BIOEE 3731

Methods in Marine Invertebrate Biodiversity

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

BIOEE3731 provides an immersive experience working in a research laboratory focused on understanding the evolution of biodiversity in marine invertebrates. Participants will perform experiments to investigate the relationships between DNA sequence diversity, cell and tissue morphology, and animal evolution. Students will learn several specialized research techniques including fluorescent microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9), microinjection, and immunohistochemistry. Experiments will be conducted in the Babonis Lab (E142 Corson Hall), and learning will be assessed by completion of a semester-long research project. Because of the intensive hands-on nature of the course, only a small group of students will be accepted. Acceptance is by interview only.

Corequisites BIOEE 3730.

Enrollment Priority Interview required.

Last 4 Terms Offered (None)

Learning Outcomes

• Test methods for labeling DNA, RNA, and protein.
• Generate data connecting gene expression to cell/tissue morphology.
• Analyze data quantitatively and qualitatively.
• Synthesize results from multiple techniques to explain biodiversity.

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