Applied Research in Biology II

Catalog description

This lecture/lab course will focus on preparing students to conduct group research projects in a biology-based laboratory setting. The lecture part of the course will provide students the opportunity to learn how to define a research question, formulate a relevant hypothesis, search the literature to gather information related to their research question and hypothesis, analyze scientific literature, prepare a research proposal, analyze and present data, and write a lab report. The research proposal will describe the background, methods, and predicted results of the research they will be conducting in the lab part of the course. The lab portion of the course will teach students biological laboratory skills and techniques that they will use when conducting their research project, including but not limited to genetic analysis techniques, microbiological techniques, preparation of solutions, pipetting, using instrumentation, and lab safety. A significant part of the lab experience will be focused on data collection related to student research projects. Research topics may vary each semester. Students that have completed Biology 280 and would like another research experience will enroll in this course.