Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Human Genetics Courses for Undergraduate Non-Science Majors
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK
2004
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1100722660 |
| id |
ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ucin1100722660 |
|---|---|
| record_format |
oai_dc |
| spelling |
ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ucin11007226602021-08-03T06:10:00Z Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Human Genetics Courses for Undergraduate Non-Science Majors Vice, Bethany L. human genetics education undergraduate science education Genetics education has been studied to some degree in grades kindergarten-12 and in medical schools, but little consideration has been given to genetics education at the undergraduate level. We studied college human genetics courses for non-science majors (NSM) by estimating the number of institutions offering such courses, and the number of students taking them. Between the years 2002-2004 an estimated 480 U.S. institutions of higher education (15.2%) offered a human genetics course for NSM. Only 8.4% of 1667 associate colleges were estimated to offer such a course in contrast to 32.9% doctoral, 25.3% masters, and 16.1% baccalaureate institutions, indicating a need to increase access to genetics education in two-year colleges. A survey of course instructors was administered, questioning course demographics, content, materials and approaches used. 63 instructors responded, reporting an average of approximately 89 students (range <29 to >500) complete the course during an academic year. Accounting for multiple sections and frequency in which the courses are offered, approximately 32-37,000 students annually complete a human genetics course for NSM of the roughly 1.8 million students earning a college degree each year (2.0%). Course content was compared to a 2002 publication by the ASHG Human Genetics Education subcommittee that defines six concepts (each with several subconcepts) in genetics an undergraduate NSM should understand. Instructors indicated that 1/4 of class time was dedicated to issues of genetics and society and another 1/4 to transmission genetics. Instructors consistently rated many subconcepts significantly higher in importance than the emphasis placed on them in the course. Although time is a likely factor, instructors may need guidance on integration of the various subconcepts into their courses. Considering only 30.2% of the instructors reported they were trained in genetics (another 25.4% molecular/cell biology) and the small fraction of students currently completing NSM human genetics courses, these results demonstrate a considerable need for professional geneticists to become more involved in undergraduate human genetics education. 2004 English text University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1100722660 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1100722660 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
| collection |
NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
human genetics education undergraduate science education |
| spellingShingle |
human genetics education undergraduate science education Vice, Bethany L. Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Human Genetics Courses for Undergraduate Non-Science Majors |
| author |
Vice, Bethany L. |
| author_facet |
Vice, Bethany L. |
| author_sort |
Vice, Bethany L. |
| title |
Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Human Genetics Courses for Undergraduate Non-Science Majors |
| title_short |
Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Human Genetics Courses for Undergraduate Non-Science Majors |
| title_full |
Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Human Genetics Courses for Undergraduate Non-Science Majors |
| title_fullStr |
Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Human Genetics Courses for Undergraduate Non-Science Majors |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Human Genetics Courses for Undergraduate Non-Science Majors |
| title_sort |
quantitative and qualitative assessment of human genetics courses for undergraduate non-science majors |
| publisher |
University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2004 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1100722660 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT vicebethanyl quantitativeandqualitativeassessmentofhumangeneticscoursesforundergraduatenonsciencemajors |
| _version_ |
1719432021227339776 |