Natural Science 0235 - Methods in Molecular Biology

This introductory course will explore the process of doing scientific research in a molecular biology lab. Students will learn numerous techniques in the lab, including DNA isolation, PCR, gel electrophoresis, restriction enzyme mapping, cloning, and basic microscopy. Additionally, we will investigate the historical and conceptual aspects of these approaches. Students will engage in semester-long research projects where they design and carryout experiments, collect and analyze data, and report their conclusions in written and oral formats. This course is intended for students with little or no experience in a molecular biology lab, and it will prepare students for more advanced molecular lab courses and training.

Independent Work Quantitative Skills Writing and Research To be successful in this course, students must typically put an additional 10-12 hours per week in the laboratory outside of class time.