Yeast races

This is a practical that runs in the first week of first year for students on Molecular Biosciences degree programmes, before students have used any of the equipment in the lab or performed any basic techniques, so we chose a technically very simple method similar to a common experiment for primary school children! Students work in groups of four (students from the same tutor group) to decide on a hypothesis; to test it including appropriate controls; and to write a very short report that they can share with their tutor. Hypotheses might concern the optimal amount of sugar or the relative efficiency of different sugars.

The project consists of a three-hour bench session, with a planning session before and analysis after. Both of these could be in the lab or in another space where students can comfortably work in their groups.

Designed / developed by Rebecca Barnes (contact r.barnes@sheffield.ac.uk)