New Course Spring 2008: Biology 216RN: Introduction to Research in Molecular Biology

Introduction to research methodologies and techniques used in modern biological science research. This laboratory course will focus on wet-lab techniques including DNA purification and analysis, gene library screening and PCR, and cover modes of computer based analysis.

BIOLOGY 213, 214, 215 HHMI Undergraduate Biology Program Courses

The courses are taught by a team of six faculty who meet weekly to discuss issues associated with the courses and ensure continuity in course format and philosophy across the series.

BIOL 213-215 Quick facts

• Textbook: Biological Science by Scott Freeman
• Prerequisites: Chemistry and Statistics for each course. Courses are not prerequisites for each other, although the recommended sequence is 213, 214, 215.
• Labs: 3 hour labs consisting of 2 week modules. The labs are inquiry-based and teach students to understand the research process and design experiments by presenting them with a question and variety of tools. Students are asked to develop a hypothesis and experiment to answer the question. Each course starts with a one-week lab exercise reviewing (or introducing) this process. Labs have been designed and written by the instructors in the courses and emphasize the scientific method.
• Math: Statistics is a prerequisite for all courses. Statistics is emphasized in the lab and lectures of the courses. In the labs students collect and analyze data. In lecture, graphs and equations are used to describe the material as appropriate.

The overall theme of the BIOL 213, 214, 215 series is "Thinking like a Scientist" specific goals are:

Lab and lecture activities are designed to promote achievement of these goals and active student learning.

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