An introductory, multidisciplinary lecture–laboratory course linked with a summer
research experience has been established to provide undergraduate
biology and chemistry majors with the skills needed to be successful
in the research laboratory. This three-credit hour course was focused
on laboratory skills and was designed to reinforce and develop the
students’ laboratory techniques and problem-solving skills,
as well as to give encouragement to participate in a summer research
project. This skills course consisted of a lecture section with team-based
laboratory rotations of five-weeks each. Most students in the rotations
had the opportunity to work in both biology and chemistry laboratories.
The skills course culminated in several students being chosen to continue
research in the summer with a research stipend while under the direction
of one of the faculty mentors. The summer research projects were all
collaborative efforts between chemists and biologists. Data are provided
from voluntary entrance and exit student surveys to determine students’
overall skill levels and interests before and after completion of
the skills course. This course was valuable in encouraging students
to become involved in and committed to research, for teaching them
laboratory techniques, and for helping them evolve into independent
researchers.
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