DNA Overview Learning Module

Module Description:

This module, from Support Center for Microsystems Education (SCME), provides "an overview of the DNA molecule, its role as genetic material, its molecular components and structure and DNA replication." The module is divided into the following five units: Knowledge Probe (KP or pre-test), Primary Knowledge (PK), Exploration of DNA Concepts Activity, Exploring DNA Applications Activity, and Final Assessment.

Module Contents: 

The module includes six instructor guides, five participant guides, and a presentation. PDF and DOC versions are provided for all of the guides. The included guides are: Overview of DNA Primary Knowledge (PK), Overview of DNA Knowledge Probe (Pre-Test), two activities, and an assessment. Instructor guides include additional content such as instructor notes and questions and answers. A Learning Module Map (LM) Instructor Guide is also included. 

The LM map provides information about the module including module contents, target audience, and a map that is divided into the following three sections: Important Steps, Key Points, and Reasons. 

Overview of DNA Primary Knowledge (PK) is an instructional unit with the following objectives:

• Describe the molecular components of DNA.
• Describe the structure and replication of DNA.
• Evaluate the role of DNA as genetic material.

The following sections are included in this unit guide: Introduction, DNA Analysis and MEMS, Objectives, Key Terms, DNA exploration, The Hershey-Chase Blender Experiments, Chargaff's Rule, The Human Genome Project, DNA Replication, and more.

The Exploration of DNA Concepts Activity provides "further exploration into DNA concepts and DNA's significance as the genetic material." Students should read the Overview of DNA Primary Knowledge (PK) unit prior to this activity. Upon completion of the activity, students "will be able to describe the DNA double helix, how it is copied, and to understand its significance as genetic material."

During the DNA Overview Activity: Exploring DNA Applications, students "explore DNA's role in applications such as infectious and inherited diseases," by completing tutorials online and answering Post-Activity Questions. Upon completion of the activity, students "will be able to explain ways in which DNA and DNA concepts are used in different fields."

The Overview of DNA Assessment includes 12 questions and is intended to be given to students at the completion of the module.

A PowerPoint presentation is also included and provides a unit overview, objectives, and information about the molecular components of DNA as well as its structure and replication. The presentation is provided in both PDF and PowerPoint formats.

For orientation purposes App_BioMEM_P1_LM32_map.pdf is included as a separate attachment and offers a sample of the type of material included in this module. 

Below is a list of the files included in the .zip attachment. The size of each file is included in parenthesis. 

DNA Overview Learning Module (32 files, 12.2 MB)

• Instructor Guides
  • Docs 
    • An Exploration of DNA Concepts Activity Instructor Guide (App_BioMEM_AC32a_IG_August2017.docx 268 KB)
    • DNA Overview Activity: Exploring DNA Applications Instructor Guide (App_BioMEM_AC32b_IG_August2017.docx 47 KB)
    • Overview of DNA Assessment Instructor Guide (App_BioMEM_FA32_IG_August2017.docx 42 KB)
    • Overview of DNA Knowledge Probe (Pre-Test) Instructor Guide (App_BioMEM_KP_IG_August2017.docx 35 KB)
    • Overview of DNA Learning Module (App_BioMEM_P1_LM32_map_August2017.docx 28 KB)
    • Overview of DNA Primary Knowledge (PK) Instructor Guide (App_BioMEM_PK32_IG_August2017.docx 1.4 MB)
  • PDFs 
    • An Exploration of DNA Concepts Activity Instructor Guide (App_BioMEM_AC32a_IG.pdf 203 KB)
    • DNA Overview Activity: Exploring DNA Applications Instructor Guide (App_BioMEM_AC32b_IG.pdf 137 KB)
    • Overview of DNA Assessment Instructor Guide (App_BioMEM_FA32_IG.pdf 128 KB)
    • Overview of DNA Knowledge Probe (Pre-Test) Instructor Guide (App_BioMEM_KP32_IG.pdf 126 KB)
    • Overview of DNA Learning Module (App_BioMEM_P1_LM32_map.pdf 119 KB)
    • Overview of DNA Primary Knowledge (PK) Instructor Guide (App_BioMEM_PK32_IG.pdf 1.6 MB)
• Participant Guides 
  • Docs 
    • An Exploration of DNA Concepts Activity Participant Guide (App_BioMEM_AC32a_PG_August2017.docx 267 KB)
    • DNA Overview Activity: Exploring DNA Applications Participant Guide (App_BioMEM_AC32b_PG_August2017.docx 44 KB)
    • Overview of DNA Assessment Participant Guide (App_BioMEM_FA32_PG_August2017.docx 41 KB)
    • Overview of DNA Learning Module (App_BioMEM_P1_KP32_PG_August2017.docx 35 KB)
    • Overview of DNA Primary Knowledge (PK) Participant Guide (App_BioMEM_PK32_PG_August2017.docx 1.4 MB)
  • PDFs 
    • An Exploration of DNA Concepts Activity Participant Guide (App_BioMEM_AC32a_PG.pdf 186 KB)
    • DNA Overview Activity: Exploring DNA Applications Participant Guide (App_BioMEM_AC32b_PG.pdf 124 KB)
    • Overview of DNA Assessment Participant Guide (App_BioMEM_FA32_PG.pdf 107 KB)
    • Overview of DNA Learning Module (App_BioMEM_P1_KP32_PG.pdf 120 KB)
    • Overview of DNA Primary Knowledge (PK) Participant Guide (App_BioMEM_PK32_PG.pdf 1.6 MB)
• Presentation 
  • Overview of DNA (DNA_Overview_Presentation.pdf 2.2 MB)
  • Overview of DNA (DNA_Overview_Presentation.pptx 1.8 MB)