Integrated Undergraduate Computational Biology Program

跨学科（99）；生物科学（61）；与传统界限重叠的科学探究将是下一个千年教育经验的一个标志。这个项目是一个研究跨学科科学最佳传播的倡议。该项目的直接目标是设计一个本科计算生物学课程，作为跨学科教育的典范。(1)我们通过一门没有计算分子生物学先决条件的探索性课程来吸引初学本科生的注意；(2)我们为生物学和化学专业的学生提供计算机编程的背景知识，为计算机科学专业的学生提供分子生物学的基础知识；(3)通过多教师授课，教授学生计算生物学的基础知识和最新进展。第二个同时进行的目标是为缺乏计算生物学讲师的教育机构建立一个基于网络的外展计划。由于参与研究是科学教育的一个组成部分，我们鼓励该项目的本科生在大四期间与参与研究的教师一起进行“独立研究”项目。这项教育技术实验为丰富前沿多学科领域的本科教育提供了独特的贡献。该项目借鉴了科学教育文学教学的方法，强调课堂讨论和以同学为主导的工作坊形式。作为成本分担的一部分，大学承诺提供局域网连接的个人电脑，以促进该计划的实验室。微软公司正在协商捐赠额外的设备。

Interdisciplinary (99) ; Biological Sciences (61) ; Computer Science (31)Scientific inquiries overlapping the traditional boundaries will be a hallmark of educational experience in the next millennium. This project is an initiative towards investigating optimal dissemination of interdisciplinary science. The immediate goal of the project is to design an undergraduate computational biology curriculum as a model of interdisciplinary education. (1) We are drawing the attention of beginning undergraduates through an exploratory course with no prerequisites on computational molecular biology; (2) we are providing students of biology and chemistry a background in computer programming, and the students of computer science in the fundamentals of molecular biology; and (3) we are teaching the students the fundamentals as well as the current progress of computational biology through a multi-instructor course. The second concurrent goal is to establish a Web-based out-reach program for educational institutions that lack an equivalent concentration of instructors in computational biology.Since participation in research is an integral part of science education, we are encouraging undergraduate students in the program to work in "independent research" programs with participating faculty members during their senior year. This experiment in educational technology is providing a unique contribution towards enrichment of undergraduate education in cutting edge multidisciplinary fields. The project is adapting from the science education literature teaching methods that emphasize in class discussion and peer-led workshop formats.As a part of the cost share the University has committed to supply LAN-connected PCs to facilitate the laboratory for the program. Donation of additional equipment is being negotiated from Microsoft Corporation.