Open AccessProject-based learning course on metabolic network modelling in computational systems biology
Author(s) -
Thomas Sauter,
Tamara Jean Rita Bintener,
Ali Kishk,
Luana Presta,
Tessy Prohaska,
D Guignard,
Ni Zeng,
Claudia Cipriani,
S. Hasan Arshad,
Thomas Pfau,
Patricia Martins Conde,
Maria Pires Pacheco
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
plos computational biology/plos computational biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.628
H-Index - 182
eISSN - 1553-7358
pISSN - 1553-734X
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009711
Subject(s) - presentation (obstetrics) , schedule , computer science , course (navigation) , mathematics education , project based learning , metabolic network , psychology , biology , bioinformatics , engineering , medicine , radiology , aerospace engineering , operating system
Project-based learning (PBL) is a dynamic student-centred teaching method that encourages students to solve real-life problems while fostering engagement and critical thinking. Here, we report on a PBL course on metabolic network modelling that has been running for several years within the Master in Integrated Systems Biology (MISB) at the University of Luxembourg. This 2-week full-time block course comprises an introduction into the core concepts and methods of constraint-based modelling (CBM), applied to toy models and large-scale networks alongside the preparation of individual student projects in week 1 and, in week 2, the presentation and execution of these projects. We describe in detail the schedule and content of the course, exemplary student projects, and reflect on outcomes and lessons learned. PBL requires the full engagement of students and teachers and gives a rewarding teaching experience. The presented course can serve as a role model and inspiration for other similar courses.