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

1. 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

2. Objective: Scientific methodology: to understand the methods and limitations of science and what distinguishes science from other modes of inquiry
   
3. 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

1. Objective: Technical skills

• 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

2. 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

3. Objective: Creative problem solving

• 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

Goal 3: the attitudes and values that foster a continuing discourse about science and its role in our world

1. Objective:  Applications of attitudes and values

• 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

2. 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