Molecular Biology

Molecular Biology/Molecular Genetics, usually referred to as merely "Molecular", or "Molecular Science", is a one-year college-level sequence studying classic experiments in molecular biology and dealing with common laboratory techniques used in molecular biology, including gel electrophoresis and transformation. Depending on the number of sections, the class is taught by Dr. John M. Utting and sometimes Ms. Anne Manwell. In the 2009-2010 school year, only one section was taught by Dr.Utting.

Curriculum
Much of the first semester is spent reading classic scientific papers, such as Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty's discovery of DNA as the transforming principle and Watson and Crick's discovery of the structure of DNA. These papers are on a very high level, and the speed at which they are studied leaves about half the class not understanding what the papers are about. However, the class is meant to be a laboratory, not a lecture-style, class. Laboratories conducted in the first-term are relatively basic and simple compared to those of second term. An example of a first term lab is determination of a standard curve of methylene blue. Students also learn very basic techniques, such as using a micropipette and producing sterile agar plates. Dr.Utting also explains how to write our laboratory papers which are modeled off the structure of real scientific papers, including Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Conclusion/Discussion sections.

The second term is spent on more modern developments and techniques. A few lessons are taught explaining the background of scientific phenomena such as transformation and the history of their discoveries. Labs deal with denaturation of DNA and protein, transformation, gel electrophoresis, and DNA purification. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is done if there is time. Laboratory papers are written for all labs, including first term labs. The difference between writing lab papers in first term versus second term is that first term, Dr.Utting guides the students through writing the papers, while second term, the papers are written largely without Dr.Utting's help. The class culminates in a final notebook project, where all labs are cut out and glued to a notebook with a table of contents and appendices for recipes, aseptic techniques, and safety procedures. Many students pull all-nighters trying to finish this notebook.

Teaching Style
Dr.Utting is extremely popular among students. He has a patient and calm attitude, despite students frequently making mistakes or not understanding what to do. He enjoys poking fun at students and making jokes. He also genuinely cares about his students.

Non-lab classes are usually discussion-based. When learning about the background for certain phenomena, Dr.Utting often asks us to think like the scientists and propose our own solutions before Dr.Utting reveals the discovery. Incorrect hypotheses give Dr.Utting room for a little teasing, but nonetheless he still encourages his students to keep trying.

When performing labs, the class is usually divided up into 4 or 5 groups. Labs get confusing at times to many students, especially since for most labs there is no instruction sheet besides the students' personal notes from a discussion the day before. As a result, failed experiments are not uncommon in the class.

Grading Policy
Dr.Utting has no official policy for grading or grade breakdown. However, he gives generous grades at times, and students generally get grades above 90. Grades are mainly based on laboratory papers written. Dr.Utting rarely gives tests in this class; In 2009-2010, the students received only one quiz. This is not strange, however, because, as stated above, Molecular Biology/Molecular Genetics is mainly a laboratory class. Class participation - in discussions of scientific papers and in laboratories - also plays a factor into the grade. If no papers are written or graded by Dr.Utting in a marking period, the grade is based on participation. Homework is rarely given as well, and homeworks usually are merely to "think" like the scientists being studied to propose hypotheses to the problem investigated by the scientists, or to search up on the Internet a topic. These do not have to be written on paper and are only discussed verbally as a class.