Research and Learning Hybrid Program (RLHP) to Enhance Undergraduate STEM Curriculum
Abstract
California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) requests support to develop its research program by integrating both research and educational training in the Physics Department within the College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences (CNBS). CSUDH is a minority (MSI)/Hispanicserving (HIS) and primarily undergraduate (PUI) institution with the most diverse student population among the 25 universities located in Los Angeles County. In Fall 2020, 77% of CSUDH students were from traditionally underrepresented groups, 71% were first-generation, and 64% of undergraduates received Pell grants. Within the CSU system, CSUDH graduates the highest level of African Americans. In 2022, CSUDH was ranked number two in the nation among all American Universities by the Third Way in the economic mobility index, and in 2021, U.S. News & World Report 2021 ÒBest CollegeÓ Regional Universities West ranking lists, including ÒTop Public School,Ó ÒTop Performers on Social Mobility,Ó and ÒBest Undergraduate Teaching,Ó 26th, 17th, and 12th respectively. Considering CSUDH s rise in ranking among American universities, our Physics Department still has much work to do, especially in student graduation, retention rates, and skills transfer. Numerous students have graduated without having engaged in any research experience. Therefore, we propose an experiential research learning program (ERLP) where students will be able to participate in research activities in Physics and Engineering, Biophysics, Biochemistry, and Biology. Undergraduates will engage in life science research and molecular computation research. STEM companies such as Biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and agricultural companies are increasingly seeking employees with training and experience that meet the workforce needs. Many undergraduates identifying as underrepresented minorities (URMs) will receive hands-on learning and research experience, better positioning them for advanced degree programs and workforce readiness. We will create a research center to support student research through hands-on training with the supporting structure of an innovative curriculum. CSUDH ERLP will be well-positioned to first increase the enrollment, retention, and increase graduation rates of URMs in STEM and contribute to future STEM industry needs by providing cohorts of qualified URM professionals. Through ERLP, the Physics Department hopes to reach the following aims: 1) Developing a dynamic, multi-dimensional/multisensory teaching format in Biophysics, where research and course curricula are thoroughly integrated; 2) Exposing undergraduate students, many of whom come from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds, to STEM research, which can motivate and encourage them to enter STEM workforce or enroll in graduate school, participate in formative and fun summer research activities, and enter CSUDH for their undergraduate education; 3) Fully immersing CSUDH undergraduates in hands-on STEM research at the interface of Biology and Physics and graduating them with a full research portfolio and set of skills equipping them for future careers. The proposed curriculum will provide training to the primarily low-income, Hispanic, and African American undergraduate students who will be able to perform research in faculty labs, all the while connecting their hands-on research experience to what they learn in the classroom Ð thereby enhancing learning and scientific/academic/workforce skill-building.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 28, 2023
- Source ID
- W911NF2310280
Entities
People
- Horace Crogman
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- California State University, Dominguez Hills
- Office of the Secretary of Defense