Incorporation of a Cooperative and Interdisciplinary Research Project into an Undergraduate Biology and Chemistry Curriculum

该项目将一项正在进行的脲类分子和生化研究纳入了奥斯汀学院几门高级生物和化学课程的实验室。每个目标课程的学生进行不同但互补的实验，旨在更好地理解微生物脲的遗传学，调控和生物化学。每学期结束时，目标课程的学生参加研讨会，分享他们的发现。这个项目为学生提供了持续的和调查性的实验室经验，并突破了个别课程的界限，使学生对科学有一个更综合的看法。这种合作和跨学科的科学教学方法为科学界的研究方法提供了模型。这些经历帮助学生为健康科学、工业、研究和教学的职业生涯做好准备。

This project incorporates an on-going molecular and biochemical study of ureases into the laboratories of several upper level biology and chemistry courses at Austin College. Students in each of the target courses carry out different but complementary experiments aimed at better understanding the genetics, regulation and biochemistry of microbial ureases. At the end of each semester, students in the target courses participate in a symposium in which they share their findings. This project provides students with laboratory experiences that are on-going and investigative, and that cut through the boundaries of individual courses so that students emerge with a more integrative view of the sciences. This collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to teaching science models the methods of doing research in the scientific community. These experiences help prepare students for careers in health sciences, industry, research, and teaching.