Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) are an effective way to introduce students to contemporary scientific research. Research experiences have been shown to promote critical thinking, improve understanding and proper use of the scientific method, and help students learn practical skills including writing and oral communication. We aimed to improve scientific training by engaging students enrolled in an upper division elective course in a human microbiome CURE. The “Fiber Force” course is aimed at studying the effect of a wholesome high-fiber diet (40 to 50 g/day for two weeks) on the students’ gut microbiomes. Enrolled students participated in a noninvasive diet intervention, designed health surveys, tested hypotheses on the effect of a diet intervention on the gut microbiome, and analyzed their own samples (as anonymized aggregates). The course involved learning laboratory techniques (e.g., DNA extraction, PCR, and 16S sequencing) and the incorporation of computational techniques to analyze microbiome data with QIIME2 and within the R software environment. In addition, the learning objectives focused on effective student performance in writing, data analysis, and oral communication. Enrolled students showed high performance grades on writing, data analysis and oral communication assignments. Pre- and post-course surveys indicate that the students found the experience favorable, increased their interest in science, and heightened awareness of their diet habits. Fiber Force constitutes a validated case of a research experience on microbiology with the capacity to improve research training and promote healthy dietary habits.

中文翻译：

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纤维力量：基于高级课程的本科研究经验（CURE）课程的纤维饮食干预†

基于课程的本科研究经验（CURE）是向学生介绍当代科学研究的有效途径。研究经验已被证明可以促进批判性思维，增进对科学方法的理解和正确使用，并帮助学生学习实践技能，包括写作和口头交流。我们的目标是通过招募参加人类微生物组CURE的高级选修课的学生来改善科学培训。“纤维力量”课程旨在研究有益健康的高纤维饮食（40至50克/天，持续两周）对学生肠道菌群的影响。在校生参加了无创饮食干预，设​​计的健康调查，检验了饮食干预对肠道微生物组的影响的假设，并分析了自己的样本（匿名汇总）。该课程包括学习实验室技术（例如DNA提取，PCR和16S测序），以及将计算技术并入QIIME2并在R软件环境中分析微生物组数据的方法。此外，学习目标集中于学生在写作，数据分析和口头交流方面的有效表现。入学的学生在写作，数据分析和口头交流作业方面表现出很高的成绩。课前和课后调查表明，学生发现这种体验是有益的，对科学的兴趣增强了，对饮食习惯的认识也提高了。