Thematic Inquiry-Based Laboratories Across the Biology Curriculum

生物科学（61）生物系正在为生物专业实施新的核心课程，包括四门实验课程；1)生物基本过程，2)进化与生态学，3)细胞与分子生物学，4)遗传学与发育。这些课程取代了五门必修课程，其中两门课程没有实验室，只有一门课程有实验实验室。新课程的实验包括传统和探究性练习的结合。贯穿新课程的是三个多周的专题探究实验室，以微生物、植物和动物为基础，这些实验室以本系的研究专长为基础。通过在核心课程中制定一套研究主题，学生能够看到研究与教育之间的紧密联系，并为在高级课程中进行研究做好更好的准备。我们探究式实验室的方法是让学生小组先学习一个有机体或一个过程，以及与实验系统或观察模式相关的任何技术技能。然后，学生提出假设，进行实验或观察，并完成科学方法，包括通过海报，口头报告或互联网向同龄人展示发现。购买技术先进的设备使我们能够从根本上改善必修课程的内容和教学方式。这些课程让学生利用科学的过程来探索科学概念，通过合作体验来加强学习，并建立一个学习社区。学生在解决问题、分析方法、科学写作和使用计算机方面的技能的发展也为他们在生物科学领域的高级课程和职业生涯做好了更好的准备。

Biological Sciences (61)The Biology Department is implementing a new core curriculum for biology majors consisting of four laboratory courses; 1) Fundamental Processes of Organisms, 2) Evolution and Ecology, 3) Cell and Molecular Biology, and 4) Genetics and Development. These courses replace five required courses, two of which did not have laboratories and only one of which had an experimentally-based laboratory. Laboratories in the new courses include a combination of traditional and inquiry- based exercises. Cutting across the new courses are three, multi- week, thematic, inquiry- based laboratories on microbes, plants and animals that are based on research expertise within the Department. By developing a set of research themes in the core courses students are able to see the strong link between research and education, and are better prepared to conduct research in upper- level courses. Our approach in the inquiry- based laboratories is to have small groups of students first learn about an organism or a process and any technical skills associated with the experimental system or mode of observation. Students then develop hypotheses, conduct experiments or observations, and complete the scientific method including presentation of findings to peers via posters, oral presentations or the Internet. The purchase of technologically-sophisticated equipment allows us to fundamentally improve the content and the means of delivery of the required curriculum. These courses engage students in using the process of science to explore scientific concepts, enhance learning through collaborative experiences, and develop a learning community. The development of student skills in problem solving, analytical methods, scientific writing and the use of computers also better prepares them for upper- level courses and careers in the biological sciences.