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Do Biology Majors Really Differ from Non–STEM Majors?
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Cotner, Sehoya Thompson, Seth Aaron Wright, Robin Michel |
| Copyright Year | 2017 |
| Abstract | Recent calls to action urge sweeping reform in science education, advocating for improved learning for all students-including those majoring in fields beyond the sciences. However, little work has been done to characterize the differences-if any exist-between students planning a career in science and those studying other disciplines. We describe an attempt to clarify, in broad terms, how non-STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) majors differ from life sciences majors, and how they are similar. Using survey responses and institutional data, we find that non-STEM majors are not unilaterally science averse; non-STEM majors are more likely than biology majors to hold misconceptions about the nature of science, yet they are not completely ignorant of how science works; non-STEM majors are less likely than biology majors to see science as personally relevant; and non-STEM majors populations are likely to be more diverse-with respect to incoming knowledge, perceptions, backgrounds, and skills-than a biology majors population. We encourage science educators to consider these characteristics when designing curricula for future scientists or simply for a well-informed citizenry. |
| Starting Page | 152 |
| Ending Page | 164 |
| Page Count | 13 |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| PubMed reference number | 28798210v1 |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.16-11-0329 |
| DOI | 10.1187/cbe.16-11-0329 |
| Journal | CBE life sciences education |
| Volume Number | 16 |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Biological Science Disciplines Educational Curriculum Sweeping |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
