CUR 2002 Workshop Summaries

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CUR 2002 Workshop Report

Title: How to use your courses to feed your research program

Presenters: Jill Manske and Jeff Osborn
Attendance: 36

In this workshop, strategies were introduced that could be used to link teaching to research programs. Some ideas included teaching at least one course in your research area (especially important for junior faculty). In addition, course laboratories can be developed in which students are trained in techniques related to research programs; students pursue questions and pilot experiments related to your research (pilot experiments); or advanced students purse actual research questions- give them a piece of your work. It was also suggested that when possible, courses can be planned so that materials, reagents and equipment can be used in the research lab as well (share budgets). It may be possible to coordinate with other courses and instructors in your department/institution so that work that is part of your research can become part of another instructor's laboratory course. An example was given in which an investigator needed to perform analysis of knock-out mice using molecular biology. This problem was given to a group of students in a molecular biology course. We also discussed linking your course content to your research program whenever appropriate. This could include student generated grant proposals, literature reviews, and/or journal clubs. Then a series of examples of research that students have performed as part of courses was provided. There was a general discussion during which issues and questions were raised about implementing research-based laboratories. In particular, participants were interested in grading criteria and how to get "resistant" colleagues or departments on board.