BS 171L

BS 171L

Design – What would a biologist do? That is the theme upon which BS171 exercises and content are based. The design of the BS171 cell and molecular biology laboratory course is to try to recreate, as best we can in our classroom setting, a true research laboratory experience. BS171 exercise modules are couched within the framework of using the Scientific Method.  To prepare, students are first introduced to a set of laboratory techniques and relevant background science. Then, armed with these research tools and skills, students will be asked to use their knowledge creatively while working on their team's research project. After proper analysis of their data, students “report” their findings in some of the same ways that professional biologists report their research, through lab notebooks, and presentations.  

After successfully completing this course, students will be able to: 

• Apply experimental design as part of the scientific process of investigation to test a team-based research question.  
• Collect data using appropriate tools, techniques, and methods and accurately record all experimental information in a laboratory notebook. 
• Apply mathematics to conducting experiments and data analysis. 
• Analyze and interpret phenotype or genotype data using biological concepts and predictions. 
• Support claims using evidence and reasoning based on the relationship between genotype and phenotype in the context of genetic information flow (DNA to mRNA to protein). 
• Effectively present data to communicate key findings. 
• Find, summarize, and cite key findings from scientific literature to support research relevance and experimental design. 
• Effectively communicate the Relevance, Objective, Approach, and Response (outcome) of scientific research in various formats.