Improvement of Undergraduate Preparation in Molecular Biology

生物科学（61）本项目在多元文化背景下使用基于探究的合作学习和研究训练，以1)提高分子生物学本科课程的准备；2)加强科学方法的应用；3)鼓励促进多元文化学习者之间互动的团队项目。这笔资金将用于升级一系列两门课程和本科生研究设施。具体来说，一门现有的分子生物学课程正在被修改，以让学生参与一个基于探究的合作学习项目，在这个项目中，学生向同龄人学习，教授在这个过程中充当促进者。这项工作是根据实验室手册“解开DNA”改编的，该手册是在国家科学基金会的支持下开发的。本课程的实验室部分正在扩大，包括从现有课程中克隆的Lux操纵子的luxA基因的亚克隆和序列分析。学生们分组工作，使用聚合酶链反应和DNA测序和分析来研究他们的克隆。在第二门课程“高级主题”中，合作学习继续进行，学生将阅读和讨论原创研究文章，帮助他们将分子生物学的原理和技术以及科学方法应用于新情况。学生开发并向外部资源或已建立的大学学生/教师研究计划提交研究计划，以获得资金考虑。学生完成提议的研究作为本科研究项目，并在年度学生研讨会上以海报或口头报告的形式展示结果。该项目的目标是一致的部门的使命，促进合作学习和本科研究作为一个顶点课程。资金用于仪器、课程开发和评价。

Biological Sciences (61)This project is using inquiry-based cooperative learning and research training in a culturally diverse setting to 1) improve undergraduate preparation in Molecular Biology; 2) enhance application of the scientific method; and 3) encourage team projects that promote interactions among culturally diverse learners. Funds are being used to upgrade a sequence of two courses and undergraduate research facilities. Specifically an existing course in MolecularBiology is being modified to involve students in an inquiry based cooperative learning project where students learn from their peers and the professor serves as a facilitator in the process. The effort is an adaptation of a laboratory manual "Unraveling DNA," developed with NSF support. The laboratory component of the course is being expanded to include subcloning and sequence analysis of the luxA gene from the Lux operon that is cloned in the existing course. Students, working in groups, use the polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing and analysis to study their clones. In the second course, Advanced Topics, cooperative learning continues as students read and discuss original research articles that assist them in applying the principles and techniques of molecular biology and the scientific method to a novel situation. Students develop and submit a research proposal to external sources or the established University student/faculty research program for funding consideration. Students complete the proposed research as an undergraduate research project and present the results at the annual student symposium as either a poster or an oral presentation. The goals of the project are consistent with the department's mission that promotes cooperative learning and undergraduate research as a capstone course. Funds are being used for instrumentation, course development and evaluation.