This award provides funds to the Department of Biochemistry at Colorado State University to develop a modular approach to teaching state-of-the-art undergraduate biochemistry laboratories. Rather than the traditional one semester lecture- oriented lab course, the new curriculum involves a semester-long introductory module that emphasizes hands-on mastery of the fundamental techniques and instrumentation used in present-day biochemical and molecular biological research. Students then progress into three modular courses which apply the fundamental techniques and instruments (Protein Purification and Characterization; Recombinant DNA Technology; Cellular Biochemistry). The basic methods module and three specialized modules will provide undergraduate biochemistry majors and other molecularly-oriented bioscience majors with a strong laboratory background that will enhance their competitiveness and productivity. The equipment purchased through this award will also be used in a thoroughly revised and updated lab course for non-majors that services about 250 students per year. Acquisition of state-of-the-art instrumentation will not only permit installation of the new modular curriculum, it will also be crucial in designing and instituting the laboratory portions of a Secondary School Science Teacher Workshop that is currently planned. The grantee is matching this award with non-Federal sources.
