The special characteristic of this project is its plan for creating a "research commons" for undergraduate science majors. A student research and study suite surrounded by faculty offices has been established and equipped to support a curriculum that places major emphasis upon students' learning through research participation. Basic scientific skills in research are being developed by underclassmen through regular use of microscopes, spectrophotometers, and related equipment. By requiring all Biology, Natural Science, and Biochemistry seniors to participate in student research, graduates leave the program with ability to design, plan, and execute experiments, to critically evaluate experimental results, and to design new experiments based on such evaluations. The students also are developing skills in reporting and communicating ideas and experimental findings in both informal and formal presentations. The new equipment is aimed at meeting the needs of the students for experience in conducting research under faculty direction. The physical reorganization of the Department is complete, the faculty all are actively directing student research, and now the equipment needs are being met. This places the Department in a strong position to accomplish its goal of developing problem-solving capabilities in its majors, not just providing them with an accumulation of biological facts.
