3 credits
Spring 2026 Lecture Upper Division
This course will introduce upper-level undergraduate students and graduate students to the theory and practice of many commonly used molecular biology methods. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the theoretical basis for these techniques, their utility in various circumstances, and their limitations. Although taught as a lecture, students should be able to take this knowledge back to the laboratory to help them in their research efforts. The course will be as close as possible to a laboratory experience without being in an actual laboratory setting. This course is designed to prepare students for other in-depth scientific courses, for graduate rotations, and for future laboratory work. Exams will be experimental in nature (e.g., design an experiment to do something or in this type of situation, which technique/vector/etc. would best be used, and why). Permission of instructor required.
Learning Outcomes1Have knowledge about the uses and limitations of various molecular biology techniques.
2Understand the techniques and how to choose the best technique for a given circumstance.
3Understand how to interpret the experimental results emanating from each technique.
Prerequisites
Restrictions
made by Purdue students.