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The Project Laboratories were designed
to provide a transition from standard courses and laboratory experiences
to independent research. In the courses, students gain familiarity
with experiments and state-of-the-art techniques for investigating
biological questions and pursue progressively more independent explorations.
Project labs are intense courses, meeting 10 hours/week for 4 credits
(as opposed to regular courses which meet 3-6 hours/week). The development
of these courses was supported by our previous Hughes awards.
:: Experiments in Molecular Biology: Biology
321
Introduction to techniques used
in prokaryotic and eukaryotic molecular biology. Experimental approaches
introduce students to gene cloning, Southern blotting, and molecular
analysis of chromosomal breakpoint mutations. Computer analysis
of DNA and protein sequences also explored. Prerequisite: Biology
143 and consent of instructor.
Unlike other project labs, which
are developed primarily by professors, the labs for Bio 324 are
currently being designed by undergraduates working together with
professors in their research labs. For two semesters, these students
are simultaneously getting research credit, learning the concepts
and techniques of their respective system, and designing laboratories,
which they will then help teach in the Spring. The first module
will look at limb-bud development in chicks and will be mentored
by Dr. Bill Elmer of the Biology Department and two of his Undergraduate
Research students, Rob Simon and Miranda Hoy. The second module
will study signal transduction in a single/multicellular slime mold
and will be mentored by Dr. Karl Saxe of the Anatomy and Cell Biology
Department and his student, Greg Novak. Other modules in development
include C. elegans spermatogenesis and Drosophila development.
:: Coastal Biology: Biology 329
The Coastal Biology class takes
place in two stages. Each year in the spring semester, two hours
of credit are earned in the lecture portion of the class. In May,
the class moves to St. Simons Island, one of Georgia's Golden Isles,
for approximately two weeks of lab activities for two additional
credit hours. (This is a summer school class offering, and summer
school fees apply.) Animal diversity, the ecology of beaches, dunes,
marshes, maritime forests, and docks are studied. Students also
study the 5 barrier islands and do trawls in the tidal rivers and
sounds. At the coast, students are required to conduct ecological
or behavioral investigations and report on their findings. Sixteen
juniors (occasionally a sophomore) are chosen for the class. The
best way to enroll is to attend the department information meeting
for biology majors before preregistration and pick up an application
form. If you like field studies, this is a course you should not
miss!!
:: Experimental Physiology: Biology 337
Laboratory intensive course in
modern techniques of cellular and systems physiology research.
:: Ecology: Biology 347
Relationships between organisms
and their environments, ecosystems, communities and populations.
Field studies conducted in various natural areas in Georgia, including
a weekend trip to the coast.
:: Experimental Neurobiology: Biology 361
A course in experimental neuroscience
designed for juniors who may be interested in research and which
provides an introduction to current concepts, analytical methods,
and laboratory techniques.
Prerequisite: Bio 360 or consent of instructor.
:: Plant Population Biology: Biology 435
The structure and dynamics of plant
populations and communities, classification, and phylogenetic relationships
of seed plants.
:: Vertebrate Population Biology: Biology 445
Evolution, ecology, and behavior
of vertebrate populations. Laboratory stresses classification and
the natural history of local vertebrates.
:: The Integrated Laboratory: Chemistry 291/292L
Courses focus on modern analytical
and instrumental techniques, such as: spectroscopy, chromatography,
and electrochemistry.
:: Bioanalytical Laboratory: Chem 346L
This laboratory deals with current instrumentations
and analytical techniques applied in different fields of science
such as Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Pharmacology,
Environmental and Clinical Toxicology, and Medicine. Instruments
used in this laboratory are Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Mass Spectrometer,
UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, Capillary Zone Electrophoresis, High Performane
Liquid Chromatography, Spectrofluorometer, etc. The course is designed
to introduce students to the research application of these bioanalytical
techniques. Experiments are designed as simple research project.
Other laboratory activities includes journal-type laboratory report,
oral and written proposal on innovative techniques and application
and on-site visit to different research facilities in Emory and
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