Sharing Laboratory Ideas and Assessments ASBMB Student Centered Education Conference July 2011

1. Sharing Laboratory Ideas and AssessmentsASBMB Student Centered Education Conference July 2011 Ann Aguanno, Associate Professor of Biology Marymount Manhattan College Benjamin Caldwell, Professor of Chemistry Missouri Western State University

2. Overview • Introductions • Two laboratory courses • Student Lab Skills • Breakout • Specific Lab Activities • Breakout • Pre and Post-Assessment • Breakout • Open Discussion A

3. Our Schools Marymount Manhattan College, NYC • Small (1700) liberal arts college, urban, diverse, academically average student population Missouri Western State University • Medium-sized (6,000), open access admission, diverse, academically average student population

4. Your Schools? • Small liberal arts schools? • PUI? • R1? • HBCU? • Community Colleges? • Other? • Biochem. vs. Mol Biology? A

5. Two Laboratory Courses Cellular and Molecular Biology (BIOL 240) • Sophomore level course • Required for all Biology majors • 10-12 students per lecture; 10-12 students per lab section Biochemistry (CHE 370) • Junior/Senior Level course • Required for all Biology & Chemistry majors • 48 students per lecture; 16 students per lab section

6. Cellular & Molecular Biology Lecture Laboratory Intro to Chemistry and Cells Lab Safety and the Lab Report Energy, Catalysis, Biosynthesis Separation of Proteins by Charge (protein structure; chromatography; micropipette use) Protein Structure and Function Separation of Protein by MW (SDS PAGE) DNA & Chromosomes Nucleosome Structure (chromatin structure; DNA electrophoresis) DNA Replication, Repair Karyotyping Human Cells (cytogenetics; Microscopy ) DNA to Protein Advanced Microscopy/Cell Culture (sterile Technique;photomicroscopy) Analyzing Genes Intro to Bioinformatics: DNA Sequencing (DNA sequencing methods; genomics) Control of Gene Expression Cloning, Transformation, Phenotype Assay (microbiology; transformation; cloning) Cell Cycle and Cell Death Cell Culture (con’t); Insect Cells Tissues & Cancer PCR-based DNA Profiling (PCR technology ) Grading: 3 Exams, Primary Literature Analysis, Lab Performance and Reports Textbook: Essential Cell Biology Alberts, et. al, 3rd Lab Manual: In-House Textbook: Reading the Primary Literature , by Gillen

7. Biochemistry Lecture Lab Schedule Check-in; Pre-Lab Assessment; Pipette Calibration; CMC by Fluorescence (Solutions/Graphing) pH and Buffers Titration of Amino Acids (reinforce pKa’s) Protein Quantification (BCA/Bradford) Gel Filtration Chromatography Bioinformatics Mid-term Exam (data analysis/protocols) Protein Purification Project (Ion Ex. chrom) Protein Purification Project (Affinity chrom.) Protein Purification Project (SDS-PAGE) Protein Purification Project (Western Blot) Enzyme Kinetics (LDH) Final Exam Chapter • Chemistry in Biological Systems 1   • Water 2 • Amino Acids, Peptides & Proteins 3   • Protein Structure 4   • Enzymes 6   • Carbohydrates 7   • Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids 8   • Lipids & Membranes 10 & 11   • Principles of Bioenergetics 13   • Intro to Metabolism: Glycolysis, Kreb’s Cycle, Oxidative Phosphorylation 14, 16, 19 Grading: 3-4 Exams + Final, 5-6 quizzes, Questions of the Day, Lab Performance and Reports (20%) Textbook: Biochemistry, Garrett & Grisham, 4th ed. Lab Manual: In-House

8. Skills of Incoming Students • What are the Fundamental Skills? (5 essential) • Skills Required for Your Laboratory Course • Biochemistry vs. Molecular Biology Courses? B

9. Review Group Responses • 2:15

10. Expectations for Our Lab Courses • Courses • MATH, MATH, MATH!!! (Level???) • General Biology (1-2 semesters?) • General Chemistry (2 semesters?) • Organic Chemistry (1-2 semester?; coreq ok) • Writing 1 and 2

11. Expectations for Our Lab Courses • Basic Skills • Time management, writing, reading, collaboration • Safety, note taking, lab reports, data/graphical analysis, unit conversion, standards or references, basic statistics • Handling mass & volume, pipetting, minor instrumentation (e.g. pH, centrifugation, basic spectrophotometry) • Multiple ways to analyze, threshold, sensitivity, stringency A

12. How Assess Incoming Skills? • Fundamental Skills? • Specific Skills Required for Your Course? • Biochemistry vs. Molecular Biology Courses? A

13. Review Group Responses • 2:45

14. Learning Goals of Lab Courses Cellular & Molecular Biology • Communicate and apply fundamentals of cellular & molecular biology • Utilize scientific method, critical thinking skills and problem based-learning techniques • Perform laboratory- based scientific investigations by applying the concepts and techniques learned • Apply concepts and techniques learned to current scientific and medical topics • Present and critique experimental results • Analyze primary cellular and molecular biology literature

15. Learning Goals of Lab Courses Biochemistry • Demonstrate proficiency in basic biochemistry lab techniques • Identify connections between experimental design and data generated from procedures • Differentiate between control and experimental data • Perform mathematic transformations of raw data to useful and meaningful information • Generate data in multiple formats (graphs, charts, observations) • Develop conclusions based on objective and logical analysis, interpretation and evaluation of data and observations • Maintain a laboratory notebook using proper scientific verbage and notation in order to effectively communicate within the scientific community  • The laboratory experience should also reinforce topics discussed in lecture

16. Other Learning Goals? • 3:00

17. How To Assess Laboratory Learning Goals? • 3 methods

18. How We Assess Laboratory Learning Goals • Assess Lab Notebooks • Assess Lab Reports • Practica • Exams • Regular Observations of Lab Performance • Oral vs. Written Communication • Pre and Post Test

19. Example: MWSU Skills Survey Use the following scale, circling the appropriate statement that best matches your feeling about the following laboratory related questions. Strongly Somewhat Neutral/ Somewhat Strongly Disagree Disagree No Opinion Agree Agree 1 2 3 4 5 1. I am able to solve basic mathematic problems that require scientific notation or exponents. 1 2 3 4 5 3. I can accurately determine the correct number of significant digits in a number. 1 2 3 4 5 79. Complete the following mathematical equation, and give your answer with the proper number of significant digits. a. 4.0 x 105 b. 4.00 x 105 c. 4.00367 x 105 d. 400,367

20. Lab Task Questions (% Correct) Neutral/ No Opinion Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree Sample of pre-course survey at (Spring 2010 results). Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree Sample survey questions & responses (%) are shown (grey) Results of task related questions (Far right , yellow) displays overall class performance (% correct).

21. Final Exam Results Scores represent percentage of students receiving full credit for each question. • However, some areas still requiring improvement (indicated by yellow) include: • Interpreting graphic data (Q’s 2, 6, 9) – graphical/SDS-PAGE results • Comprehension of enzyme assays and kinetics (Q’s 5, 9) • Performing biochemical calculations (Q’s 7, 9)

22. Lab Skills • Skills necessary • Theory/background on experimental procedures • Data analysis • Instrumentation exposure

23. Lab skills • Review of matrix and discussion

25. Lab Performance Rubric • Does student arrive on time? • Does student have all required lab materials? • Notebook • Manual • Lab coat • Goggles • Can student answer questions regarding the day’s lab activity? • Can student perform methods associated with day’s activity? • Does student set up their experiment independently? • Does student use time well? • Does student write in notebook • Does student ask questions that they should already know the answers to? • Does student critique/evaluate their results effectively? • Can student troubleshoot? • Can the student explain to other students? • Does the student clean up their bench and store materials correctly? A • 3:30

26. How much do students NEED to know? • How to pour gels vs. precast (time vs. $$) • Kits vs. preparing solutions/reagents ahead of lab time • Using TA’s to prep? • Other B

27. How To Hone Basic Lab skills • Incorporate into Course (BIOL 240) • Pipetting Activity, Solution Making • Spectrophotometry Activity • pH Exercise • Casting and Running gels • Sterile Technique • Instrumentation Principals • Lab Skills Course at MMC (BIOL 251) A

28. Lab Skills Course (BIOL 251)

29. What do you folks do?

30. Lab SkillsMake it an everyday activity

31. TISSUE CULTURE • Did you check Tissue Culture? • Did you look at your cells under microscope ? • Did you check for contamination in incubator? • Did you check the CO2 tanks? • Full/leaking/at right PSI • Did you check the incubator? • Temp/CO2 input • Did you check to see if you have all materials under hood/ stocked in TC • Did you do all TC chores • Did you check Tissue Culture before you locked up for night? • Incubator on at right settings/ no leaks/ UV LIGHT ON? • Are the proper signs on the door for TC • Did you put out the garbage EVERYDAY CHECKLIST GENERAL LAB ITEMS • Did you make a schedule for when you will be working and in the lab? • Do you have proper PPE? • Did you check your email? • Did you check to see if any notes were left for you? • Did you make a list for yourself of task for day • Are these tasks in order of importance • Did you have the proper background and readings for task? • Did you prepare all reagents and materials for experiment day before? • Did you write out the protocol in your lab book? • Did you write in your lab notebook? • Did you clean up after the experiment • Cleaned dishes/bench paper/ put away reagents and instruments • Did you print out a copy of results and put in results binder • Did you put results in lab notebook • Did you restock supplies used • Pipet tips/ autoclaved deionized water/ pipettes • If you used the last one did you report it? • Did you properly label all reagents? • Did you properly store all reagents? • Rm temp/ 4°/-20° • Is your work space clean and clear? • Did you make a list of tasks for the next day? • Did you prepare all reagents materials and lab notebook for tasks next day? • Did you put out the lab garbage? • Did you lock the lab? • Did you say goodbye? • Acid into water • DNA runs to red A

32. WORDS OF WISDOM • Make a schedule and stick to it • Do not eat in the lab • Don’t get too comfortable • Make a list of tasks and arrange them in order of importance • Do not put off small tasks or they will never get done • Do TC in the morning when you are bright and awake • Write out complete protocol in lab notebook day before experiment • Make sure all reagents are out/prepared the day before experiment • Unlock doors and return keys • Do not keep common lab materials in 611 • Clean up before you leave each night • Haste makes waste (take it slow) • Make time in week to read primary lit papers • Go to lab meetings with results printed or ready to be easily displayed • Go to lab meetings prepared to discuss issues and topics • Be honest, don’t say you did something when you didn’t • Be honest when you feel overwhelmed • It takes time to place orders (make sure you have all materials) • You know it when you can explain it to someone else • Explain it in different ways • mg/ml= ug/ul • Thawing on ice may take a while; take that into account • Give yourself a time frame then double it to get something done A

33. Reinforcement or Redundancy? • Compare Syllabi • Communicate B

34. Reinforcement or Redundancy? MMC Cell/Molec Lab (240)Biochemistry (441) • Lab Safety and the Lab Report  • Separation of Proteins by Charge  • Separation of Protein by MW  • Nucleosome Structure  • Karyotyping Human Cells • Advanced Microscopy/Cell Culture • Intro to Bioinformatics: DNA Sequencing  • Cloning, Transformation, Phenotype Assay • Cell Culture (con’t); Insect Cells • PCR-based DNA Profiling A

35. Reinforcement or Redundancy? MWSU Biochemistry Lab (370)Molec Cell Bio Lab (115) • Pre-Lab Assessment • Pipette Calibration  • CMC by Fluorescence • pH and Buffers • Titration of Amino Acids • Protein Quantification (BCA/Bradford)  (Lowry) • Gel Filtration Chromatography • Bioinformatics • Protein Purification Project (Ion Ex. chrom) • Protein Purification Project (Affinity chrom.) • Protein Purification Project (SDS-PAGE)  • Protein Purification Project (Western Blot) • Enzyme Kinetics  B

36. Other Things to Consider • Peer Mentors • Teaching Assistants • Buy or make Lab Manual? • How much student prep? • Kits? • Cost? • Waste Handling/Safety • Resources A

37. Example Lab Activities • www.Drop-box.com • Share your Lab ideas, experiments, exercises, etc… • Register, let Ben know – share folder

38. Good Resources

39. Open Discussion