This page summarizes project laboratories developed or enhanced via past Howard Hughes grants. The Project Laboratories were designed to provide a transition from standard courses and laboratory experiences to independent research. In these courses, students gain familiarity with experiments and state-of-the-art techniques for investigating biological questions and pursue progressively more independent explorations. Project labs are intense courses, meeting 10 hours/week for 4 credits (as opposed to regular courses which meet 3-6 hours/week).

:: Other Projects

Experiments in Molecular Biology: Biology 321
Introduction to techniques used in prokaryotic and eukaryotic molecular biology. Experimental approaches introduce students to gene cloning, Southern blotting, and molecular analysis of chromosomal breakpoint mutations. Computer analysis of DNA and protein sequences also explored. Prerequisite: Biology 143 and consent of instructor. Unlike other project labs, which are developed primarily by professors, the labs for Bio 324 are currently being designed by undergraduates working together with professors in their research labs. For two semesters, these students are simultaneously getting research credit, learning the concepts and techniques of their respective system, and designing laboratories, which they will then help teach in the Spring. The first module will look at limb-bud development in chicks and will be mentored by Dr. Bill Elmer of the Biology Department and two of his Undergraduate Research students, Rob Simon and Miranda Hoy. The second module will study signal transduction in a single/multicellular slime mold and will be mentored by Dr. Karl Saxe of the Anatomy and Cell Biology Department and his student, Greg Novak. Other modules in development include C. elegans spermatogenesis and Drosophila development.

Coastal Biology: Biology 329
The Coastal Biology class takes place in two stages. Each year in the spring semester, two hours of credit are earned in the lecture portion of the class. In May, the class moves to St. Simons Island, one of Georgia's Golden Isles, for approximately two weeks of lab activities for two additional credit hours. (This is a summer school class offering, and summer school fees apply.) Animal diversity, the ecology of beaches, dunes, marshes, maritime forests, and docks are studied. Students also study the 5 barrier islands and do trawls in the tidal rivers and sounds. At the coast, students are required to conduct ecological or behavioral investigations and report on their findings. Sixteen juniors (occasionally a sophomore) are chosen for the class. The best way to enroll is to attend the department information meeting for biology majors before preregistration and pick up an application form. If you like field studies, this is a course you should not miss!!

Experimental Physiology: Biology 337
Laboratory intensive course in modern techniques of cellular and systems physiology research.

Ecology: Biology 347
Relationships between organisms and their environments, ecosystems, communities and populations. Field studies conducted in various natural areas in Georgia, including a weekend trip to the coast.

Experimental Neurobiology: Biology 361
A course in experimental neuroscience designed for juniors who may be interested in research and which provides an introduction to current concepts, analytical methods, and laboratory techniques. Prerequisite: Bio 360 or consent of instructor.

Plant Population Biology: Biology 435
The structure and dynamics of plant populations and communities, classification, and phylogenetic relationships of seed plants.

Vertebrate Population Biology: Biology 445
Evolution, ecology, and behavior of vertebrate populations. Laboratory stresses classification and the natural history of local vertebrates.

The Integrated Laboratory: Chemistry 291/292L
Courses focus on modern analytical and instrumental techniques, such as: spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrochemistry.

Bioanalytical Laboratory: Chem 346L
This laboratory deals with current instrumentations and analytical techniques applied in different fields of science such as Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Pharmacology, Environmental and Clinical Toxicology, and Medicine. Instruments used in this laboratory are Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Mass Spectrometer, UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, Capillary Zone Electrophoresis, High Performane Liquid Chromatography, Spectrofluorometer, etc. The course is designed to introduce students to the research application of these bioanalytical techniques. Experiments are designed as simple research project. Other laboratory activities includes journal-type laboratory report, oral and written proposal on innovative techniques and application and on-site visit to different research facilities in Emory and CDC