Redesign of an Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory into a Course‐Based Undergraduate Research Experience

Abstract

In recent years, more efforts have been made to integrate authentic research experiences into undergraduate laboratory courses to improve student learning and broaden access to scientific research. However, traditional expository and limited inquiry-based laboratory courses continue to exist at the undergraduate level depriving students of the opportunity to fully engage in authentic scientific practices. Described herein is the redesign of a limited inquiry-based Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory course at a public small liberal arts college into a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) that enhances the research skills of students. By piloting course changes in a low-enrollment elective course over 3 years, the instructor was able to improve the laboratory infrastructure of the department with the purchase of two new advanced instruments to support laboratory courses and faculty research. Within this intentionally redesigned course, students created a research plan, conducted oral and poster presentations, produced a manuscript-styled laboratory report, and developed a curriculum vitae. Students also gained working knowledge of 1-3 advanced instruments during structure-function studies of a model protein.