Bringing RNA into View: The RNA World and Its Role in Biology

生物科学课程研究（BSCS）和犹他大学埃克尔斯人类遗传学研究所（EIHG）正在合作开发一个关于RNA科学进展的教学模块。该项目结合了RNA科学领域领先权威的科学专业知识和BSCS的课程开发经验。该教学模块为本科生物学课程设计，强调了RNA科学在现代生物学中日益增长的重要性，包括其在健康和疾病方面的应用，以及RNA在生命起源和后来的分子进化中的可能作用。该模块通过关注与信息分子相关的主要概念，并提供经过充分测试的探究式教学，促进了本科教育的改进。该项目采用自1958年以来一直使用的BSCS课程开发过程。这个过程包括实践科学家和教学人员的直接参与，广泛的实地测试，以及在关键发展阶段对科学准确性的外部审查。期末专题将包括指导老师的背景材料、学生动手指导的材料以及每个活动的详细指导材料。BSCS和EIHG将共同拥有最终计划的版权，该计划将由一家在本科生物学营销计划方面具有丰富经验的商业出版商发行。

The Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) and the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics (EIHG), University of Utah, are collaborating on a project to develop an instructional module on advances in RNA science. The project combines the scientific expertise of leading authorities in RNA science with the curriculum-development experience of BSCS. The instructional module, intended for undergraduate biology courses, highlights the growing importance of RNA science in modem biology, including its application to health and disease and to the likely role of RNA in the origin of life and later molecular evolution. The module promotes improvement in undergraduate education by focusing on major concepts related to information molecules and by providing well-tested, inquiry-based instruction. The project employs the BSCS process of curriculum development, in use since 1958. The process includes direct involvement of practicing scientists and teaching faculty, extensive field testing, and external review for scientific accuracy at critical stages of development. The final project will include background material for the instructor, student materials for hands-on instruction, and detailed instructor's materials for each activity. BSCS and EIHG will hold joint copyright on the final program, which will be distributed by a commercial publisher that has substantial experience in marketing program in undergraduate biology.