A Development Plan for Incorporating Molecular Techniques into the Curriculum of Undergraduate Biology Laboratories

最近在几门生物课程的实验室中增加了计算机模拟，极大地增强了学生的学习体验。通过将传统湿法实验室的实践经验与通过计算机模拟获得的学生输入和发现的独特机会相结合，这些实验室的学生接触并积极参与从实验设计开始到实验结果传播的科学过程的所有阶段。在这个项目中，提供这种教学模式的实验室的数量和类型被扩大到包括使用现代分子技术的实验室。将计算机模拟与潮湿的实验室练习相结合，提供了比任何一种单独提供的学习环境更好的学习环境。由于过去的设备限制，该大学一直无法提供湿式实验室来补充遗传学和细胞与分子生物学中使用的分子技术的计算机模拟。开发了一门新的实验室课程，名为生物学中的分子技术，作为仅供讲授的课程的一般配套课程。通过这些课程的增加，学生们更好地准备进行独立研究，进入竞争激烈的就业市场，或进入研究生院。这些实验室的成功可以使用部门学习成果评估程序进行评估。评估使用的参数包括参加地方、地区和国家科学会议的学生人数；学生撰写的出版物数量；以及被竞争性研究生和专业项目录取的学生人数。另一个参数包括毕业后24个月内在该专业的就业安排。传播该项目成果的计划包括赞助姊妹机构的现场培训方案。*

The recent addition of computer simulations into the laboratories of several of the biology courses has greatly enhanced the learning experience of students. By combining the practical experience of traditional wet laboratories with the unique opportunities for student input and discovery that is available through computer simulations, students in these laboratories are exposed to and actively participate in all phases of the scientific process ranging from the inception of experimental design to the dissemination of experimental results. In this project, the number and types of laboratories for which this pedagogic model is offered are expanded to include laboratories involving modern molecular techniques. Integration of computer simulations with wet laboratory exercises provides a better learning environment than either type of exercise provides alone. Because of past equipment limitations, the university has been unable to offer wet laboratories to complement the computer simulation of molecular techniques used in Genetics and Cell and Molecular Biology. A new laboratory course entitled Molecular Techniques in Biology has been developed to serve as a general companion course for lecture-only courses. By these additions to the curriculum, students are better prepared to conduct independent research, enter the competitive job market, or enter graduate school. Success of these laboratories can be evaluated using the departmental learning outcomes assessment process. Parameters used for this assessment include the number of students participating in local, regional, and national scientific meetings; the number of publications written by students; and the number of students accepted into competitive graduate and professional programs. An additional parameter includes job placement in the discipline within 24 months of graduation. Plans for dissemination of this project's results include sponsoring an on-site training program for sister institutions. *