Introduction to Molecular Biology is being offered to 24 faculty members to improve the level of undergraduate molecular biology instruction. Participants receive up-to-date information, hands-on training in scientific methods, continued support to facilitate the incorporation of information into undergraduate courses and an opportunity to conduct research. The discipline of molecular biology is at the forefront of medical research, in agricultural production and in solving criminal investigations. However, undergraduate faculty at community colleges are unable to disseminate the most current information and laboratory techniques to their students because they have had little direct discipline renewal, and cannot keep abreast with the rapid advances in this vital field. An intensive one-week lecture/laboratory course in molecular biology is addressing this problem with on-site follow-up support at targeted institutions and opportunities for research internships. The project is being evaluated through a combination of pre- and post tests, participant surveys and reports provided for on-site visits and internships.
