Claire Oakley

Professor of Biology
B.A in Physical and Biological Sciences, Ithaca College, New York 
Ph.D. in Zoophysiology,  Washington State University 
M.H.A. (Health Administration), Montana State University- Billings
406.657.1089
Bair Science Center 101B
oakleyc@rocky.edu

Biography

Dr. Claire Oakley came to Rocky Mountain College in 1986. She is a mammalian physiologist with a subspecialty in exercise physiology.

A wonderful aspect of RMC is its belief in interdisciplinary teaching. To this end, Dr. Oakley is teaming with professors in other disciplines to instruct the RMC Freshman Experience (RFE), examining General Biology and the scientist in literature. The biology RFE has read Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World," Richard Preston's "Hot Zone," and Margaret Atwood's "Oryx and Crake." Close reading and analytical writing are valuable skills irrespective of one's major and the primary skills that define a college graduate.

For Dr. Oakley, "teaching is magical." The small student:faculty ratio allows her to combine her love of teaching biology and working closely with students. Using human cadavers in the anatomy laboratory enhances the biology programs and allows students to pursue health care careers and enter professional school with a solid foundation on which to build clinical skills. She practices what she calls "intrusive" advising that teaches a student their responsibility toward ensuring a timely graduation and providing academic and career mentoring and assistance. Additionally, watching students perform on the concert stage, the athletic field/court, or in the theater makes teaching biology a rewarding profession as she and her students alternate roles as leaders and participants.

Through her teamwork with the local medical community, the health science opportunities at RMC continue to grow.

Outside of the classroom, Claire is mother of a college student and a recent college graduate; she is also a photographer, a hiker, and the winner of numerous blue ribbons at MontanaFair for her baked goods. She is a scientific judge at the annual D.O.E. Science Bowl and at local speech competitions. Dr. Oakley is also a member of the Board for the Yellowstone AIDS Project.

Courses Taught

General Biology
Animal Physiology
Human Anatomy and Physiology
She also teaches a variety of 200 level non-major course, which in the past have included the Biology of HIV/AIDS, Biophysics, and the Biology of Women.

What is your favorite class to teach and why?

I love teaching, plain and simple.

What is on your iPod?

I don't own one.

What are you currently reading?

I always have a novel in progress.

What makes RMC stand out from other schools?

While RMC is not a well-known school across the country, one can't ignore the great success we have had in helping our students get accepted to graduate and professional programs. To date, 89% of our students who applied to medical school have been accepted, and 100% of our students seeking master’s and PHD programs have been accepted to their program of choice. Also, 100% of our biology/ chemistry majors applying to PT, pharmacy, and optometry programs have been accepted.