Hands-on Teaching of Bioinformatics

Building a Interdisciplinary Bioinformatics Program at a PUI

bio.davidson.edu/people/macampbell/hope/keynote.html

Post-course Reflections

• "My friends and family get annoyed with me trying to explain it to them, but I feel like the things I've learned are so revolutionary, I want to share my newfound knowledge."
  
  
• "It was also comforting to learn how all of biology could and should be connected, as with other areas of study such as mathematics, chemistry, and physics."
  
  
• "I've never been as interested in the reading and as motivated to continue learning as I have been this semester in Genomics....I feel like the logical reasoning skills that I've developed can be applied to other areas of life as well."
  
  
• "I never imagined that I would view biology (and science in general) in such a larger context.....I feel as if I've put on a new pair of glasses and can see things more clearly......I am coming across more things that I've never seen before or that I don't understand. However, I am more aware of ways and methods of finding the answers."
  
  
• "I wish I could live to be 200 years old and study biology with degrees in physics, chemistry, biology, computer science and mathematics.....The course has also reinforced the idea that diseases and pathways (signaling and metabolic) are not as simple as they first appear."

 

Student Vocation Vectors

• Emily converts from straight MD to MD/PhD - enrolled at UVA.
  
• Amber converts from straight behavior ecology/evolution to Bioinformatics/Genomics - enrolled at JHU.
  
• Aaron converts from "in between careers" to bioinformatics/genomics - applying for jobs and preparring for GREs.
  
• Alan converts from straight chemistry to genomics - currently in postbac program at NIH.
  
• Rachel segues from biophysics major to DNA microarray biophysics - enrolled at Harvard.
  
• Danielle becomes focused on medical school and gets a job at NIEHS for transition period (perl and MAGIC Tool).
  
• John transitions through a proteomics lab at UVA (med school eventually).
  
• Paul realizes research potential and working as a technician at Children's Hospital in Boston.
  
• Sean pursues MD at MD, but works in genomics labs for research experiences.
  
• Liz works at Massachusetts General Hospital and decides to return to graduate school in CS/Bioinformatics/Genomics.
  
• Elizabeth works at NIH genomics lab (postbac prgram) and enters medical school.
  
• Dennis (economics major) works at investment firm with goal of specializing in genomics/bioinformatics venture capital.

Biology Department

© Copyright 2004 Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035
Send comments, questions, and suggestions to: macampbell@davidson.edu