Accelerated Integrated Science Sequence: An Interdisciplinary Introductory Course for Science Majors

We report here on our development of an introductory science course sequence that integrates biology, chemistry and physics in order to foster an interdisciplinary perspective in future science majors. Accelerated Integrated Science Sequence (AISS) is a two semester, double credit sequence co-taught by a biologist, a physicist and a chemist to first year undergraduates who plan to major in a natural science field. Topics are organized within a thematic framework. The course sequence also features integration of various pedagogical approaches as students shift from one type of activity to another within the same class session. The presence of AISS in our curriculum over the past five years has been correlated with increased recruitment and graduation of students in science majors and a perception within the department that AISS has helped improve the culture of learning. These benefits outweigh the difficulties of developing such a course and encourage us that interdisciplinary introductory courses can make important contributions to training versatile scientists.