We are five faculty members who teach in Frontiers of Science, the Columbia College science core course. Like most of our colleagues around the world, we turned to online teaching in mid-March. To stay true to our name – Frontiers of Science, we modified our curriculum to make room for teaching about the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 using genomic data. After an introduction on the evolution of coronaviruses and genomics studies, we conducted an online activity, where students worked in teams to investigate the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 using the Nextstrain.org website.
First, students thoroughly examined phylogenetic graphs and discussed how these trees are created. Next, students calculated the virus’ substitution rates per site and compared it to that of the other pathogens, such as Influenza. The class ended with discussions revolving around infectious diseases and the role of genomics in treatment and vaccine development.
We hope that other faculty may be able to use or adapt the activity that we have developed on SARS-CoV-2 and some of the ideas that have guided our modified online curriculum. If there ever was a topic that all students would deem to be relevant to their lives, this is certainly one.
2:25 PM-2:30 PM
Overview 1
Format: Live-stream
Javier De Las Rivas, Global Organisation for Bioinformatics Learning, Education & Training (GOBLET), Spain
2:30 PM-2:35 PM
Overview 2
Format: Live-stream
Bruno Gaeta, University of New South Wales, Australia
2:35 PM-2:40 PM
Overview 3
Format: Live-stream
Nicola Mulder, University of Cape Town, South Africa
2:40 PM-3:00 PM
Group discussion on University specific aspects of online training: Resources in place, numbers taught, assessment methods
Format: Live-stream
Tugce Bilgin, Columbia University, United States
Javier De Las Rivas, Global Organisation for Bioinformatics Learning, Education & Training (GOBLET), Spain
Bruno Gaeta, University of New South Wales, Australia
Nicola Mulder, University of Cape Town, South Africa
3:19 PM-3:20 PM
RECENT ONLINE TRAINING EXPERIENCES - SHORT-COURSE EXPERIENCE
Format: Live-stream
Cath Brooksbank, EMBL-EBI, United Kingdom
3:20 PM-3:25 PM
Overview 4
Format: Live-stream
Patricia M. Palagi, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Switzerland
3:25 PM-3:30 PM
Overview 5
Format: Live-stream
Sarah L. Morgan, EMBL-EBI, United Kingdom
3:30 PM-3:35 PM
Overview 6
Format: Live-stream
Rachade Hmamouchi, Bioinformatics.ca, Canada
3:35 PM-3:53 PM
Group discussion on short-course specific aspects of online training: Technologies used, hands-on facilitation, numbers taught
Format: Live-stream
Rachade Hmamouchi, Bioinformatics.ca, Canada
Patricia M. Palagi, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Switzerland
Sarah L. Morgan, EMBL-EBI, United Kingdom
3:53 PM-3:55 PM
BEST PRACTICES IN ONLINE TRAINING
Format: Live-stream
Nicola Mulder, University of Cape Town, South Africa
3:55 PM-4:10 PM
Best practices from the experience: the Carpentries
Format: Live-stream
Kate Hutchinson, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, United States
4:10 PM-4:25 PM
Best practices from the experience: Software Sustainability
Format: Live-stream
Rachael Ainsworth, Software Sustainability Institute, United Kingdom
4:25 PM-4:40 PM
Education Summit report
Format: Live-stream
Venkata Pardhasaradhi Satagopam, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
5:00 PM-5:55 PM
FILLING THE GAPS IN ONLINE LEARNING
Format: Live-stream
Patricia M. Palagi, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Switzerland