Upgrading Introductory Biology Laboratory Course—Phase 2 Y. Ellen France, Ph.D. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, GCSU March 11, 2010

Introductory Biology Lab Sequence Principles of Biology I (BIOL 1107): Molecular and Cellular Biology Principles of Biology II (BIOL 1108): Organismal Biology

Implementation of New Experiments in BIOL 1107 Phase I – purchasing of new equipment needed for implementation (STEM 09) Phase II – Development and implementation of several new experiments Objectives -To expose students to techniques that are up to date -To engage students in laboratory experiments and get them to be excited about doing science -To allow a better connection between the lecture content and the laboratory experiments to help their content learning

List of experiments performed in the lab (Fall 2009) 1-Scientific Investigation-Sexual Dimorphism 2-Unit Conversion and Data Analysis 3-DNA extraction from cheek cells 4- DNA restriction digest, RFLP and gel electrophoresis 5-Osmosis and Diffusion 6-Microbiology-examination of bacteria in yogurt 7- Protein Quantification using spectrophotometry and Bradford Assay * New experiments are in blue Survey Question : Would you like to see more more molecular and cellular experiments being performed in the introductory lab? Yes (78%) No (13%) No response (9%) (n=33)

Some student responses on Survey “…DNA extraction was cool because it was extracted from my own cheek cells. It helped me understand DNA better due to the lab report and many discussions…” “The gel electrophoresis lab was fun because it made sense and it felt like we were conducting an experiment like a real lab…” “I liked the fact that we were able to break open our own cells and keep the DNA”. “The electrophoresis was just really interesting to do, especially when you see on TV all the time”. “I felt very professional and scientific when doing the DNA gel electrophoresis lab. It was cool!!”

Implementation of New Experiments in BIOL 1107 Phase I – purchasing of new equipments needed for implementation (STEM 09) Phase II – Development and implementation of several new experiments Objectives -To expose students to techniques that are up to date -To engage students in laboratory experiment and get them to be excited about doing science -To allow a better connection between the lecture content and the laboratory experiments to help them learning molecullar cellular contents from the lecture √ √ √

Special Thanks to STEM Mini Grant Committee Members Ms. Emily Parrish, lab coordinator, Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences Dr. Michael Gleason, Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences Ms. Judith Sanders, Administrative Assistant, Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences