Authentic engagement in research provides students with skills in scientific inquiry and experimental design that are not easily obtained through traditional, pre-developed laboratories. The goal of this work is to transform a twenty-week traditional laboratory experience for first year MS students in a biotechnology program into a more authentic research experience. The laboratory curriculum focuses on developing students? ability to critically evaluate scientific literature as well as to plan, execute, and troubleshoot experiments. Prior to beginning the course, students were presented with a survey to measure their levels of experience in several skills such as scientific communication and collaboration as well as scientific literature review and comprehension. Students were presented with the same survey upon completion of the teaching lab as well as with a perceived benefits survey to determine whether the lab is effective in developing students? preparedness for independent research. Here we will discuss the development of the pre- and post-survey and the preliminary results from the first iteration of laboratory assessment.
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