title: Matters of taste: bridging molecular physiology and the humanities.
abstract: Taste perception was the focus of an undergraduate course in the health sciences that bridged the sciences and humanities. A problem-based learning approach was used to study the biological issues, whereas the cultural transmutations of these molecular mechanisms were explored using a variety of resources (novels, cookbooks, and films). Multiple evaluation procedures were used: problem summaries and problem-solving exercises (tripartite problem-solving exercise) for the problem-based learning component and group tasks and individual exercises for the cultural issues. Self-selected groups chose specific tasks from a prescribed list of options (setting up a journal in molecular gastronomy, developing an electronic tongue, designing a restaurant for synesthetes, organizing a farmers' market, marketing a culinary tour, framing hedonic scales, exploring changing tastes through works of art or recipe books, and crafting beers for space travel). Individual tasks were selected from a menu of options (book reviews, film reviews, conversations, creative writing, and oral exams). A few guest lecturers (wine making, cultural anthropology, film analysis, and nutritional epidemiology) added more flavor. The course was rated highly for its learning value (8.5 ± 1.2, n = 62) and helped students relate biological mechanisms to cultural issues (9.0 ± 0.9, n = 62).
authors.affiliation: Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honors) Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada chari@mcmaster.ca.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Rangachari
authors.affiliation: Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honors) Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Usha
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rangachari
mesh_terms: D032882:Comprehension; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004517:Education, Professional / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006809:Humanities / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010827:Physiology / Q000193:education*; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013649:Taste; D055697:Taste Perception
chemical_list: D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
keywords: humanities; inquiry; problem-based learning; self-directed learning; signal transduction