General Biology           USD


Cliff Summers                     Contact                     Summers Lab                     Investigators                     Research                     Publications                    


Courses

General Biology Syllabus 2017 Behavioral Neuroscience
Neurobiology Advanced Seminars
Endocrinology Biology of Reproduction

Hints for Improving Your Score in General Biology
  • Study 15 minutes just after class each day
  • Limit your studying in each session to a reasonable amount
  • No more than 15 Key words
  • Make lists of the Key words for each section you study
  • Repetition is good, repetition is your friend, use it

  • More Hints for Improving Your Score in all classes
  • skim the appropriate chapter in the book each day before class
  • Use a multisensory approach with your studying (not just reading: write, draw, make models)
  • Make flow charts using your Key words (first hints list)
  • Draw lots of pictures of what you are learning (if I didn't draw one in class, draw your own)
  • Be sure to get 8h sleep each day - especially the night before the exam

  • Even more hints
  • Study in groups - sometimes - test each other
  • Study alone - sometimes - learn things your way
  • Look at your key word list or flow chart, and decide which are the most important elements
  • re-write your notes
  • re-write your notes in another language, or using the hand you normally don't use, or using pictures


  • Keep looking, there will be another hint list here soon
  • Make up questions for the exam
  • Examine your notes; decide which ideas the Professor will use on the test
  • Make up questions for the exam that you think the Professor would choose
  • Study one thing in the 5 minutes you wait for class to start

  • mailing address:
    Cliff H. Summers
    Department of Biology
    University of South Dakota
    Vermillion, SD 57069
    Rooms: Churchill-Haines 168F, Lab 178A
    Phone: (605) 677-6177


    Research Interests
    Our laboratory focuses on the impact of social and environmental stressors on molecular, neural and endocrine responses to influence adaptive behavior and activities like learning, coping, developing social rank relationships, biological rhythms, reproduction, and social interaction. Of special interest are how and why individuals differ, and how responses are characterized temporally. The investigations include the connection between molecular, neural and endocrine responses and variability in the magnitude and way in which individuals respond to and cope with stress behaviorally. We have recently developed a new model that includes aggression, learned escape and conditioned submission. We are interested in elucidating the mechanisms by which experience modulates the responsiveness of neural and hormonal stress responses. We think it is important to relate molecular genetics, physiology and anatomy to behavior, ecology and evolution.
    A complete listing of Dr. Summers' publications
    Pubmed search of Dr. Summers' publications
    email E-mail Dr. Summers

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