Integrating Mathematics into the Introductory Biology Laboratory Course

PRIMUS ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
James D. White ◽  
Jenna P. Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
Introductory Biology ◽  
Laboratory Course ◽  
Biology Laboratory

scholarly journals Implementation of a Project-Based Molecular Biology Laboratory Emphasizing Protein Structure–Function Relationships in a Large Introductory Biology Laboratory Course

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Treacy ◽  
Saumya M. Sankaran ◽  
Susannah Gordon-Messer ◽  
Danielle Saly ◽  
Rebecca Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Biology ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Lens Protein ◽  
Introductory Biology ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Laboratory Course ◽  
Laboratory Courses ◽  
Eye Lens Protein ◽  
Biology Laboratory

In introductory laboratory courses, many universities are turning from traditional laboratories with predictable outcomes to inquiry-inspired, project-based laboratory curricula. In these labs, students are allowed to design at least some portion of their own experiment and interpret new, undiscovered data. We have redesigned the introductory biology laboratory course at Brandeis University into a semester-long project-based laboratory that emphasizes concepts and contains an element of scientific inquiry. In this laboratory, students perform a site-directed mutagenesis experiment on the gene encoding human γD crystallin, a human eye lens protein implicated in cataracts, and assess the stability of their newly created protein with respect to wild-type crystallin. This laboratory utilizes basic techniques in molecular biology to emphasize the importance of connections between DNA and protein. This project lab has helped engage students in their own learning, has improved students’ skills in critical thinking and analysis, and has promoted interest in basic research in biology.

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