Undergraduate research experiences are key to preparing STEM students for a range of careers and graduate programs, and to impacting retention in STEM. Providing undergraduate research experiences can be challenging for institutions due to the high cost associated with equipment and reagents, lab space, and research mentors. In this study, we present an upper-level microbiology seminar course that does not require these resources, as each student chooses and performs their own research project using data obtained from publicly available datasets. The faculty member provides hands-on instruction and regular feedback to mentor the cohort of students through all stages of their research projects, from honing a research question, to choosing a dataset, to data analysis and visualization. Students build science communication skills through each writing a scientific paper, and creating and presenting a scientific poster. These papers and presentations, along with results from student pre- and post-surveys, demonstrate that students built research and communication skills, while also building their confidence and interest in science careers. To access this research experience, students only need to register for this course; no application or selection is required, and no prior research experience is expected. The use of publicly available data makes this course a low-cost way to integrate authentic research projects into the college curriculum, and can be adapted to courses in any discipline. Such “low-cost CUREs” (course-based undergraduate research experiences) can be used to build capacity for undergraduate research experiences that are so crucial to preparing students for opportunities in and beyond college.

中文翻译：

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CURE 的低成本治疗方法：本科生微生物学课程，让学生使用公开数据集进行真实的研究

本科生研究经验是 STEM 学生为一系列职业和研究生课程做好准备以及影响 STEM 保留率的关键。由于设备和试剂、实验室空间和研究导师的成本高昂，提供本科生研究经验对于机构来说可能具有挑战性。在本研究中，我们提供了不需要这些资源的高级微生物学研讨会课程，因为每个学生都使用从公开数据集中获得的数据选择并执行自己的研究项目。教师提供实践指导和定期反馈，以指导学生完成研究项目的所有阶段，从完善研究问题到选择数据集，再到数据分析和可视化。学生通过撰写科学论文、制作和展示科学海报来培养科学沟通技能。这些论文和演示文稿以及学生前后调查的结果表明，学生建立了研究和沟通技能，同时也建立了他们对科学职业的信心和兴趣。要获得这种研究经验，学生只需注册本课程即可；无需申请或选择，也不需要任何先前的研究经验。使用公开数据使本课程成为将真实研究项目整合到大学课程中的低成本方式，并且可以适应任何学科的课程。这种“低成本 CURE”（基于课程的本科生研究经历）可用于培养本科生研究经历的能力，这对于学生为大学内外的机会做好准备至关重要。