Nouran Amin
Assistant Teaching Professor of Biology
Dr. Nouran Amin is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Biology at Ball State University. She holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University, where she investigated the undergraduate graphing practices of biology students. Her research interests are rooted in Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER), with a particular focus on visual literacy in STEM disciplines. My research interests lie in Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER), particularly in quantitative reasoning and graphical competence. My dissertation examined the graphing practices of biology students, comparing their reasoning patterns in two key tasks: constructing graphs versus evaluating pre-made graphs. I am eager to further explore graphical competence in the biology classroom. Additionally, I am interested in visual literacy as it relates to diagrams commonly taught in introductory biology courses, such as cladograms and phylogenetic trees, population pyramids, and ecosystem maps."
Educational Background
B.S. Biology (2017), Purdue University-Indianapolis (formerly IUPUI)
M.S. Biology (2019), Purdue University-Indianapolis (formerly IUPUI)
Ph.D. Biology (2024), Purdue University-West Lafayette
Teaching Philosophy Statement
My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that an equitable and inclusive classroom is essential for fostering a dynamic learning environment where all students thrive. I see the classroom as a collaborative environment between the student and the instructor. As a facilitator, I strive to inspire a love of learning by nurturing curiosity and fostering a growth mindset in all students. Through active learning strategies and Universal Design for Learning principles, I aim to create a classroom where students feel safe to embrace challenges and learn from their experiences."