Journal of Engineering Education Transformations

S. V. Desai ¹, Zabin K. Bagewadi ¹, Uday M. Muddapur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, KLE Technological University, Hubballi - 580 031, IN

Abstract

Research Methodology is a systematic, theoretical analysis of the methods applied to a field of study, which comprises the body of various techniques. The course assumes significance from the Biotechnology perspective, since the domain is research centric. The objective of the course is to give an insight into the nuances of research methods to facilitate the students in the handling of Mini, Minor, Capstone and REU projects at higher level semesters. The course poses a challenge from the teachinglearning perspective owing to its heterogeneous content of the chapters. In order to address this question of overcoming the challenge of learning the course with heterogeneity and provide meaningful learning, the present study with an integrated approach was practiced for undergraduate students of Biotechnology for enhancing the effectiveness of learning. Various in-classroom activities and online tools were undertaken to give hands-on learning experience. The active learning techniques employed were instrumental in keeping the students engaged while enhancing the effectiveness of learning in a course with diverse contents, which otherwise would have been difficult by conventional rote teaching methods. The exercise resulted in addressing different graduate attributes related to demonstration of competence in mathematical modeling, basic science, comprehend technical literature, use modern engineering tools and understand the philosophy of research methodology, with a decent scale of attainment. It is concluded that an integrated approach with multipronged activities can lead to effective learning. Further scope for the study exists in the form of fine-tuning of activities in terms of better assessment and widening the horizons of the concepts dealt with.

Keywords

Research Methodology, Active Learning, Teaching-Learning.

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Gururaj Tennalli ¹, Shivalingsarj V. Desai ¹, Uday M. Muddapur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, KLE Technological University, Hubballi, IN

Abstract

Identification and characterization of native isolates from environmental sources assumes immense significance from research, and commercial perspective. Microbial identification using a molecular biology approach based on 16S rDNA has been the popular and well-established method. Experiments of Molecular Biology and rDNA Technology have always been a challenge for effective teaching owing to the cost, time, inconsistent results and expertise. The study was undertaken with a broad objective of giving a hands-on experience of selected molecular biology and rDNA technology experiments and related activities to the undergraduate students of Biotechnology Engineering, as a module of Minor project identified as flagship course. The genomic DNA of selected environmental soil isolates was isolated by the conventional lysis method, followed by amplification of its 16S rDNA by PCR, using universal primers. The resulting amplicons were purified, cloned into the TA vector, and analyzed for insert and the recombinant vector was transformed into host cells. The ligated cloned vector showed a size of 4500 bp as against the control vector of 3000 bp. The growth of transformants was confirmed by selective growth against ampicillin antibiotic and by blue-white screening. The exercise helped in addressing eight graduate attributes related to (investigation of technical issues, modern engineering tools, discipline-specific tools, team-work and produce technical report). Formal feedback from the students evidenced that the students had good experiential learning from the exercise. Thus, the study related to cloning exercise was instrumental in providing hands-on experience and enhanced the skill sets of the students related to fundamental molecular biology.

Keywords

PCR, rDNA, TA Cloning, Recombinant Screening.

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