1. Bethany Stone University of Missouri Student Misconceptions in Molecular Genetics ASM Biology Scholars

2. The Students… Non-science majors, mostly j-students Mostly freshman Large lecture course Most (soon all) have had biology in high school – some have had advanced courses.

3. Previously… 2003 with Pat Friedrichsen and Pat Brown Collected pre- and post-test data from ~800 students Interviewed 12 students to tease out misconceptions

4. 33% described chromosomes as “either X or Y” 33% described chromosomes as a part of a DNA helix 33% described genes as centromere or rung on DNA 75% believed cells have only the genes they need Some misconceptions we found in the interviews…

5. What are the sources of these misconceptions?

7. What do I plan on doing? Review results from the 800 pre- and post-tests Refine assessment tool to find more misconceptions. - Mini concept map - Drawing tools Survey student attitudes and opinions Measure effectiveness of instructional tools.

8. What do I plan on doing? Example of Instructional Tools: Life Organized Animation

9. “Mr. Osborne, may I be excused? My brain is full.” Comments, concerns and suggestions?