Science Majors Vs. Nonmajors: Is There a Difference?

Science Majors Vs. Nonmajors: Is There a Difference?

Marshall D. Sundberg, Michael L. Dini

Scientific literacy amongst STEM and non-STEM college students

Marshall Sundberg and Michael Dini challenged the common assumption that non-STEM majors need a “watered-down” version of an introductory biology course. By using pre- and post-tests from introductory biology exams, they compared the learning outcomes between majors and nonmajors at Louisiana State University. Both groups entered with similarly low levels of biological knowledge, but by the end of the course, nonmajors performed as well as (or in some cases better than) majors on core concepts, despite taking a less detail-heavy course. The authors concluded that focusing on key ideas, their relevance, and conceptual understanding may be more effective than overwhelming students (who most likely haven’t taken a college science class before) with terminology and jargon. Their results also suggest that the supposed divide between majors and nonmajors is more myth than reality, and that a “less is more” approach could better serve all students, regardless of their major.

Journal of College Science Teaching

https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ473533

Journal of College Science Teaching

March-April 1993

Louisiana State University

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Education article

Scholarly journal article