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Discovery Poster Project
Learning ObjectivesStudents will be able to:- identify and learn about a scientific research discovery of interest to them using popular press articles and the primary literature
- find a group on campus doing research that aligns with their interests and communicate with the faculty leader of that group
- create and present a poster that synthesizes their knowledge of the research beyond the discovery
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Teaching epidemiology and principles of infectious disease using popular media and the case of Typhoid Mary
Learning ObjectivesStudents will be able to:- Describe the reservoirs of infection in humans.
- Distinguish portals of entry and exit.
- Describe how each of the following contributes to bacterial virulence: adhesins, extracellular enzymes, toxins, and antiphagocytic factors.
- Define and distinguish etiology and epidemiology.
- Describe the five typical stages of infectious disease and depict the stages in graphical form.
- Contrast contact, vehicle and vector transmission, biological and mechanical vectors and identify the mode of transmission in a given scenario.
- Differentiate endemic, sporadic, epidemic, and pandemic disease.
- Distinguish descriptive, analytical, and experimental epidemiology.
- Compare and contrast social, economic, and cultural factors impacting health care in the early 1900s and today.
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A new approach to course-based research using a hermit crab-hydrozoan symbiosis
Learning ObjectivesStudents will be able to:- define different types of symbiotic interactions, with specific examples.
- summarize and critically evaluate contemporary primary literature relevant to ecological symbioses, in particular that between hermit crabs and Hydractinia spp.
- articulate a question, based on observations of a natural phenomenon (in this example, the hermit crab-Hydractinia interaction).
- articulate a testable hypothesis, based on their own observations and read of the literature.
- design appropriate experimental or observational studies to address their hypotheses.
- collect and interpret data in light of their hypotheses.
- problem-solve and troubleshoot issues that arise during their experiment.
- communicate scientific results, both orally and in written form.
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A CURE-based approach to teaching genomics using mitochondrial genomes
Learning Objectives- Install the appropriate programs such as Putty and WinSCP.
- Navigate NCBI's website including their different BLAST programs (e.g., blastn, tblastx, blastp and blastx)
- Use command-line BLAST to identify mitochondrial contigs within a whole genome assembly
- Filter the desired sequence (using grep) and move the assembled mitochondrial genome onto your own computer (using FTP or SCP)
- Error-correct contigs (bwa mem, samtools tview), connect and circularize organellar contigs (extending from filtered reads)
- Transform assembled sequences into annotated genomes
- Orient to canonical start locations in the mitochondrial genome (cox1)
- Identify the boundaries of all coding components of the mitochondrial genome using BLAST, including: Protein coding genes (BLASTx and tBLASTX), tRNAs (proprietary programs such as tRNAscan), rRNAs (BLASTn, Chlorobox), ORFs (NCBI's ORFFinder)
- Deposit annotation onto genome repository (NCBI)
- Update CV/resume to reflect bioinformatics skills learned in this lesson
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The ACTN3 Polymorphism: Applications in Genetics and Physiology Teaching Laboratories
Learning Objectives- Test hypotheses related to the role of ACTN3 in skeletal muscle function.
- Explain how polymorphic variants of the ACTN3 gene affect protein structure and function.
- List and explain the differences between fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fibers.
- List and explain possible roles of the ACTN3 protein in skeletal muscle function.
- Find and analyze relevant scientific publications about the relationship between ACTN3 genotype and muscle function.
- Formulate hypotheses related to the relationship between ACTN3 genotype and skeletal muscle function.
- Design experiments to test hypotheses about the role of ACTN3 in skeletal muscle function.
- Statistically analyze experimental results using relevant software.
- Present experimental results in writing.
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Does it pose a threat? Investigating the impact of Bt corn on monarch butterflies
Learning ObjectivesStudents will be able to:- Apply genetics concepts to a relevant case study of Bt corn and monarch butterflies
- Read figures and text from primary literature
- Identify claims presented in scientific studies
- Evaluate data presented in scientific studies
- Critically reason using data
- Evaluate the consequences of GM technology on non-target organisms
- Communicate scientific data orally
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Casting a Wide Net via Case Studies: Educating across the undergraduate to medical school continuum in the biological...
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this lesson, the student should be able to:- Consider the potential advantages and disadvantages of widespread use of whole genome sequencing and direct-to-consumer genetic testing.
- Explore the critical need to maintain privacy of individual genetic test results to protect patient interests.
- Dissect the nuances of reporting whole genome sequencing results.
- Recognize the economic ramifications of precision medicine strategies.
- Formulate a deeper understanding of the ethical dimensions of emerging genetic testing technologies.
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Using Synthetic Biology and pClone Red for Authentic Research on Promoter Function: Introductory Biology (identifying...
Learning Objectives- Describe how cells can produce proteins at the right time and correct amount.
- Diagram how a repressor works to reduce transcription.
- Diagram how an activator works to increase transcription.
- Identify a new promoter from literature and design a method to clone it and test its function.
- Successfully and safely manipulate DNA and Escherichia coli for ligation and transformation experiments.
- Design an experiment to verify a new promoter has been cloned into a destination vector.
- Design an experiment to measure the strength of a promoter.
- Analyze data showing reporter protein produced and use the data to assess promoter strength.
- Define type IIs restriction enzymes.
- Distinguish between type II and type IIs restriction enzymes.
- Explain how Golden Gate Assembly (GGA) works.
- Measure the relative strength of a promoter compared to a standard promoter.
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Tackling "Big Data" with Biology Undergrads: A Simple RNA-seq Data Analysis Tutorial Using Galaxy
Learning Objectives- Students will locate and download high-throughput sequence data and genome annotation files from publically available data repositories.
- Students will use Galaxy to create an automated computational workflow that performs sequence quality assessment, trimming, and mapping of RNA-seq data.
- Students will analyze and interpret the outputs of RNA-seq analysis programs.
- Students will identify a group of genes that is differentially expressed between treatment and control samples, and interpret the biological significance of this list of differentially expressed genes.
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Infectious Chocolate Joy with a Side of Poissonian Statistics: An activity connecting life science students with subtle...
Learning Objectives- Students will define a Poisson distribution.
- Students will generate a data set on the probability of a T cell being infected with a virus(es).
- Students will predict the likelihood of one observing the mean value of viruses occurring.
- Students will evaluate the outcomes of a random process.
- Students will hypothesize whether a process is Poissonian and design a test for that hypothesis.
- Students will collect data and create a histogram from their data.
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Using Undergraduate Molecular Biology Labs to Discover Targets of miRNAs in Humans
Learning Objectives- Use biological databases to generate and compare lists of predicted miR targets, and obtain the mRNA sequence of their selected candidate gene
- Use bioinformatics tools to design and optimize primer sets for qPCR
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Exploring the March to Mars Using 3D Print Models
Learning Objectives- Students will be able to describe the major aspects of the Mars Curiosity Rover missions.
- Students will be able to synthesize information learned from a classroom jigsaw activity on the Mars Curiosity Rover missions.
- Students will be able to work in teams to plan a future manned mission to Mars.
- Students will be able to summarize their reports to the class.
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Forensic Phylogenetics: Implementing Tree-thinking in a Court of Law
Learning Objectives- Students will be able to infer the topological and temporal relationships expected in an evolutionary tree (phylogeny) of a pathogen in the case of transmission from one host to the next.
- Students will be able to draw trees representing the transmission events from one host (patient zero) to multiple secondary patients.
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Translating Co-Translational Translocation
Learning ObjectivesStudents will be able to:- list the steps of co-translational translocation in the correct order.
- describe the key functions of molecules involved in co-translational translocation.
- predict the outcome of co-translational translocation if one of the components is missing.
- identify the characteristics of N-terminal ER signal sequences and internal ER signal sequences.
- predict or interpret the results of a protease protection assay used to assess co-translational translocation or transmembrane protein topology.
- predict the topology of a co-translationally translocated protein when given a description of the ER signal sequence or predict the type of ER signal sequence encoded by the mRNA-based protein topology.
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Understanding Protein Domains: A Modular Approach
Learning Objectives- Students will be able to compare protein sequences and identify conserved regions and putative domains.
- Students will be able to obtain, examine, and compare structural models of protein domains.
- Students will be able to interpret data on protein interactions (in vitro pull-down and in vitro and in vivo functional assays)
- Students will be able to propose experiments to test protein interactions.
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Promoting Climate Change Literacy for Non-majors: Implementation of an atmospheric carbon dioxide modeling activity as...
Learning Objectives- Students will be able to manipulate and produce data and graphs.
- Students will be able to design a simple mathematical model of atmospheric CO2 that can be used to make predictions.
- Students will be able to conduct simulations, analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions about atmospheric CO2 levels from their own computer generated simulated data.
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Air Quality Data Mining: Mining the US EPA AirData website for student-led evaluation of air quality issues
Learning ObjectivesStudents will be able to:- Describe various parameters of air quality that can negatively impact human health, list priority air pollutants, and interpret the EPA Air Quality Index as it relates to human health.
- Identify an air quality problem that varies on spatial and/or temporal scales that can be addressed using publicly available U.S. EPA air data.
- Collect appropriate U.S. EPA Airdata information needed to answer that/those questions, using the U.S. EPA Airdata website data mining tools.
- Analyze the data as needed to address or answer their question(s).
- Interpret data and draw conclusions regarding air quality levels and/or impacts on human and public health.
- Communicate results in the form of a scientific paper.
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Quantifying and Visualizing Campus Tree Phenology
Learning ObjectivesThe Learning Objectives of this lesson span across the entire semester.- Observe and collect information on phenological changes in local trees.
- Become familiar with a database and how to work with large datasets.
- Analyze and visualize data from the database to test their hypotheses and questions.
- Develop a research proposal including empirically-driven questions and hypotheses.
- Synthesize the results of their analysis in the context of plant biodiversity and local environmental conditions.
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A simple way for students to visualize cellular respiration: adapting the board game MousetrapTM to model complexity
Learning Objectives- Students will be able to describe the three stages of cellular respiration.
- Students will be able to identify the reactants entering and the products formed during each stage of cellular respiration.
- Students will be able to explain how chemical energy in carbohydrates is transferred to ATP through the stages of cellular respiration.
- Students will be able to explain the effects of compartmentalization of cellular respiration reactions in different cellular spaces.
- Students will be able to predict biological outcomes when a specific stage(s) of cellular respiration is altered.
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Discovering Prokaryotic Gene Regulation with Simulations of the trp Operon
Learning ObjectivesStudents will be able to:- Perturb and interpret simulations of the trp operon.
- Define how simulation results relate to cellular events.
- Describe the biological role of the trp operon.
- Describe cellular mechanisms regulating the trp operon.
- Explain mechanistically how changes in the extracellular environment affect the trp operon.
- Define the impact of mutations on trp operon expression and regulation.
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Building a Model of Tumorigenesis: A small group activity for a cancer biology/cell biology course
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of the activity, students will be able to:- Analyze data from a retrospective clinical study uncovering genetic alterations in colorectal cancer.
- Draw conclusions about human tumorigenesis using data from a retrospective clinical study.
- Present scientific data in an appropriate and accurate way.
- Discuss why modeling is an important practice of science.
- Create a simple model of the genetic changes associated with a particular human cancer.
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A first lesson in mathematical modeling for biologists: Rocs
Learning Objectives- Systematically develop a functioning, discrete, single-species model of an exponentially-growing or -declining population.
- Use the model to recommend appropriate action for population management.
- Communicate model output and recommendations to non-expert audiences.
- Generate a collaborative work product that most individuals could not generate on their own, given time and resource constraints.
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BioMap Degree Plan: A project to guide students in exploring, defining, and building a plan to achieve career goals
Learning ObjectivesStudents will be able to...- Identify their values and interests.
- Identify careers that align with their values and interests.
- Identify academic programs and co-curricular experiences that will prepare them for a career.
- Create the first draft of a BioMap Degree Plan to support achievement of their career goals.
- Articulate how their undergraduate academic experience will prepare them for their future career.
- Use professional communication skills
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The Science Behind the ACTN3 Polymorphism
Learning ObjectivesThis article accompanies the lesson "The ACTN3 Polymorphism: Applications in Genetics and Physiology Teaching Laboratories." Learning objectives for the lesson include:- Test hypotheses related to the role of ACTN3 in skeletal muscle function.
- Explain how polymorphic variants of the ACTN3 gene affect protein structure and function.
- List and explain the differences between fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fibers.
- List and explain possible roles of the ACTN3 protein in skeletal muscle function.
- Find and analyze relevant scientific publications about the relationship between ACTN3 genotype and muscle function.
- Formulate hypotheses related to the relationship between ACTN3 genotype and skeletal muscle function.
- Design experiments to test hypotheses about the role of ACTN3 in skeletal muscle function.
- Statistically analyze experimental results using relevant software.
- Present experimental results in writing.
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It's a bird! It's a plane! It's biomechanics!
Learning ObjectivesStudents will be able to:- identify and define forces that act on an object in flight.
- understand the definition of Newton’s third law of motion, which states that with every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, and apply this principle to explain pressure differences and lift generation.
- generate hypotheses about animal flight efficiency based on examining morphology (anatomy).
- generate hypotheses correlating wing size and performance during flight.
- apply their understanding of wing designs and wing relationships to total mass.
- compare flight principles among animals to understand the co-evolution in several animal groups.
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What do Bone and Silly Putty® have in Common?: A Lesson on Bone Viscoelasticity
Learning Objectives- Students will be able to explain how the anatomical structure of long bones relates to their function.
- Students will be able to define viscoelasticity, hysteresis, anisotropy, stiffness, strength, ductility, and toughness.
- Students will be able to identify the elastic and plastic regions of a stress-strain curve. They will be able to correlate each phase of the stress-strain curve with physical changes to bone.
- Students will be able to predict how a bone would respond to changes in the magnitude of an applied force, and to variations in the speed or angle at which a force is applied.
- Students will be able to determine the reason(s) why bone injuries occur more frequently during athletic events than during normal everyday use.
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Modeling the Research Process: Authentic human physiology research in a large non-majors course
Learning ObjectivesStudents will be able to:- Read current scientific literature
- Formulate testable hypotheses
- Design an experimental procedure to test their hypothesis
- Make scientific observations
- Analyze and interpret data
- Communicate results visually and orally
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Why do Some People Inherit a Predisposition to Cancer? A small group activity on cancer genetics
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this activity, we expect students will be able to:- Use family pedigrees and additional genetic information to determine inheritance patterns for hereditary forms of cancer
- Explain why a person with or without cancer can pass on a mutant allele to the next generation and how that impacts probability calculations
- Distinguish between proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes
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Differential Gene Expression during Xenopus laevis Development
Learning ObjectivesStudents will be able to:- identify different stages of Xenopus development
- contrast the strengths and limitations of the Xenopus model organism
- explain the process and purpose of in situ hybridization
- compare gene expression patterns from different germ layers or organ domains
- compare gene expression patterns from different developmental stages
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Out of Your Seat and on Your Feet! An adaptable course-based research project in plant ecology for advanced students
Learning ObjectivesStudents will:- Articulate testable hypotheses. (Lab 8, final presentation/paper, in-class exercises)
- Analyze data to determine the level of support for articulated hypotheses. (Labs 4-7, final presentation/paper)
- Identify multiple species of plants in the field quickly and accurately. (Labs 2-3, field trip)
- Measure environmental variables and sample vegetation in the field. (Labs 2-3, field trip)
- Analyze soil samples using a variety of low-tech lab techniques. (Open labs after field trip)
- Use multiple statistical techniques to analyze data for patterns. (Labs 4-8, final presentation/paper)
- Interpret statistical analyses to distinguish between strong and weak interactions in a biological system. (Labs 4-7, final presentation/paper)
- Develop and present a conference-style presentation in a public forum. (Lab 8, final presentation/paper)
- Write a publication-ready research paper communicating findings and displaying data. (Lab 8, final presentation/paper)
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Meiosis: A Play in Three Acts, Starring DNA Sequence
Learning Objectives- Students will be able to identify sister chromatids and homologous chromosomes at different stages of meiosis.
- Students will be able to identify haploid and diploid cells, whether or not the chromosomes are replicated.
- Students will be able to explain why homologous chromosomes must pair during meiosis.
- Students will be able to relate DNA sequence similarity to chromosomal structures.
- Students will be able to identify crossing over as the key to proper pairing of homologous chromosomes during meiosis.
- Students will be able to predict the outcomes of meiosis for a particular individual or cell.
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GMC: Genes, Mutations and Cancer - Group Concept Map Development
Learning ObjectivesStudents will be able to- describe the roles of oncogenes, proto-oncogenes, and tumor suppressors in cancer progression.
- determine the relationships between the types of mutations that can regulate cell division or contribute to cancer formation.
- identify potential cancer treatment strategies that could target the gene mutations including oncogenes and non-functional tumor suppressor genes.