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Hamilton College President Eugene M. Tobin wrote an op-ed about the need for increased federal support of undergraduate science education. The op-ed appeared in the May 21 edition of The Newark Star-Ledger. Following is an excerpt:

"The excitement of science comes alive and is felt most deeply at the undergraduate level, and federal support for undergraduate education is inadequate...Despite their relatively small size, Americas liberal arts colleges produce a disproportionate share of science majors," Tobin wrote. "Among them are a dozen Nobel Prize-winning scientists in the past 12 years, including Hamilton College graduate Paul Greengard, a winner this year for his work in neuroscience.

"This level of success is achieved because virtually all science majors at liberal arts colleges engage in hands-on, research-based inquiry as undergraduates. Undergraduate reserch is now the accepted 'best practice' model in higher education.

"U.S. science policy does little to support this 'best practice.' Money flows to a few research universities for graduate work, and the availability of research posts often is known only to a small circle," Tobin wrote.

"American colleges and universities enroll more than 12 million undergraduates. Among them are future schoolteachers, who must have a strong math and science background, and tomorrow's research scientists, who will shape American science for half a century...That's why the federal government must increase support for science education at all levels, especially for undergraduate education."

 

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