https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0504-358X
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ABSTRACT
The integration of biology with mathematics and computer science mandates the training of students capable of comfortably navigating among these fields. We address this formidable pedagogical challenge with the creation of transdisciplinary modules that guide students toward solving realistic problems with methods from different disciplines. Knowledge is gradually integrated as the same topic is revisited in biology, mathematics, and computer science courses. We illustrate this process with a module on the homeostasis and dynamic regulation of red blood cell production, which was first implemented in an introductory biology course and will be revisited in the mathematics and computer science curricula.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors like to thank Drs. Shrijeeta Ganguly, Alisa Griffin, Gene McGinnis, Wendy Newstetter, Anna Powolny, Hong Qin, Elethia Tillman, Jerry Volcy and James Wade for suggesting means of fine-tuning the original module. The authors also thank Dr. Paul Camp for illustrating this method through his seminal work at Spelman College in developing modules to integrate biology and physics.
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
No potentialconflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
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Notes on contributors
Mentewab Ayalew
Mentewab Ayalew is an associate professor of biology at Spelman College. Her interests include the infusion of quantitative and computational thinking in the biology curriculum as well as faculty development in these areas. Her research focus is on understanding antibiotic resistance in plants. She earned a Ph.D. in plant cellular and molecular biology at Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Agronomie de Toulouse, France.
Derrick Hylton
Derrick Hylton is an associate professor of physics at Spelman College. He was the founding faculty member of the Physics Department at Spelman College. He earned a Ph.D. in physics at Yale University in the theory of atomic structure. Other research interests are in physics education and computational physics. At Spelman, he has worked on infusing a problem-based pedagogy in the physics curriculum.
Jeticia Sistrunk
Jeticia Sistrunk is an assistant professor in the Department of Biology at Spelman College. Her work addresses questions towards understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of microorganisms using microbial genomics and metagenomics approaches. Her interests include STEM outreach and developing innovative curriculum for integrating computing techniques in biology courses.
James Melton
James Melton is a course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURE) postdoctoral fellow in the Biology Department at Spelman College. His research has focused on diversity, molecular systematics, and genomics of green algae and Amoebozoa. He has also been involved with designing biology courses to improve student training in evolution and bioinformatics.
Kiandra Johnson
Kiandra Johnson is a senior instructor of mathematics at Spelman College. Her interests include infusion of active learning and technology in foundational mathematics course. Her research focus is primarily on hybrid courses and project-based learning’s impact on intermediate algebra and precalculus course achievement. She earned a master’s of science in applied and computational mathematics at Emory University in Atlanta, GA.
Eberhard Voit
Eberhard Voit is a chair professor and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in biological systems. He studied at Cologne University in Cologne, Germany, where he received master’s degrees in biology and mathematics, as well as a Ph.D. in developmental and theoretical biology. His interests focus on research and education in complex biomedical systems and, in particular, computational analyses of metabolic pathway systems.