Premium
An intensive preparatory program for incoming freshmen Biology students improves performance and retention
Author(s) -
Shor Audrey C.,
ClausonKozina Cheryl,
Altfeld Laura,
Miller Christopher J.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2018.32.1_supplement.535.14
Subject(s) - graduation (instrument) , medical education , dilemma , curriculum , psychology , mathematics education , medicine , pedagogy , mathematics , geometry
It is apparent that incoming freshmen Biology majors are unprepared for college, not just at Saint Leo University, but across the country. To address this dilemma at the forefront, a pre‐freshman year Biology Boot Camp (BBC) experienced was implemented in August 2012. The objective of this program was to increase retention in the Biology program, improve preparation of students entering the major, and increase graduation rates. The program was designed to offer Biology majors a short, intensive preview of the university level skills and expectations of students entering the first sequence Biology major course, Biological Principles I. In doing so, a well‐rounded preview into the life and work balance of a college student pursuing a Biology degree was modeled for participants. To date, 261 students have elected to participate in the program. Participating in the program has demonstrated that significantly more students earn a C‐ or higher in the first semester Biology course compared to matched controls ( X 2 = 34.5, df = 5, P‐value < 0.001) among the first‐year cohort. In addition, more students who participated in the program remained at Saint Leo and graduated with an AA, BA, or BS within four years. Aside from course content, the additional experiences garnered throughout the program enable incoming freshmen Biology majors to develop a learning community in which they thrive. As such, 33% of students enrolled in the first year of the program engaged in early research activities compared to 2% of matched controls. Success workshops hosted throughout the program contribute to this development, namely early exposure to undergraduate research opportunities available on campus. Intensive programs introducing freshmen to the college experience such as BBC can help students adjust in the difficult transition to university life. Support or Funding Information Funding for this program was provided by Flagship funds from Saint Leo University. This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .