Tomorrow's Steep Decline Part III

So, what do PUI and MCU folks do in the face of the decline in majors I have suggested will come?

In my opinion chemistry and biochemistry departments have historically been focused largely on two groups of people. They are would be professional chemists and biochemists and would be health professionals. Others are relegated to general education science courses that often don't really teach much chemistry or biochemistry, or science. As a consequence we make ourselves an elite and separate community who spends much time decrying the scientific illiteracy of the general population and trying to entice people into the STEM pipeline so they will become professional chemists and biochemists. There is not much middle ground in our programs.

There are many students who have a level of science interest and ability that is strong but not sufficient to make a career as a chemists, biochemist or health professional. Our departments lose these students to other majors every semester. But should we? There are many allied careers where a background in chemistry or biochemistry would be of value. In my opinion we should offer the degree options that would give the "lost" students the opportunity to channel their science interest into an allied science career. Doing so would retain students in our departments and would make for a more scientifically literate society. Greater science literacy could lead to greater interest in the "pure" STEM fields, solving our pipeline problem.

If I were in a leadership position in a department, we would institute BA degree options that provide a minor or double major in areas like business, regulatory affairs, pre-law, science communication, public policy, etc. Having a variety of options that serve the students and needs of employers would make us less subject to the vagaries of public interest (which TV shows are popular) and high school guidance counselors. There are already some models out there in schools with Chemistry Business and other allied options. Important in this effort will be ensuring that these degree options are treated as equal to the traditional options and receive the same level of recruitment activity.

The time to start such initiative is now, before the decline begins.

T.S. Hall