Integrating Flow Cytometry into the Investigative Curriculum in Undergraduate Biology

生物学(61)圣托马斯大学生物系为本科生和非本科生开设了一门课程，向他们介绍以实际科学调查为模型的现代生物技术。该项目将流式细胞术引入本课程，以满足我们的目标，即通过研究性的实验室体验为学生提供对当前技术的亲身接触。该项目仿照西方学院、哈弗福德学院、乌尔辛斯学院和圣地亚哥州立大学成功的类似努力。流式细胞仪是在短时间内对复杂的细胞群体进行详细分析的有力工具。近年来，流式细胞仪已经变得更便宜，更方便使用，使它们变得容易获得，适合本科生生物学教育。在这个项目中，我们通过三门专业课程、两门非专业课程和独立的学生研究，将流式细胞术整合到我们的课程中。我们还向双城五所私立机构的生物学教师提供了流式细胞仪。我们的目标是未来将这项技术的使用扩展到我们课程的其他课程中，如高级细胞生物学、微生物学、分子生物学、进化和生态学，就像其他本科课程中看到的那样。

Biology (61)The Biology Department at the University of St. Thomas has built a curriculum for both majors and non-majors that introduces undergraduates to modern biological techniques modeled on actual scientific investigations. This project is introducing flow cytometry into this curriculum in order to address our goal of providing students with hands-on exposure to current technology via investigative laboratory experiences. The project is modeled after successful similar efforts at Occidental College, Haverford College, Ursinus College, and San Diego State University. The flow cytometer is a powerful tool for detailed analysis of complex populations of cells in a short period of time. In recent years, flow cytometers have become less expensive and more user-friendly, making them accessible and appropriate for undergraduate biologyeducation. In this project we are integrating flow cytometry into our curriculum via three majors courses, two non-majors courses, and independent student research. We also making flow cytometry available to Biology faculty in a Twin Cities consortium of five private institutions. We are aiming to expand future use of the technology into other courses of our curriculum such as advanced cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology, evolution and ecology, as seen in other undergraduate programs.