MCFADDEN, C.S.; ADOLPH, S.C.*; VAN HECKE, G.R.; KARUKSTIS, K.K.; HASKELL, R.C.; WETTACK, F.S.: An Integrative Chemistry, Biology, and Physics Laboratory Course for First-year College Students

For the past three years, we have been teaching a year-long integrative laboratory course for first-year students at Harvey Mudd College, an undergraduate college of science and engineering. The course is team-taught by biology, chemistry, and physics faculty, and is designed to blend laboratory experiences from these three disciplines and from engineering and computer science. The laboratory features an investigative approach in which students develop and test their own hypotheses. The 8 laboratory modules (4 per semester) each involve at least two disciplines; four of the 8 involve biology. For example, in one module students examine electron transport in chloroplasts; in another they determine the carbonate content of a variety of biological hard structures. Each module runs several weeks so that students can develop, refine and test their hypotheses. Post-course surveys reveal very positive student responses to the course. Although most students found the course challenging, they enjoyed testing their own hypotheses and came to realize that “there isn’t always a right answer”. The interdisciplinary nature of the course forces students to make links between disciplines they normally compartmentalize, and gives them the sense that they are working on problems that are “‘real-life’ applicable”. Course development was supported by a NSF Award for the Integration of Research and Education to Harvey Mudd College.