Published 6 issues per year
ISSN Print: 1072-8325
ISSN Online: 1940-431X
Indexed in
EVOLUTION AND EVALUATION OF A BIOLOGY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR MINORITIES
ABSTRACT
This paper describes the genesis and evolution of the Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program (BUSP), a large, comprehensive educational enrichment program that has enabled underrepresented minority (URM) students to thrive in biology majors at the University of California, Davis, since 1988. Both design and implementation were, and are, collaborative efforts between campus academic and student services sectors. Formative and summative evaluations have played a key role in program development, resulting in continued improvements in student persistence and performance in basic science courses. For example, the BUSP classes entering 1994-1999 outperformed both non-BUSP URM students and the White/Asian majority in the basic science courses, General Chemistry and Calculus. The percentage of BUSP students persisting to graduation in biology majors has increased as the program has evolved and now exceeds the campus average. Much of this persistence in biology may be due to high rates of participation in research by BUSP students.
-
Ovink Sarah M., Veazey Brian D., More Than “Getting Us Through:” A Case Study in Cultural Capital Enrichment of Underrepresented Minority Undergraduates, Research in Higher Education, 52, 4, 2011. Crossref
-
Chemers Martin M., Zurbriggen Eileen L., Syed Moin, Goza Barbara K., Bearman Steve, The Role of Efficacy and Identity in Science Career Commitment Among Underrepresented Minority Students, Journal of Social Issues, 67, 3, 2011. Crossref
-
Coronado Gloria D., Shuster Michele, Ulrich Angie, Anderson Jennifer, Loest Helena, Strategies for Diversifying the Pool of Graduate Students in Biomedical Sciences, Journal of Cancer Education, 27, 3, 2012. Crossref
-
Melanie T. Jones , Amy E. L. Barlow , Merna Villarejo , Importance of Undergraduate Research for Minority Persistence and Achievement in Biology, The Journal of Higher Education, 81, 1, 2010. Crossref
-
Estrada Mica, Hernandez Paul R., Schultz P. Wesley, Herrera Jose, A Longitudinal Study of How Quality Mentorship and Research Experience Integrate Underrepresented Minorities into STEM Careers, CBE—Life Sciences Education, 17, 1, 2018. Crossref
-
Villarejo Merna, Barlow Amy E. L., Kogan Deborah, Veazey Brian D., Sweeney Jennifer K., Siegel Vivian, Encouraging Minority Undergraduates to Choose Science Careers: Career Paths Survey Results, CBE—Life Sciences Education, 7, 4, 2008. Crossref
-
Estrada Mica, Zhi Qi, Nwankwo Ezinne, Gershon Robyn, Dolan Erin L., The Influence of Social Supports on Graduate Student Persistence in Biomedical Fields, CBE—Life Sciences Education, 18, 3, 2019. Crossref