STEM Professors Adapt Class to Study Covid-19

Description

Prior to spring break, Chris Berndsen’s biochemistry class was studying metabolic processes and DNA structure, and his two lab sections had just finished purifying proteins using sweet potatoes. When COVID-19 shuttered campus and instruction moved online, Berndsen shifted his focus to the virus.

“With all three classes, I said, well, all of this relates to what we’re covering in class in some way, shape or form,” Berndsen said. “So let’s just try to understand what’s going on and apply it to some of the biochemistry we’ve been learning.”

Berndsen assigned a COVID-19 literature project in which his students were asked to work in teams to develop wikis—websites that allow for collaborative editing of content—around a research topic.

#RRR

Web Presence

https://www.jmu.edu/news/2020/05/04-stem-classes-study-coronavirus.shtml

Involvement

Involves Faculty, Involves Students

Scope

JMU Campus Scope

Date

Spring 2020

Frequency

One Time Only

Existing Center/Institute/Program

no

Primary Focus of Program

Health and Healthcare

Begin Date

4-2020

Areas of Engagement

Engaged Learning

Format

Class/Coursework

On/Off campus

Off campus

Academic Level of Engagement

Course