This project will make possible interactive, process-oriented laboratory instruction throughout the biology curriculum. Experiments will emphasize observation, measurement, organization and analysis of data, and hypothesis formulation and testing. Students will employ electrophoresis, spectrophotometry, and centrifugation to investigate topics in biotechnology and molecular biology, genetics, and environmental biology. Students will use networked Macintosh workstations to and computer-based instrumentation to investigate a variety of physiological conditions, as well as to process and graph data. The new laboratory environment will foster scientific inquiry and will help students develop critical thinking skills. Students also will use computer-based post laboratory simulations to reinforce lecture and laboratory activities. As well, computer augmented instruction will afford a flexibility to better meet the needs of our single and working parents. Faculty will use the Macintosh server as a workstation to develop simulations supporting laboratory materials. Published reports and presentations on the results of this project will stimulate other community colleges to lab investigations modeled on those from this project.
