Leah A. Chase and Christopher C. Barney

 Developed in 2005  Initiative of the Biology, Chemistry and Psychology Departments  Original funding from HHMI and the Towsley Scholar program at Hope College  Graduate between students/year

Other majors include 2 English 2 math 1 biochemistry/molecular biology (new major in 2012) 1 biomedical engineering 1 kinesiology 1 music 1 philosophy 1 physics 1 political science 1 nursing 1 religion 1 social work 72 total students with 10 students completing double majors

Number of AlumniCurrent Position/Job Title 23 Graduate programs [Neuroscience (7), Clinical Psych (5), Cognitive Psychology (3), Biomedical sciences (4), Biostatistics (1), Public Health (2)] 8 Medical School or in Residency programs 2 High School Teachers (teach AP Psych) 2 Physician Assistants 3 Research Technicians/Research coordinators 1 Lead Pharmacy Tech 1 Account Manager 1 Social Worker 1 RN Emergency Room 2 Unemployed 44 Total Who are our students? Post- graduation destinations of minors ( )

Program Objectives:  Students will obtain an understanding of the fundamental principles of neuroscience.  Students will obtain an appreciation/understanding of the multidisciplinary aspect of neuroscience.  Students will be able to develop hypotheses, design experiments, carry out these experiments and interpret data for a question related to a neuroscience problem.  Students will discuss ethical issues related to scientific research.  Students will be able to access, read and gain insight from reading the primary neuroscience literature. Introduction to Neuroscience (4 credits) Advanced Neuroscience Research I (2 credits) Advanced Neuroscience Research II (1 credit) 3 Neuroscience- Flagged courses (12 credits) Journal Club Taken 2 times (1 credit)

Neuroscience Research I (1 hour class discussion, 3 hours lab/week)  Identify research question  Write NSF-style research proposal  Peer review  Complete at least 75% of the experiments  Research group meetings Student Assessment Class participation 50 points Weekly lab assignments/ data reports (20 points each) 280 points Final NSF-style proposal 120 points Total 450 points

Neuroscience Research II (1 hours class discussion/week)  Complete experiments  Prepare and present poster at Hope College Annual Celebration of Research and Performance  Research group meetings  Write manuscript summarizing results for appropriate journal Student Assessment Class participation 100 points Final Research paper 100 points Total 200 points

StatementMean (Pre) Mean (Post) p value Make an argument using scientific evidence from more than one discipline Determine what is—and is not—valid scientific evidence in an area that is not my major Understand the role of uncertainty in scientific data Find scientific articles from several disciplines using library/internet databases Pose questions in one discipline that can be addressed by collecting and evaluating scientific evidence Pose questions from more than one disciplinary perspective that can be addressed by collecting and evaluating scientific evidence Communicate my research results to students not in my major(s)

StatementMean (pre) Mean (post) p-value I have the factual knowledge to be successful at neuroscience research I know the experimental techniques I need to know to be successful at neuroscience research I am interested in a career as a research neuroscientist Neuroscience research is primarily something that is done by neuroscientists working alone I am able to make decisions and recommendations based on neuroscience research even though there is uncertainty about the data/information I am confident in my ability to prepare and make presentations about neuroscience research I have performed

 I am confident in my ability to prepare a neuroscience research grant proposal.  I am confident in my ability to communicate the results of my neuroscience research in a written report suitable for publication in a neuroscience journal.  I am confident in my ability to work productively and collegially with other individuals as part of a neuroscience research team.

 Course sequence/continuity with journal club  Insufficient weekly discussion time ◦ Literature ◦ Mechanics of writing  Workload/credit inequality  Instructor concerns ◦ Quality of writing ◦ No peer review ◦ Need to incorporate multiple drafts

Introduction to Neuroscience (4 credits) Advanced Neuroscience Research I (4 credits) Advanced Neuroscience Research II (3 credits) 3 Neuroscience- Flagged courses (12 credits) Introduction to Neuroscience (4 credits) Advanced Neuroscience Research I (2 credits) Advanced Neuroscience Research II (1 credit) 3 Neuroscience- Flagged courses (12 credits) Journal Club Taken 2 times (1 credit) NEW OLD

Neuroscience Research I (3 hours class discussion, 3 hours lab/week)  Identify research question  Read literature ◦ 10 written summaries of journal articles (posted to Moodle) ◦ 1 presentation  Write NSF-style research proposal  Peer review  Write IACUC proposal if required  Complete at least 75% of the experiments  Research group meetings Student Assessment Journal Article Summaries 100 points Journal Article Presentation 50 points Weekly data entry 30 points Class participation 50 points Lab notebook 40 points Data analysis and data reports 50 points Research proposal drafts 120 points Peer review feedback 80 points Final NSF-style proposal 200 points Total 720 points

Neuroscience Research II (3 hours class discussion/week)  Complete experiments  Research group meetings  Data presentations  Prepare and present poster at Hope College Annual Celebration of Research and Performance  Read literature  Write manuscript summarizing results for appropriate journal Student Assessment Journal Article Discussion 100 points Weekly data entry 50 points Data analysis and data reports 50 points Research paper drafts 120 points Peer review feedback 80 points Final Research paper 200 points Total 500 points

Developed by David Lopatto and Leslie Jaworski Pre-course/Post-course survey Assess learning gains from experiential learning (research) in interdisciplinary courses 13 students completed the survey (pre: September, 2013, post: May, 2014) Compared to 1574 students nationally completing the survey (Jan., 2010-May, 2014)

* * * * ** * * * * > 1.0 S.D.

 Integrated full-year capstone experiences may lead to student gains which are comparable to, and in some instances greater than, summer research experiences  Must be intentional about development of writing skills ◦ Need to improve peer-review skills  Research capstone courses may be a mechanism to involve more students in undergraduate research during the academic year, but it is costly in respect to faculty time (9 contact hours/year)  Mechanism for faculty to pilot research projects  Occasionally result in student/faculty publications and presentations

 Joanne Stewart (SALG)  David Lopatto/Leslie Jaworski (RISC)  HHMI  Hope College Neuroscience Program  Dr. John Shaughnessy