Learning molecular and cell biology experimental design and approaches through independent research projects. Students, working in pairs, will explore the research process and gain extensive first-hand experience in: hypothesis formation; experimental design; solution preparation and experimental methodology; proposal presentation and defense (oral and written); formal presentation of results and conclusions (oral and written in a publication-style format); the publication process; critical reading and evaluation of primary scientific literature. Prereq., MCDB 1150 or equivalent and instructor consent. Recommended coreq., MCDB 3135 or 3500.