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Abstracts
Presentation Abstracts
Alphabatized By Name
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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| Title of Work: |
The Effects of Different Genres of
Music on the Maze Learning Ability
of Mice |
| Presenters, Majors: |
Erika MacKinnon, Biology |
| Faculty Sponsor: |
Elizabeth Rave, Richard Koch |
Abstract: The ‘Mozart effect’ is a phenomenon whereby listening to one
of Mozart’s songs temporarily increases spatial learning ability. Several
studies have validated this event, but few take into consideration the spatial
learning effects of different types of music. This experiment looks at three
fundamentally different types of music (classical, easy listening, and heavy
metal) and compares their effect on the spatial learning ability of mice. Mice
in each group were subjected to eight hours of a particular musical genre (or
silence) and ran through a maze every day for 14 consecutive days. Of the
three musical genres, the easy listening music had the greatest positive effect
on spatial learning with the largest decrease in total number of mistakes over
the 14 day period. However, the greatest improvement seen overall was with
the control group. |
| Title of Work: |
CRP, and its Impact on Pheasant and
Grouse Populations. |
| Presenters, Majors: |
Trapper Marshall, Geography |
| Faculty Sponsor: |
Jeff Ueland |
Abstract: The intent of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is to
preserve fragile or declining natural habitats by removing agricultural land
from production. Ag land commonly fetches $250 an acre to lease which
doesn’t offer farmers or other land holders incentive to retire their lands for
conservation purposes. This study is primarily focused on pheasant and both
grouse species managed for, in Minnesota, as wildlife distributions relate
closely to CRP lands. A shapefile of the CRP lands in Minnesota (USDA) was
obtained alongside pheasant road side surveys and grouse counts (MN DNR)
to be used in understanding the relationships between grouse, pheasants,
and land use. In order to understand these relationships between the bird
populations and types of land use in place, the spatial and population level
relationships between pheasants and both grouse species on a temporal scale
were analyzed with the help of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). |
| Title of Work: |
Media Convergence: Affected
Podcasting Popularity in Relation To
Surrounding Environment |
| Presenters, Majors: |
Michel Martine, Mass Communication |
| Faculty Sponsor: |
Virgil Bakken |
Abstract: For my senior thesis I will be doing a quantitative analysis
pertaining to media convergence and technology acceptance of the technology
podcasting, in the Bemidji area. My predictions build on the uses and
gratifications theory, the diffusion of innovations theory, and the technology
acceptance model. Together I formulate my hypotheses around the notion
that the more people are around technology in general, and the sooner they
are introduced into a technology based world, the more ready they will be
to accept and use podcasting in their daily lives. I plan to test my hypothesis
through surveys at BSU and the surrounding community. This project is
important because it looks into the importance of media convergence and
technology innovation in the mass communication field. |
| Title of Work: |
Family Habits and Environmental
Behavior in College Students |
| Presenters, Majors: |
Crystal Middendorf*, Psychology |
| Faculty Sponsor: |
Laurie Desiderato |
Abstract: What affects our behavior? This question has intrigued
psychologists for centuries. Efforts to encourage environmentally-friendly
behavior are necessary in light of our over-population, development, and
climate change; and they are enhanced by understanding the precursors of
these behaviors. Through a survey and literature review, this project explores
family contributions to conservation behaviors, Bemidji State University
students’ knowledge about their energy use, and their consumption habits.
This project is part of the Students’ for the Environment “Do It in the Dark”
campaign, and the results will be analyzed to inform more effective actionbased
projects in the future. |
| Title of Work: |
Karl Kautsky: A Historiography |
| Presenters, Majors: |
Sean Monroe, History |
| Faculty Sponsor: |
Thomas Murphy |
Abstract: Prior to World War I, Karl Kautsky was considered the principal
Marxist thinker in Germany and in the Second International. Kautsky’s
authority, however, quickly waned when he objected to Vladimir Lenin’s
successful Russian revolution in 1917 on the grounds that it was not a
democratic revolution. This divide between Lenin and Kautsky has caused the
majority of the historical literature to view Kautsky and his work through the
lens of Lenin. This paper examines the effect of the Kautsky-Lenin divide and
how Kautsky’s work has been viewed by later writers. |
| Title of Work: |
Food Habits of Walleye Sander
vitreus in Lake Mille Lacs,
Minnesota. |
| Presenters, Majors: |
Jordan Moss, Aquatic Biology |
| Faculty Sponsor: |
Donald Cloutman |
Abstract: A quantitative analysis of the food habits of walleye Sander vitreus
from Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota was done during April through October 2006,
2007, and 2008. Walleye were collected at night using 300ft monofilament
mesh gill nets and bottom trawling. The walleyes were separated into 4
different size classes; 0-12.99”, 13-17.99”, 18-22.99”, 23+”. Seasonal
and size variations were the main topics that were tested. Walleyes preyed
predominantly on age-0 and age-1 yellow perch; however, food habits varied
slightly among the different size groups. |
* Honors Program Student
+ Graduate Student
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