Theme of issue
Evolution.
To view individual papers within this issue of the newsmagazine, click on a title below:
FEATURES
Neil Baker, The Ohio State University, Columbus
J. Scott Turner, State University of New York, Syracuse, New York
Ross H. Nehm, The City College, City University of New York, New York
Keith A. Johnson, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois
Joanna R. Klein, Northwestern College, St. Paul, Minnesota
Jeffrey Byrd, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s City
JOURNAL WATCH
Jennifer A. Herzog, Herkimer County Community College, Herkimer, New York.
WEB WATCH
Web Watch
Gary Kaiser, Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville, Maryland.
From the Editor
Evolution—How do you teach evolution? Teaching evolution is the theme of the spring issue of Focus on Microbiology Education. There are probably as many ways to approach the topic as there are educators, but this issue presents several points of view for you to consider.
In May 2006, the American Society for Microbiology presented the ASM Statement on the Scientific Basis for Evolution. The statement is included here as a starting point for discussion. Neil Baker, chair of the American Society for Microbiology Education Board and former chair of the Committee on Undergraduate Education, shares his experiences and point of view. J. Scott Turner, author of The Tinkerer’s Accomplice, examines the statement and presents another point of view. Ross Nehm, a presenter on the teaching of evolution at the 2007 American Society for Microbiology Conference on Undergraduate Education, shares not only his point of view on teaching evolution and the nature of science but also an extensive bibliography. Read his article, and be prepared to go hunting in the literature. You will want to keep on looking! Focused on evolution, both the Journal Watch and Web Watch columns will aid you in your search.
This issue contains other gems as well. Keith Johnson presents a handy way to use polymerase chain reaction to identify environmental bacteria—after testing the procedure on bacteria from American Type Culture Collection strains, he identified bacteria from a hatchery.
How often do you discuss careers in microbiology in the classroom? Joanna Klein presents an exercise that opens the eyes of her students on the one hand, and gives students a self-assessment of skills and a good reason to learn the material in a microbiology class on the other.
Keep an eye open for volume 8 of the Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, available in MicrobeLibrary with just a click. And if you are headed for the ASM General Meeting in Toronto, check out the Division W schedule as you plan your meeting itinerary.
Lucy W. Kluckhohn Jones
Editor—FOME
Newsmagazine Editorial Committee
Lucy W. Kluckhohn Jones, Editor, Santa Monica College
Brad Goodner, Hiram College
Ruth Gyure, Western Connecticut State University
Marie Panec, Moorpark College
Jennifer Herzog, Herkimer County Community College
Gary Kaiser, The Community College of Baltimore County
Jean Kayira, Production Editor, ASM Staff
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