Maymester programs began last week, meaning that UGA students are spread out across the globe, learning in environments beyond the classroom. One of these is the Science Maymester in Cortona:

two courses are designed for undergraduate students with career goals in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, veterinary medicine, biological and biomedical sciences, excercise science, nutrition, research, and teaching.

Faculty:

The two courses are taught by three senior faculty members:

Stephen L. Hajduk, PhD, –  Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Department Head/Professor

Representative Topics: RNA & regulation of gene expression; Infectious disease from prions to worms; Metabolic Disorders from arteriosclerosis to diabetes.

Stephen Dalton, PhD, –  GRA Chair in Molecular Cell Biology/Professor

Representative Topics: Molecular and cellular basis of cancer; stem cell biology & medical applications.

Shelley E. Zuraw, PhD. – Associate Professor of Art History, Lamar Dodd School of Art

Representative Topics: Roman and Florentine sculpture of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries; ancient and Renaissance portraiture; politics and patronage in the communes of the late medieval and early modern Italy

the two courses offered are:

BCMB 3433. Biology for Medicine. 4 credit hours.

ARHI2120. Introduction to Italian Art. 3 credits hours.

I'll try to profile a few of these programs this week. The Maymester session has proven to be an effective and interesting innovation in the short-course study abroad experience (Maymester courses are also offered on campus).