Do you love doing research and working in a lab?

Are you interested in a career in molecular biology and/or genomics?

 Here’s your chance to learn more about the ins and outs of scientific research 
and how to 
prepare yourself for a career in molecular biology, biotechnology or genomics.

Please register NOW for Spring 2004…..

Classes will meet spring semester on Wednesdays from 3-5 PM.

Instructor: Dr. Charlie Brummer <cbrummer@iastate.edu>

US 496x (Co-listed with EEOB 496x and GCDB 496x). Seminar Series   
in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
 (2-0) Cr. 2 S. Prereq:Bio 301, 302 and experience in research laboratory recommended.

Investigation of current issues in molecular biology and biotechnology, behind the scenes 
 in a research laboratory, bio ethical issues,reading and analysis of relevant scientific articles. 
Discussions and presentations relating to graduate school and career development in molecular 
biology and biotechnology. Visits to local biotechnology industries, meetings with faculty and 
graduates students.

For more information please contact Adah Leshem-Ackerman: adah@iastate.edu

Working Syllabus

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Seminar Series for Undergraduate Students
Engaged in
Molecular Biology, Genomics or Biotechnology Research

Proposed course number ....: US 496x/EEOB 496x/GCDB 496x
Proposed course title ..........: Behind the scenes in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Genomics
Proposed Number of credits: 2
Proposed contact............... .: Two hours once a week – Spring Semester

Overview
This course is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in molecular biology or biotechnology either in an academic or industrial/technological setting. The seminar series will: (1) provide a brief overview of the scientific developments in the fields of molecular biology and biotechnology over the last 25 years; (2) provide an appreciation for how research is conducted including the formulation of an hypothesis, design of experiments, statistical analysis, reporting results in the form of journal publication, and critical thinking; (3) introduce students to bio ethical issues relating to research in molecular biology and biotechnology; (4) include discussions and presentations relating to graduate school and career development/opportunities in these areas, visits to local biotechnology industries, meetings with faculty and graduates students.

The course will be in the form of a seminar where students will participate in classroom discussions. The grade will be P/F based on classroom participation and short presentations.

Schedule:
Week 1 Introduction: Lead instructor will provide overview of the goals and expectations for the seminar; students will introduce themselves and talk a little about the research they are involved in.

Week 2 Discussion of the history of molecular biology and biotechnology.

Week 3 Discussion of bio ethical issues – student debate.

Week 4 Career development in scientific research. Panel of graduate students to discuss life as a graduate student, how to prepare for grad school, GRE’s, expectations placed on grad students etc.

Week 5 Careers in plant genomics – visit local biotech industry.

Week 6 Career development in scientific research. Panel of faculty to discuss the academic career pathway.

Week 7 How is research done – inquiry, hypotheses, methodology, replication, statistics, conclusions, publications, conferences/symposia.

Week 8 Discuss selected scientific article.

Week 9 Invited speaker(s) – “Trends in Plant Genomics.”

Week 10 Student presentations (10 minutes) on the general research being conducted in the lab they work in.

Week 11 How to write a scientific research paper.

Week 12 Discuss selected scientific article.

Week 13 Informal discussion – plans and preparation for the future.

Week 14 Formal presentation of individual research (if currently working in a research lab) to invited faculty and grad students. Week 15 can be used to continue this if there are too many students.

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