Independent Investigative Laboratories in Cell Biology and Immunology

在1993年，一种新的方法，介绍细胞和分子生物学实验室在生物系开始。 在为期2周的模块中，学生学习了分析方法，然后设计和执行实验。 这为科学交流技能的工作提供了材料，最终以研究海报会议或原始研究文献风格的论文达到高潮。 设计和测试自己的假设的机会在生物学专业的学生中产生了相当大的热情。 这已经证明了在相关课程和增加学生的研究成果，特别是在细胞生物学和免疫学的能力以上的招生压力。 在这些课程的兴趣和入学人数不断增加，挑战教师创造实验室的经验，把学生的独立性更高的水平，并紧张部门的空间和可用设备的限制。 一个新的科学建设提供了一个机会，扩大这些课程的独立调查。 该项目在细胞生物学和免疫学的新教学实验室空间中创建了一个细胞培养设施，并为其配备了显微分光光度计，热循环和计算机分析。 新的实验室经验，在初级和高级水平涉及更多的学生，在小组工作，在日益复杂和最新的准备。 细胞生物学是免疫学的先决条件;实验室课程的变化旨在改善这种联系，因为学生发展实验室调查技能。 对细胞培养和细胞/分子技术的重视有望减少对免疫学中脊椎动物实验的需求。 教学实验室设施的改进也对涉及细胞培养的学生研究有显着的好处，包括一个特殊的一月学期生物研究介绍，其目标是开始生物学专业的动手研究经验。 *

In 1993, a new approach to introductory Cellular and Molecular Biology laboratories was initiated in the Department of Biology. In 2-week modules, students learned assay methods, then designed and executed experiments. This generated material for work on scientific communication skills, culminating in either research poster sessions or papers in the style of the primapy research literature. The opportunity to design and test their own hypotheses generated considerable enthusiasm among biology majors for open-ended investigation. This has been evidenced by above-capacity enrollment pressures in related courses and increased student research production, particularly in cell biology and in immunology. Interest and enrollment in these courses has continually increased, challenging faculty to create laboratory experiences that take students to a higher level of independence, and straining the limits of departmental space and available equipment. A new science building offers an opportunity to expand independent investigation within these courses. This project creates a cell culture facility in the new instructional laboratory space for Cell Biology and Immunology and equips it for microspectrophotometry, thermal cycling, and computer analysis. New laboratory experiences at the junior and senior level involve more students, working in small groups, in increasingly sophisticated and up-to-date preparation. Cell Biology is a prerequisite for Immunology; changes in the laboratory curriculum are designed to improve this linkage as students develop laboratory investigation skills. An emphasis on cell culture and cellular /molecular techniques is expected to reduce the need for vertebrate animal experiments in Immunology. The improvements to instructional laboratory facilities also has significant benefits for student research involving cell culture, including a special January-term Introduction to Biological Research, which targets beginning biology majors for hands-on research experiences. *