Villanova University will initiate a six-week summer, residential Young Scholars project in Mathematics and Biology for 36 students entering grades 11 and 12. The project combines coursework with extensive laboratory and research experience. The subject matter in the two disciplines is presented in an innovative, unified manner that emphasizes interdisciplinary connections, underlying principles of scientific inference, quantitative thinking and techniques of visualization. Participants will use two new NSF-funded laboratories for experiments in physiology and for simulation and visualization of biological systems. Field trips and on-campus activities will increase students' awareness of the broad horizon of research career opportunities in the sciences and mathematics. Participants will explore important course-related issues of scientific ethics in open discussions with project staff and visiting scientists. Academic year follow-up activities will include the implementation of individual research projects designed by the students during the summer component of the project. Participants will use electronic mail for exchange of ideas and experimental results during this phase of the project.
