Preparing the Next Generation of STEM Professionals: Integrating Computational Thinking into an Applied Molecular Forensics Research Program

培养下一代 STEM 专业人员：将计算思维融入应用分子取证研究项目

• 批准号: 1140828
• 负责人: Christopher Kitts
• 金额: $ 20万
• 依托单位: California Polytechnic State University Foundation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-09-15 至 2015-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1140828&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Preparing; Next; Generation; STEM; Professionals

The investigators are developing an integrated, multidisciplinary undergraduate molecular forensics curriculum that fosters an experimental mindset, providing a platform to transform the way students experience the application of technology in scientific discovery. Combining analytical procedures in microbiology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics with algorithmic and computational skills in computer science, the program is engaging students across the College of Science and Mathematics and the College of Engineering in educational experiences involving cutting-edge applied research through the lens of an initial focus: production of a working database of E. coli fingerprints for use in tracking environmental contamination.The curriculum is being delivered to over 1,000 students each year in multiple inquiry-based courses. These courses lay the foundation for a new emphasis in molecular forensics at Cal Poly, which leads students from the field, where E. coli is collected, to the laboratory, where the bacterial DNA is amplified and sequenced, to the computer, where the data are evaluated and archived in a database. Each lab module engages undergraduates in research with broad applications in the areas of food and water safety. Molecular forensics modules are integrated into the core of introductory courses at the Foundation level (freshman/sophomore), linking microbiology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics. At the Integration level (junior/senior), focused courses guide students in the construction and use of databases in molecular forensics. Two bioinformatics courses, one for life sciences majors and one for computer science majors, are being taught in concert to provide students with project-based experiences in multidisciplinary team settings. The student experience culminates at the Application level (senior project capstone) with teams of students working on research with environmental and health applications using the forensic database created in the program.The project is cultivating an undergraduate research community while contributing to the field of molecular forensics. As diseases caused by food-and-water-borne bacterial pathogens continue to be a major public health issue, the importance of developing efficient methods for tracking the sources of outbreaks cannot be overemphasized. Throughout the molecular forensics curriculum, students are contributing to the development of solutions for rapid identification of contamination sources in recreational and potable water as well as food supplies. Computer science students are gaining the real-world experience of working directly with clients in the development of science-specific software applications.

研究人员正在开发一个综合的，多学科的本科分子法医课程，该课程促进了实验性思维方式，提供了一个平台，以改变学生体验技术在科学发现中的应用方式。该计划将微生物学，生物化学和生物信息学和生物信息学的分析程序与计算机科学的算法和计算技能结合在一起，该计划正在吸引整个科学与数学学院的学生和工程学学院的教育经验，涉及涉及通过一项涉及超级应用研究的教育经验最初的重点：生产用于跟踪环境污染的大肠杆菌指纹的工作数据库。该课程每年通过多个基于询问的课程提供给1000多名学生。这些课程为在Cal Poly的分子取证的新重点奠定了基础，Cal Poly的分子取证，将大肠杆菌收集到的田野的学生带到了实验室，在该实验室中，将细菌DNA放大并测序到计算机上，并在该实验室中进行数据。在数据库中评估和存档。每个实验室模块都在研究本科生中，并在食品和水安全领域进行了广泛的应用。分子取证模块被整合到基础级别（新生/大二）的入门课程的核心，将微生物学，生物化学和生物信息学连接起来。在整合级别（初中/高级），专注的课程指导学生在分子取证中建造和使用数据库。两项生物信息学课程，一门是生命科学专业的一门课程，另一项是计算机科学专业的专业课程，正在教授，为学生提供基于项目的多学科团队设置的经验。学生的经验最终达到了应用程序级别（高级项目顶峰），该团队使用该计划中创建的法医数据库进行研究，从事环境和健康应用的研究。 。由于食物和水域细菌病原体引起的疾病仍然是一个主要的公共卫生问题，因此开发有效方法以跟踪疫情来源的重要性不能过分强调。在整个分子取证课程中，学生正在为快速鉴定休闲和饮用水以及粮食供应的污染源快速鉴定解决方案的发展做出贡献。计算机科学专业的学生正在获得直接与客户开发科学软件应用程序开发的现实经验。