2001
In 1998, Research Corporation, with study cosponsors Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, William Keck Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and the Robert A. Welch Foundation, surveyed 136 institutions to examine the environment of astronomy, biosciences, chemistry, geosciences and physics education at predominantly undergraduate institutions (PUIs).
The study looked at the role of research in sustaining excellence at PUIs from various segments of the academic community: public and private; large and small; comprehensive and liberal arts institutions.
The study showed that students benefit from a research-based teaching environment, and that students who have the opportunity for research complete their science programs in greater numbers than those who do not.
In 2000, “Academic Excellence: The Role of Research in the Physical Sciences at Undergraduate Institutions,” based on that survey, was published by Research Corporation.
An article announcing the publication, published in the April 1, 2001 issue of “Journal of Chemical Education,” noted: “. . . college administrators, scientists, and foundation representatives describe the history, philosophy, and benefits behind the inclusion of research in the undergraduate curriculum. The background and formula for success at Furman University, Hendrix College, Hope College, and Lawrence University—model departments with a national reputation—are related from both administrative and faculty perspectives. Other chapters give detailed information for building research programs from the ground up and on opportunities and techniques for funding undergraduate research.”
In 2001, “Academic Excellence: A Sourcebook,” a synthesis of the results of the survey, was also published, and the same year a conference was held at Fermi Laboratories to look at the implications of those results.