Achievement

A theoretical core IGERT course was developed. Entitled “Analysis of Biological Macromolecules and Biomaterials,” it will be taught in Fall 2012 by a faculty team in different disciplines (physics, chemistry, and biochemistry) from MU, NCSU, and IU at Bloomington using videoconference facilities. A lecturer at MU will be assisted by a faculty member at each site. A discussion period will follow the lecture. This interdisciplinary course introduces basic concepts and physical techniques currently being used to investigate bio-macromolecular structures and bio-inspired materials. Specifically, the course will consist of five modules taught in the order of increasing complexity: 1) vesicles and single supported membranes; 2) proteins and nucleic acids; 3) membrane and peptide/protein interactions; 4) biomolecular and cellular interactions; and 5) bio-inspired materials. The modules include a Problem-Based Learning activity and use a Writing Intensive approach.