BIOTEACH: A Student Run Web-based Biotechnology Information Centre

TitleBIOTEACH: A Student Run Web-based Biotechnology Information Centre
Faculty/College/UnitScience
StatusCompleted
Duration2 Year
Initiation04/01/2002
Completion03/31/2004
Funding Details
Year 1: Project TitleEnhancement of Biotechnology Related Teaching and Learning for University Undergraduate / Graduate Student and Community Based Populations
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2002/2003
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorDavid Ng
Year 1: Funded Amount27,000
Year 1: Team Members

David Ng, Instructor / Director, Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory, Biotechnology Laboratory

Year 1: Summary

The primary objective of this project is to address both the need and demand for the continued expansion of teaching and learning infrastructure related to the science and sociology surrounding biotechnology. Biotechnology is a truly multidisciplinary entity that encompasses a wide range of scientific fields. By definition, it involves a collaborative approach between members in areas as diverse as the medical, genomic, agricultural, forestry and engineering disciplines. More importantly, it also includes prevalent topics on ethical, societal, political, environmental, economical, and even cultural issues. The full appreciation of this variety, therefore, presents a considerable challenge to individuals who are interested or involved in this exciting and popular area. Due to the inherent diversity of our potential audience, we feel that the success of this proposal should have an enormous impact in both the university and community arenas.

To meet our overall objective, two specific aims will be addressed:

  1. To develop and implement a set of high technology resource and learning delivery tools (specific to biotechnology topics) that can be broadly used by the university and the public community, resulting in overall enhancement of existing educational environment.
  2. In order to meet the intense public demand, to expand current community OUTREACH initiatives offered by the UBC Biotechnology Laboratory, which focus on strengthening the relationship between the public school community and the research community.

Presently, it is clear that two major impediments, available time and appropriate expertise by teaching staff, act to deter progress in these aims. The remainder of this proposal will consequently focus on the logistics required to meet our goals.

Year 2: Project YearYear 2
Year 2: Funding Year2003/2004
Year 2: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 2: Principal InvestigatorDavid Ng
Year 2: Funded Amount17,000
Year 2: Team Members

David Ng, Instructor / Director, Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory, Biotechnology Laboratory

Year 2: Summary

The primary objective of this project is to address both the need and demand for the continued expansion of teaching and learning infrastructure related to the science and sociology surrounding biotechnology. Biotechnology is a truly multidisciplinary entity that encompasses a wide range of scientific fields. By definition, it involves a collaborative approach between members in areas as diverse as the medical, genomic, agricultural, forestry and engineering disciplines. More importantly, it also includes prevalent topics on ethical, societal, political, environmental, economical, and even cultural issues. The full appreciation of this variety, therefore, presents a considerable challenge to individuals who are interested or involved in this exciting and popular area. Due to the inherent diversity of our potential audience, we feel that the success of this proposal should have an enormous impact in both the university and community arenas.

In this respect, this article will describe the continuation of a previously funded proposal which (due to an enthusiastic response from the university student population) will hopefully lead to the formation of student run organization (see accompanying progress report). This organization or club like entity will be empowered to develop and implement a set of web-based resource and learning delivery tools (specific to biotechnology topics). These materials can then be broadly used by the university and public communities, resulting in an overall enhancement of the existing educational environment.