A pilot program will be developed which will serve as a model for a year-long three-course series to meet the general science education requirement for students from 30 majors and the non- science colleges across 20 California State University campuses. The major objective is to test the feasibility of using material integrated and presented, not by discipline, but by common features across the disciplines. Students are expected to achieve a deep understanding of the scientific method and the most important theories and mechanisms of seven sciences (Astronomy, Physics, Geology, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science and Mathematics) through a series of computer modules using systems process as unifying themes to present, explain and show the similarities between in-depth case studies from the disciplines. The pilot will emulate the innovative, hybrid method planned for 30-week courses, using computer-based multimedia modules that provide computer-based self-study, use of case studies from the individual disciplines, weekly group discussion, skill training sessions and general assembly debates, and a fully inter-disciplinary lab, all involving team teaching. The project would result in twenty specific products that are highly portable to other campuses including multimedia modules, their multidisciplinary team-produced "scripts",study pamphlets for each module, guidelines for discussion groups and one set of seven interdisciplinary laboratory protocols.
