9354755 Wrigley This project will restructure the general microbiology course to an investigative format in which students use hypotheses as a springboard for further, more specialized study. To accomplish this task the course will be constructed around topic modules that incorporate investigative laboratory activities. Also, students will be taught to design and perform simple experiments to support or disprove a given hypothesis and to form hypotheses from their own observations. Over the course of the project, faculty will expand piloted materials and further restructure the existing course, using small group techniques, investigative experiments, hypothesis generation and testing, interactive tutorials, and daily laboratory sessions. It is expected that this project will be a more effective learning experience for all general microbiology students; a more relevant focus for undergraduates in programs such as nursing, environmental biology, and microbiology; and a significant pedagogical model for science education majors. ***y
