Linking Genetics, Microbiology & Molecular Biology Courses to Provide Research Experiences in Undergraduate Biology

Abstract

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) can have benefits for many students, especially those who lack access to traditional apprenticeships for research. As part of an effort to create more opportunities for students to have access to primary research and move away from traditional cookie-cutter labs, we have created a multicourse CURE spanning three undergraduate teaching labs in which students can pick and choose to take any of the courses that most interest them. This CURE explores the essential understanding of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria as well as high-throughput sequencing and mutagenesis screens. These low-cost modular labs are designed to be flexible and integrated into any single teaching lab to increase exposure to both fundamental lab skills and primary research.