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Posted: 11/07/19

New TAMIU Study Abroad China Program Offers Students Advanced Math, Biology Research Opportunities

 

China Study Abroad
Dr. Fernando Quintana and Dr. Hongwei Wang  

A new short-term Study Abroad program to China that will enable students to study advanced mathematical and biological principles to solve real world problems is now available for Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) students.

The ‘Life and Probability in China’ program, led by Dr. Hongwei Wang, TAMIU assistant professor of Mathematics and Dr. Fernando Quintana, TAMIU associate professor of Biology, will take students on a research trip to China from June 1-30 in 2020. Prior to their trip, students will participate in a TAMIU statistics workshop led by a University of Central Florida professor.

The program includes international roundtrip airfare, accommodations at hotels and dorms, most meals, health insurance, visa application fee and academic excursions to the Harbin Zoo, Shanghai Botanical Garden, Badaling Great Wall, Forbidden City, Shenyang Forest Wild Zoo and Northeast Normal University. Course credit counts for the combination classes of Math 4355 and Biology 4371 or Math 5355 and Biology 5371.

The six-credit program is open to all students who need Math and Biology elective credits and who need foreign language. Application deadline is Feb. 1, 2020.

Dr. Wang explained that the program will be enjoyable to students as they will study and apply advanced mathematical and biological principles in their research.

“The class will allow students to develop an interesting research project and learn how to apply the basic ideas of Bayesian Statistical Analysis to students’ own research while traveling and interacting with students and professors from a first-class University in China. They will also visit magnificent cities, interesting museums and wildlife gardens and zoos,” she said.

Dr. Quintana said that the program’s academic and fieldwork focus includes the  collection of datasets about the biology of animals and plants at wildlife gardens and zoos. Students will also acquire the ability to collect samples from natural populations in China with the objective to study, analyze and appreciate diversity in nature.

“They will also acquire a new perspective of the People’s Republic of China by observing the social structure, scientific developments and cultural diversity,” he noted. “We will also visit cities like Shanghai and Beijing and utilize the modern transportation systems there. Students will have a unique opportunity to understand the social developments of China.”

Some of the data sets students will obtain and analyze include differences in number and type of insects between plants, differences in shape and size of plant leaves in different habitats, the number of different plant and animal species, and animal behavior examples and types of movements during time intervals.

During their trip, students will be able to stay at a student housing facility at Northeast Normal University. There, they will attend classes and have an opportunity to interact with students and faculty, Wang explained.

To apply for the new TAMIU Study Abroad China program or to obtain more information about Study Abroad scholarships, please contact the TAMIU Office of International Engagement at 956.326.2282 or visit offices in the Student Center, room 124.

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

TAMIU is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and its 25th Anniversary at its north Laredo campus throughout 2019-2020.  A dedicated website shares the University’s transformation from a hybrid upper-level university to a full doctoral degree-granting University. It includes a calendar of Anniversary events and more at tamiu.edu/50.

For more on the University’s story, contact the TAMIU Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu, click on tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.