Comprehensive Reform for Undergraduate General Education Science Instruction

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An integrated, interdisciplinary curriculum is proposed to actively engage students in the scientific process. A three course sequence consisting of "Mathematics and Inquiry", "Science and Inquiry", and "Undergraduate Research", will be required of all non-science majors. The goals of this curriculum are to foster an understanding of the process of science and to develop an awareness of the interconnections between science disciplines and the natural world. Classes will be team taught by physical and life scientists, using case-studies to explore real world issues through open-ended laboratories and small group projects. The undergraduate research course is the most challenging part of this proposal, and will require all students to engage the scientific process through participation in on-going research projects, or through design and implementation of a research project. Teaching science by engaging all students in the scientific process could revolutionize the way we educate non-science majors, meeting the national goals of producing more scientifically literate graduates, and empowering them to confront the complex social and scientific problems of the 21st century.