Quinn Vega and Sandra Adams

  A question that does NOT have a previously determined answer.  Students have input into the question/experimental technique used.  Results can be transmitted to the wider scientific community. What is a Research Based Project?

  Focus on experimental question and pedagogy instead of just pedagogy  not learning just for the sake of learning  Lab sections don’t necessarily coincide with lecture  Generally more time consuming  Requires increased student input before, during and after lab course. How do these courses differ from traditional labs?

  Increased student engagement (in lab and lecture)  Increased understanding of scientific research  Not individual labs (research is a continuum)  Results aren’t pre-determined  Sometimes experiments don’t work  (Definition of RE-search)  Increased laboratory skills/experimental design skills/data analysis skills  Research results  Potentially, link labs between years Goals

  Goal of this project is to isolate, purify, and characterize a novel mycobacteriophage (virus that infects a bacterium, Mycobacterium smegmatis). BIOL 112 First Year Project

  Students complete a project that is built around a national experiment;  Students engage in authentic scientific research with standardized protocols;  Students do not work at the same pace as they complete the project;  Students make decisions regarding when and how to proceed to the next step. Level of Independence

  Discover new scientific information;  Engage in experimental design, data analysis and interpretation;  Apply mathematics in problem solving;  Engage in laboratory experiences in microbiology, molecular biology, electron microscopy;  Acquire a sense of ownership of a scientific problem. Expected Learning Achievements

  Volunteers versus required enrollment?  Expectation of work in addition to scheduled lab times;  Motivation to conduct research is essential. Challenges of Enrolling Students

  Additional resources (reagents and consumable supplies);  Additional time in lab;  Additional personnel?  Preparation of reagents and materials;  Prior experiences of students Challenges of Organizing Such a Project

  Increased motivation;  Excitement about research;  Dissemination of research findings including co-authorship on submission to genomic databases. Benefits

  Discover new scientific information;  Engage in experimental design, data analysis and interpretation;  Engage in laboratory experiences in microbiology, molecular biology, electron microscopy;  Acquire a sense of ownership of a scientific problem. Benefits

  Students are asked to isolate and characterize a gene from a bacteriophage originally isolated in BIOL 112. Students must select the gene based on its scientific interest. Senior Project-BIOL 435

  All groups perform the same experiments but not always at the same time  They don’t get to decide what to do but they get to decide, within reason, when to do it.  Students do get to decide which gene they study  They must provide arguments for their decision  Students need to decide HOW to perform the experiment (necessary controls, appropriate experimental setup, etc.) Level of Independence?

  Molecular biology techniques  How and why experiments are performed  Experimental Design  Controls, appropriate experimental variables  Data interpretation  Math!  Presentation of scientific results Specific Learning Goals

  Monitoring numerous projects simultaneously  Allowing for groups to repeat experiments  Allowing students to adjust experiments based on project requirements  Why didn’t it work? (Remember, this is research)  Monitoring Data/Sample Collection  Fitting the project into a defined lab schedule  Difficulty expanding project beyond faculty lead course  Some students don’t like research. Challenges

  Interest (student and instructor)  Student understanding of research  Making connections between experiments  Potential results for dissemination  Provide opportunity for more students to experience research  Potential springboard for a masters thesis Project Benefits

  Provide interconnected laboratory research projects (allow students to continue from year to year)  Expand program to allow for more students to participate  GA training programs  Preparation of laboratory training modules  Strengthen assessment component Long Term Goals