Keck-phase-1-description

==6. Overview:== (Mike) Provide an overview of this field and the need for this project.

Research on the fate and transport of metals in the environment requires a multidisciplinary approach with a significant emphasis on computational methodology. These studies involve field methods, instrumentation and computational methods that are accessible to undergraduates and can be incorporated both in student-faculty collaborative research as well as course modules across the curriculum. This area is therefore an ideal topic for training our students to develop multi-faceted approaches to problem solving. Four aspects of our project work together to make it powerful: 1) our focus on local problems; 2) the integration of field, laboratory, and computational methods; 3) the longitudinal involvement of students as they take introductory through upper-level science classes; and 4) showing students how modern science is multidisciplinary with teams of scientists who inform and illuminate the different disciplinary perspectives of a problem. We believe this idea of collaborative multidisciplinary learning will transform our undergraduate curriculum in the sciences and provide a model for programs among the sciences at other liberal arts colleges.

==7. Relevant Efforts:== (Corinne) Describe past and current efforts at your institution that are relevant to this project.

The Earlham biology department has a long and strong history of field work, including aquatic ecosystem studies at the school's Dewar Lake Bilogical Research Station, faculty-student research on turtles, and a strong emphasis on quantitative, analytical and research-based projects in introductory courses.

8. Peer Groups:

Many institutions have recognized the need for innovative, interdisciplinary approaches in science education at the undergraduate level. Carleton College has established an Interdisciplinary Science and Math Initiative (CISMI) aimed at integrating the physical sciences and mathematics in undergraduate courses and research projects. Our proposed project shares a similar mission to the Carleton program; however, one significant difference in our program is the emphasis on computational science methods throughout the curriculum. In addition, our curriculum modules focus on inquiry in disciplinary-specific courses, especially at the introductory level. Weekly seminars allow students to integrate their experiences. Trinity University is also focused on interdisciplinary faculty and student research as well as interdisciplinary curricular development. However, Trinity’s program has a major focus on the integration of biology and chemistry, while our proposed program uses biology, chemistry, geosciences, and computational science methods to solve environmental problems.

==9. Goals and Methodology:== (Dave) State the major goals of the project and summarize the methodologies and time frame to be used in achieving them.

==10. Institutional Resources:== (Corinne) Describe institutional resources and/or strengths that will be used to achieve the goals.

==11. Impact:== (Mark) Describe the potential impacts of achieving these goals.

==12. Fundraising:== (Barbara) Explain what other sources of funding have been sought, what amounts have been committed (including institutional funding), and the plan for raising the remainder.