Biomedical Research Experiences for Biology Majors at a Small College - Research paper structure and curriculum assessment

Oct 15, 2026

Program-level assessment of a small liberal arts college biology curriculum validates prior findings on student achievement in content knowledge and communication skills. The document highlights how providing research opportunities complements teaching approaches and supports a more complete science education. It describes curriculum goals emphasizing inquiry-based science, primary literature interpretation, and hands-on investigative activities, alongside required examinations and core course learning expectations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Curriculum and degree options

Core biology courses and exam requirements

Assessment approach and learning outcomes

Content, writing, speaking, and research skills

Laboratory report format (BIOL 302)

Abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion

Biomedical Research Experiences for Biology Majors at a Small College Shawn K. Stover,1 Michelle L. Mabry2 1Davis & Elkins College 100 Campus Drive, Elkins, WV 26241 ; 2Lenoir-Rhyne University P.O. Box 7203, Hickory, NC 28603 Email: [stovers@davisandelkins.edu](stovers@davisandelkins.edu) Abstract: A program-level assessment of the biology curriculum at a small liberal arts college validates a previous study demonstrating success in achieving learning outcomes related to content knowledge and communication skills. Furthermore, research opportunities have been provided to complement pedagogical strategies and give students amore complete science education. Keywords: Program-level assessment, content knowledge, primary literature, communication skills, undergraduate research Introduction Davis & Elkins College (D&E) is a private, four-year, comprehensive liberal arts college that stresses small class sizes and strong faculty-student interaction. The Department of Biology and Environmental Science offers a curriculum designed to promote science as a process of inquiry and instill within students an appreciation of the underlying unity and diversity of life. To meet the needs of students with diverse career interests, three degree options are offered: the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology, the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, and the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biology and Environmental Science. In 2004, we published a program-level assessment of the B.S. in Biology degree (Stover and Mabry, 2004) . We focused on student competence in the five areas outlined by our 2001 departmental assessment plan: 1) content knowledge, 2) writing skills, 3) speaking skills, 4) ability to interpret primary literature, and 5) research skills (laboratory and/or field) . As we indicated in the previous study, the interpretation of biological data requires a specific knowledge base. To comprehend and integrate information from different areas of biological inquiry, students should be familiar with fundamental concepts associated with each area, including the molecular basis of heredity, cell structure and function, biological evolution, and the interdependence of organisms. Furthermore, communication skills are essential for biologists as they generate data, share their findings, and build on the work of others. Successful communication depends on both the ability to effectively convey information (written and oral) and the ability to interpret and evaluate information presented by peers (Feldman et al., 2001) . Analyzing primary literature allows students to enhance their critical thinking skills as they participate in the dissemination of scientific information (Houde, 2000; Smith, 2001) . Finally, to fully understand and appreciate the scientific process, biology students should be engaged in hands-on, investigative activities (Glasson and McKenzie, 1998; Lewis et al., 2003) . In addition to math, physics, and chemistry requirements, biology majors at D&E must take five core content courses. Principles of Biology I (BIOL 101) introduces first-semester biology majors to cell structure and function, genetics, and developmental biology, while Principles of Biology II (BIOL 102) is taken in the second semester and deals primarily with the ecology and evolution of organisms. Genetics (BIOL 205) is a survey of prokaryotic and eukaryotic inheritance; Cell and Molecular Biology (BIOL 302) investigates metabolism, gene expression, and differentiation of eukaryotic cells; Evolution (BIOL 305) emphasizes the evidence, mechanisms, and genetics of organic evolution. All D&E students are required to take the College Basic Academic Subjects Examination (CBASE; Assessment Resource Center, University of Missouri) prior to graduation. As indicated by the departmental assessment plan, biology majors are expected to score “medium” or “high” on the Fundamental Concepts of Life Science component of the C-BASE. This componen

FAQs

What learning outcomes does the program-level assessment focus on?

It focuses on student competence in content knowledge, writing skills, speaking skills, ability to interpret primary literature, and research skills.

How does the document connect communication skills to biology education?

Communication is described as essential for generating and sharing data and findings, and for interpreting and evaluating information from peers.

What are the required core assessments and how are biology majors evaluated?

Biology majors take the College Basic Academic Subjects Examination (CBASE) before graduation, and core courses require laboratory reports, with BIOL 305 requiring a term paper.

Oct 15, 2026

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