Implementing a Project-Based Genetic Laboratory

【参考译文】为了提高学生对遗传学的理解，他们对遗传学概念的长期记忆，以及他们独立思考、工作和分析科学问题的能力，阿德菲大学的遗传学实验课程正在进行实质性的修改。修订后的课程强调开放式项目学习，包括两个项目，一个侧重于遗传学，一个侧重于分子生物学。在第一个项目中，由詹姆斯麦迪逊大学的乔纳森门罗博士开发的植物生理学实验室进行了改造，分离出拟南芥的突变体，并在遗传和生理上进行了表征。第二个项目是芝加哥大学（University of Chicago）达芙妮·普鲁斯（Daphne Preuss）博士开发的一个实验室的改造项目，利用分子标记绘制拟南芥突变图谱。在这两个项目中，学生们以小组为单位解决具有挑战性的问题。在讲师的指导下，他们掌握技术技能，理解和追求遗传问题的方法，并利用科学文献开发自己的一套实验。这些基于探究的项目增加了学生对课程的智力参与，从而提高了学生的学习。阿德尔菲研究、评估和计划办公室的同事们正在评估课程改进的结果。研究结果正在通过研讨会、讨论、演讲和全国会议向科学部门和阿德尔菲社区传播。

Biological Sciences (61)In an effort to improve students' understanding of genetics, their long-term retention of genetic concepts, and their ability to think, work, and analyze scientific problems independently, the genetics laboratory course at Adelphi University is being substantially modified. The revised course emphasizes open-ended project-based learning, and consists of two projects, one focusing on genetics and one on molecular biology. In the first project, an adaptation of a plant physiology lab developed by Dr. Jonathan Monroe of James Madison University, mutants of Arabidopsis are isolated and characterized genetically and physiologically. In the second project, an adaptation of a lab developed by Dr. Daphne Preuss of the University of Chicago, an Arabidopsis mutation is mapped using molecular markers. In both projects, students work in small groups on challenging problems. Under the instructor's guidance, they master technical skills, understand and pursue approaches to genetic problems, and use the scientific literature to develop their own set of experiments. These inquiry-based projects increase student intellectual involvement in the course and thereby should improve student learning. Colleagues in the Adelphi Office of Research, Assessment, and Planning are assessing the outcomes of the course improvements. Results are being disseminated to the science departments and Adelphi community through workshops, discussions, and presentations, and at a national conference.