Evolution and evaluation of a biology enrichment program for minorities

Abstract

This paper describes the genesis and evolution of the Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program (BUSP), a large, comprehensive educational enrichment program that has enabled underrepresented minority (URM) students to thrive in biology majors at the University of California, Davis, since 1988. Both design and implementation were, and are, collaborative efforts between campus academic and student services sectors. Formative and summative evaluations have played a key role in program development, resulting in continued improvements in student persistence and performance in basic science courses. For example, the BUSP classes entering 1994-1999 outperformed both non-BUSP URM students and the White/Asian majority in the basic science courses, General Chemistry and Calculus. The percentage of BUSP students persisting to graduation in biology majors has increased as the program has evolved and now exceeds the campus average. Much of this persistence in biology may be due to high rates of participation in research by BUSP students. Copyright © 2007 by Begell House, Inc.