From the science to the clinical: Integrating literature reviews and case studies

CHED 120

Melissa D. Kelley, mkelley@uca.edu, Department of Chemistry, University of Central Arkansas, 201 A Laney Hall, Conway, AR 72035
Literature reviews and case studies have successfully been used to teach biochemistry. This study utilizes two pedagogical strategies; literature-based learning and case study teaching, with the aim of promoting student driven learning, critical thinking, and assimilation of biochemical concepts. This project progresses from basic science to a clinical setting providing a hands-on experience with primary literature and case study development. Students are assigned a two-part integrative literature review/case study assignment. Students write a comprehensive literature review on a metabolic enzyme focusing on genetics, protein structure/function, and kinetics. Secondly, students write a case study incorporating the literature review with their understanding of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism. Students (n=65) were surveyed on perspective and concept questions. Trends in the data reflect that literature review assignments promoted student-driven learning, assimilation of biochemical concepts, and increased biochemical comprehension, while the case study assignment developed the connection between biochemical concepts and metabolic integration.
 

General Posters
7:30 PM-9:30 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008