Students who complete both of the following courses during the 2021-2022 school year will be eligible to apply to UBRP in Fall 2022. Courses are free and will be offered after school, over school breaks, and in Summer 2022.
Conservation Genetics
Conservation genetics is the field that seeks to use DNA to study and protect the living world and its biodiversity. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the leading international conservation body, recognizes the crucial need to conserve genetic diversity as one of the three fundamental levels of biodiversity.
The main goal of this course is to introduce students to methods used to study and preserve biodiversity. Laboratory techniques introduced include DNA sequencing and DNA fingerprinting. Students learn how DNA science can be used to determine species distribution patterns, to propagate endangered species in captivity, and more. By the end of the course, students write a proposal for their own conservation project, which they present to the class.
DNA Barcoding and Bioinformatics
In this course, students explore a cutting-edge methodology that has helped scientists all over the world identify and study biodiversity: DNA barcoding. This technique can be applied to explore and answer questions in many fields of science: Does the leather used to make this purse, belt, or wallet come from an endangered, illegally harvested species? Does the bug I found in my room cause health problems? Are the plants growing in my backyard native or invasive species? Students in this course have the opportunity to participate in hands-on labs to learn the basics of DNA barcoding. They also learn basic concepts in ecology, biodiversity, and conservation biology.
DNALC COVID-19 Safety Net: The DNALC is committed to providing a safe place for hands-on science. Depending on prevailing circumstances and CDC and New York State Health Department guidelines, our COVID-19 Safety Net provides for distanced workstations, individual equipment, daily health surveys, and fully vaccinated instructors.
View the current DNALC COVID-19 Safety Net procedures. Updates to these procedures have been incorporated in Fall 2021. Please be aware of the following important vaccination or testing requirements:
- Course attendees must be either fully vaccinated (defined as two weeks after the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccination or two weeks after the second shot of the two-shot Moderna or Pfizer vaccine) OR receive weekly negative COVID-19 PCR test results.
Proof of vaccination or COVID-19 negative test can be shared with the DNALC by uploading an image of the document through a link that will be emailed the week before each course. Specific health screening information will be sent to participants by email. Students who do not provide this information before the first session will not be allowed to participate in the course. - DNALC staff vaccination policy: For the safety of our visitors, we now require that ALL employees of the DNALC be fully vaccinated (as defined above) for COVID-19.
2022 After School Course Schedule
UBRP Prep Courses |
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Conservation Genetics |
DNALC NYC |
January 5–February 16, 2022 |
Monday and Wednesday, |
Conservation Genetics |
Harlem DNA Lab |
February 22–25, 2022 |
Tuesday to Friday, |
DNA Barcoding and Bioinformatics |
DNALC NYC |
March 7–April 13, 2022 |
Monday and Wednesday, |
DNA Barcoding and Bioinformatics |
Harlem DNA Lab |
April 18–22, 2022 |
Monday to Friday, |
Conservation Genetics |
Harlem DNA Lab |
July 18–22, 2022 |
Monday to Friday, |
DNA Barcoding and Bioinformatics |
Harlem DNA Lab |
July 25–29, 2022 |
Monday to Friday, |
Conservation Genetics |
DNALC NYC |
July 25–29, 2022 |
Monday to Friday, |
Conservation Genetics |
Harlem DNA Lab |
August 1–5, 2022 |
Monday to Friday, |
DNA Barcoding and Bioinformatics |
DNALC NYC |
August 1–5, 2022 |
Monday to Friday, |
DNA Barcoding and Bioinformatics |
Harlem DNA Lab |
August 8–12, 2022 |
Monday to Friday, |
Conservation Genetics |
DNALC NYC |
August 8–12, 2022 |
Monday to Friday, |
DNA Barcoding and Bioinformatics |
DNALC NYC |
August 15–19, 2022 |
Monday to Friday, |
UBRP course locations
UBRP courses will take place at the following locations:
Harlem DNA Lab: John S. Roberts Educational Complex (J.H.S. 45), 2351 First Avenue (at 120th Street), East Harlem, New York 10035 [directions]
DNA Learning Center NYC at City Tech: 62 Tillary Street (Entrance at the corner of Tillary and Adams Streets), New York 112014 [directions]
