Undergraduates Phenotyping; Arabidopsis; Knockouts in a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience: Exploring Plant Fitness and Vigor Using Quantitative Phenotyping Methods Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • ; We present a curriculum description, an initial student outcome investigation, and sample scientific results for a representative Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) that is part of the “Undergraduates Phenotyping; Arabidopsis; Knockouts” (unPAK) network. CUREs in the unPAK network characterize quantitative phenotypes of the model plant; Arabidopsis; from across environments to uncover connections between genotype and phenotype. Students in unPAK CUREs grow plants in a replicated block design and make quantitative measurements throughout the semester. This CURE enables students to answer plant science questions that draw from fields such as environmental science, genetics, ecology, and evolution. Findings indicate that this experience provides students with opportunities to make relevant scientific discoveries. Eighty percent of student datasets produced from the CURE met criteria for inclusion in the project database, indicative of student learning in data collection and analysis of quantitative plant traits. Student datasets uncovered novel effects of mutation on plant form. In addition, students’ science self-efficacy increased as a result of course participation, and faculty feedback on course implementation was positive. We present unPAK as a new network that supports CUREs and research experiences focused on collecting biological data made publicly available to the scientific community. The unPAK CUREs can be tailored to address instructor interests or pedagogical needs while involving students in research investigating quantitative plant phenotypes.;

publication date

  • January 1, 2019

has restriction

  • gold

Date in CU Experts

  • January 14, 2020 1:57 AM

Full Author List

  • Murren CJ; Wolyniak MJ; Rutter MT; Bisner AM; Callahan HS; Strand AE; Corwin LA

author count

  • 7

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1935-7877

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1935-7885

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 20

issue

  • 2