"Biology Education"--An Emerging Interdisciplinary Area of Research

Overview & Synopsis

The growing number of faculty positions in biology education, the formation of professional societies focused specifically on biology education, and the increasing number of publications in biology education over the past decade point to the emergence of biology education as a relevant area of research for biologists. Doctoral programs focused specifically on biology education are explicitly designed to produce scholars prepared to advance knowledge in the field, answering important questions inherent to biology education and serving as leaders in biology education reform. However, the limited number of doctoral programs specifically focused on biology education and the growing number of faculty positions advertised for scholars with this specialization suggests there is a need for additional programs with this focus. To address this need, Middle Tennessee State University recently developed an interdisciplinary PhD with a specific concentration in "biology education." The program is a collaborative effort between the College of Basic and Applied Sciences and the College of Education and brings together faculty with expertise in basic biology, biology education, and educational theory and practice to prepare scholars who possess the expansive set of professional skills that will allow them to advance the field of biology education. (Contains 2 figures.)