Science 100: Making Room for Learning
Dr. Glen Loppnow recently gave a presentation on Science 100, an interdisciplinary science course offered at the University of Alberta. This highly interdisciplinary course focuses on discovery learning, creativity, inquiry, and non-traditional thinking, while maintaining small class sizes. Learn more about this innovative offering by watching our video here.
Full Description
Science is changing: The solutions to most of the significant scientific challenges today and in the future will often lie beyond the scope of any single discipline. In order to meet this challenge, the University of Alberta offers Science 100, a uniquely designed learning environment designed to encourage students to think beyond disciplinary boundaries as they explore answers to complex problems. Science 100 integrates core first year material from each of the seven departments in the Faculty of Science into a single, intense year long course. It is highly interdisciplinary in nature, focusing on discovery learning with emphasis on creativity, inquiry and thinking in non-traditional ways. With a smaller class size, students learn in an environment that encourages interactions amongst students and between students and teaching staff, preparing them for this new age of collaborative/interdisciplinary scientific discovery. I will discuss the design and implementation of this highly interdisciplinary course, the outcomes to date, and its future at the University of Alberta.
Glen Loppnow was educated in the US and started his independent career in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Alberta. At Alberta, he has risen through the ranks to Professor and is a former Associate Chair (Undergraduate). Besides a research career trying to understand the molecular mechanisms of DNA and RNA damage, repair and protection, Glen has recently focussed on teaching and learning innovation, particularly in undergraduate science education. For his efforts, Glen has recently received the Faculty of Science Innovation in Teaching Award, Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, a 3M National Teaching Fellow, and a Vargo Teaching Chair.