This proposal will add new laboratory exercises in human physiology that will enable over 450 students per year to be active participants in the design and execution of experiments in the introductory biology and human physiology courses at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Twelve computer workstations will allow students to conduct experiments on muscle physiology, cardiology, respiration physiology and the reflex arc. Computer-based systems give precise, repeatable, numerical measurements that provide a framework for developing analytic skills and understanding scientific inquiry. The ultimate outcome of the project is to instill a working knowledge of scientific inquiry through student-designed experimentation that is closely linked to mastery of lecture content. A firm grounding in experimentation from the beginning of a student' s education will have a positive impact in upper level courses. A significant number of UTC graduates continue in health care related programs (medicine, dentistry, physical therapy and exercise science), graduate school and teaching. They will be better prepared to be future health care professionals, scientists and teachers.
