You are here: Home / Resources / Browse Resources

Open. Adaptable. Free.

Resources created by our members and partners.

The QUBES platform hosts hundreds of teaching materials, reference materials, and cloud-based software free to use and adapt using open Creative Commons licenses.

Text Search:
Applied Filters
    Bioinformatics is a BLAST: Engaging First-Year Biology Students on Campus Biodiversity Using DNA Barcoding
    In order to introduce students to the concept of molecular diversity, we developed a short, engaging online lesson using basic bioinformatics techniques. Students were introduced to basic...

    Keywords: geneticsorganismal biologybioinformaticstaxonomyDNA Barcodingspecies concepts

    1694

    views

    212

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Teaching the Central Dogma Using a Case Study of Genetic Variation in Cystic Fibrosis
    The central dogma of biology is a foundational concept that is traditionally included in genetics curricula at all academic levels. Despite its ubiquitous presence throughout genetics education,...

    Keywords: transcriptioncentral dogmatranslationsequence analysisDNA replicationgenetic variants

    4521

    views

    1086

    downloads

    1

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    A simple way for students to visualize cellular respiration: adapting the board game MousetrapTM to model complexity
    Lecture-based introductory biology courses are typically content-heavy as instructors strive to provide students with foundational knowledge in a broad range of topics.  One topic...

    Keywords: ATPGlycolysisCellular RespirationElectron Transport ChainKrebs Cycle

    4262

    views

    655

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Analysis of Microbiomes Using Free Web-Based Tools in Online and In-Person Undergraduate Science Courses
    Our understanding of microbiomes, or the collection of microorganisms and their genes in a given environment, has been revolutionized by technological and computational advances. However, many...

    Keywords: microbiomeDNA SubwayCyVerseCourse based undergraduate researchQIIME2ranacapa

    4043

    views

    267

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Using computational molecular modeling software to demonstrate how DNA mutations cause phenotypes
    Students require a deep understanding of the central dogma before they can understand complex topics such as evolution and biochemical disorders. However, getting undergraduate biology students to...

    Keywords: Protein Structurecomputational modelingcentral dogmaplant leaf structurePhenotype/Genotype

    1906

    views

    509

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    A How to Guide and Template for Designing a Puzzle Based Escape Room Game
    Educational games are one active and effective way of engaging students with material while also providing additional motivation to tackle challenging concepts. A particularly popular game concept...

    Keywords: Problem SolvingCollaborative WorkCorrect Misconceptions

    2307

    views

    283

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Using Pathway Maps to Link Concepts, Peer Review, Primary Literature Searches and Data Assessment in Large Enrollment Classes: An example from teaching ecosystem ecology
    As with many other complex topics, teaching ecosystem ecology can be particularly difficult in terms of helping students understand the relationships between the various component parts. We...

    Keywords: energyecosystemNutrientsPathway

    1222

    views

    490

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    The 4-Minute Summary: Helping students recall, recap and explain the big picture... and much more!
    Actively engaging students during a lecture class can come through many formats.  The 4-Minute Summary is a versatile pedagogy that can be readily applied to any class format (e.g.,...

    Keywords: active learningDiscussionLarge classSummary

    2524

    views

    238

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    A CURE-based approach to teaching genomics using mitochondrial genomes
    There is an abundance (currently over 1016 DNA bases) of publicly available genetic sequence data and a dearth of trained genomicists to process and interpret it, necessitating more trained...

    Keywords: proteinsMitochondrial GenomesNuclear GenomesrRNAtRNA

    1812

    views

    267

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Using QIIME to Interpret Environmental Microbial Communities in an Upper Level Metagenomics Course
    Metagenomics is rapidly evolving due to advances in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics, but without proper training to interpret these datasets, student understanding remains limited. Aimed...

    Keywords: microbiome

    1400

    views

    286

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Infectious Chocolate Joy with a Side of Poissonian Statistics: An activity connecting life science students with subtle physics concepts
    Introductory physics courses are required for many programs in the life sciences, yet traditional curricula fail to help students meaningfully connect physical concepts with biological...

    Keywords: quantitative biologyHIVmultiplicity of infectionPoisson DistributionPhysics for biologists

    1342

    views

    139

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Student-Generated Analogies for Learning about Information Flow
    Using analogies is a standard practice for both teaching and communicating ideas in science. Here we upend the traditional lesson, where the instructor provides a fully constructed analogy and...

    Keywords: critical thinkingcentral dogmaanalogical reasoning

    507

    views

    66

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Small Organisms with Big Consequences: Understanding the Microbial World Around Us
    Creating a hands-on lab that conveys important information while simultaneously allowing for student autonomy can be difficult. This is particularly true for the field of microbiology, in which...

    Keywords: disease transmissionmicrobiologymicrobiomeliterature reviewPeer reviewPathogensHealth and WellnessThe Scientific Method

    2457

    views

    182

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    A CRISPR/Cas Guide RNA Design In Silico Activity
    CRISPR biotechnologies inspired by the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat RNA-guided nuclease adaptive bacterial immune system have revolutionized biology research and become...

    Keywords: bioinformaticsgene expressiongenetic basis of diseaseCRISPR/Cas9genetic engineeringin silico

    3187

    views

    1252

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Exploring Microbial Diversity: An Interactive In-Class Assignment for Biology and Microbiology Courses
    This interactive assignment engages students in a hands-on exploration of microbial diversity and the importance of microbes in ecosystems. Designed for General Biology II and Introduction to...

    Keywords: Microbiology EducationMicrobial DiversitymicrobiologyEcological Society of Americaecology educationresearch-based classroom instruction4DEE Framework

    126

    views

    27

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    A Customizable Inquiry-Based Statistics Teaching Application for Introductory Biology Students
    Building strong quantitative skills prepares undergraduate biology students for successful careers in science and medicine. While math and statistics anxiety can negatively impact student learning...

    Keywords: introductory biologyQuantitative reasoningInclusive teachingauthentic inquiryInferential statisticsInstructional scaffolding

    795

    views

    284

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Who’s That Speci-Mon? Using PokémonTM to Understand Biological Terminology Using Greek and Latin Roots
    We set out to create a fun and engaging activity using recognizable fictional characters, so students get a chance to practice using Greek and Latin roots to create binomial names. Students in...

    Keywords: linguisticstaxonomyAnatomyGreek and Latin Roots

    1463

    views

    349

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Forensic Phylogenetics: Implementing Tree-thinking in a Court of Law
    Here we describe an in-class activity developed for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity (BioEE1780) at Cornell University, an introductory course required of all biology majors. This activity...

    Keywords: phylogeneticsTree thinkingparaphyly

    1716

    views

    166

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Tackling "Big Data" with Biology Undergrads: A Simple RNA-seq Data Analysis Tutorial Using Galaxy
    Analyzing high-throughput DNA sequence data is a fundamental skill in modern biology. However, real and perceived barriers such as massive file sizes, substantial computational requirements, and...

    Keywords: bioinformaticsDNA sequenceRNAseqgene expression

    4686

    views

    869

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    My Fish Tank: An Active Learning Activity for Bacterial Nitrogen Metabolism
    This active learning activity introduces students to the second part of the nitrogen cycle, nitrification. In terrestrial and aquatic environments, bacteria from the Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter...

    Keywords: nitrogen cyclenitrificationnitrifying bacteria

    865

    views

    90

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Close

    Home

    Search