Objectives
Through a variety of learning opportunities, our students will develop:
Goal 1: a knowledge-base necessary to understand the complexities of the biology and chemistry of life
- Objective: integrate basic biological and chemical knowledge and its structure to develop a foundation in the concepts and facts in modern cell and molecular biology and biochemistry, and to be familiar with various ways of organizing and accessing scientific knowledge
- knowledge as a foundation of research
- principles of chemical reactivity, bonding, thermodynamics and kinetics
- principles of biological structures and activities, control and regulation
- tables of data
- graphs
- mathematical relationships
- theories
- Objective: Scientific methodology: to understand the methods and limitations of science and what distinguishes science from other modes of inquiry
- Objective: Evolutionary nature of biology and chemistry: to become aware of past and emerging developments and issues in these fields and to place scientific discoveries in a historical and societal context
- influence of gender and minority issues on the evolution of science
- current literature
- seminars
- inclusion of unusually exciting occurrences
Goal 2: the technical and intellectual skills necessary to facilitate creative problem solving
- Objective: Technical skills
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- Computational skills: to increase proficiency in using math as a language relevant to both biology and chemistry
- verbalize mathematics
- translate words into mathematical relationships
- appropriate use of fundamental math techniques
- Lab skills: to develop proficiency in techniques to gather meaningful data
- skill in use of lab equipment and instruments
- choice of appropriate technique
- manipulative efficiency
- observation skills
- safety
- Library skills: to increase proficiency in information retrieval
- search (electronic and print media)
- use of literature
- Computer skills: to increase proficiency in use of computers
- types of software
- computer modeling
- appropriate uses
- communication
- Communication skills: to exchange ideas effectively and efficiently by correct usage of terminology and nomenclature
- writing
- reading
- listening
- speaking
- presentation of information
- Group dynamics: to work effectively as a team member to accomplish a task
- recognize roles
- contribution of team members
- team work
- Computational skills: to increase proficiency in using math as a language relevant to both biology and chemistry
- Objective: Thinking skills
- Organize: to develop skills to enable one to organize knowledge and information
- classification
- alternative to memorization
- Reason: to develop logical and quantitative reasoning skills
- drawing generalizations
- working with models
- use of mathematical models
- inductive/deductive reasoning
- Analyze: to take new knowledge apart and evaluate it based on prior knowledge
- limitations of theories
- criticize theories
- data analysis
- Objective: Creative problem solving
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- Synthesize: to create new knowledge based on prior knowledge
- derive relationships
- development of mathematical model from data - modeling (e.g., computer modeling)
- prediction from models
- Integrate: to connect new knowledge with prior knowledge
- commonalties
- connections
- the "big picture
- reductionist and global approaches of chemistry and biology
- Design: to formulate important questions; design and evaluate methods for answering them
- design an experiment
- recognize variables
- evaluate experiment
- relate theory to design
- design a search strategy
- Problem solving: to develop processes necessary for solving problems and making decisions
- brainstorm
- analyze problem or question
- plan solution
- evaluate solution
- Synthesize: to create new knowledge based on prior knowledge
Goal 3: the attitudes and values that foster a continuing discourse about science and its role in our world
- Objective: Applications of attitudes and values
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- Society: to integrate personal and societal values into technological issues, especially those dealing with genomics and proteomics and their integration into medicine
- relationship of medical, scientific and societal issues
- ethical waste disposal
- influence of personal values on science
- ethical issues arising from human genome project
- Gender: to be sensitive to gender related and minority issues
- creation of a supportive environment for all students
- recognition that science is accessible to all
- Society: to integrate personal and societal values into technological issues, especially those dealing with genomics and proteomics and their integration into medicine
- Objective: Development of attitudes and values
- Excitement: to foster enthusiasm and enjoyment for learning chemistry
- Confidence: to realistically appraise strengths and weaknesses
- willingness to take a risk
- creation of supportive environment
- encouragement of students at all levels
- Flexibility, ambiguity: to encourage flexibility that enables one to handle ambiguity
- willingness to explore alternative views
- comfort in dealing with open-ended questions
- ability to tolerate change
- ability to respond positively to an intellectual challenge
- Independent learning: to take personal responsibility for learning
- Work ethic, motivation: to encourage and reward perseverance in learning
- recognition that learning requires work
- benefits of learning are not necessarily a grade
- experience the satisfaction of learning
- Curiosity, inquiry: to encourage curiosity that leads to further inquiry
- all questions encouraged