Course Description
An intensive inquiry-based laboratory course in molecular genetics.
Athena Title
Molecular Genetics Lab
Prerequisite
GENE 3200-3200D or GENE 3200H
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Area: Research This is primarily an inquiry-based laboratory course in molecular genetics. Engagement: This is a 3-credit-hour course with a minimum of 6 hours in the lab per week. Mentorship: Students will have regular meetings with faculty to discuss the progress of their research. The faculty provides guidance and training on tools, techniques, and protocols in the lab. Faculty mentors will provide feedback and evaluation at all steps of the research process, including experimental design, conduct of experiments, analysis of data, interpretation of results, and presentation of results in oral or written form. Challenge: Students will demonstrate and describe how systematic and in-depth inquiry into a research problem centered on the problems in molecular genetics contributes to the discovery or interpretation of knowledge significant in genetics. The goal in each semester is to produce student-driven discoveries in molecular genetics. The faculty will instruct students in the specific laboratory tools, techniques, and protocols available to answer student-generated research questions and mentor the students in how to analyze and present experimental results. Ownership: The faculty will provide appropriate background throughout the course, but a major feature of the course is that the student will be responsible for defining research questions, identifying how data will be collected to test a hypothesis, and interpreting the results. The faculty will help students identify gaps or unanswered questions in a specific area of genetics and mentor them to identify research questions that can be addressed in the context of the course. Research results are presented at the end of the semester to the class. In addition, a written report summarizes the inquiry and identifies both failures and successes in shaping further research questions. Self or Social Awareness: Faculty mentors will provide feedback and evaluation at all steps of the research process, including experimental design, conduct of experiments, analysis of data, interpretation of results and presentation of results in oral or written form. Expected learning outcomes include: Evaluate gaps in knowledge in molecular genetics. Develop research hypotheses and devise ways to address questions using experimental approaches in molecular genetics. Utilize and successfully use the tools of experimentation and the methods and techniques of experimental genetics. Perform experiments, collect data, analyze data, learn to interpret data, and draw appropriate conclusions from it. Produce lab report and public presentation of results.
Topical Outline
Each semester, students will be involved in defining the research questions to be investigated.