Kulesza, Amy E. Imtiaz, Safa Bernot, Kelsie M.
Published in
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
Service-learning and undergraduate research experiences are high-impact practices that have become more common in the sciences, but the benefits of short-term experiences have not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare within-semester gains for students in a short-term service-learning (SL) or short-term research pro...
Mwakalundwa, Gwantwa Bush Tripp, Susan Dvorak, Cheryl Foster-Hartnett, Dawn
Published in
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
Since the start of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, many microbiology lab activities have been conducted online. We produced a simple PCR primer design and virtual PCR activity for introductory students to use as part of an online laboratory course or as an independent activity in a traditional laboratory setting. Most students are...
Lee, Sangah Zhong, Min Foster, Cerrone Segura-Totten, Miriam McCartney, Melissa
Published in
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
Primary Scientific Literature (PSL) has been used in undergraduate classrooms as a way to engage students with the research process and to increase science literacy. Most curricula lack any formal training for undergraduates to critically read PSL even though most undergraduate science courses require students to engage with PSL at some level. In a...
Boury, N. Van den Bogaard, M. E. D. Wasendorf, C. Amon, J. Judson, S. Maroushek, S. R. Peters, N. T.
Published in
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
Antibiotic Resistance (ABR) is a global concern and while many students are aware of this issue, many of them are unclear on the mechanisms by which ABR may emerge. The mechanism of horizontal gene transfer is something many students are not familiar with. In this curriculum contribution we present 2 versions of an ‘interrupted case study’ that is ...
Azechi, Takuya Sasano, Hiroshi Sato, Kuniyoshi Arakawa, Ryutarou Suzuki, Kenichi
Published in
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to human health. Education on antibiotics is essential for AMR prevention, and training should be provided for undergraduate pharmacy students. This study evaluated the knowledge regarding antibiotic use and AMR among fourth-year Japanese pharmacy students and the effect of a lecture on treating inf...
Heineman, Richard H.
Published in
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
Performing a PCR often does not teach students what happens in a PCR. This kinesthetic, hands-on exercise allows students to simulate by hand the steps of a PCR. Each step of the first two cycles is modeled with template DNA and primers formed from paper, with additional newly synthesized DNA strands written in chalk. At the end of the exercise, st...
Romo, Jesús A. Rokop, Megan E.
Published in
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
Scientific contributions by members from historically marginalized communities (HMCs) have been largely ignored, uncredited, and in some cases erased from history. This has contributed to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curricula lacking diversity. In this study, we present an Honors seminar course aimed to highlight the discoveri...
Chatzikyriakidou, Kyriaki Tacloban, Marie Janelle Concepcion, Kassandra McCartney, Melissa
Published in
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
A growing body of literature shows that primary scientific literature (PSL) is a valuable and useful tool for science, technology, engineering, and math education. We currently have a relatively limited understanding of how skills relating to reading PSL progress through academic careers, i.e., the process by which expertise in reading PSL develops...
Olins, Heather Craig
Published in
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
Here, I describe a “Weekly Flow” strategy for structuring college biology courses and making organization transparent to students. Building a course around an established weekly schedule that consists of the same, or similar, elements (for example, assessments, readings, assignment types, and/or class activities) provides structure and predictabili...
Morra, Christina N. Fultz, Robert Raut, Samiksha A.
Published in
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
Student instructional assistants (IAs) are an integral part of most students’ college experience in higher education. When properly trained, IAs can improve students’ grades, engagement with course content, persistence, and retention. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the transition of nearly all instructional practices online. At the Universi...
