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

特拉华州立大学在2006年秋季开始招收第一批学生，并设立了法医生物学学士学位。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学。DNA技术在大规模灾难后识别人类遗骸的使用以及最近被判无罪的个人进一步激发了学生对法医学职业的兴趣。这个有针对性的注入项目的重点是通过修改当前的课程来加强我们新的法医生物学学位，以满足美国法医科学院提出的认证标准。法医科学教育计划认证委员会（AAFS/FEPAC）。我们正在开发新的课程，并加强现有的课程与新的仪器和设备所需的学生的最佳培训。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，并将为学生进入不断增长的法医队伍和/或研究生课程做好准备。特拉华州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。我们对该计划认证的积极追求使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计划，从而增加了少数民族或代表性不足的学生在STEM相关领域获得学位的数量。自2006年我们的法医学课程的广告和实施以来，选择生物学专业的学生人数增加了25%，这表明了我们课程的吸引力。

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.