Collaborative Research: Molecular Biology for Environmental Engineers

本项目的目标是调整和实施先前在辛辛那提大学（DUE 0127279）开发的成功的CCLI试点项目，在该项目中，使用动手实验室模块和多媒体课程材料向本科工程专业学生团队介绍分子生物学，作为跟踪环境中微生物的筛选工具。 试点项目将在四个同行机构推广，在当地进行评估，并作为项目的一个整体组成部分进行“元评估”。 一个由两年制和四年制本科院校、HBCU和国家工程院代表组成的咨询委员会将向该团队提供独立反馈。 该项目的预期成果包括：另外四个机构提供基于探究的课程，本科生跨学科团队按照“全周期16 S rRNA方法”合作开展不限成员名额的小组项目;将由国家认可的出版社出版的教科书;通过在会议上的演讲和同行评审工程教育文献中的出版物进行广泛传播。 该项目将包括成功地弥合环境工程研究和本科教学之间的差距，将分子生物学工具融入环境工程的日常实践。 一个两年制和四年制的机构以及一个HBCU将参与该项目。

The objective of this project is to adapt and implement a prior successful CCLI pilot project developed at the University of Cincinnati (DUE 0127279) where hands-on laboratory modules and multi-media course materials have been used to introduce teams of undergraduate engineering students to molecular biology as a screening tool to track microorganisms in the environment. The pilot project will be reproduced at four peer institutions with assessment performed both locally and a "meta-assessment" performed as an overall component of the project. An advisory board with representatives from two- and four-year undergraduate institutions, an HBCU, and the National Academy of Engineering will provide independent feedback to the team. Expected outcomes of the project include: four additional institutions offering an inquiry-based course where interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate students collaborate on open-ended group projects following the "full-cycle 16S rRNA approach"; a text book to be published by a nationally-recognized publishing house; and broad dissemination through presentations at conferences and publications in the peer-review engineering education literature. The project will include successfully bridging the gap between environmental engineering research and undergraduate instruction to integrate molecular biology tools into the day-to-day practice of environmental engineering. A two- and four-year institutions and an HBCU will participate in this project.