Midwest and Great Plains Biology Department, Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO Elena Bray Speth, Jack Kennell, and Laurie Russell Midwest and Great Plains Regional Network SLU: a Private, Catholic, Jesuit University; Carnegie classification: Research University (high research activity) enrollment: about 8,700 undergraduates and 4,800 graduate students. Undergraduate Demographics: 0.1% American Indian/Alaska Native, 4.0% Hispanic/Latino, 4.9% Multi-race, 6.4% African-American, 7.7% International, 7.9% Asian, 63.7% White, 5.3% Not reported Incoming freshman class average ACT score: 27. 6 (Fall ‘13) Biology Department: Department size: 29 faculty (tenured, tenure-track, non-tenure-track; all faculty hold PhDs) 622 majors (SLU Fact Book, Fall ‘13 data) Programs: B.S. Biology, with concentrations in: Biological Science Biological Chemistry & Molecular Biology Cell Biology & Physiology Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Plant Biology B.A. Biology Minor in Biology Interdisciplinary programs (new): BS Neuroscience and ABM Bioinformatics MA, MS, and PhD degrees Demographics Undergraduate Research: Upper-division courses engage students in authentic inquiry experiences: Example: BIOL 416 - Microbial Ecology: a discovery-based course in microbial ecology and molecular evolution Independent research in faculty labs or collaborating institutions (SLU Medical School, STL Zoo, MO Botanical Gardens, etc.) : senior inquiry, which may be a research project, is required of all B.S. students; independent research for academic credit is encouraged since sophomore year; partner institutions allow independent research (and/or internships) for academic credit students present their research in local venues (annual symposia at SLU: UG Biology Research, Senior Legacy, Sigma Xi, etc.) and often at national conferences. Reis Biological (Field) Station (https://sites.google.com/a/slu.edu/reis-biological-station/home): 225 acres of oak-hickory forest in the eastern Ozarks of Missouri, within Mark Twain National Forest, approximately 100 miles SW of St. Louis. Summer session: 3 upper-division field biology courses, offered every year. Fall session: Semester at Reis (offered every other year, or based on enrollment) Integration between biology and other disciplines: Biology and Psychology  BS in Neuroscience Biology and Philosophy  PHIL 342 – Environmental and Ecological Ethics Biology and Computer  ABM degree program in Bioinformatics Biology and EAS (Earth and Atmospheric Sciences)  GIS courses Biology and Statistics  BIOL 479 – Biometry Vision and Change Success Strengths The curriculum is diversified and organized into concentrations, designed to meet the needs of diverse students and prepare them for a variety of post-graduate careers. The SLU Biology Department has a strong commitment to undergraduate research, evidenced by the large proportion of majors who conduct independent inquiry projects in faculty laboratories, as well as in programs at local organizations. Enrollment in independent research for academic credit, for the 2013-2014 academic year: Fall 13 – 66 students Spring 14 – 74 students Areas for enhancement As a department, in the near future we will be working on: Development of Department/Program Undergraduate Learning Outcomes; Assessment of learning outcomes. Department Evaluation Rubric We hope to establish connections with institutions that : have recently articulated (or are in the process of articulating) department- and program-level outcomes, and have developed/implemented assessment plans aligned to their departmental goals. We are definitely interested in hearing about their experiences, strategies, successes, roadblocks, and wisdom gained along the process. Connections and Collaborations Best Teaching Practices Some of the faculty are increasingly practicing evidence-based learner-centered pedagogies (authentic inquiry in labs, flipped classrooms, etc.); while this is not yet the norm, it is an encouraging beginning. We are excited to announce that we will begin using Learning Assistants in three section of our large-enrollment majors’ Introductory Biology course, which are already undergoing pedagogical reform. We would be very happy to connect with institutions that are using LAs, to learn from them and share best practices. Other The PULSE Midwest and Great Plains Regional Network is supported by award #1355894 from the National Science Foundation