Discover Hopkins Health Studies: Introduction to Laboratory Research
AS.020.120
Instructor: Jaime Sorenson
UTL 274
216-789-8687
Course Description:
Every day, scientists in laboratories are performing basic research experiments that advance our understanding of the world in which we live. In this course, you will gain hands-on experience and learn the theory behind a variety of experimental techniques commonly used in biomedical research laboratories. By cloning a universally important gene from a plant of your choice and analyzing its DNA sequence, you will learn techniques ranging from genomic DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), bioinformatics, and how to construct an evolutionary tree. You will also visit a research institute to learn more about potential careers as a scientist and become familiar with reading and understanding science-related articles.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1) Explain the theory behind several molecular and cell biology laboratory techniques.
2) Perform and evaluate a variety of laboratory techniques and their role biological and biomedical research.
3) Analyze and explain research currently being performed in biomedical laboratories.
Student Evaluation:
Final grades will be assigned based upon performance in the following areas:
(100-90% = A; 89-80% = B; 79-70% = C; 69-60% = D; <60% = F; plusses and minuses will also be used)
Lab Notebook- 20%
Maintaining a proper lab notebook is of utmost importance in a research environment. Students must state their aims, describe their protocol, report data, and explain any conclusions for each experiment.
Class Participation- 15%
Active participation in discussions and experiments is expected.
Homework/Quizzes- 20%
Brief quizzes will take place at the beginning of class covering reading assignments detailing that day’s lab work.
Final Presentation and paper- 25%
Students will be required to give a short presentation and write a report about a current scientific news topic.
Class Project- 20%
Students will collaborate to construct an evolutionary tree based on the DNA samples obtained from plants collected on their trip to the Clyburn Arboretum.
Attendance
Attendance for each class is mandatory. In the event of illness or family
emergency, please notify the instructor as soon as possible. Any unexcused
absence will lower the final grade by a full letter grade.
Ethics
The strength of the university depends on academic and personal integrity. In this course, you must be honest and truthful. Ethical violations include cheating on exams, plagiarism, reuse of assignments, improper use of the Internet and electronic devises, unauthorized collaboration, alteration of graded assignments, forgery and falsification, lying, facilitating academic dishonesty, and unfair competition. Report any violations you witness to the instructor.
Classroom Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
If you are a student with a documented disability who requires academic accommodations, please contact The Office of Student Disability Services at , call 410-516-4720, or visit 385 Garland Hall.
Course Schedule (subject to change):
Week 1: / Morning Session(9:30-12:00) / Lunch
(12:00-1:00) / Afternoon Session
(1:00 – 4:30)
Monday / Introduction to the course, pipets, and lab safety / Plasmid digestion with restriction enzymes
Tuesday / Gel electrophoresis / Bacterial transformation
Wednesday / Field trip to the Clyburn Arboretum / DNA extraction and PCR of collected samples
Thursday / Gel electrophoresis of PCR samples / Gel extraction
Friday / Sequencing and Introduction to proteins / spectroscopy / Circular Dichroism (CD) to identify proteins
Week 2:
Monday / Introduction to Chlamydomonas and microscopy / Chlamydomonasphototaxis
Tuesday / Introduction to evolution and phylogenetics / Sequencing analysis
Wednesday / Sequencing analysis / Constructing an evolutionary tree / Constructing an evolutionary tree
Thursday / Field Trip to the Carnegie Institute of Embryology
Friday / Final Presentations