Integrating Authentic Research into Undergraduate Sci. Majors' and Non-Majors' Curricula: Automated DNA Sequencing and Genotyping at a Consortium of Three Tacoma-Area Universities

华盛顿州塔科马的三所主要是本科生的大学组成的联盟正在向他们的学生引入荧光自动测序和基因分型。测序仪/基因分型器允许引入让专业人员收集和分析原始数据的实验室。虽然测序仪最常用于初级/高级实验室(212名学生/年)和高级论文或顶尖项目(20-40名/年)，但它也用于增强所有级别的本科生体验。通过对当地鲑鱼物种的种群研究，大一新生和非专业生物课程的学生(596人/年)被介绍分子生物学技术。在强调科学与社会之间联系的课堂上(每年190名学生)，专业和非专业的学生都在对自己进行基因检测或对自己的DNA进行部分测序，这一练习有助于他们理解这项技术以及它是如何使用的。在较高级别的选修课中，每个学院都在实施有针对性的研究项目，允许学生在课程期间设计和开展原创研究。这些研究项目大多与太平洋西北生物或生态问题直接相关。产生的数据对该地区的政府机构和社区团体很有用。所有三个机构的研究学生和首席调查人员还在区域和国家会议上提交论文和海报，从而向科学界和教育界传播这一项目的成果。

A consortium of the three primarily undergraduate universities in Tacoma, Washington is introducing fluorescent automated sequencing and genotyping to their students. The sequencer/genotyper allows introduction of labs that engage majors in the collection and analysis of original data. Although the sequencer is used most heavily for junior/senior level labs (212 students/year) and in senior thesis or capstone projects (20 40 students/year), it is also used to enhance the undergraduate experience at all levels. Freshmen and students in the non-majors biology courses (596 students/year) are introduced to the techniques of molecular biology through a population study of local salmon species. Both majors and non-majors in classes that emphasize the connection between science and society (190 students/year) are genotyping themselves or sequencing a portion of their own DNA, an exercise that helps them to understand the technology and how it is used. In the upper-level electives, each college is implementing focused research projects that will allows students to design and carry out original research during the course. Most of these research projects are directly related to Pacific Northwest organisms or ecological problems. The data generated is useful to government agencies and community groups in the area. Research students and principal investigators at all three institutions also present papers and posters at regional and national meetings; thus disseminating the results of this project to the scientific and educational communities.