Polymerase chain reaction and restriction endonuclease digest are important techniques that should be included in all Biochemistry and Molecular Biology laboratory curriculums. These techniques are frequently taught at an advanced level, requiring many hours of student and faculty time. Here we present two inquiry-based experiments that are…

Animal dissection has been routinely practiced in American biology classrooms for decades. With technological advancements, more states adopting student choice measures, and increased awareness about ethical concerns surrounding dissection, many useful dissection alternatives have been developed. To understand the current use of animal dissection…

Introducing research in undergraduate biology studies may contribute to creating research vocations and generate the idea that science may influence all aspects of common life. However, laboratory practices are too often disconnected from current investigations and rarely address real-life questions that are really interesting for students.…

Presents a research project for secondary school students in the fields of archaeophysics (archaeology) and geophysics using gamma spectroscopy. Describes investigations in mineralization and in dating of potsherds. (LS)

Using cultured fibroblast cells, undergraduate students explore cell division and the responses of cultured cells to a variety of environmental changes. The students learn new research techniques and carry out a self-designed experiment. Through this project, students enhance their creative approach to scientific inquiry, learn time-management and…

Describes an experiment in which static/dynamic properties of a helical, steel spring are investigated. During the experiment students discover that the behavior of the springs is non-Hookean at small loads. Background information (including static deflection and period of oscillation) and typical results are provided. (JM)

Described is the use of cleavage as an aid to microscopic determination of unknown minerals by immersion methods. Cleavages are examined in relation to fragment shapes, types of extinction, and cleavage-optical relationships. (Author/DS)

Describes an experiment for advanced-level undergraduate students for extending student experiences involving recording and interpreting infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra from reactions of organometallic compounds. Experimental procedures, analyses and structural assignments, and suggestions for extension and modification…

Describes the development, preparation, and use of a medium that can select against a wide variety of Gram-negative bacteria while still allowing growth and differentiation of a wide range of Gram-positives. (WRM)

Presents two methods used to measure the refractive indices and double-refraction of fibers. Experiments are described, with one involving the use of Pluta microscope in the double-beam interference technique, the other employing the multiple-beam technique. Immersion liquids are discussed that can be used in the experiments. (TW)

Describes a simulation done by students in a Year 4 undergraduate physics laboratory course on pulse technology. The course objective was to provide students with experience in computation pulsed electrical circuits and in comparing the computation with experiments. Results showed that the microcomputer simulated experiments made for a more…

Describes an experiment in which students are given a naturally occurring oligosaccharide as an unknown and are asked to determine both its monosaccharide composition and its structure. Discusses methods and experimental techniques including thin layer chromatography and the use of enzymes. (CW)

Describes a freshman chemistry experiment designed to introduce scientific methodology, provide practice in measurement skills, and illustrate a fundamental chemical relationship (conservation of volume). Provides the experimental design, a materials and equipment list, sample calculations, and results. (JM)

Shows the difficulties of understanding the hypothesis a posteriori. Describes a scientific method containing phenomenologic, hypothetic, and theoretic phases. Provides the results of an experiment on simple pendulum oscillation by using this method. (YP)