The Biology Department is improving the quality of its undergraduate education in the areas of physiology and microbiology through the acquisition of several pieces of equipment. A microcomputer linked to a microplate reader and a diode array spectrophotometer involve students in interactive exercises across a variety of organ systems and metabolic processes. The microplate reader and accessories provide students with exposure to diagnostic procedures including monitoring of hormone levels, detection of infectious agents in situ and determination of levels of specific antibodies. The diode array spectrophotometer allows students to perform kinetic studies on enzymes, measure the oxidation-reduction spectrum of hemoglobin, and determine the concentration of cytochromes in respiratory cells. The combination of experience in these diagnostic and biochemical methodologies and computer simulations in the physiology and microbiology courses gives the students the necessary foundation to excel in a variety of biological careers. The university will contribute an amount equal to the award.
