Making New Scientists: Supporting the Training of Incoming Science Majors

Traditional science degree programs concentrate primarily on content and are not known for preparing their graduates with other skills needed for scientific careers. The CNS 21st century education initiative recommended student-centered changes to address this issue, and the consequent Curriculum Reform process led CNS departments to look beyond content knowledge and identify skills students need to become scientists, such as critical thinking, experimental design, data interpretation, scientific literacy, communication and collaboration skills, professionalism and ethics, career preparation, and life-long self-directed learning; a list of attributes sometimes named 21st century skills. These skills have been taught for many years in a series of courses not associated with specific departments, including NSC301C Research Methods, UGS303 Scientific Inquiry across the Disciplines, and now NSC109 Topics in Research Methods. This project will facilitate the process of teaching 21st century skills by providing a centralized repository of course materials. This will aid both new instructors of the NSC109 class, and departments as they plan and enact the curriculum changes necessary as part of the Curriculum Reform process.