Nsf Ccli: A Problem Based Microfluidics Laboratory Course For Undergraduates

In the past decade, microfabrication (MEMS) and behavior of fluids on the microscale (microfluidics) have transformed many areas of engineering and applied sciences. Yet little has been done to transfer the microfluidics research to the undergraduate curricula. To address this need, using support from a NSF CCLI award we are developing a new undergraduate laboratory course at the University of Cincinnati to introduce students to microfluidics and biochip development. The iterative nature of the course directly addresses several components of undergraduate STEM education and follows the cyclic model for knowledge generation and improvement. To assess educational impact of the course, both short-term outcomes, such as individual laboratory experiences, and long-term outcomes, such as increased student knowledge, are used. The initial success of our course is encouraging, and suggests that the developed format can be disseminated to other universities.