Problems and Solutions in the Undergraduate Biology Chemistry Curriculum: “UC2BS”

Problem: Inefficient Curriculum Proposed Solution: 1 semester of General Chemistry 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry 1 semester of Biochemistry Advantages: Better preparation for UG research Earlier preparation for advanced biology courses Students prepared for pharmacy after 2 years

Possible Curricular Organizations “Oberlin plan” Students take quick survey of organic after 1–2 semesters of general chemistry One-semester “specialty course” follows “Purdue plan” Curriculum relevant to biology/medicine from the start. Justified by number of students (60% of 1000 students at Purdue taking organic are interested in some aspect of the life sciences)

Problem: Coherence of the Curriculum Proposed Solution: HHMI key personnel work together to ensure logical flow Brought together by objectives of the HHMI grant

Problem: Content of the Courses Proposed Solution (General Chemistry): Stress aqueous solution chemistry relevant to biology and medicine, especially in kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium Lay important foundations underlying quantitative techniques in biology

Problem: Content of the Courses Proposed Solution (Organic Chemistry): More emphasis on structure/reactivity More emphasis on molecular properties and nonbonded interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonding, etc.) Less emphasis on foundations of chemical synthesis More emphasis on acid–base chemistry, acid–base analogies Earlier introduction of relevant functional groups Liberal use of biological and clinical examples New MCATs (2013) will use HHMI/AAMC outcomes as basis

Problem: Laboratories Proposed Solution: More CASPiE sections available Premise of CASPiE Successes of CASPiE Problem-oriented (Guided Design) labs rather than cookbook labs for other students

Problem: Learning Resource (Textbook) Proposed Solution: A new-generation on-line learning resource (“online text”) Partnership with Sapling Learning (Austin, TX) and Roberts and Company Publishers Subscription model eliminates paper/printing costs Provides students with free downloadable and archivable instruction On-line part provides animations, tutorials, graded on-line homework.

Problem: Assessment Proposed Solution: An assessment plan for evaluating curriculum and resources (including support for assessment personnel) Advisory panel

Role of Advisory Panel Keep us on track; react to ideas and brainstorm Suggest CASPiE experiments Answer the question, “I wish I had learned more about ______ when I was studying undergraduate chemistry.” Answer the question, “What topics in my chemistry courses seem irrelevant today?” Help identify biological and clinical cases that illustrate chemical principles. Suggest relevant places in chemistry in which more quantitative reasoning relevant to biology and medicine can be introduced.