UA receives award for integration of research

Ian Meyer Arizona Daily Wildcat Randall Richardson, associate dean of the College of Science, answers questions at a press conference yesterday afternoon regarding a $500,000 award given to the UA by the National Science Foundation.

"The money will be used to document the University of Arizona's success story so others can model it," said Randall Richardson, associate dean of the College of Science.

Richardson said more than 100 institutions, both private and public, submitted a pre-proposal in July. Eight of the 10 schools awarded were public institutions.

Richardson said the UA is being recognized throughout the country as an outstanding institution.

"We stand out as one of the best in the U.S.," Richardson said.

He said 80 percent of the award money will help other similar institutions learn how the UA has integrated research and education. The other 20 percent will be used to expand the recognized programs.

The UA is being recognized for excellence in two areas. One is the Science Education Promotion and Tenure Committee, which reformed promotion and tenure guidelines, Richardson said. The new system for tenure and promotion is designed to emphasize teaching contributions to the UA.

The UA's biology programs were the second area commended by NSF.

Three biology programs were recognized - the Undergraduate Biology Research Program, the Biology Learning Center and "Biomedical Research Abroad: Vistas Open!"

UBRP and BRAVO give undergraduates the opportunity to do research with faculty on campus and in foreign countries. The learning center teaches students how to create their own Web pages to publish their research projects.

"NSF was looking for a history of success, not 'What are you planning to do?'" Richardson said.

"The Math Department has a long tradition of integrating research and undergraduate education - at least 20 years," said William McCallum, mathematics professor.

He said the department decided to evaluate its professors' work in educational projects. The idea led to guidelines for promoting and tenuring professors.

Joseph Watkins, associate professor of mathematics, was hired by the Math Department to integrate his research with education in high schools.

"My job is to bring excitement to research at the high school level," Watkins said.

He added that the undergraduates who participate in his program are better at establishing a rapport with high school students.

McCallum said the UA has now adopted the Math Department's guidelines.

Carol Bender, director of UBRP, said the biology program was established 10 years ago.

Bender said many universities have undergraduate research programs, but UA's is different for several reasons.

UBRP takes underclassmen - not just juniors and seniors have the opportunity for research. Also, the faculty pays for half of the students' salaries out of their own research grants, Bender said.

She said the program is quite inclusive, accepting all majors. The only program requirement is for students to find their own work.

David Teeple, biochemistry senior, said "UBRP is an invaluable experience in reinforcing what I've learned in the classroom."

The Biology Learning Center is an instructional computer lab in the Chemical and Biological Sciences building.

Biochemistry Professor Richard Hallick explained there are two components to the Learning Center - the lab itself and the ability for students to create a Web site to display their research.

"The lab has created materials for publication throughout the world," Hallick said.

Hallick said biology honors students create Web pages for publishing projects through the Learning Center.

"This kind of lab reaches thousands of students a year. It's a tremendous outreach facility," Richardson said.

He said large, public universities will be the most interested in what the UA is doing.

Bender said, "These facilities aren't available for research at small, liberal arts colleges."

"It (the award) shows the mission of this university is education," Richardson said.