Intermeshing passive and active learning strategies in teaching biochemistry

Case studies and student presentations to the class were intermeshed with lectures and demonstrations into a three-semester hour, required biochemistry course in the first professional year of the entry level PharmD curriculum. The resulting course structure, made possible in part through the use of computer-assisted lecture presentations and lecture handouts, combined the high efficiency of information transfer of the lecture format with the high effectiveness of more active learning formats. This approach increased the motivation of the students to learn the material by helping them to see the relevance of biochemistry to the practice of pharmacy. Simultaneously, it made assimilation of the mass of information embodied in the course more manageable.