Strategies for Integrating Biology and Chemistry throughout the Freshman Science Curriculum

In 2004, Parkland College created a new position for an instructor of biology and chemistry. The need was based in part on the desire to integrate the two disciplines more effectively. Although a biochemist was hired, the knowledge and experience base required for this position goes well beyond traditional biochemistry curriculum. Some experience teaching both disciplines in a traditional fashion was essential. However, there are reasonable and sometimes very simple methods for developing skills and knowledge that will allow most instructors to effectively integrate other scientific disciplines into their own courses. For example, a quick Google search on “quantum numbers” and “cancer” will provide a tremendous amount of reading material that any chemist can integrate into their own courses. The chemistry laboratory is another excellent avenue for developing interdisciplinary exercises. A well designed integrative lab will often provide the necessary motivation for students to learn the more complex chemical concepts in order to solve a problem they perceive as interesting. This presentation will report on successes and obstacles in integrating not only chemistry and biology, but also physics, earth sciences, and other sciences into a variety of courses. There will also be some discussion on the efforts of the Parkland College Natural Sciences Department to develop interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary courses, including forensics, a course on culturally relevant scientific issues, and a course on change and evolution in the origin of the cosmos and life.