Jennifer K. Knight|Michelle K. Smith
Different but Equal? How Nonmajors and Majors Approach and Learn Genetics
University of Colorado Boulder|University of Colorado Boulder
introductory biology courses frequently offered separately biology majors nonbiology majors assumption two groups students different enough merit different courses assess evidence behind assumption compared students two different genetics classes university coloradoboulder one class nonscience majors nonmajors class biology majors students planning biologyrelated career majors see whether two groups students fundamentally different performance attitudes measure content knowledge administered identical assessments groups students semester validated pre postcontent assessment genetics concept assessment ungraded quizzes problemsolving sessions questions exam measured attitudes study time study techniques online surveys majors outperformed nonmajors content assessments finishing significantly higher learning gains nonmajors majors also differed motivation interest study time expertlevel beliefs suggest focusing process science connection students lives better engage motivate nonmajors still helping learn fundamental concepts genetics