TUSD approves college credit honors bioscience course

The Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) approved a Career and Technical Education (CTE) bioscience honors research method course on Feb. 9. The course will give high school students a chance to earn college credit for the University of Arizona.

Jeremy Jonas, who teaches biotechnology and research methods at Tucson Magnet High School, explained that this course will better prepare students who want to pursue a college or university degree in any bioscience field of their choice.

“This course provides students with essential and foundational skills in conducting authentic scientific research they will need to work in any bioscience laboratory,” Jonas said. “Students gain confidence and proficiency in their research topic or field which highly qualifies them to pursue a college or university degree in any bioscience field of their choice.”

According to Jonas, students work closely with research laboratories and professionals from the University of Arizona through the Students Taking Advantage of Research (S.T.A.R).

“These mentorships are very impactful in making students familiar and comfortable with academic research and industry professionals,” he said.

Charles McCollum, the TUSD CTE coordinator, added that the bioscience course provides college credit at UA at a small cost.

“Concurrent enrollment provides college credit for students completing the class. It does, however, cost the students, but at a discounted rate,” McCollum said.

According to Jonas, the dual enrollment tuition is offered at an 80% reduced rate.

Although there is a small price to pay, data shows that “students who receive a dual enrollment college credit are more likely to pursue a college degree in science,” according to Jonas.

Not only will students receive college credits but they will have a chance to present their research in the Spring semester at the Tucson High Science Fair and Southern Arizona Research Science and Engineering Fair (SARSEF), according to Jonas.

Jonas adds students who are qualified will also compete in the Arizona Junior Science & Humanities Symposium and the International Science Fair (iSEF).

Samuel Love, 19, was one of many students who took the bioscience research methods course in the school year 2017-2018 at Tucson High School.

According to Love, this program offers many opportunities and was a huge motivator for his choice of major.

“The program offers many opportunities. Among them are college credit, the ability to participate in regional (potentially national and international) science fairs, and being published in scientific journals depending on the research a student is doing,” said Love. “I took full advantage of all these and, while they are not the reason I went to college, they were a huge motivator for my major when I started college.”

Love is studying molecular and cellular biology at UA and is in a research position in his mentor’s lab since he started college.

According to Love, this course puts students at an advantage.

“I highly recommend the course to all students, especially those considering a career in science. It definitely puts students ahead of the competition in college,” Love said.

There are currently four high schools offering the bioscience course within TUSD. They are Pueblo High, Tucson High, University High, and Santa Rita High, according to McCollum.

McCollum said there will be an additional bioscience course at Sabino High School for the 2021-2022 school year.