Implementing team science in undergraduate medical physics research

Abstract

Purpose: Many undergraduate students are eager to learn more about potential career opportunities. While physics majors are often aware of research opportunities within their home department, students may not be aware of how physics can be applied in medicine. An alternate framework for a 10-week summer undergraduate research experience using a collaborative Team Science approach is presented. Methods: The Team Science program is described, with feasibility shared based on the experiences of four students who piloted the program. Students explored four different projects throughout the summer as part of the 10-week program and assumed different team roles for each project fostering experience understanding team dynamics. Changes in student attitudes toward science research were quantified using validated surveys and qualitative responses are also summarized. Results: Average self-reported student scores in the Attitudes and Approaches to Problem Solving Survey increased 9.8% and Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey for Experimental Physics increased 14.2% after the summer research experience. Areas with the highest reported gains from the program from the Undergraduate Research Student Self-Assessment Survey included understanding what everyday research work is like, engaging in real-world science research, and preparation for the future. Conclusions: Using a Team Science approach allowed for students to explore multiple research questions during the summer and experience a more authentic and integrated approach to how research is conducted. This model can be expanded and adapted for students to identify medical physics as a career for applying their physics knowledge to solve problems that will advance human health earlier in their career.