Improvement of a Molecular Biology Laboratory that Enhances Core Curriculum Instruction

该项目为改善和加强先前存在的分子遗传学实验室的教学提供设备支持。新设备还可以用于在所有生物专业(现代生物实验室)和许多非专业(生物学原理II)的两门核心课程中引入新的细胞和分子生物学实验室。分子遗传学课程旨在向学生介绍细胞和分子生物学的最新理论、技术和方法。这门课程的一个主要限制是缺乏足够的设备来容纳大班。目前，每班人数限制在6人以内。新设备允许另外10到12名学生同时进行实验室工作。关键设备允许学生接触到额外的实验和技术。这些设备也可以用来加强其他课程的实验室。一些基础细胞和分子实验室可以并入两门核心课程。这两门课程对专业和非专业都有影响。其他受影响的课程包括细胞生理学和生物学专题(独立学生研究)。最后，这些设备还可以用于该部门针对高中教师和高中生的外展计划。新设备包括紫外线分光光度计、冷藏高速离心机、电泳仪、微型离心机、微型移液器、摇动水浴和聚合酶链式反应热循环仪。

This project provides support for equipment to improve and enhance instruction in a previously existing molecular genetics laboratory. The new equipment can also be used to introduce new laboratories in cell and molecular biology in two core curriculum courses that are required of all biology majors (Modern Biology Laboratory) and many nonmajors (Principles of Biology II). The Molecular Genetics course is designed to introduce students to current theories, techniques, and methodologies in cell and molecular biology. A major limitation of this course is the lack of sufficient equipment for a large class. Class size is currently limited to six students. The new equipment allows 10 to 12 additional students to perform laboratory work simultaneously. Key pieces of equipment allow students' exposure to additional experiments and techniques. The equipment can also be used to enhance laboratories in other courses. Some basic cell and molecular laboratories can be incorporated into two core curriculum courses. These two courses affect both majors and nonmajors. Other courses affected include Cell Physiology and Special Topics in Biology (independent student research). Finally, the equipment can also be used in the department's outreach program for high school teachers and high school students. New equipment includes an ultraviolet spectrophotometer, a refrigerated, high-speed centrifuge, electrophoresis apparati, microcentrifuges, micropipettors, a shaking waterbath, and a PCR thermocycler.