Impact of undergraduate research and educational program in genomics and bioinformatics on career choices in Puerto Rican students from different socioeconomic backgrounds

该项目的目的是通过使用基于现代技术的直接研究性学习方法，实施基因组学和生物信息学的综合课程，并审查该课程对增加波多黎各学生选择从事科学和研究职业道路的人数的影响。该项目将提供一个独特的平台，研究融合教育对一个主要的少数族裔服务机构的职业选择的影响，学生涵盖波多黎各社会的整个社会经济领域。该项目的主要教育目标是建立从教授基因组学和生物信息学开始，通过协作课堂项目培养本科生独立和原创研究的本科课程序列。参与本科生研究活动和论文作者以及学术成就是影响科学职业选择中种族/民族影响的重要因素。主要的研究目标被纳入课程序列，并将产生波多黎各全岛人类基因组多样性的在线地图。长期目标是通过实施数十个学生发起的项目来培养独立的研究人员，这些项目将以各种形式进行交流，包括在本科生研究研讨会上的平台演示、在全国会议上的演示、在线报告和同行评议的出版物。所有参与者都将记录终点和结果，如考试成绩、对该主题一般知识的前后评估、对研究经验的看法、对课程的评估、对其他学生的指导和建议，以及对进入研究生院或其他与STEM学科相关的职业的态度。这些结果将与课程实施前、中、后的社会经济地位和择业态度相关。

The purpose of this project is to implement an integrative curriculum in genomics and bioinformatics, by using direct research-based learning approaches based on modern techniques, and to examine the impact of this curriculum on increasing the number of Puerto Rican students choosing to pursue scientific and research career paths. This project will provide a unique platform for studying the effect of the integrated education on career choices in a major underrepresented minority-serving institution with students encompassing the whole socioeconomic spectrum of the Puerto Rican society. The major educational objective of this project is to establish an undergraduate curricular sequence starting from teaching genomics and bioinformatics, through collaborative class project to fostering independent and original research by the undergraduates. Participation in undergraduate research activities and authorship, along with academic achievement are among the significant factors mediating the effect of race/ethnicity in the scientific career choices. The major research objective is incorporated into the curricular sequence and will result in an on-line map of human genome diversity across the island of Puerto Rico. The long-term goal is to create independent researchers through implementing dozens of student-initiated projects that will be communicated in various forms, including platform presentation participation in undergraduate research symposia, presentations at national meetings, online reports and peer-reviewed publications. Endpoints and outcomes such as test grades, pre- and post- evaluation of the general knowledge on the topic, perceptions of the research experience, evaluation of the course, mentorship, and recommendations to other students, as well as attitude towards entering graduate schools or other careers related to STEM disciplines, will be recorded for all participants. These outcomes will be correlated with the socioeconomic status and the career choice attitudes before, during and after application of the courses.