Bio 2010 : transforming undergraduate education for future research biologists / [print]
Bio 2010
Committee on Undergraduate Biology Education to Prepare Research Scientists for the 21st Century, Board on Life Sciences, Division on Earth and Life Studies, the National Research Council of the National Academies.
- Washington, District of Columbia : National Academies Press, [(c)2003.
- xv, 191 pages ; 23 cm
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION Major changes in research compel major changes in undergraduate education Evidence that interdisciplinary education is necessary Research on education can benefit the teaching of undergraduate biology Case study #1: Assessment of undergraduate research Statistics on biology students A NebraskaW BIOLOGY CURRICULUM Concepts and skills for the new curriculum Designing new curricula suitable for various types of institutions INSTRUCTIONAL MassachusettsTERIALS AND APPROACHES FOR IndianaTERDISCIPLINARY TEACHING Modules for course enrichment Case study #2: BioQUEST curriculum consortium Case study #3: carbohydrates in organic chemistry Interdisciplinary lecture and seminar courses Case study #4: quantitative education for biologists Case study #5: seminar on the mechanics of organisms Teaching materials ENGAGING STUDENTS WisconsinTH IndianaTERDISCIPLINARY AND Puerto RicoOJECT-BASED LouisianaBORATORIES The role of laboratories Proposed new laboratories Case study #6: interdisciplinary laboratory Case study #7: Neurobiology laboratory Case study #8: Workshop physics ENABLING UNDERGRADUATES TO EXPERIENCE THE EXCITEMENT OF BIOLOGY Incorporating independent undergraduate research experiences Seminars to communicate the excitement of biology Case study #9: Undergraduate research abroad Increasing the diversity of future research biologists Case study #10: integrated first-year science Case #11: first-year seminar on plagues Case study #12: computational biology IMPLEMENTATION The evolving role of departments faculty Reform initiatives and administrative support facilities National networks for reform Nurturing the production of new books and other teaching materials Financial support for improving undergraduate biology education Harmonizing the undergraduate science education of future graduate students and medical students The central role of faculty development in curriculum transformation
Annotation Both the conduct and communication of biological research have been fundamentally altered by the advent of recombinant DNA, digital, and other technologies. This National Research Council report discusses efforts to change undergraduate biology education to conform to these new realities. It suggests changes in the way that engineering and computer science is presented to life science students, describe innovative instructional materials, explain the promotion of interdisciplinary laboratories, and promote undergraduate research. Twelve case studies are used to illustrate the material. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Incorporated, Portland, Oregon (booknews.com).