Aims

1. To identify the common ground between the "core" First Year Science subjects of Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Mathematics at the University of Sydney.
2. To investigate what connections students make between related first year topics.
3. To develop strategies that will help students integrate their knowledge of related topics.

Subjects such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Mathematics tend to be taught as discrete units and the students view them as such. The students often have a poor perception of links between science subjects at First Year level as well as the relationship between higher year courses and their pre-requisites. Highlighting links between subjects puts concepts into context and leads to an improvement in students' understanding.

This study will concentrate on identifying the links between selected First Year subjects. (It is recognised that the connections students make between, say, junior and intermediate units of study is also of critical importance and this could be the focus of a subsequent research project.) The research will be conducted in four parts.

1. The team leader will construct a chart detailing the approximate timing in semester 1 and 2 of the topics covered in First Year Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Mathematics. The research team will meet and establish where the strong links between the discipline areas exist. The timing of the links will be assessed.
2. A questionnaire will be developed to evaluate student's perceptions of the links between the subjects. Students enrolled in common first year units of study will be identified and the questionnaire sent to them with a request for their cooperation. A small number of follow-up interviews with individuals or groups of students will be held. The questionnaire will also be issued to students enrolled in intermediate and senior year units of study to assess any changes in the perception a student has of the links between First Year courses.
3. The research team will analyze the information. Based on their findings, strategies will be proposed to encourage a better awareness of the links that exist. The results of the research will be disseminated to the Schools involved.
4. The questionnaire may also be used to assess the effectiveness of any strategies implemented.

The research will employ a questionnaire developed by the research team and a research assistant, followed by a series of individual or group interviews of participating students. The terms of reference of the interviews will be established by the research team but are likely to be open ended in nature. First year students, in particular those enrolled in the BSc and BMedSci degree programs, will be targeted. Higher year students will also be targeted with the same questionnaire. This will enable the research team to evaluate any gross changes in perception that may occur with the benefit of hindsight.

The results of the research will be made available to course coordinators in all relevant subject areas, the Faculty of Science Teaching Committee, Institute of Teaching and Learning and the members of SCIFER. The research and initiatives taken as a result of the research will be published (the International Journal of Science Education will be targeted) and presented at appropriate conferences. It is anticipated that further research of this type focusing on links between junior and intermediate units of study will be stimulated.