FINAL EVALUATION

2013 CTY SUMMER PROGRAM

Student: NAME
Course: Biotechnology

Instructor: Ron Stoesz

Teaching Assistant: Nicole Martineau

Congratulations, NAME, you have successfully completed the Biotechnology course. In these three
weeks, you studied the history and modern developments of the biotechnology revolution. You acquired
key laboratory techniques such as agarose gel electrophoresis and protein chromatography. You used
these techniques in order to extract and manipulate DNA. Using the internet to research a genetic
problem, you shared your results with the class in a PowerPoint presentation. As a result of this work, you
developed skills that biotechnologists use every day in such fields as forensic science, cancer research,
and cloning. Please see the enclosed course description for more detailed information on the course.
NAME, you correctly used the scientific method to solve problems and when confused, you willingly
listen and work towards understanding until certain of the answer. You actively participated during class
discussion by demonstrating how a dihybrid Punnett square can be used to solve the blood-typing cases.
During the bacterial case studies activity, you helped your group, through your use of logic and
understanding of the material, to synthesize and prioritize your readings in order to come to a final
conclusion. This demonstrated your ability to evaluate, understand, apply your knowledge, and effectively
collaborate with in your group.
Your attentiveness, attention to detail, and ability to work well with your lab partners enabled you to
master the subject matter and to be successful in the lab. You successfully applied the topics studied in
labs, such as extracting DNA from your own cheek cells, inserting plasmids containing the pGLO gene
into bacteria, cloning them, and extracting and using column chromatography to purify the Green
Fluorescent Protein. You applied the scientific method by designing an original experiment in
microbiology in which you sought to answer the question, Would the pollen from different flowers have
the same bacteria? There were no bacteria on your petri dish so you completed a similar investigation
using ferns. You discovered the narrower leafed fern had fewer bacteria but that they were of the same rod
shape and both stained gram positive. Scientists are not always successful in their investigations, and like
a scientist you were able to create a verifiable hypothesis, re-design an experiment, and analyze your
results. During labs you demonstrated the commendable assets of being able to adjust to obstacles, work
well with others and keep your team on task.
A requirement for this course was a personal research project. You demonstrated your expertise in the use
of the Internet researching the Colon Cancer. Using the National Institute of Healths MIM/OMIM web
site you discovered that the colorectal cancer syndrome was located on chromosome 5 at position q21.
You informed your classmates that this condition was caused by, a translocation of one part of a
chromosome for another, in a descriptive PowerPoint presentation. Your presentation showed a good
grasp of learned concepts, excellent biology research skills, and compassionate delivery of sensitive
materials.
Your performance in class demonstrated your desire to learn and succeed academically Nicole and I hope
that you will consider a course of future study in the field of science. Your work in biotechnology this
summer illustrated your enthusiasm for scientific pursuits.

Instructors Signature: _____________________________________________________