Description

Multiple national reports, most notably Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education, urge faculty to infuse all levels of the curriculum with increased emphasis on interdisciplinary connections and quantitative approaches. MathBench addresses the need for enhancing quantitative proficiency through a series of interactive, web‐based modules. The modules use humor, references to popular culture, and interactive elements to engage students, allowing them to hone their quantitative skills in preparation for more complex mathematical approaches that represent the future of modern biology. At the University of Maryland, where the modules were developed, they are used to supplement existing course content in six fundamental biology courses. The modules and associated instructional resources are being disseminated to interested instructors worldwide. Students who have used MathBench in their coursework show increases in quantitative skill and enhanced appreciation for the essential role of mathematics in modern biology. This session will provide an overview of the MathBench modules, their implementation in representative biology courses, and the assessment data that support their efficacy.

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