Implementation Grant: TALENT-21 Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Program at the Interface of Mathematics and Biology

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Greensboro NC

Investigators

Abstract

North Carolina A&T State University's project entitled - TALENT-21 Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Program at the Interface of Mathematics and Biology - is developing an interdisciplinary undergraduate program at the interface of Mathematics and Biology. The goal of this program in mathematical and computational biology (MCB) is to provide African American students from diverse STEM educational backgrounds with an integrated education, research training and professional development environment to prepare them for graduate studies or professional careers in the field of MCB. The TALENT-21 Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Program will synthesize research efforts that link student research engagement with course and curriculum development, faculty teaching and learning scholarship, and faculty research development. The program will devise an academic minor program in mathematical and computational biology as a curriculum and research option to broaden the participation and enhanced preparation of STEM students in MCB. It will facilitate research growth for faculty by contributing to professional development in research and by promoting interdisciplinary and collaborative research opportunities. This program has the potential to be a model for increasing the number of minority students to pursue STEM degree programs and careers, as well as for helping junior faculty to build a progressive academic career, while assisting some senior faculty to retool themselves to be active and productive in scholarship in teaching and learning.