouse (Peromyscus

leucopus) and the Golden Mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli)

Maura O'Malley, Jennifer Blesh, Michelle Williams,

Gary W. Barrett 233

Description of the Georgia Academy of Science 238

Acknowledgment of Reviewers 239

Application for Membership 240

GAS President's Comments AND

REPORT FROM THE ACADEMY COUNCIL

We are looking forward to having an excellent 81st Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science to be held March 26-27, 2004 at Berry College. The Local Arrangements Committee has been working diligently over the past few months and has designed a very impressive website for the event. Please link to the Berry College website through the Academy website or view it at the following address in order to get up-to-date information: http://www2.berry.edu/academics/science/gasci/ . One highlight of the meeting will be the Plenary Session lecture given during the luncheon on Saturday. Dr. Harvey T. Holmes, Deputy Chief of the Laboratory Response Branch, Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be speaking on the topic of "Smallpox: From Ancient to Modern History." He will be giving an overview of smallpox from its origin to eradication and the consequences of the re-introduction of the vaccine. Dr. Holmes has the reputation of being a thought-provoking speaker and his presentation should be of great interest to the general scientific community.

We are hoping to have a significant number of papers being presented at the meeting in all areas of science and invite faculty and students from around the state to attend and network with others scientists in their fields. Remember that presenters are invited to submit a manuscript based on their presentation to the Georgia Journal of Science for publication, based upon review, in the issue following the Annual Meeting. The Journal provides new and upcoming researchers (as well as "seasoned" scientists) the opportunity to publish their research results in a refereed scientific publication. Information for authors can be found inside the back cover of the Journal. I especially encourage undergraduate and graduate students to publish their papers in the Journal. It is a wonderful way to begin their scientific careers and allows a paper to be published in a timely manner.

As a final note, I want to say that it has been a privilege to serve as the Academy president this year. I would like to thank all of my colleagues on the Council for their advice and help throughout my term and would like to especially thank Steve Whittle for agreeing to take over as Technical Program Chair this year. There are others, such as the Editor of the Journal, John Aliff, who have worked many years with the Academy and who should be recognized for their tireless efforts. I extend my thanks to each of you and wish everyone a joyous and restful holiday season.

Lisa B. Hibbard, President

Spelman College

lhibbard@spelman.edu

The Georgia Academy of Science will hold its 81st annual meeting on the campus of Berry College just outside of Rome, Georgia on March 26 and 27, 2004. The nine sections of the Academy will hear papers and view posters presented by science students and faculty from Georgia's colleges and universities on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. A dinner followed by a talk (speaker not yet named) will conclude the events of Friday evening and Saturday's session will end with a luncheon, the annual business meeting of the Academy, and a lecture.

The site of the meeting, Berry College, is especially beautiful in the spring and the ample campus and adjoining forests serve as a laboratory for outdoor studies. In addition, the Rome area boasts several recreational, educational, and cultural sites.

Georgia Academy of Science

Pre-registration for the 81st Annual Meeting

March 26 ­ 27, 2004, Berry College

Name (Please Print): Date:

MailingAddress:

Institution: Section:

Phone: ( ) E-mail:

Pre-registration Fees: Amount enclosed

Non-members

Faculty $85.00

Student $30.00

Faculty (with 2004 membership) $95.00

Student (with 2004 membership) $35.00

Members

Faculty $60.00

Student $30.00

The registration fee includes meals on Friday evening and Saturday noon. I will definitely attend the Friday evening meal _______. the Saturday meal________. Check here if you require a vegetarian meal. ______

Credit Card Information

Name of Cardholder: Expiration Date:

Card Number: Visa____ MasterCard____ Discover_____

If paying by check, please make checks payable to Berry College. If paying by credit card, please fill out the information requested. In either case mail the completed form to

Kathy Wilson

School of MNS, Berry College

Box 5036

Mount Berry, GA 30149

Travel Directions to Berry College

From Atlanta:

· Approx. 1 hr., 20 min.

· Take I-75 N to Rome-Canton Exit 290 (formerly exit 125)

· Take left off exit, drive 2.5 mi., then road ends at a light

· Turn left, then take an immediate right onto Highway 41 North (to reach Highway 411)

· Drive 2.8 mi., then take Highway 411 South exit (on right)

· Drive 17.3 mi., then take right at light onto East Rome Bypass, also called Rome Loop 1 (sign reads "to Highway 293" because you will later pass Highway 293)

· Drive 8.4 mi., then take right at light onto Martha Berry Highway (U.S. Highway 27 North). (you will see Oak Hill and The Martha Berry Museum at that intersection)

· Drive 0.7 mi., then take left into Berry College main entrance

Hotel Accommodations

The local arrangements committee has reserved blocks of 50 rooms at each of the hotels indicated in the table below. Reservations should be made directly with the hotel. Mention the Georgia Academy of Science in order to receive the rates listed.

Country Inn and Suites: $55 + tax ­ (706) 232-3380

Approximately 6 miles from Berry College

Rooms released to public March 1, 2004

Located on Hwy 411, Southeast of Rome, near intersection with Loop 1.

Days Inn: $50 + tax ­(706) 295-0400

Approximately 3 miles from Berry College

Rooms released to public February 27, 2004

Located on Turner-McCall Blvd (Hwy 27) near downtown Rome

Holiday Inn Skytop: $65 + tax ­(706) 295-1100

Approximately 6 miles from Berry College

Rooms released to public March 12, 2004

Located on Chateau Rd. off of Hwy 411, Southeast of Rome, near intersection with Loop 1.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

SEEC 2004

SOUTHEASTERN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION CONFERENCE

GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

ATLANTA, GEORGIA, USA

5-7 MARCH 2004

FREE REGISTRATION AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

REGISTRATION AND ABSTRACT SUBMITTAL DEADLINE:
31 JANUARY 2004

All undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral researchers in ecology, evolution, environmental sciences, limnology, forestry, fisheries, wildlife, marine sciences, and other related fields are invited to submit abstracts for either oral or poster presentations at the 1st Annual Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference (SEEC) to be held March 5-7, 2004, at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. SEEC is a product of similar conferences currently held in the northeast (NEEC) and the midwest (MEEC). These conferences are professional meetings intended for students in the environmental sciences to present their research to their colleagues in a comfortable, fun, and low stress environment. Such events are designed to encourage new friendships within our field and to share newly developed research ideas for feedback. While we expect most SEEC participants to be from the Southeast, we encourage and welcome all interested individuals to submit abstracts and/or attend.

SEEC 2004 homepage:

http://www.biology.gatech.edu/SEEC/SEEC.html

To encourage attendance, registration is FREE and covers meeting attendance, two continental breakfasts, snacks, coffee, and a t-shirt! If funds are available, awards for both the best oral and poster presentations will be given. There will also be tables from sponsors, including publishers, supply companies, and other organizations (see our web site for a complete list of sponsors). The registration and abstract submission deadline is January 31, 2004, and may be completed at the following web site:

Registration:

http:/www.prism.gatech.edu/~aw181/SEEC/Registration.htm

We are pleased to announce that our keynote speaker is Dr. Mark E. Hay, Teasley Professor of Environmental Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Hay is one of the foremost marine community ecologists of our time, and since 1999, he has been instrumental in the development of the new Center of Aquatic Chemical Ecology at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The Georgia Institute of Technology is located in midtown Atlanta, Georgia and is convenient to numerous hotels, restaurants, music venues, and bars (to see what's happening in Atlanta, check out these sites: www.accessatlanta.com, www.citysearch.com, and atlanta.creativeloafing.com). We have reserved rooms at three reasonably priced hotels near the university at special rates - so reserve your room before they are gone. Additionally, Atlanta has a subway/bus system for easy travel within the city. Registration, abstract submission, travel/lodging information, and contact information may all be found at the SEEC web site:

SEEC 2004 homepage:

http:/www.biology.gatech.edu/SEEC/SEEC.html

Please forward this announcement to interested students! SEEC flyers are also available on the SEEC homepage:

http://www.biology.gatech.edu/SEEC/SEECflyer.pdf) and we strongly encourage its posting in conspicuous locations!

We look forward to seeing you at the Georgia Institute of Technology for the 1st Annual Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference this March!

Alan Wilson

alan.wilson@biology.gatech.edu

SEEC Organizing Committee Chair

56th Georgia State Science and Engineering Fair

April 15-17, 2004

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

Prospective judges contact:

Mary Lou Walser

Academic Special Programs

209 Biological Sciences Building

University of Georgia

Athens, GA 30602-2609

(706) 542-0453

mwalser@arches.uga.edu

TEACHING COLLEGE ALGEBRA USING SUPPLEMENTAL

INSTRUCTION VERSUS THE TRADITIONAL LECTURE METHOD

Andreas Lazari*, Professor

Kathy Simons, Associate Professor

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

Valdosta State University

Valdosta, GA 31698

(229) 333-5778

Corresponding author: Andreas Lazari

E-mail: alazari@valdosta.edu

(229) 333-7154

ABSTRACT

Trying to improve students' academic success has been the focus of many universities across the country. The success of a student begins in the classroom. One of the most troublesome and sometimes terrifying course for students is College Algebra. At Valdosta State University we have tried different methods such as a WEB delivery course and teaching with computerized instruction to improve students' success. For the past two years, at Valdosta State University the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science has been teaching College Algebra (MATH 1111) via a Supplemental Instruction (SI) method. The students' performance on the departmental final exam for the treatment group, SI method, versus the control group, traditional lecture method, was compared. The SI method showed no significant difference on the departmental final exam. Then we compared the mean SAT scores for the two groups. The SI method showed significantly lower SAT scores. It is clear that weaker students in mathematics that take the SI courses can perform on the average on the final exam just as well as the students in the traditional courses.

Key Words: teaching college algebra, lecture, supplemental instruction.

SATURN IN 2002-03

Richard W. Schmude, Jr.

Gordon College

419 College Drive

Barnesville, Georgia 30204 USA

Schmude@gdn.edu

ABSTRACT

Forty-five photoelectric magnitude measurements of Saturn were made between Oct. 31, 2002 and Feb. 24, 2003. The normalized magnitudes, at a ring tilt angle of B = 26.5°, were: B(1,0) = -8.75±0.02, V(1,0) = -9.77±0.01, R(1,0) = -10.43±0.01 and I(1,0) = -10.65±0.01 while the corresponding solar phase angle coefficients were: c_B = 0.045±0.007, c_V = 0.035±0.005, c_R - 0.031±0.002 and c_I = 0.027±0.005. At least four oval storms on Saturn were imaged in late 2002 and their average area was 18 x 10⁶ km². Storms and other features on Saturn did not have an impact on that planet's brightness and color.

Key Words: Saturn, Photometry, Saturn storms.

STUDENT PAPER

Analysis of Forest Community Structure at the

Margaret & Luke Pettit Environmental Preserve, Bartow County, Georgia.

Shannon B. Cutler

Eric M. Johnson

Heather D. Sutton

Paula C. Jackson*

Kennesaw State University, College of Science and Mathematics,

Department of Biological and Physical Sciences,

1000 Chastain Rd., Kennesaw, GA, 30144-5591

* corresponding author and faculty supervisor

e-mail: pjackson@kennesaw.edu

Abstract

A community analysis was performed on a 0.75 ha forested area in order to gather baseline data for a newly formed environmental preserve in Bartow County, Georgia. A total of 17 different woody species were observed. Dominant woody species were Oxydendrum arboreum (L.) DC., Quercus alba L., and Pinus echinata Miller. Two pairs of species with similar ranges and ecological characteristics were compared. The first pair of species were the broadleaf species Nyssa sylvatica Marshall and Acer rubrum L., and the second pair were the pine species Pinus taeda L. and P. echinata. Within each pair species showed opposite trends in importance values with increasing distance from a reservoir. For N. sylvatica and P. taeda, importance values increased, whereas for A. rubrum and P. echinata importance values decreased with distance from a reservoir. Pinus echinata, P. taeda, and A. rubrum had even distribution patterns, whereas N. sylvatica was randomly distributed.

Keywords: Pinus taeda, Pinus echinata, Acer rubrum, Nyssa sylvatica, community structure.

SIZE AND AGE CLASS ESTIMATES OF NORTH AMERICAN

EOCENE PALAEOPHEID SNAKES

Dennis Parmley

Harold W. Reed

Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Georgia College & State University

Box 081

Milledgeville, Georgia 31061

ABSTRACT

In North America, two genera (Palaeophis and Pterosphenus) and six species of palaeopheid snakes are known from Gulf Coast and Atlantic coastal Eocene marine or marine-influenced sediments. They were specialized aquatic snakes that today are known almost exclusively by isolated vertebrae. Using vertebrae of living boids (Boidae: Boinae) of known lengths and age classes as models, lengths and age classes of the six North America palaeopheid species were estimated. In some cases body morphologies were suggested. As adults, the largest species were Palaeophis grandis and Pterosphenus schucherti, each at about 5.1 m (17 ft), while the smallest species was Palaeophis casei at about 1.3 m (4.3 ft). For the first time, adult, juvenile, and neonate size classes are identified for Palaeophis virginianus.

Key words: palaeopheid snakes, Eocene, sizes, age classes, North America.

FOOD PREFERENCES AND BIOENERGETICS OF THE

WHITE-FOOTED MOUSE (PEROMYSCUS LEUCOPUS) AND
THE GOLDEN MOUSE (OCHROTOMYS NUTTALLI)

Maura O'Malley

Jennifer Blesh

Michelle Williams

Gary W. Barrett*

Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia

Athens, GA 30602-2202

*corresponding author

gbarrett@uga.edu

ABSTRACT

This investigation focused on the food preferences and bioenergetics of the white-footed mouse (Peromuyscus leucopus) and the golden mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli), two small mammal species with similar life histories and extensive niche overlap. Water oak (Quercus nigra) acorns, white oak (Quercus alba) acorns, and Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) berries comprised the study diet. White-footed mice showed significantly greater mean ingestion, assimilation, and respiration values than did golden mice, suggesting greater movement and feeding behavior under field conditions.

Key words: Peromyscus leucopus, Ochrotomys nuttalli, food preference, bioenergetics.

Acknowledgment of Reviewers

The editorial staff of the Georgia Journal of Science depends on the professional interest of the reviewers of papers presented for publication. The following reviewers have agreed to allow the GaJSci to acknowledge them formally.

Augusta State University

Tom Crote

Wendy Turner

Steve Whittle

Georgia College & State University

Dennis Parmley

Georgia Perimeter College

Ashraful A. Chowdhury

Larry Coty

John Stanford

Paulos Yohannes

Georgia Southwestern University

Stephanie G. Harvey

Bob Herrington

Michigan State University

Alan J. Holman

North Georgia College and State University

Michael Wayne Morris

State University of West Georgia

Sheila Rivera

University of South Florida

Lisa B. Whitenack

University of New Orleans

Mariella Superina

USDA/ARS, Griffin

Bob Jarrett

Valdosta State University

David J. Bechler

Brad Bergstrom

John B. Pascarella