To explore the reasons for the dearth of minorities in Ph.D.-level biomedical research and identi... more To explore the reasons for the dearth of minorities in Ph.D.-level biomedical research and identify opportunities to increase minority participation, we surveyed high-achieving alumni of an undergraduate biology enrichment program for underrepresented minorities. Respondents were asked to describe their career paths and to reflect on the influences that guided their career choices. We particularly probed for attitudes and experiences that influenced students to pursue a research career, as well as factors relevant to their choice between medicine (the dominant career choice) and basic science. In agreement with earlier studies, alumni strongly endorsed supplemental instruction as a mechanism for achieving excellence in basic science courses. Undergraduate research was seen as broadening by many and was transformative for half of the alumni who ultimately decided to pursue Ph.D.s in biomedical research. That group had expressed no interest in research careers at college entry and cre...
first university degrees while the U.S. has only seen a slight incline in the past decade (Nation... more first university degrees while the U.S. has only seen a slight incline in the past decade (National Science Board, 2008). Low numbers of educated workers in the natural sciences will affect our ability to remain competitive in rapidly changing biotechnology and biomedical global economies. In addition, increasing the pool of biomedical researchers and health professionals becomes increasingly important as our population grows and simultaneously lives longer. Diversifying participation in scientific careers is also a pressing national concern. In 2000, Whites made up 75% of all life and physical scientists, Asians made up 16%, and Hispanics and African Americans each made up only 3% (National Science Foundation, 2004). Despite increasing enrollment in science and engineering majors, African Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians/Alaska Natives (underrepresented minorities) have lower graduation rates in those majors compared to Whites and Asians, (U.S. Department of Education & National Center for Education Statistics, 2000). Only 2.5% of underrepresented minority 24-year-olds 1 had earned a bachelor's degree in the natural sciences in 2000, compared with 6% of Whites (National Science Board, 2004). As the U.S. population shifts toward an increasingly multiracial society, the racial/ethnic gap in science degree completion predicts a severe shortage of diverse scientific workers (National Academy of Sciences, 2005). Biology majors constituted the largest segment of natural science undergraduate degrees and 17% of all baccalaureate science degrees in 2005 (National Science Board, 2008). Differences by race/ethnicity persist in biology at the baccalaureate level (National Science Board, 2008; National Science Foundation, 2007), but they are exaggerated at higher levels of educational attainment. Although underrepresented minorities earn 13% of bachelor's degrees in biology, they earn only 8% of master's and 5% of doctoral degrees (National Science Foundation, 2006a, 2006b). Additionally, the proportion of U.S. citizens with biology PhDs is declining, while the number of U.S. trained non-resident aliens in biology is increasing (National Science Board, 2008). Therefore, the labor pool in the biological sciences may continue to diminish in diversity. Access to graduate education is limited to those who excel at the undergraduate level. For that reason, a number of undergraduate educational intervention programs have been implemented by federal government agencies and private organizations during the past 30 years to increase the number of underrepresented minority students who are credible candidates for postgraduate study. The intervention programs seek both to encourage and to enable students to continue their educa-Importance of Undergraduate Research 83
A comprehensive, quantitative evaluation of an educational intervention program designed to reduc... more A comprehensive, quantitative evaluation of an educational intervention program designed to reduce the attrition of minorities from the biological sciences was undertaken to ascertain whether such efforts adequately address the problem. Program participants had greater odds of persisting in basic math and science courses, and of graduating in biology, than did a comparison group, controlling for demographics and academic preparation. Undergraduate research greatly increased the odds of positive graduation outcomes. Program participants were also more likely to pursue graduate study than were university graduates overall. This evaluation demonstrates the value of such programs in increasing the representation of minorities in science.
To explore the reasons for the dearth of minorities in Ph.D.-level biomedical research and identi... more To explore the reasons for the dearth of minorities in Ph.D.-level biomedical research and identify opportunities to increase minority participation, we surveyed high-achieving alumni of an undergraduate biology enrichment program for underrepresented minorities. Respondents were asked to describe their career paths and to reflect on the influences that guided their career choices. We particularly probed for attitudes and experiences that influenced students to pursue a research career, as well as factors relevant to their choice between medicine (the dominant career choice) and basic science. In agreement with earlier studies, alumni strongly endorsed supplemental instruction as a mechanism for achieving excellence in basic science courses. Undergraduate research was seen as broadening by many and was transformative for half of the alumni who ultimately decided to pursue Ph.D.s in biomedical research. That group had expressed no interest in research careers at college entry and cre...
first university degrees while the U.S. has only seen a slight incline in the past decade (Nation... more first university degrees while the U.S. has only seen a slight incline in the past decade (National Science Board, 2008). Low numbers of educated workers in the natural sciences will affect our ability to remain competitive in rapidly changing biotechnology and biomedical global economies. In addition, increasing the pool of biomedical researchers and health professionals becomes increasingly important as our population grows and simultaneously lives longer. Diversifying participation in scientific careers is also a pressing national concern. In 2000, Whites made up 75% of all life and physical scientists, Asians made up 16%, and Hispanics and African Americans each made up only 3% (National Science Foundation, 2004). Despite increasing enrollment in science and engineering majors, African Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians/Alaska Natives (underrepresented minorities) have lower graduation rates in those majors compared to Whites and Asians, (U.S. Department of Education & National Center for Education Statistics, 2000). Only 2.5% of underrepresented minority 24-year-olds 1 had earned a bachelor's degree in the natural sciences in 2000, compared with 6% of Whites (National Science Board, 2004). As the U.S. population shifts toward an increasingly multiracial society, the racial/ethnic gap in science degree completion predicts a severe shortage of diverse scientific workers (National Academy of Sciences, 2005). Biology majors constituted the largest segment of natural science undergraduate degrees and 17% of all baccalaureate science degrees in 2005 (National Science Board, 2008). Differences by race/ethnicity persist in biology at the baccalaureate level (National Science Board, 2008; National Science Foundation, 2007), but they are exaggerated at higher levels of educational attainment. Although underrepresented minorities earn 13% of bachelor's degrees in biology, they earn only 8% of master's and 5% of doctoral degrees (National Science Foundation, 2006a, 2006b). Additionally, the proportion of U.S. citizens with biology PhDs is declining, while the number of U.S. trained non-resident aliens in biology is increasing (National Science Board, 2008). Therefore, the labor pool in the biological sciences may continue to diminish in diversity. Access to graduate education is limited to those who excel at the undergraduate level. For that reason, a number of undergraduate educational intervention programs have been implemented by federal government agencies and private organizations during the past 30 years to increase the number of underrepresented minority students who are credible candidates for postgraduate study. The intervention programs seek both to encourage and to enable students to continue their educa-Importance of Undergraduate Research 83
A comprehensive, quantitative evaluation of an educational intervention program designed to reduc... more A comprehensive, quantitative evaluation of an educational intervention program designed to reduce the attrition of minorities from the biological sciences was undertaken to ascertain whether such efforts adequately address the problem. Program participants had greater odds of persisting in basic math and science courses, and of graduating in biology, than did a comparison group, controlling for demographics and academic preparation. Undergraduate research greatly increased the odds of positive graduation outcomes. Program participants were also more likely to pursue graduate study than were university graduates overall. This evaluation demonstrates the value of such programs in increasing the representation of minorities in science.
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