The aim of this project is to provide students the opportunity to practice science as an investigative process. Molecular biology related equipment (microfuge, UV/VIS spectrophotometer, UV photographic work station, repipets and electrophoresis equipment) will be purchased to facilitate addition of a laboratory component to the biology majors one-semester introductory genetics class. A pilot study has been done with a class of 14 students. The class will impact about 120 students/year; approximately 8% minority. The laboratory will include six experiments each emphasizing an inquiry based teaching mode involving the students in decision making processes, emphasizing understanding of techniques and analysis of results. The experiments are: (1) expression of the ci locus in Drosophila melanogaster; (2) isolation and physical properties of eucaryotic DNA; (3) transformation of antibiotic resistance in E. coli; (4) restriction enzymes and DNA mapping; (5) making a recombinant DNA molecule; and (6) pedigree and gene frequency.
