BIOL 2040 Investigations in Molecular Cell Biology Lab
A 3-credit laboratory course designed to introduce students to the core techniques and experimental strategies of modern molecular cell biology within the context of an original research investigation. Students will learn to construct testable hypotheses, design experiments, and critically analyze experimental results. During the course of their investigations, students will gain proficiency in microbial cell culture, molecular cloning, genetic analysis, and molecular characterization. Students will also gain proficiency in scientific communication and the use of biological databases.
Course overview
- Department
- Biology
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Fall, Every Spring
Catalog details
- Prerequisites
- BIOL2000
Requirements fulfilled
- Environmental Geoscience B.S.: (E) Corequisite: two semesters of Physics with labs, or two semesters of Chemistry with labs, or three semesters of Biology (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Biochemistry B.S.: BIOL2040 Investigations in Molecular Cell Biology (3 credits) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Biology B.A.: Required biology courses (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Biology B.S.: Required biology courses (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Computer Science B.S.: Required science component (two-semester laboratory sequence) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.32 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.64 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 10
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Douglas Warner | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 274 of 356 |
| Fall 2025 | Douglas Warner | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 290 of 344 |
| Spring 2025 | Douglas Warner | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 309 of 358 |
| Fall 2024 | Douglas Warner | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 310 of 350 |
| Spring 2024 | Douglas Warner | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 308 of 356 |
| Fall 2023 | Douglas Warner | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 274 of 326 |
| Spring 2023 | Douglas Warner | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 292 of 350 |
| Fall 2022 | Douglas Warner | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 286 of 348 |
| Spring 2022 | Douglas Warner | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 191 of 358 |
| Fall 2021 | Douglas Warner | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 212 of 346 |
| Fall 2021 | Kari Jensen | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 212 of 346 |
Data freshness
Instructors
Sections
- Section 01
- Section 02
- Section 03
- Section 04
- Section 05
- Section 06
- Section 07
- Section 08
- Section 09
- Section 10
- Section 11
- Section 12
- Section 13
- Section 14
- Section 15
- Section 16
- Section 01
- Section 02
- Section 03
- Section 04
- Section 05
- Section 06
- Section 07
- Section 08
- Section 09
- Section 10
- Section 11
- Section 12
- Section 13
- Section 14
- Section 15
- Section 16