Engaging, Luring, and Immersing Undergraduates in the Biological Sciences with Professor Rolf Christoffersen (UCSB)

Thursday, November 10, 12:00-1:00pm, Biomed 300 Host: Susy Honig

Description: My presentation will describe the multifaceted approach that we have taken to implement Vision and Change in our department since 2010. First, we developed course-based authentic research experiences for students at different stages of the major including: a freshmen research course focused on DNA barcoding and antibiotic producing microorganisms; a module in our introductory biology laboratory course that consists of an RNAi screen to identify genes involved in chemosensory perception in C. elegans; an intensive summer research course for undergraduates and taught by postdoctoral scholars. Second, we have encouraged the formation of student learning communities with a near-peer mentoring program to support students enrolled in a large introductory biology lecture course. Third, we are offering a parallel version of our traditional introductory biology lecture course that focuses on a student-centered learning approach with the goal of determining whether this intervention impacts retention and performance in our major through graduation.

Rolf's bio: I have been a faculty member of the MCD Biology department at UC Santa Barbara since 1985 with my primary teaching assignment in the area of eukaryotic genetics at both the introductory and upper division levels. I have a long-standing interest in the use of instructional technology to improve student experiences in my large lecture courses. In addition, as co-director of two HHMI-funded undergraduate science education projects, I have been part of a team of UCSB science educators that are dedicated to improving outcomes for all our undergraduate students including those from groups that are at high risk of leaving STEM majors.