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What are Biology Interest Groups?

In 2001, SyMBiosis, an interdisciplinary group of faculty from chemistry, math, physics, statistics and biology met regularly to discuss ways to prepare students interested in biology in foundation math and science courses. One proposal that came out of these faculty discussion was to form Biology Interest Groups (BIGs) composed of first-semester students interested in biology (approximately 20 per group) who enroll as a cohort in the same math and chemistry discussion sections. Each BIG, a three credit course, would be led by a faculty member and graduate student.

In the BIG, students grouped in teams will work on complex biological cases and explore ways that their math and chemistry can be applied to address the problems. Each BIG will be organized around a broad interdisciplinary area of biology. Faculty and graduate students involved in the three courses will work together to develop appropriate cases and activities. In addition, training will be provided on how to develop cases, facilitate student teams and develop student-directed learning. BIGs fit well with several UW-Madison objectives: 1) The strategic plan included the goal to improve the first year experience and foster community. Currently L&S is experimenting with FIGs (First-Year Interest Groups). BIGs will provide a similar cohort experience for students interested in biological sciences majors. 2) The Madison Initiative calls for more courses with faculty teaching small groups of first- and second-year students.

Our objectives for biology students:

• Appreciate the importance and relevance of their required courses in math and the physical sciences
• Practice thinking about complex problems in biological sciences disciplines and applying what they learn in other courses
• Develop the confidence to confront complex problems
• Become more responsible for their own education and for integrating the knowledge they acquire in different courses and experiences
• Develop teamwork skills in a supportive learning community
  

Our objectives for faculty/future faculty are:

• Form a cross-disciplinary learning community of respect and collaboration which includes research faculty, graduate students and students
• Learn new ways to promote learning in students through cases and empowering students in a student-centered environment
• Provide a fun way to experiment on ways to use broad area of research to engage young minds