Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Learning Experience in Biophotonics

Kent State University, Kent OH

Investigators

Abstract

Interdisciplinary Sciences (99) The education and training of skilled practitioners in the fields of biophotonics is clearly a benefit to society and connects several science disciplines through instrumentation and analysis. Biophotonic applications in their many shapes and forms have a profound influence on modern life science research and it is therefore highly desirable to improve the education of undergraduate students in this vital scientific area. The exceptional scientific breadth of biophotonic research makes it virtually impossible for a single science department to deliver all topics necessary for a well-rounded basic education in this rapidly progressing scientific area. This project is developing an interdisciplinary biophotonics undergraduate laboratory/lecture course (2+1 credit hours) that involves faculty from Kent State's Biology, Chemistry and Physics departments. Course topics include basic principles of fluorescence and microscopy, organic fluorophore synthesis, advanced fluorescence spectroscopy and the use of microscopy in cell biology. The lab course concludes with a student designed project that utilizes high-end biophotonics instrumentation.