Abstract:

Technological advances in science and medicine have frequently arisen from the fusion of ideas between different scientific disciplines. Towards this end, the Integrated Science Curriculum (ISC) was developed within the Special Programme in Science (SPS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS). A key objective of the ISC is to teach the science of nature at different scales using concepts in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. “The Cell” is one of four modules within the ISC; the curriculum emphasizes the basic physical principles and theories that are universal to all life forms. Most students lack prior exposure to every scientific discipline before they enter the SPS, and many students struggle with concepts related to physics and how the associated mathematics are used to model dynamic biological systems such as a cell. To improve their understanding, we have developed active learning methods and technological tools to both deliver and reinforce the lecture content. As a first measure, each of the four ISC modules uses MathematicaTM as a pedagogical tool. In The Cell module, students are exposed to the physical principles underlying cellular dynamics (such as diffusion of molecules within a cell) in a standard lecture followed by active hands-on experimentation in the laboratory. After gathering their data, students then mine it for results using Mathematica and by applying the principles covered in lecture. This talk is about our experiences and results consolidated over four terms The Cell module has been offered. We also include ideas about the possible future expansion of information technology in our pedagogy to include flipped lectures and web-based assessment.

Keywords:

Physics, cell biology, activity-based learning, Mathematica.