Meeting Report: Incorporating Genomics Research into Undergraduate Curricula

In the first of two National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded workshops, 30 professors of biology and computer science from 18 institutions met at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, on June 6-7, 2002, to share ideas on how to incorporate genomics research into undergraduate curricula. The participants included nine pairs or trios of biologists and computer scientists, anticipating or already implementing collaborations. In a before-and-after format, the two workshops are intended to encourage experimentation in the classroom (June 2002) followed by reflection on and evaluation of ideas (June 2003). This paper discusses the six main outcomes of the June 2002 workshop: (1) Confidence; (2) Compare and Contrast Programs; (3) Infusing Genomics; (4) Linked Courses; (5) Collection of Resources; and (6) Communication Across the Disciplinary Boundaries. Participants ranked the workshop a huge success toward helping them develop ideas for incorporating genomics into undergraduate curricula. (Contains 3 tables and 8 relevant websites.)