I teach Molecular and General Genetics and the associated lab, as well as Life – An Introduction to Modern Biology. Molecular and General Genetics and the Lab are required courses for Biology majors, and provide an introduction to both molecular and Mendelian genetics. While Life is a non-majors course covering a variety of modern issues related to molecular and Mendelian biology.
The Genetics lecture course includes fundamental information on the structure of a gene, its expression and organization as deduced from analysis of viral and prokaryotic systems, the transmission of genetic material in eukaryotic systems, the interaction of genes in populations and the application of fundamental genetic principles to problems of human heredity.
The Genetics lab furthers student’s understanding of the principles of genetics through experiments including cloning and genetic recombination in bacterial species, as well as simulated crosses using Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies. The lab also provides instruction in common biological laboratory techniques, scientific writing, and the experimental method.
Life – An Introduction to Modern Biology is a lab-driven course designed for non-science majors. Topics covered include basic biological concepts such as the nature of DNA, heredity, human genetics and the process of mutation, as well as modern issues such as forensic analysis of DNA and blood, the biology behind cancer and genetic diseases, genetically modified foods, and others as determined by current events and interest.
I also developed and teach the lab portion of the Teacher Quality in Biology Program for Maryland High School Teachers here at UMBC. The TQB Program labs were developed for high school biology teachers to strengthen the technical skills required in a biological laboratory environment.
2011 Expanding the Diversity of Mycobacteriophages: Insights into Genome Architecture and Evolution. PLoS ONE 6(1): e16329.
Caruso, Steven M., Sandoz, James, and Kelsey, Jessica. 2009. Non-STEM Undergraduates Become Enthusiastic Phage-Hunters. CBE Life Sci Educ. 8(4): 278-282
Caruso, Steven M. and Sandoz, James. 2007. BIOINFORMATICS – Identification of Bacteria using rDNA Analysis. Pages 423-433, in Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching, Volume 29 (Kari L. Clase, Editor). Proceedings of the 29th Workshop/Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE), 433 pages.
Schreier, H. J., S. M. Caruso, and K. C. Maier. 2000. Control of Bacillus subtilis glutamine synthetase expression by glnR from Staphylococcus aureus. Curr. Microbiol. 41(6):426-429.