Student teams develop and execute semester-long independent research projects using DNA barcoding. Students will learn how to ask scientific questions, explore scientific literature, design scientific studies, analyze and interpret data, and share results using images and scientific writing. This lab emphasizes the development and refinement of research techniques in molecular biology, critical thinking, study design, teamwork and skills in finding, reading and writing scientific literature. Students will leave this course with a deeper understanding of the process of science, an introduction to bioinformatics and molecular biology and improved skills in scientific communication.