Southwestern Oklahoma State University
02/13/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/13/2026 11:21
SWOSU Biology Students Study Oklahoma Biodiversity at Quartz Mountain State Park
SWOSU Biology students hike through rocky terrain at Quartz Mountain State Park while observing plant life and discussing habitat differences during their field study.
Students from the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences spent Feb. 7-8 at Quartz Mountain State Park for a field experience tied to their Biology of Plants and Ecology courses. The trip was led by SWOSU Biology faculty Dr. Renan Janke Bosque and Dr. Liedson Carneiro.
During the weekend, students left the classroom and went out on the field. They walked trails, stopped at key sites, and learned to identify organisms in their natural habitats. They practiced observing and recording data, discussed how different habitats influence which species can thrive, and connected classroom concepts to real-world examples. For many, the trip also provided a chance to build confidence in field skills, including careful observation, note-taking, and asking questions that arise only in hands-on settings.
SWOSU student Michael Adesola during the field experience at Quartz Mountain State Park.
SWOSU students move through the terrain at Quartz Mountain State Park as part of their field-based learning in ecology and plant biology.
Austin Buchanan during the field experience at Quartz Mountain State Park.
SWOSU students from left to right: Madilyn Crisp, Kenzi Nix, Darby Elmore, Michael Adesola, Austin Buchanan, Eric Mesta, John Preston, Chance Oric.
SWOSU students examine features of the landscape at Quartz Mountain State Park as Dr. Renan Janke Bosque observes during the field study.
SWOSU students gather near a natural rock opening at Quartz Mountain State Park to examine their surroundings and connect classroom concepts to field observations.
"Quartz Mountain is an excellent place to teach ecology and plant biology because you can see so much variation in a short distance," said Dr. Bosque. "It's the kind of experience that helps students connect the dots between concepts and the real world."
The Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences regularly incorporates field experiences to give students practical training and a better understanding of what biologists and ecologists do outside the lab.
For more information, visit https://www.swosu.edu/biological-sciences/.
About Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.
For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit https://www.swosu.edu/.
Thinking about becoming a Bulldog?
Choosing the right university comes with plenty of questions about applications, costs, and campus life. At SWOSU, students benefit from strong programs, a supportive community, and plenty of opportunities to get involved. This FAQ highlights answers to some of the questions students most often ask when considering SWOSU.
FAQs
How to apply to SWOSU?Start your application process by visiting SWOSU's admissions page to choose the path that fits you to submit your application!
To learn more, visit the SWOSU Admissions page.
For graduate degrees, you submit your application through the Graduate Application Portal and include transcripts and immunization records. Deadlines vary by program.
To learn more, visit the Graduate School Admissions page.
Tuition rates for SWOSU vary based on residency status and credit hours. For the most accurate and current tuition information, please refer to the official SWOSU Tuition and Fees page.
SWOSU welcomes transfer students! Requirements depend on hours completed: if under 24 hours, submit an application, test scores, and transcripts. For more than 24 hours, submit your application, transcript(s), and immunization records. A GPA of 1.7 is required for up to 30 hours; 2.0 is required beyond that.
To learn more, visit the Transfer Students page.
SWOSU offers a range of financial assistance, including scholarships, grants, and loans. These can come from academic departments, foundations, or federal and state resources.
To learn more, visit the Scholarships & Grants page.
SWOSU's "In-State + $1 Tuition Program" allows non-resident (including transfer and international) students to pay the in-state tuition rate plus $1 per credit hour. No extra application is needed. Savings can exceed $3,450 per semester (based on 15 credit hours).
Note: This rate applies to tuition only, not fees, housing, meal plan, or books. To learn more, visit the In-State + $1 Tuition page.
Yes! SWOSU offers graduate programs in areas such as Education, Business, Nursing, Allied Health, and more.
To learn more, visit the Graduate School Admissions page.
Yes! SWOSU offers online courses and degree options across undergraduate and graduate levels to give students flexibility with their schedules.
To learn more, visit our SWOSU Online page.
On-campus housing includes traditional residence halls and apartment-style living. These options offer amenities like meal plans, laundry, and social spaces.
To learn more, visit our Residential Life page.
SWOSU hosts more than 80 student clubs and organizations-ranging from Chemistry Club, Scuba Club, Gaming Club, Honors Associations, Hispanic American Leadership Organization, to Faith-based, academic, and recreational groups.
To learn more, visit the Student Organizations page.
SWOSU offers services including academic advising, tutoring, writing support, health and counseling services, financial aid assistance, residence life, library, and more.
To learn more, visit the Student Services page.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University published this content on February 13, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 13, 2026 at 17:21 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]