Date of Award

8-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Healthcare Genetics

Committee Chair/Advisor

Dr. Tracy Fasolino

Committee Member

Dr. Mary Beth Wilson Steck

Committee Member

Dr. Catherine Murton

Committee Member

Dr. Golnaz Arastoopour Irgens

Abstract

The dissertation “Exploring Equity in Introductory Biology Genetics Education” delved into the critical examination of equity within undergraduate genetics education. Chapter One outlined the background, significance, research framework, and manuscripts included in this study. Chapter Two was a scoping review that provided an overview of the current pedagogical approaches in undergraduate genetics education. It identified six active learning pedagogies: Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE); group work; case-based learning; inquiry-based learning; Virtual Reality (VR); and Consider, Read, Elucidate the hypothesis, Analyze and interpret the data, and Think of the next Experiment (CREATE). Chapter Three was a systematic literature review investigating pedagogical strategies for improving genetics education among underrepresented undergraduates, focusing on introductory biology courses. Chapter Four was a qualitative content analysis of 4-year research institutions, 4-year comprehensive teaching institutions, 2-year regional campuses, and 2-year technical colleges in South Carolina. The qualitative content analysis of the institutions’ syllabi was conducted to evaluate how their educational practices reflect equity in undergraduate genetics education. The study identified significant gaps in the representation of equitable pedagogies, particularly in institutions serving higher percentages of underserved undergraduates. The findings, provided in Chapter Five, contribute to creating a more equitable and effective educational framework in genetics, ultimately supporting the success and representation of underrepresented populations in the genetic workforce to promote more equitability in healthcare genetics.

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