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

通过使用经过认证的法医生物学专业，有针对性地吸引少数群体进入 STEM：跨学科方法

• 批准号: 0811338
• 负责人: Leonard Davis
• 金额: $ 15万
• 依托单位: Delaware State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-09-15 至 2010-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0811338&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Targeted; Infusion; Attract; Minorities; STEM

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.

特拉华州立大学开发了法医生物学学士学位，于2006年秋季招收首批学生。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。在大规模灾难后使用DNA技术来识别人类遗骸，以及最近被判无罪的个人被判无罪，进一步激发了学生对法医科学职业的兴趣。这个有针对性的灌输项目专注于通过修改现有课程来加强我们新的法医生物学学位，以满足美国法医学院/法医教育项目认证委员会(AFS/FEPAC)制定的认证标准。我们正在开发新课程，并加强现有课程，为学生提供最佳培训所需的新仪器和设备。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劳动力和/或研究生课程做好准备。特拉华州立大学是一所少数族裔服务机构，吸引来自特拉华州和周边州的学生。我们积极追求这一项目的认证，使密歇根州立大学成为我们地区少数几所提供法医生物学认证课程的机构之一(也是唯一一所HBCU)，从而增加了获得STEM相关领域学位的少数族裔或代表性不足的学生的数量。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数量增加了25%，这证明了我们项目的吸引力。