National efforts to reform undergraduate education have highlighted the need to relate abstract concepts in biology to real-world examples, especially for non-majors who may undervalue scientific processes. We therefore decided to introduce a module titled "Climate Change, Sustainable Practices and Plastic Pollution," utilizing such…

The past generation has seen major advances in science and technology, and in the preparation of high school students for college. This study investigates changes in the science knowledge of college students, and in their attitudes and belief systems regarding science and technology. Over 12,600 non-science majors at the University of Arizona were…

Student affect was measured and compared with their overall learning outcome scores. There was a significant difference among the student affect scores (F = 4.52; df = 3, 444; p < 0.01). Among the affect items measured, only Progress Monitoring Information was significantly regressed on overall learning outcome scores (F = 5.45; df = 1, 103; p…

A first year non-majors biology course, with an enrollment of around 440 students, has been redesigned from a course of traditional content and teaching style to one that emphasizes biological concepts in current global issues and incorporates active learning strategies. We were informed by the education literature incorporating many aspects of…

A project to develop an interdisciplinary course (ARSC 10/11) for teaching science to college students not majoring in science is described. Concept modules were developed for a two-semester format consisting of three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Important science themes were identified to promote an understanding of…