Vision Statement

Within five years, we intend to have accomplished these goals:

Coordinating introductory biology courses and other cross-college functions to provide readily accessible information, instruction, and research opportunities to all students interested in learning about biology.

• Provide a gateway to biology on campus (a biology portal), both virtual and physical
• Improve communication and cooperation among individuals and groups involved in biology instruction, research, and extensions programs
• Provide informed input into the planning of future facilities for the teaching of biology (such as Biostar IV)

Facilitating connections among campus units that enhance learning by students of biology

• Provide infrastructure for interdepartmental cooperation on biology education
• Provide a forum for the discussion of problems and opportunities in biology education
• Create an intellectual environment in which innovative thinking is encouraged and rewarded
• Encourage research on biology education, formal and informal, from K12 to faculty, including assessment of current and future educational programs
• Provide leadership and support for the incorporation of successful innovations into the curriculum
• Provide encouragement and leadership in the dissemination of educational innovations
• Encourage development of service learning courses in the life sciences
• Provide the infrastructure and leadership for development of international programs in biology education
• Promote comprehensive understanding of biological issues, problems, and their solutions through a proactive interdisciplinary outreach program for individuals and groups in the private and public sectors

Providing leadership at the campus and national levels to identify and meet future needs in biology education, from K-12 to faculty development

• Encourage proactive thinking and planning for new courses, teaching methods
• Develop consensus on educational needs and directions, then use that consensus to speak for needed changes
• Serve as an incubator where novel approaches to biology education are formulated, modified, adapted, and embraced until they become part of the local culture
• Explore internal and external funding for enhancement of biology education
• Provide leadership in interdisciplinary instruction, research, and outreach at all levels, from campus to global