Support for Effective Teaching UNM

Gateway Science and Math Course Reform Program

Each year of the grant period, UNM’s Project for Inclusive Undergraduate STEM Success will support three, gateway-STEM course-reform projects facilitated and overseen by the Office of Support for Effective Teaching (OSET). Each course-reform effort will be defined by internally-solicited proposals from departments targeted by the project (those teaching one or more of 25 gateway life/physical science or mathematics courses: Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Planetary Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics, Physics & Astronomy).

The proposals will include a commitment to implement the five elements for a scientific approach to optimization of science education (modified from the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative, University of British Columbia and the Top 25 Project at Miami University).

Specification of measurable learning goals
Rigorous objective assessment of student achievement of these goals
Implementation of teaching methods aimed at maximizing achievement with respect to the specified goals, that are consistent with empirically established results and principles

Use methods to actively engage students in their learning and with other learners and, wherever appropriate, employ inquiry-driven approaches to learning
Reduce the amount of class time spent on low-level memory or descriptive material by incorporating approaches to facilitate students learning this material outside of class

Methods are built on specific student learning outcomes tied to assessment that continuously monitors student learning and modifies the course as necessary

Means for easy dissemination and duplication of materials, methods, and technology
Sustainable and continued optimization based on results of assessment

Click here for background information about the Gateway Science and Math Course-Reform Program

Click here for the proposal form for the selection of the 2013-2014 course-reform-team cohort

Click here for the proposal-evaluation rubric

Click here for a resource webpage to inspire and assist in the preparation of course-reform proposals

Click below to read proposals from the 2012-2013 course-reform teams

CHEM 122- General Chemistry II

MATH 121- College Algebra

PHYC 160/167- General Physics

Important Dates for the 2013-2014 Course-Reform Teams

January 23, 2013: Pathway to Transforming Student Learning and Persistence in Gateway Science and Math Courses
March 18, 2013: Gateway Science and Math Course Reform proposals due. Submit to OSET (oset@unm.edu)
March 25, 2013: Feedback received by reform team with possible guidance for revision by April 1, 2013
April 3, 2013: Selection of three course-reform teams announced
May 16-17, 2013: Course-reform teams attend Designing Courses for Effective Student Learning.
May 20, 2013 (half day): Course-reform teams meet with OSET to update/revise proposals.
June 3-August 15, 2013: Course-reform teams develop new course curriculum and pedagogy for course; informal meetings between teams and between teams and OSET.
August 1, 2013: Revised syllabus for fall-semester implementation provided to OSET by course-reform teams (with designated sections for Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 implementation).
2013-2014 Academic Year: Implementation of reforms with collection of assessment data. OSET will advise throughout the process and arrange for brown bag discussions between teams.