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A low‐cost, in silico nutritional genomics course‐based undergraduate research experience applicable to multiple disciplines
Author(s) -
Good Deborah J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
biochemistry and molecular biology education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1539-3429
pISSN - 1470-8175
DOI - 10.1002/bmb.21352
Subject(s) - syllabus , medical education , class (philosophy) , test (biology) , course (navigation) , in silico , psychology , course evaluation , mathematics education , higher education , computer science , medicine , biology , genetics , engineering , artificial intelligence , gene , aerospace engineering , paleontology , law , political science
Abstract This article describes the development and assessment of a Nutritional Genomics course, designed to be held in a regular classroom during normal class periods, with few extra costs to the student s or the department. The course was run as an upper‐level undergraduate and lower‐level graduate student course. Student taking the course spent 11 weeks learning and then 4 weeks using various in silico methods to independently characterize genes of interest in the field. During the last 4 weeks of the course, students combined their methods to test a hypothesis they generated about a gene they have not yet studied and completed a final report in the form of a journal article. Two students have published or are in the process of publishing work from their final project. Validated surveys of genetic knowledge given at least 6 months following the course indicated a very high level of genetic knowledge retainment, and favorable attitudes toward genetics testing and medical use of genetics. Finally, self‐perceived critical thinking skills were high, and students indicated that they perceived these skills to be gained by their participation in the course. Materials and syllabus provided in the manuscript makes this CURE easily transferrable to other disciplines.