Excerpt

The National Research Council (NRC) convened the Committee on Undergraduate Biology Education to Prepare Research Scientists for the 21st Century to prepare a report addressing issues related to undergraduate education of future biomedical researchers. The committee was charged with examining the formal undergraduate education, training, and experience required to prepare the next generation of life science majors, with a particular emphasis on the preparation of students for careers in biomedical research. One goal of the project was to identify the basic skills and concepts of mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer science, and engineering that can assist students in making novel interdisciplinary connections.

Contents

• The National Academies
• Committee on Undergraduate Biology Education to Prepare Research Scientists for the 21^st Century
• Board on Life Sciences
• Foreword
• Preface
• Executive Summary
  • THE REPORT
  • CONCLUSIONS
• 1. 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
  • STATISTICS ON BIOLOGY STUDENTS
  • ORIGIN OF BIO2010
• 2. A New Biology Curriculum
  • CONCEPTS AND SKILLS FOR THE NEW CURRICULUM
  • DESIGNING NEW CURRICULA SUITABLE FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS
• 3. Instructional Materials and Approaches for Interdisciplinary Teaching
  • MODULES FOR COURSE ENRICHMENT
  • INTERDISCIPLINARY LECTURE AND SEMINAR COURSES
  • TEACHING MATERIALS
• 4. Engaging Students with Interdisciplinary and Project-based Laboratories
  • THE ROLE OF LABORATORIES
  • PROPOSED NEW LABORATORIES
• 5. Enabling Undergraduates to Experience the Excitement of Biology
  • INCORPORATING INDEPENDENT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCES
  • INCREASING THE DIVERSITY OF FUTURE RESEARCH BIOLOGISTS
• 6. 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
• References
• Appendixes
  • A Charge to the Committee
  • B Biographical Information on Committee Members
  • C Membership of the Panels and Workshop
  • D Chemistry Panel Summary
  • E Physics and Engineering Panel Summary
  • F Mathematics and Computer Science Panel Summary
  • G Workshop on Innovative Undergraduate Biology Education

This study was supported by Contract Number N01-OD-4-2139, Task Order 64 between the National Academies and the National Institutes of Health and Award Number 71200-500115 between the National Academies and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project.

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.