Survey on the current situation of postgraduates and thoughts on curriculum construction of the course “Experiments of Molecular Biology”

Objective To conduct a survey on students for their common needs for the course and the support to their research training, to provide reference for course reform and curriculum of ideology and politics. Methods A survey before and after course was conducted in 704 graduates who selected the course of “ Experiments of Molecular Biology” from the autumn of 2018 to the spring of 2024. After collecting the survey, they were summarized, counted, and analyzed. Results The students selected this course were mainly research-oriented graduate students. Their professional background was mainly in clinical medicine, and there was a relatively lack of training in technology and laboratory skill in molecular biology experiment. The follow-up survey showed that experimental operation and implementation as well as analysis of experimental results were the two most helpful aspects for students; PCR, RNA extraction and detection, and Western blot were the most useful techniques for student learning and scientific research. Conclusions Through the survey, the professional background of students, dynamic changes in their course selection needs are well acknowledged and so thus able to optimize, provide good reference for teaching and learning in this field, and provide a basis for curriculum reform and construction of ideological and political courses.