RESEARCH IN MOLECULAR GENETICS BASIC INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

Concept of Course / “Best way to learn science is by “doing science”

What is the best way to learn piano? / Reading how to play piano in a text book. / Listening to a lecture on playing piano. / Practicing playing piano. / Reading how to play piano in a text book. / Listening to a lecture on playing piano. / Practicing playing piano.

What is the best way to learn how to play baseball? / Studying a book on baseball. / Listening to a lecture on how to play baseball. / Playing baseball / Studying a book on baseball. / Listening to a lecture on how to play baseball. / Playing baseball

Unfortunately, science is a complex subject / It does require learning a lot of facts / Remember science last year? / What you get in school (from 1st grade to 4th year of college) is a recitation of what science has found out. / In essence, you learn the history of science. / It does require learning a lot of facts / Remember science last year? / What you get in school (from 1st grade to 4th year of college) is a recitation of what science has found out. / In essence, you learn the history of science.

Facts important, but not the whole story / Memorizing facts is only a small part of science

By actually “doing science” / You will experience what real science is about. / Truly, know if you like science or not. / You will experience what real science is about. / Truly, know if you like science or not.

Hopefully, you will come to appreciate the: / Beauty / Excitement / Fun / Creativity Of the scientific enterprise / Beauty / Excitement / Fun / Creativity Of the scientific enterprise

Hopefully, by actually “doing science” / You will learn the discoveries of science (the facts) as a by product of your activities / You will see how these facts are applied to real life situations / Thus facts will have a greater depth of meaning and relevance / You will learn the discoveries of science (the facts) as a by product of your activities / You will see how these facts are applied to real life situations / Thus facts will have a greater depth of meaning and relevance

Hopefully, you will also learn that science is a “people” activity / It depends on people trying to persuade one another that they’re right and the other “guy” is wrong.

Hopefully, you will see that science requires: / Practice / Creativity / Intellect / Persuasive ability / Writing skills / Social skills / Much more / Practice / Creativity / Intellect / Persuasive ability / Writing skills / Social skills / Much more

The goals of this course is: / To learn the basic principles of molecular genetics / Learn how science operates / To learn the basic principles of molecular genetics / Learn how science operates

The course involves two yearlong research projects / Waksman Project-Molecular genetics project that all students are involved in. / Independent Project-Each student or group of two students design and perform their own research project. / Waksman Project-Molecular genetics project that all students are involved in. / Independent Project-Each student or group of two students design and perform their own research project.