Post on 27-Sep-2020
transcript
Practicum Biologische Chemie
Erik Limpens
Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Practicum Biologische Chemie
“An introductory practical course that provides basic knowledge and
skills in molecular biology and biochemistry”
~350 bachelor students from different study programmes:
Biology 2nd year
Plant Sciences 1st year
Biotechnology 1st year
Molecular Life Sciences 1st year
Nutrition and Health 2nd year
Practicum Biologische Chemie
Biochemistry Molecular biology
Period 4 (3 weeks whole day practical) ~180 students
Period 5 (7 weeks afternoon practical) ~170 students
Students are divided into two groups, that switch half-way during the course
Students work in couples
Learning goals
After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- describe general genome structure and gene organization, transcription
and RNA processing in eukaryotes
- understand the principles and explain the use of basic molecular
techniques to study genes
- apply basic techniques in molecular biology
DNA/RNA/protein isolation
Agarose gel electrophoresis & PAGE
PCR & RT-PCR
Southern/Western Blotting
Restriction enzymes
Cloning
Sequencing (Sanger dideoxysequencing)
Bioinformatics (BLAST & DNA analysis)
Aim to improve
Challenges: Lectures and practical work not well integrated
Many different experiments at the same time (students
lack overview -> “cooking book”)
Report without feedback
Growing student numbers
Aims: Integrate theory and practical work (provide required info at the
right time)
Improve knowledge assimilation (questions with feedback)
More overview (insight into set-up of experiment)
Computer-assisted (Labbuddy)
Combining digital modules with Labbuddy
Three work schedules
Students work in couples
A group of 12 students (1 lab
table) has 1 supervisor
Digital modules
Exercises using A
Plasmid Editor
This is just an example
After each experiment student fill in the digital
report
A summarizing lecture
Benefits of the new set-up
▪ Students like it !
▪ Theory/Info “just-in-time”
▪ Direct Feedback with better assimilation of knowledge
▪ Experiment design gives students more overview
▪ Interaction with supervisor more on content
How to get a more objective grading for the
practical work?
Final grade:
50% Exam
50% Practical
Students only pass if the exam is completed with at least a 5.5
Digital report scoring
Keeping track of performance of the students
Formalizing that students will be graded for the report section did not have a
positive effect
Assessment Rubric
Rubric to be used by the
supervisor per module
Questions?