Paul Kline

pkline@mtsu.edu

Earl Pearson

Chemistry

Master Classroom

Davis Science 208

New Technology

N/A

The Department of Chemistry has identified biochemistry as an area of emphasis in its academic plan. The department has recently approved new courses in biochemistry as part of this plan, a second semester of advanced biochemistry (CHEM 4510) and a laboratory course, Biochemical Techniques (CHEM 4530). The purpose of this proposal is to convert the laboratory currently used to teach biochemistry (DSB 208) into a combination master classroom and laboratory. Because biochemistry is an experimental science, the laboratory experience is central to its teaching. It is well recognized that the laboratory experience greatly enhances the learning process in biochemistry. As biochemistry is currently taught, lecture and laboratory experiences may not be well coordinated. In addition it is extremely difficult to carry out demonstrations in the regular classrooms due to safety considerations, i.e. , lack of fume hoods and other safety equipment. With the establishment of a single room, lecture and laboratory material can be integrated. For example when protein purification is covered in lecture it will be possible to immediately carry out an experiment/demonstration illustrating the principles. This master classroom/laboratory will serve students enrolled in senior level biochemistry and biochemical techniques laboratory with total enrollments of 30 students per year. In addition this classroom will continue to as the biochemistry teaching laboratory for the one semester class (CHEM 3530) serving 100 students per year.