Wolfram Library Archive


Courseware Demos MathSource Technical Notes
All Collections Articles Books Conference Proceedings
Title

The Impact of BioCalc on Life Sciences Undergraduates at UIUC
Authors

S. Fahrbach
C. Washburn
N. Lowery
Journal / Anthology

Report prepared for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Year: 2001
Description

This report contains an assessment fo BioCalc MATH 120 at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign conducted in 2001 by the UIUC Hughes Program staff. This report provides the following information about BioCalc at UIUC:
  • Role of MATH 120 in undergraduate biology options
  • Background and history
  • Method of assessment
The results of our evaluation demonstrate the following:
  • The Biocalc option is equally attractive to all life sciences students requires to take MATH 120. No life sciences option is over- or underrepresented.
  • BioCalc students receive higher grades in MATH 120 than non-BioCalc students.
  • BioCalc students are as well-prepared for MATH 130 as non-BioCalc students, as judged by grades obtained in MATH 130.
  • BioCalc students are significantly more likely to take an additional math course than non-BioCalc students.
  • BioCalc students are slightly more likely to remain in a biological science major than non-BioCalc students.
  • CalcPrime successfully prepares students who do not place into MATH 120 for BioCalc.
Subject

*Science > Biology