(1826.pdf) PROJECT-BASED EXPERIENTIAL LABORATORY SCIENCE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY: A THREE-SEMESTER COURSE SEQUENCE IN AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

摘要

A University/Industry undergraduate project based training experience has been created as amodel program to provide students real-world training and laboratory skills in AgriculturalBiotechnology. This course sequence includes a general undergraduate course on biotechnology,followed by a two semester training course and an experiential internship. This sequence providesinquiry-driven experiential laboratory learning enhanced opportunities in biotechnology at theUniversity of Rhode Island. The General Undergraduate course is called Issues in Biotechnologywhich provides a broad general introduction to biotechnology fields. This course is also nowavailable online (see also lifeedu.us). The training part of the program was initiated in 2010 incollaboration with Plant Advancements Inc., the USDA, CIAT, Yale University and the University ofRhode Island and established to extend the student's laboratory course experience throughtraining in various techniques in plant tissue and cell culture, gene transfer, and molecular andphenotypic analysis of transgenic plants in an industrial setting. The model for this program isproject-based and challenges students not only to accomplish project objectives, but also toparticipate in relevant research in the plant nutritional enhancement, bioenergy industry with thepossibility of published results. The projects are embedded in ongoing research involved with thedevelopment and analysis of transgenic plants for crop improvement. Students are welcome totake part in the lectures, tours and seminars provided by the collaborators to supplement theircurriculum requirements. In addition, to the academic and laboratory skills, the program provideswritten and verbal communication development through team coordination and leadership training.The experience attained from the program provides technical learning and critical thinking skillsessential for developing scientists. This internship programs provide the environment for youngscientists in a variety of disciplines including plant biology, bioenergy, genomics, plant breedingand genetic modification of plants to explore career potentials of biotechnology. The AgriculturalBiotechnology Undergraduate Intern Program has been well received by students, many of whomhave been placed in industry positions or have pursued graduate studies after completion. Thisproject based internship provides educational and training opportunities in agriculturalbiotechnology research to undergraduate and graduate students with an emphasis on women andminority recruitment. It is our goal to continue and extend its development. In this unique course,each student receives their own gene construct to introduce and evaluate in transgenic crop plantsof interest. The students learn science by actually doing it; as well as other qualities of goodscientists such as patience, persistence, perseverance, attention to detail, responsibility, andrecord keeping. This approach drives interest in underlying fundamentals through current andadvanced technologies while providing real incentive to burn the midnight oil and learn aboutcareer opportunities.