Targeted Infusion to Attract Minorities to STEM by using an Accredited Forensic Biology Major: an Interdisciplinary Approach

摘要：美国特拉华州立大学开设了法医生物学学士学位课程，并于2006年秋季开始招收第一批学生。最近，学生对从事科学或与科学相关的职业的兴趣急剧增加，特别是法医生物学，有40多个电视节目直接或间接地涉及法医科学。在大规模灾难发生后，利用DNA技术鉴定人类遗骸，以及最近一些被判无罪的人被免罪，进一步激发了学生们对法医科学职业的兴趣。这个定向输液项目的重点是加强我们新的法医生物学学位，通过改革现有的课程，以满足美国法医学学会/法医学教育项目认证委员会（AAFS/FEPAC）制定的认证标准。我们正在开发新的课程，并用新的仪器和设备加强现有的课程，以最佳地培训学生。新开发和加强的课程提供当前法医DNA方法的教育和技术培训，并将为学生进入日益增长的法医工作和/或研究生课程做好准备。特拉华州立大学是一所少数民族服务机构，吸引了来自特拉华州和周边州的学生。我们对该项目认证的积极追求使DSU成为我们地区为数不多的机构之一（也是唯一的HBCU）提供法医生物学认证项目，从而增加了少数族裔或代表性不足的学生获得STEM相关领域学位的人数。自2006年我们的法医项目广告和实施以来，选择生物学专业的学生人数增加了25%，这表明我们项目的吸引力很明显。

ABSTRACT 0811338Delaware State University has developed a BS degree in Forensic Biology, which accepted its first students in the fall of 2006. Recently, there has been a dramatic increase in student interest in pursuing careers in or related to science, especially forensic biology, with over forty television shows directly or indirectly incorporating forensic science. The use of DNA technology in identifying human remains after mass disasters and the recent exoneration of individuals convicted of crimes they had not committed has further fueled student interest in careers in forensic science.This Targeted Infusion project is focused on strengthening our new forensic biology degree by revamping the current curriculum to meet the accreditation standards set forth by the American Academy of Forensic Science/Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (AAFS/FEPAC). We are developing new courses and strengthening existing courses with new instrumentation and equipment needed for optimal training of students. The newly-developed and strengthened courses provide educational and technological training in current forensic DNA methodologies and will prepare students to enter the growing forensic workforce and/or graduate programs.Delaware State University is a minority serving institution that attracts students from within the state of Delaware and surrounding states. Our aggressive pursuit for accreditation for this program makes DSU one of the few institutions (and the only HBCU) within our region to offer an accredited program in forensic biology, thus increasing the number of minority or underrepresented students receiving degrees in STEM related fields. The appeal of our program is evident by the 25% increase in the number of students choosing majors in biology since the advertisement and implementation of our forensic program in 2006.