Research in the Teaching Laboratory: Comparison of 1st and 4th year projects

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