Within the Biology curriculum a series of experimental laboratories are using molecular approaches to the study of genetic variation and evolution. These laboratories give the students an opportunity to perform experimental techniques and ask theoretical questions about material they formerly learned mainly through lectures of dry-labs. The laboratories improve the teaching of evolutionary concepts, broaden the exposure to molecular techniques of both majors and non-majors and finally, prepare undergraduates for research projects that use molecular approaches to understanding evolutionary questions. Targeted courses include the General Biology Introductory course for majors, a non-majors Life Science course, and the Evolution course. Investigative topics include evolution of genomes, DNA fingerprinting, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, phylogenetic analyses, advanced population genetics, plastid DNA variation and divergence. The non-majors Life Science Course is crucial in the science training of elementary and middle school education majors. Improvements in this course correspond to changes in the elementary and middle school teacher preparation curriculum supported by a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Partnerships Advancing the Learning of Mathematics and Science, (PALMS) to restructure the college's teacher preparation program in mathematics, science and technology education.
