Implementation and Evaluation of a Biochemistry Research Skills CURE for First-Year R1 University Students

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) broaden access to authentic research opportunities by reducing structural and logistical barriers to student participation. Participation in CUREs during the first year of undergraduate study is associated with improved retention in STEM majors, academic success, and measurable gains in skills like scientific reasoning and data analysis. These gains are increasingly recognized as essential career-ready skills that align with national workforce development goals in the life sciences. Despite these benefits, few CUREs focus on and have been evaluated for first-year biochemistry students. Few curricula provide modular, adaptable frameworks designed for integration into existing courses without disrupting course structure or student workload. Using established and nationally utilized assessments and student reflections, we developed a CURE for first-year biochemistry undergraduates called "Introduction to Biochemical Research Skills". Students in the course evaluate protein structure-function relationships using computational biochemistry experiments, which allows scalable implementation for instructors and supports iterative hypothesis generation and testing by students. Student perspectives on practices learned while participating in the course suggest they gained practical research skills and scientific communication skills. Students also reported exposure to a variety of problem-solving techniques and indicated that engaging in protein structure-function focused research as part of the course enhanced their excitement about biochemistry. Here, we provide instructors with the resources to adopt and adapt this course and offer strategies for effective implementation. Future work will evaluate the longitudinal impact of the course on students' academic performance, conceptual understanding of protein biochemistry, and progression into independent undergraduate research experiences.