Development of a New Calculus and Differential Equations Sequence for Undergraduate Life Sciences Majors

在生物技术的新发现和进步的推动下，生命科学研究的性质已经从定性、观察性和描述性转变为定量、分析性和预测性。生命科学领域的这些根本性变化使这些领域的教育改革成为许多美国大学的头等大事。解决这个问题的一个常见方法是通过研讨会、暑期培训项目、讲习班和速成课程，为生命科学专业的学生提供密集的数学训练。这些课程包括尽可能多的适用于生物学研究的数学和统计方法。虽然这些项目和课程为学生提供了数学工具，但这个项目正在通过彻底改革生命科学专业的整个数学课程，从入门级微积分开始，为这个问题开发一个更持久的解决方案。它询问生命科学专业的学生需要什么样的数学技能，以及如何最好地提供合适的材料。这个项目不是涵盖所有适用于生物学的数学方法，也不是专注于单一的数学学科，而是为学生开发一个平台，在这个平台上，他们可以建立一个对他们未来的学习和职业生涯最有益的数学背景。它正在重新发展微积分和微分方程这两门基础学科，作为定量生物学建模和分析的关键。微积分是高等数学和微分方程的基础，建立在微积分的基础上，是生物建模的两个强大工具之一（另一个是统计学）。新的课程序列几乎无缝地从微积分转移到微分方程，并充当数学和生物学之间的桥梁。智力价值：本项目为生命科学领域的数学训练开辟了一条新的道路，鼓励更多的学生学习数学，加强数学基础。新的教学策略正在推动生命科学专业本科生学习微积分以外的数学。新的课程材料，包括基于计算机和网络的材料，正在开发中。更广泛的影响：新设计的课程序列正在对该国最大的公立和赠地大学之一的大量学生产生直接影响。以电脑和网络为基础的课程材料正通过loncapa系统和互联网提供给100多个机构。该项目正在特别努力将女性和少数民族学生纳入该项目，特别是通过与该大学的德鲁浓缩实验室和新兴学者计划建立联系。

Mathematical Sciences (21)Driven by new discoveries and advances in biotechnology, the nature of research in life sciences has changed from qualitative, observational, and descriptive to quantitative, analytical, and predictive. These fundamental changes in life sciences have made educational reform in these areas a top priority at many American universities. A common approach to this problem is to offer intensive mathematical training to students in life sciences through seminars, summer training programs, workshops, and crash courses. These courses include as many mathematical and statistical methods applicable to biological research as possible. Although those programs and courses provide mathematical tools for students, this project is developing a more permanent solution to the problem by revolutionizing the whole mathematics curriculum for life sciences majors, starting with entrance level calculus. It is asking what mathematical skills students in the life sciences need and how to best deliver the appropriate material. Rather than covering all mathematical methods applicable to biology or focusing on a single mathematics subject, this project is developing a platform for students upon which they can build a mathematical background that will be most beneficial in their future studies and careers. It is redeveloping two basic subjects, calculus and differential equations, as the key for modeling and analysis in quantitative biology. Calculus is the foundation of higher mathematics and differential equations, built on calculus, is one of the two powerful tools for biological modeling (the other is statistics). The new sequence of courses moves almost seamlessly from calculus to differential equations and serves as a bridge between mathematics and biology. Intellectual merit: This project builds a new path for mathematical training in the life sciences, which encourages more students to learn mathematics and strengthen their mathematical background. New teaching strategies are promoting mathematics studies beyond calculus among undergraduates with life sciences majors. New course materials, including computer-based and web-based materials, are being developed. Broader impact: The newly designed sequence of courses is having an immediate impact on a large student body at one of the largest public and land grant universities in the country. The computer-based and web-based course materials are being made available to over 100 institutions through the LON-CAPA system and the internet. The project is making a special effort to include female and minority students in the program, in particular by linking with the university's Drew Enrichment Laboratory and the Emerging Scholars Program.