Fagaceae Genomics Web

Sorry, class is now full!

Please see the other 2010 In-Service Teacher Class offered through SC Life. Topics range from Biogeography and Geology of SC to Ecology and Impact of Coyotes on SC's Barrier Islands.
SCLIFE Online

Graduate Course for In-Service Teachers

GEN 730: Bioinformatics and the Biology Classroom

This one week course is for high school teachers. It takes place on the campus of Clemson University at the South Carolina DNA Learning Center with the costs of room, meals, tuition, and course supplies paid for by an NSF grant. Teachers completing this graduate level course will receive 3 hours of graduate credit from Clemson University’s Dept of Genetics & Biochemistry.

GEN 730: Bioinformatics and the Biology Classroom:

With the advances in technology over the last few decades, an enormous wealth of genetic information has been discovered and made available in public databases that are accessible via the internet. Due to limited budgets, science teachers are often restricted to what can be demonstrated in the lab, particularly genomics related technology; however, this obstacle can be overcome by utilizing publicly available genomics databases and a computer. These can be powerful tools in the science classroom to demonstrate and teach biological concepts such as genetics (DNA molecule, genes, genome organization and structure, protein synthesis, protein structure); cell biology (mitosis, enzymatic activity, cellular activity); evolution (sequence comparisons, mechanisms of speciation, human migration, population variation and natural selection); and ecology (ecological genetics, conservation biology).

Topics

This course will explore the use of plant and animal genomics databases in teaching biological concepts in the high school science classroom. Through the week, teachers will investigate the different genomics databases, freeware programs, and web resources and how that information can be used to develop teaching modules to demonstrate biological concepts.

Faculty

Dr. Bert Abbott, Professor - Department of Genetics and Biochemistry

Renea Hardwick, Lecturer – South Carolina DNA Learning Center, Dept of Biological Sciences

Course Evaluation:

Course participation and group project:

For the class assignment, the students will work with Clemson bioinformatics staff to develop a bioinformatics lesson plan that incorporates internet, genomics database, and computer components and will be made available as an online web based activity for use in the high school classroom.

Cost:

There is no charge for this course. A National Science Foundation Grant subsidizes the course costs, including tuition and books, on campus room and board.

There is a $200 stipend that will be paid to course participants upon successful completion of the course.

The only potential expense for this course is a $55 fee due when you enroll as a Clemson University
graduate student to earn the three graduate credit hours, if you are not currently enrolled at the University.

Location:

South Carolina DNA Learning Center, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina

Dates:

June 21 through June 27, 2010

If you cannot apply online please send a letter with the following:

A brief description of educational background and current teaching level/subjects All home and school contact information (include address, phone, fax, and email addresses for both home and school, indicate preferred)

Send to: Clemson University
Department of Biological Sciences
132 Long Hall
Box 340322
Clemson, SC 29634-0322
Attn: Renea Hardwick

Applications are due by June 1, 2010, but will be accepted until the course is full. For additional information, contact Renea Hardwick, Department of Biological Sciences, at rhardwi@clemson.edu, 864-656-1825.