A Little Mathematics in an Undergraduate Cell Biology Course

Jonghoon Kang Steven M Thompson

doi:10.4172/2167-7956.1000e103

Abstract

Mathematics and other quantitative sciences are becoming more critical in biology education and research than ever before. However, in our opinion, not enough academic institutions in the USA are ready to embrace this new trend. In this article, we suggest how we can improve the current reality of unpreparedness on the basis of our direct experience rather than ideological arguments. Specifically we propose to consider three aspects in education: resources, culture, and global efforts. We hope that Biomolecules as a new journal in biomolecular science will serve as an excellent medium to poster the ideas.

Highlights

The fact that mathematics, as well as other quantitative sciences such as physics, plays a critical role in biology education and research is becoming obvious [1]
We have found that most of the mathematical topics introduced in such quantitative biology textbooks are overly advanced for the majority of biology students, who are too poorly prepared in mathematics to sufficiently comprehend the content [5]
The desirable and appropriate goal of developing biology into a quantitative science exists at large, the reality is that many of us are not quite ready yet to embark on the journey

Summary

Introduction

The fact that mathematics, as well as other quantitative sciences such as physics, plays a critical role in biology education and research is becoming obvious [1]. We have found that most of the mathematical topics introduced in such quantitative biology textbooks are overly advanced for the majority of biology students, who are too poorly prepared in mathematics to sufficiently comprehend the content [5]. As present and past biology faculty members at state universities, have observed that many of our students get lost or confused in class when introduced to terms such as “exponential” or “logarithmic”.

Results

Conclusion