Providing Course-based Research Experiences though the Implementation of Lab Modules in a Large Enrollment Undergraduate Course: Assessment of Crop Diversity

Being involved in hands-on independent research as an undergraduate student has been positively correlated to the pursue of careers in science. A well-established method of students gaining such experiences has been by conducting an independent project in a research laboratory of a faculty member of their home institution. Unfortunately, only a fraction of students are able to participate due to reasons ranging from a lack of knowledge of opportunities, lack of faculty resources, lack of space in research labs, lack of exposure to research, family commitments, etc. Recognizing these limitation and the benefits of engaging students in the scholarship of science as early as possible, faculty and departments have begun to successfully implement research- or inquiry-based laboratory exercises in small-, medium- or large-enrollment courses throughout different curriculums. Here, we present a model for the large-scale implementation of guided-research on a topic of cultural relevance to increase interest in research. Cassava (Manihot esculenta), a crop of immense importance to humans worldwide, is also widely consumed in Puerto Rico though not as a staple food. Despite this, the genetic diversity of cassava in the Caribbean is poorly understood. A laboratory module was implemented in upper-division genetics course where the enrolled students collected samples from different townships in Puerto Rico and applied molecular biology techniques to assess the genetic make-up of each cassava sample. The tabulation of the data led to the successful evaluation of cassava diversity in Puerto Rico, which is the first study of its kind in the Caribbean. This lab module impacts 600+ students per year by providing hands-on experience in using modern molecular biology tools. Assessment of content and learning perceptions revealed that our novel approach allowed the students to learn while engaged in an authentic research project. At the completion of the lab module the students reported an enhanced understanding of scientific process, increased proficiency with molecular methods and increase in confidence as researchers. The nature of this lab module and its focus on assessing genetic diversity makes the module easy to modify to study genetic diversity of other important crops but more importantly provides opportunity for hands-on inquiry based research activities allowing undergraduate students to feel the excitement and self-investment that is related to discovery of new knowledge.