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iSci @ Mac

Honours Integrated Science. iSci @ Mac. “We should be thinking of different approaches to education that will foster interdisciplinary science and lead to students who are better able to take on the challenges of the future.” DR. J. ELLIS BELL – Feb. 2007 ASBMB Today 21.

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iSci @ Mac

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  1. Honours Integrated Science iSci @ Mac “We should be thinking of different approaches to education that will foster interdisciplinary science and lead to students who are better able to take on the challenges of the future.” DR. J. ELLIS BELL – Feb. 2007 ASBMB Today 21

  2. Development of the iSci program • 2005 – Dean strikes committee (Chaired by Bradd Hart) • Explore concept of interdisciplinary, research-based undergrad program (Honours Research Science) • 2006/7 - Program development committee (Co-Chaired by Ron Racine & Carolyn Eyles) • Representatives from all Science departments/schools, University Librarian, Faculty of Science staff • Develop Honours Integrated Science (iSci) program

  3. What is iSci@Mac? • Interdisciplinary, research-based science program • Targeted toward highly motivated, high achieving students (approx. 60/year) • Direct entry: > 88% average + supplementary application process • Opportunities for ‘specialization’ in selected discipline (e.g. iSci and Physics) • ‘Seamless’ transition to Master’s program

  4. What is unique about iSci@Mac? • Fully integrated learning of scientific knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines • Team teaching, innovative instructional styles • Hands-on lab and field-based research beginning in Level I • Integrated scientific literacy program • Research collaborations with government, industry, community partners

  5. iSci program structure iSci 24 units Integrated Science I 6 units electives • Level I • Level II • Level III • Level IV iSci 18 units Integrated Science II 12 units Associated discipline electives iSci 12 units Integrated Science III 18 units Associated discipline electives iSci 12 units Integrated Science IV 18 units Associated discipline electives

  6. iSci Level I course map “Imagine ….a single, truly interdisciplinary course where the chemistry, physics, biology, and math were taught in a unified context so that students could not escape from the connections between the subjects and were held responsible for the connections between them, right from the start of their college education.” DR. J. ELLIS BELL – Feb. 2007 ASBMB Today 21

  7. Program delivery • Team teaching • Delivery matched to content • Lectures, labs, tutorials, ‘laborials’, fieldwork, skills workshops (e.g. Matlab) • On-line modules, ‘virtual’ worlds, games, simulations, blogs, wikis • Inquiry/research • With faculty - individual and team • With industry, government, community partners • internships? • Thematic approach

  8. Theme Examples Building a Brain: • Topics : evolution of brain & behaviour, neurophysiology, motor control, perception and cognition • Covered by biologists, neuroscientists, psychologists, physicists, mathematicians, chemists, computer scientists, kinesiologists, engineers and economists Searching for Life on Other Planets: • Topics: planets and stars, nature of orbits, chemical basis for life, necessary conditions, evolutionary timescales, signal detection, space flight, sampling for organic traces. • Covered by a broad range of disciplines, including Earth sciences, physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry and computer science.

  9. Scientific literacy program • Reading - essays, articles or book chapters • Address key ideas in the ‘core’ Science disciplines as reading assignments • Sample different types of literature • Differentiate ‘good’ from ‘bad’! • Writing – practice, practice, practice!! • different forms of writing, peer review, writing groups, scientific journalism, published products • Wikis, blogs, creative journals • Ethics, plagiarism • Feedback - Effective guidance system

  10. How will McMaster benefit from iSci? • High profile, ‘flagship’ program • Will attract national & international students • Will promote interdisciplinary collaborations & interactions among faculty and students • Integration strategies may be applied to other programs in the university • Graduates will be highly sought after by research departments in academia, government, industry

  11. Many Challenges!Even More Opportunities! “If you don't make mistakes, you're not working on hard enough problems.” Frank Wilczek iSci @ Mac

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