Abstract
Interdisciplinary studies integrate knowledge, methods, and perspectives from multiple disciplines to address complex challenges and enrich the learning experience. This approach encourages students to make connections across subject areas, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to view issues from diverse angles. This paper describes a project-based learning interdisciplinary course that was developed by a team of scientists and social scientists at MCPHS University in Boston, Massachusetts. MCPHS, a health sciences institution, is uniquely positioned to provide our students, who are future healthcare providers, with the intellectual tools and skills that will ensure success in their chosen professions. Students who majored in premedical sciences took our course, LIB480, to fulfill their senior year capstone requirement. Designed by biologists, chemists and social scientists in history and public health, the curriculum allowed students various approaches to studying the impact of the disease on the health of people and communities in malaria-rich countries in Africa. Through their investigation, teams of students identified malaria-friendly environments, methods to control malaria’s spread and effects through preventative measures, varied treatments and the health-related international organizations, local officials, and healthcare and public health professionals. We discuss the research topics that the students selected and how they incorporated the natural sciences with the social sciences to propose a better outcome protecting people and communities from malaria. The assessment of the interdisciplinary learning culminated in an individual research paper and a group poster presentation at an internal symposium for capstones.
Presenters
Michelle YoungAssistant Professor of Chemistry, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Massachusetts, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
INTERDISCIPLINARY, PROBLEM-BASED, MALARIA, UNDERGRADUATE, COLLABORATION, PUBLIC HEALTH, SCIENCES, SOCIAL SCIENCE
