Florence Bourquin, Biochemisches Institut:

Third year Biochemistry students are the targets of my Research-Based Teaching and Learning (RBTL) project. The teaching in Biochemistry is mainly teacher-based and theory-oriented. Laboratory activities are designed to follow a provided experimental protocol. The following project represents an innovation as it aims at preparing the students for their research activity. We enrolled six volunteers to perform a full RBTL on the expression, purification and functional characterisation of a protein called Caspase-3 during the winter break in February 2018. The method used was project method, the most similar to a master thesis. The assessment was based on a lab book, a report, an oral presentation, and a self-reflection. One out of the six students achieved the project as planned. The five other students decided to step out of the project and to devote the rest of their vacancies to personal activities. Although all students considered the project as valuable and meaningful, there is room for improvement. The teachers had underestimated the speed and overestimated the skills of the students to perform the RBTL, especially in formulating hypothesis, and setting up the protocol. The self-reflection was left apart by most of the students. Altogether, we met the goals of this pilot project: a new project has been successfully set up and was appreciated by the students. We used the constructive feedbacks of the students to improve the design of the course. The next round will be held in July 2018.