BIOL 310 - Genetic Research in C. Elegans

(4 credits)
Prerequisite: BIOL 121 and BIOL 123
This intensive lab course will provide students with an authentic Research Experience (RE) that engages the whole classroom in discovery-based research that is of interest to the scientific community. Students will develop their own hypothesis-driven research question with a focus on genetics and molecular biology, directing research that no one knows the answer to yet. After the initial weeks to establish a strong foundation of understanding of C. elegans biology and how they can be used in scientific discovery, students will begin the hands-on experience at the bench to collect preliminary data to identify their research question. The remainder of the semester will be spent executing their proposed experiments to test their hypothesis and present their findings. Successful completion of this course is necessary to continue research using C. elegans in future semesters. Offered fall semester. (CWRM)