Development of an Undergraduate Molecular Ecology Program

这个项目解决的问题是，许多学生在大三和大四的时候没有机会进行复杂的生态研究。解决这一问题的办法是在高等师级制定一个现代生态学项目，重点是用分子方法研究生态问题。参与这个项目的学生正在学习一门新的分子生态学课程，并在这一领域进行实质性的独立研究。他们正在使用分子生物学技术来回答以下问题：遗传杂合性在新陈代谢适应中的作用，热休克蛋白在鱼类季节性驯化中的作用，父子关系在青蛙种群生物学中的作用，以及各种其他生态问题。该方案包括一个旨在增加妇女和少数族裔生态数量的组成部分。通过直接与费城高中学院合作，首席调查员正在招募更多的女性和少数族裔。完成本课程后，本科生将从事更高水平的分子生态学研究。

The problem addressed by this project is that many students do not have an opportunity to conduct sophisticated ecological research when they are juniors and seniors. The solution to this problem is to develop a program in modern ecology at the upper-division level emphasizing molecular approaches to investigating ecological questions. Students participating in this project are taking a new course in molecular ecology and are conducting substantive independent research in this area. They are using the techniques of molecular biology to answer questions about the role of genetic heterozygosity in metabolic adaptations, the role of heat shock proteins in the seasonal acclimatization of fish, the role of paternity in population biology of frogs, and various other ecological issues. This program includes a component designed to increase the number of women and minorities in ecology. By working directly with the Philadelphia High School Academies, the principal investigator is recruiting additional women and minorities. Upon completion of this program undergraduates will be conducting molecular ecology research at an advanced level.