Integrative Biology

Building Inclusivity and Community

The implementation of Discovery practices across the Integrative Biology curriculum has been one of the largest rollouts of the Trailblazer’s program, infusing Discovery practices across several courses and even recruiting a dedicated postdoc whose work focused on this curricular innovation. The IB Discovery Project had extensive reach to 18 courses and over 5,500 students. 

  • Reach: 5,686 students, with continued impact each year to 2,435 students through 18 courses.

  • Models on-ramping that presents guidance on skills such as use of equipment, experimental design, and writing and presentation of scientific papers, that are not traditionally taught in “cook-book” style courses

  • Institutionalized anti-racist research and pedagogy through the implementation of a new course and cross-curriculum reform.

  • Apprenticeship learning through structured laboratory experiences was exemplified, accelerating the path to the production of original discoveries.

  • Bi-directional feedback through student “Lecture Question” submissions (student to mentor) and situated learning assessment techniques (mentor to student) where students take the position of a scientist defending their own research.

  • Large scale assessment of teaching practices and student learning outcomes.

Discovery for All: Empowering Inclusive Communities in Integrative Biology

Discovery is the foundation for innovation and the development of creative solutions to global challenges. Discovery forms the core of individual journeys to achievement and success. The Department of Integrative Biology seeks to establish a roadmap for the institutional change necessary to allow all Berkeley students the opportunity to engage in an authentic, discovery-based undergraduate experience. Diverse mindsets are needed in the next generation of leaders and change-makers. At present, however, participation in discovery-based experiences is significantly biased toward students who are already familiar with academia, who have critical community and financial support, and who have the independence and confidence to pursue such opportunities. To make these experiences more accessible to all students, we will create an early, welcoming “on-ramp” that empowers students to embark on the discovery process: They will become members of an inclusive community built around original, creative exploration. Our proposed program consists of three interconnected efforts that promote curiosity (authentic discovery), community (a sense of belonging to enduring peer networks), and careers (translation of the Berkeley experience to diverse professions). Collectively, these efforts will pave the way for broad scale change in undergraduate education at Berkeley and beyond.

Four students smile at the camera while holding a green material. The same green material, a textbook, a phone, papers, pens, clips, and isopropyl alcohol are spread out over a worktable to the right.
students in the woods holding a snake

Additional Resources

Discovery Trailblazers Integrative Biology