Improving Quantitative Reasoning and Inquiry-Based Learning in the Undergraduate Biology Curriculum

圣托马斯大学（UST）和北亨内平社区学院（NHCC）的教师们通过在生命科学实验课程中增加对定量推理和探究性活动的重视，鼓励更多的学生考虑做研究。一年级的入门生物学实验室和中级植物生物学实验室正在由这些学校的教员合作修订。数字显微镜和气体交换的定量分析已被纳入实验室入门课程。这些技术的加入和相关的课程改革有四个具体目标：-更好地整合数学技能和生物学中更高层次的思维技能。——改进和扩大基于探究的实验室，以便与正在进行的研究项目建立更好的联系。-学生研究生物，了解结构与功能的关系，从而更好地了解生物多样性。-在小组中使用技术，以促进合作学习和每个实验室的社区意识。智力优势：正在通过态度调查、实施新技术增强的实验室练习前后学生实验室考试成绩的比较以及学期前和学期后的科学和定量推理测试来评估学生的成绩。研究结果是为了检测课程变化对不同学生群体的影响。更广泛的影响：课程中研究技术的使用旨在挑战学生的高阶思维，并因此增加学生对低级别生命科学实验室的热情和参与。大学和社区学院之间的这种合作有助于更多来自不同背景的学生认识共同开展科学研究工作的人。

Life Science Biological (61) By increasing the emphasis on quantitative reasoning and inquiry-based activities in life science laboratory courses, faculty at the University of St. Thomas (UST) and North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) are encouraging more students to consider doing research. A first year introductory biology laboratory and a mid-level plant biology laboratory are being revised by faculty collaborating at these schools. Digital microscopy and quantitative analysis of gas exchange are being brought into the introductory laboratory curriculum. The addition of these technologies and the associated curricular changes are targeting four specific objectives:- better integration of math skills and higher order thinking skills in biology.- improving and expanding inquiry-based laboratories to create better links with ongoing research projects.- students working with organisms to understand the relationship of structure to function leading to greater understanding of biological diversity.- use of technology in small groups to promote cooperative learning and a sense of community within each laboratory.Intellectual Merit: Student gains are being assessed using attitudinal surveys, comparisons of student performance on laboratory examinations before and after the implementation of new technology-enhanced laboratory exercises, and tests of scientific and quantitative reasoning pre- and post-semester. Results are being examined to detect effects of curricular changes on different populations of students. Broader Impacts: Curricular use of research technology is intended to challenge students toward higher order thinking, and, as a result, to increase student enthusiasm and engagement in lower division life science labs. This collaboration between a university and community college helps acquaint more students from diverse backgrounds with people who work together to carry out science research endeavors.