We work in two areas. The first are cell and molecular studies focussed on the effects of stress responses on mutant phenotype in the developing Xenopus and zebrafish embryo (in collaboration with the Medioros lab in EEB). We are also exploring the use of expansion microscopy to examine processes ranging from muscle formation, ciliogenesis, desmosome assembly and disassembly, and synapse formation. The second is in how to design, assess, and effectively teach students to understand, appreciate, and make use of chemistry (CLUE/OCLUE) and molecular level biology (biofundamentals). These works, carried out in collaboration with Melanie Cooper at Michigan State University and have led to multiple free (open educational resources or OERs) and demonstrated dramatic improvements in student learning and success. As part of this project we employ the beSocratic web-based formative assessment system to evaluated and encourage student learning.
keywords
cell and molecular biology of early embryonic development, mesoderm formation, neural crest induction, organ formation; course and curricular design, the evaluation and improvement of biology education, interactive instructional materials
EBIO 4811 - Teaching and Learning Biology
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2020
Provides an introduction to recent research into student learning on the conceptual foundations of modern biology, together with pedagogical methods associated with effective instruction and its evaluation. Students will be involved in active research into conceptual and practical issues involved in biology education, methods to discover student preconceptions, and the design, testing and evaluation of various instructional interventions. Recommended prerequisites: MCDB 1150 or EBIO 1210 and MCDB 2150 and MCDB 3145. Same as EDUC 6811 and MCDB 4811 and MCDB 5811 and EDUC 4811.
EDUC 4811 - Teaching and Learning Biology
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2020
Provides an introduction to recent research into student learning on the conceptual foundations of modern biology, together with pedagogical methods associated with effective instruction and its evaluation. Students will be involved in active research into conceptual and practical issues involved in biology education, methods to discover student preconceptions, and the design, testing and evaluation of various instructional interventions. Same as EDUC 6811 and MCDB 4811 and MCDB 5811 and EBIO 4811. Recommended prerequisites: MCDB 1150 or EBIO 1210 and MCDB 2150 and MCDB 3145.
EDUC 6811 - Teaching and Learning Biology
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2020
Provides an introduction to recent research into student learning on the conceptual foundations of modern biology, together with pedagogical methods associated with effective instruction and its evaluation. Students will be involved in active research into conceptual and practical issues involved in biology education, methods to discover student preconceptions, and the design, testing and evaluation of various instructional interventions. Same as EDUC 4811 and MCDB 4811 and MCDB 5811.
FYSM 1000 - First Year Seminar
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018
Provide first year students with an immersive experience in an interdisciplinary topic that addresses current issues including social, technical and global topics. Taught by faculty from across campus, the course provides students with an opportunity to interact in small classes, have project based learning experiences and gain valuable communication skills. Seminar style classes focused on discussion and projects.
MCDB 2222 - Core Concepts in Biology II: Genes, Genetics and Phenotypes
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018
Web-based, in-class discussion course focused on the origins of genetic variation and inheritance, genome dynamics and gene expression and their relationship to phenotype(s). Interpreting, explaining and answering questions scientifically as well as quantitative reasoning are stress. Course fulfills the departmental requirement for MCDB 2150. Degree credit not granted for this course and MCDB 2150.
MCDB 4100 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018
May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Recommended prerequisites: MCDB 3135 and MCDB 3145 (minimum grade C-).
MCDB 4101 - Editing Genomes with CRISPR-Cas9 Discovering Gene Function
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019
Discover novel gene function in vertebrate embryonic development using the latest gene-editing technology, CRISPR-Cas9. Pick your gene of interest and design experiments to mutate the gene, confirm the mutation and characterize the phenotype. Search scientific databases to learn more about the gene and formulate a hypothesis about the gene function. Discuss and present your findings to your peer and faculty. Recommended prerequisites: MCDB 3135 and MCDB 3145.
MCDB 4650 - Developmental Biology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021
Explores the development of invertebrate and vertebrate organisms, emphasizing cellular, molecular and genetic mechanisms. Focuses on conceptual understanding and experimental approaches to topics such as embryology, developmental control of gene expression in eukaryotic cells, mechanisms of differentiation and morphogenesis and developmental genetics. Same as MCDB 5651.
MCDB 4811 - Teaching and Learning Biology
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2020
Provides an introduction to recent research into student learning on the conceptual foundations of modern biology, together with pedagogical methods associated with effective instruction and its evaluation. Students will be involved in active research into conceptual and practical issues involved in biology education, methods to discover student preconceptions, and the design, testing and evaluation of various instructional interventions. Same as EDUC 6811 and EDUC 4811 and MCDB 5811 and EBIO 4811. Recommended prerequisites: MCDB 1150 or EBIO 1210 and MCDB 2150 and MCDB 3145.
MCDB 5811 - Teaching and Learning Biology
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2020
Provides an introduction to recent research into student learning on the conceptual foundations of modern biology, together with pedagogical methods associated with effective instruction and its valuation. Students will be involved in active research into conceptual and practical issues involved in biology education, methods to discover student preconceptions, and the design, testing and evaluation of various instructional interventions. Same as MCDB 4811 and EDUC 4811 and EDUC 6811.
