Identfying the stem cell knowledge levels of under graduate students in biology

In this study, as one of the trend topics in the field, biology and biology education department university students? level of knowledge on stem cells was investigated.For this purpose, the questionnaire was administered to the students who are pursuing their third, fourth and fifth undergraduate degree education in Biology and Biology Education department at Gazi, Hacettepe and Ankara Universities. The questionnaire consists of two parts. In the first part of the questionnaire, the students were asked about their personal information. In the second part, an achievement test was administered to assess their knowledge of stem cell subject and 536 university students participated in the questionnaire.Percentage and descriptive frequencies of the answers given by the students were identified and analyzed. The statistical analysis was retrieved by ANOVA and student t-test. Data analysis in the study was obtained by using SPSS 18.0 program. Moreover, item analysis on stem cell achievement test was applied by using ITEMAN (Item ans Test Analysis Programi Version 3.50)The results of this study have shown that, the knowledge of the students on stem cell subject is partially sufficient. In addition, it is observed that, the level of students? knowledge on stem cell subject varies according to their gender, universities they study, departments and the level of grades while the high school they graduated, their parents? education level has no affect on the level of students? knowledge on stem cell subject.Key Words: Stem cells, Cloning, Cord Blood, Biology, Biology Education