This award provides funds to support microcomputer-based instrumentation to modernize the introductory human physiology laboratory program at San Diego State University. The specific equipment includes microcomputer stations equipped with general purpose analog input/output laboratory interfaces and appropriate commercial software for data acquisition and reduction. The equipment will be used for acquisition and display of data in on- line experiments, for interactive graphics simulations of processes which are difficult or impossible to implement in the laboratory, for reduction and analysis of data previously acquired or provided by the instructor, and for software tutorials and instructional supplements dealing with the laboratory experiments and related lecture materials. This project provides several enhancements to the conventional introductory physiology laboratory experience: (1) student focus can be shifted away from monitoring the recording equipment and analyzing manually plotted data, toward a greater understanding of the physiological process under investigation, by utilizing modern data acquisition and reduction methods; (2) interactive animated color graphics simulations offer a self-paced, interactive alternative to conventional laboratory courses, or the need for use of live animals and potentially dangerous reagents; and (3) student comprehension of concepts and principles difficult or impossible to observe directly at the laboratory bench can be enhanced.
