Congratulations to Dr. Jim Sniezek, professor in the Rockville Campus Biology Department, on receiving a 36-month National Science Foundation Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) Grant, entitled "MathBench Modules: Mathematics for all biology undergraduates." Dr. Sniezek served as co-principle investigator for this grant, in collaboration with the University of Maryland at College Park, the lead agent for this grant.

The project summary states that the overarching goal of the initiative is to integrate quantitative approaches and mathematics more deeply into the undergraduate biological sciences curriculum in a way that reinforces biological concepts and increases math literacy. Using humor, references to popular culture and interactive elements to engage students, these modules also build upon the students' intuitive understanding to help them explore biological concepts using fairly sophisticated mathematical approaches.

The teaching modules focus on ten major quantitative skills identified by University of Maryland faculty as being essential for a comprehensive understanding of modern biology. Twenty-six modules are already being developed and piloted in five fundamental biology courses at the University of Maryland (UM).

An increasingly large numbers of University of Maryland graduates begin their education at Montgomery College. Through this project, a select set of these modules will be adapted for use at MC in fall 2008 in targeted sections of BIO107 (Principles of Biology I) to address the specific needs of MC students. The goal is to ease their transition into more advanced coursework at UM.

The entire MathBench suite of modules will be enriched with more robust interactive elements that fully capitalize on the advantages of technology-enhanced instruction. The effect of the modules on student learning outcomes and attitudes will be assessed, and the feedback used to further refine the modules in preparation for wider dissemination.

Science, Engineering and Mathematics Dean Dr. Sanjay Rai is delighted with the NSF funding of this project. He maintains that in the last 15 years the importance of mathematics in biology has been growing rapidly. "It is now generally accepted that modern biology will need to be interdisciplinary in fundamental ways that include mathematics, chemistry and physics", according to Rai, adding that a prestigious National Research Council report, BIO2010 Transforming Undergraduate Education for Future Research Biologists, has become a guiding document for undergraduate biology education.

Dr. Sniezek's project will certainly bring MC's course offerings closer to the recommendations of the National Academies. "This NSF funding is also important given the current financial situation. Our area has been fortunate with several externally funded projects and we will continue to seek outside funding to enhance and grow our offerings."

Congratulations to Dr. Sniezek and the entire team on this exciting initiative to improve undergraduate science education!