Development of an Undergraduate Molecular Ecology Program

这个项目解决的问题是，许多学生在大三和大四的时候没有机会进行复杂的生态研究。解决这个问题的办法是在高级别的现代生态学中发展一个项目，强调用分子方法来研究生态问题。参与该项目的学生正在学习分子生态学的新课程，并在该领域进行实质性的独立研究。他们正在使用分子生物学技术来回答有关遗传杂合性在代谢适应中的作用，热休克蛋白在鱼类的季节性适应中的作用，父系在青蛙种群生物学中的作用以及各种其他生态问题。该方案包括一个旨在增加生态学中妇女和少数民族人数的组成部分。通过直接与费城高中学院合作，首席研究员正在招募更多的女性和少数族裔。完成本课程后，本科生将进行高级水平的分子生态学研究。

The problem addressed by this project is that many students do not have an opportunity to conduct sophisticated ecological research when they are juniors and seniors. The solution to this problem is to develop a program in modern ecology at the upper-division level emphasizing molecular approaches to investigating ecological questions. Students participating in this project are taking a new course in molecular ecology and are conducting substantive independent research in this area. They are using the techniques of molecular biology to answer questions about the role of genetic heterozygosity in metabolic adaptations, the role of heat shock proteins in the seasonal acclimatization of fish, the role of paternity in population biology of frogs, and various other ecological issues. This program includes a component designed to increase the number of women and minorities in ecology. By working directly with the Philadelphia High School Academies, the principal investigator is recruiting additional women and minorities. Upon completion of this program undergraduates will be conducting molecular ecology research at an advanced level.