I took BIOL 250 during my second semester of college (Spring 2020). In this class, we focused on intro level topics of Cell and Molecular Biology and had a research project where we looked at SNPs. During this class, we were sent home to follow COVID regulations. In Fall of 2020, I took Microbiology (BIOL 305) with Dr. Trubitsyn. This was my first upper-level biology class at Longwood.
In BIOL 250, our lab work consisted of understanding basic laboratory techniques such as pipetting and applying our knowledge in class to identifying and understanding SNPs of our own DNA. I was very lost during the entire process, mainly because I had never been exposed to this form of lab before. Our final project consisted of determining the genotype of our own SNPs and to make a poster presentation. In BIOL 305, much of our lab work was focused on identifying different types of bacteria and ultimately using our knowledge later on to identify the bacteria we were required to grow. We also had one project that focused on learning about different bacteria and how they cause harm to humans. Both projects focused on applying lab techniques, such as sterilization and culturing, to learn about different bacteria and also required us to research literature to back our knowledge.
So, why do these two classes matter or how do they relate? I remember asking myself the same question when taking 305, because I could not understand how that class helped me at all for micro. Looking back I now realize that I could not have succeeded in 305 without taking 250. 250 laid down the basic principles I needed to understand before taking an upper-level class as well as gave me the basic laboratory skills that I used in 305 and still use today. In addition, I was able to learn more about myself in both of these classes and learn how much I do enjoy being in a lab. These two classes encouraged me to pursue more opportunities in labs and led me to working in the two independent labs I work in now! I will say that my experience, along with everyone else’s, was way different than I expected due to COVID. My first ever poster presentation was given over zoom, and I had to learn the second half of the material over zoom but I do feel like it benefited me. Many students in medical school talk about how reviewing lectures online is not the same as in person, but I believe that I will be better able to manage these lectures since I was forced to adapt over COVID. My 305 class was hybrid, so I had to learn how to fully understand the material I learned in class and over zoom, which is similar to what I will be doing as a medical student.
Medical school is not far away from now, and I am thankful to have had these classes to prepare me. I am taking my MCAT soon, and a lot of the information and lab techniques I learned in 250 and 305 are likely to be on there. I feel that these two classes have definitely influenced the way I will handle and approach my future projects because they taught me how to be successful in biology classes. Throughout the semesters I took these classes, each professor made sure I, along with my other classmates, were given all of the necessary tools to succeed. I appreciated that they didn’t just hand us out grades because of the difficult times we were in, but rather they made us work hard for the grades we wanted and pushed us to be the best students possible. The way they taught the classes allowed me to learn how to study for and succeed in biology classes, something I will take with me when I am in medical school.
(Although I am not including an artifact from 305, that class helped prepare me for future classes and research projects. I am including my poster from 250 as well as my poster from PRISM which are a year apart to show the growth I was able to endure just in one year at Longwood.)
250 Final Poster
PRISM Poster