Development and Assessment of Modules to Integrate Quantitative Skills in Introductory Biology Courses.

ABSTRACT: Redesigning undergraduate biology courses to integrate quantitative reasoning and skill development is critical to prepare students for careers in modern medicine and scientific research. In this paper, we report on the development, implementation, and assessment of stand-alone modules that integrate quantitative reasoning into introductory biology courses. Modules are designed to improve skills in quantitative numeracy, interpreting data sets using visual tools, and making inferences about biological phenomena using mathematical/statistical models. We also examine demographic/background data that predict student improvement in these skills through exposure to these modules. We carried out pre/postassessment tests across four semesters and used student interviews in one semester to examine

SUBMITTER: Hoffman K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4909336 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature