The focus of this research was to better understand the change processes necessary for universityscience teaching reform to be successful. The professional development processes involved facultycognitive perceptions of learning, teaching skills, and pedagogical knowledge, as well as facultyculture in teaching science courses. A series of faculty development programs were conducted at nineU.S. locations to explore, develop strategies, and implement changes in science classrooms. A reviewof research and these professional development experiences provided a base to carry out researchactivities related to understanding change in science faculty. Faculty participants in the program from30 institutions were selected to be involved in the study. Ethnographic and case study approaches wereused to collect and analyze data. Many faculty members encountered in this study had conceptions ofthe change process that inhibited successful action. These research efforts provide a predictive modelfor assisting faculty change and help determine which faculty professional development efforts may besuccessful in overcoming barriers to change in undergraduate science classrooms.