A Model for an Introductory Undergraduate Research Experience

An introductory, multidisciplinary lecture-laboratory course linked with a summer research experience has been established to provide undergraduate biology and chemistry majors with the skills needed to be successful in the research laboratory. This three-credit hour course was focused on laboratory skills and was designed to reinforce and develop the students' laboratory techniques and problem-solving skills, as well as to give encouragement to participate in a summer research project. This skills course consisted of a lecture section with team-based laboratory rotations of five-weeks each. Most students in the rotations had the opportunity to work in both biology and chemistry laboratories. The skills course culminated in several students being chosen to continue research in the summer with a research stipend while under the direction of one of the faculty mentors. The summer research projects were all collaborative efforts between chemists and biologists. Data are provided from voluntary entrance and exit student surveys to determine students' overall skill levels and interests before and after completion of the skills course. This course was valuable in encouraging students to become involved in and committed to research, for teaching them laboratory techniques, and for helping them evolve into independent researchers.