Students will be introduced to the field of bioinformatics and learn how to use the tools and techniques used by researchers to analyze genetic information. A major portion of the course will consist of project-based learning, utilizing data from BIO 1400FYW Introduction to Biological Inquiry where students isolate a virus that infects bacteria, isolate genomic DNA from the virus and then have the DNA sequenced. During this course, students will take the DNA sequence data and analyze the sequence using bioinformatic techniques that will help to identify the genes that comprise the virus. Finally, students will prepare a poster presentation and share their findings.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1400FYW Introduction to Biological Inquiry or permission from instructor.
BIO 1400FYW Introduction to Biological Inquiry (4 hours)
This course is designed for biology majors and replaces traditional introductory biology courses. The overarching goal is to introduce students to collegiate biology by teaching them how to carry out scientific research. Across all sections of this course, students will pose scientific questions, design and critique experiments, run those experiments, evaluate experimental outcomes, and communicate those outcomes. Within this framework of investigative inquiry, students will learn introductory content that will not only be meaningful for the current course, but will allow for a smoother transition to their sophomore year. Content areas include ecology, genetics, evolution, biodiversity, reproduction, development, and cellular/molecular mechanisms.
Course fluidly transitions between lecture and lab with an equivalency to 3 lecture hours and 3 laboratory hours per week. No P/F.
Pre or corequisite(s): CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I ; or prerequisite of CHEM 1100 Prep Chemistry.
(Multiple sections normally offered each semester.)
Archway Curriculum: First-Year Curriculum: First-Year Writing
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Scientific Investigations: Natural Science Laboratory
