Interdisciplinary Explorations: Promoting Critical Thinking via Problem-Based Learning in an Advanced Biochemistry Class

Interdisciplinary approaches to research in the sciences have become increasingly important in solving a wide range of pressing problems at both global and local levels. It is imperative then that science majors in higher education understand the need for exploring information from a wide array of disciplines. With this in mind, interdisciplinary instruction has the potential to bring new insights and methods to enhance learning and promote critical thinking skills while itself modeling the benefits of interdisciplinary practice in research. This paper explores an interdisciplinary collaboration between a librarian and a chemist seeking to improve student research and critical thinking skills through the utilization of problem-based learning. A module exploring the interdisciplinary nature of science was implemented for an advanced Biochemistry class and delivered in a library setting. Initial findings of this pilot project suggest that the implementation of a carefully constructed, problem-based curriculum has the potential to improve research skills and multidisciplinary thinking as well as engender a more holistic view of chemical research.