Improving an Undergraduate Program in Ecology

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This award provides funds to the Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology at Drexel University to purchase equipment which will help to improve an existing undergraduate ecology program, to increase the number of women and minorities in ecology, and to improve the science education of prospective teachers. Using a research boat, field vehicle (van), and modern instruments a group of faculty from the Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology teach undergraduates how to conduct modern scientific research on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the Philadelphia area. This involves formal course work and independent student research projects in aquatic ecology, biophysical ecology, and animal behavior. In addition, this project also seeks to increase the number of minorities and women in ecology by a coordinated effort at the undergraduate and high school levels. Local community groups and officials are involved in the selection of undergraduate scholars that will receive full tuition scholarships from the University and in the selection of students to participate in Saturday morning science programs. Prospective teachers will also be involved in the undergraduate ecology program through coordination with the teacher preparation program at Drexel. Major items of equipment in this award include a research boat, field vehicle, a water quality data system, a portable photosynthesis apparatus, and microclimatology instruments for field experiments; a controlled climate chamber, telemetry data logging system, and video system for lab experiments in ecology and animal behavior; and microcomputers for data analysis and mathematical modeling in ecology. The grantee is matching this award with non-Federal sources.