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Asia-Pacific
Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, Volume 6, Issue 1, Article 2
(June,
2005) Sufen CHEN, Margaret Dah-Tsyr CHANG, Lih-Yuan LIN & Hsiao-Yu CHEN An evaluation of undergraduate scientific interdisciplinary programs
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An evaluation of undergraduate scientific interdisciplinary programs
Sufen CHEN1, Margaret Dah-Tsyr CHANG2, Lih-Yuan LIN2, Hsiao-Yu CHEN3
1Center for Teacher Education, National Tsing Hua University
2Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University
3Center
for Teacher Education, Kun Shan University of Technology
TAIWAN
Email: sufchen @mx.nthu.edu.tw
Received 9 May, 2005
Revised 7 June, 2005
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of six scientific interdisciplinary programs at National Tsing Hua University. According to the objectives of the interdisciplinary programs, the effectiveness was indicated by the numbers of undergraduate students participating in the programs and the diversity of the students’ backgrounds. The research methods included analyzing the content of the curricula, collecting and analyzing participants’ backgrounds over the years, distributing a student survey, and interviewing students and faculty. The results showed that the average numbers of participants were unrelated to the degree of difficulty of the courses and the flexibility of choosing elective courses in a program. In order to effectively engage undergraduate students, an interdisciplinary program should clarify its educational goals, distinguish itself from minors, and create its own reputation. The university and mentors should introduce the programs to students as early as possible and encourage students to incorporate the programs into their personal study plans.
Keywords: interdisciplinary program, postsecondary, evaluation