Author(s)

Mengsa Zhang ¹, Yingying Xiao ¹, Xianzhao Kan ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China

Corresponding Author

Xianzhao Kan

ABSTRACT

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that combines biology with computational and mathematical sciences. In this course, phylogenetics is an important section, which focuses on evolutionary relationships of organisms on earth using computational methods. Furthermore, "Curriculum Ideological and Political Education" (CIPE) is an educational strategy that aims to integrate ideological and political elements into all subjects. In this study, we present our pedagogical framework for integrating CIPE into the teaching of phylogenetics. The three core components of this course are Evolutionary Theory, Computational Methods, and Practical Applications. These components support the development of three CIPE principles: Scientific Integrity, Critical Thinking, and Social Responsibility. We apply this pedagogical framework in practice through a case study approach, with examples covering biodiversity conservation, public health, and food security.

KEYWORDS

Bioinformatics Education, Phylogenetics, Values-Based Education, Scientific Integrity, Social Responsibility

CITE THIS PAPER

Mengsa Zhang, Yingying Xiao, Xianzhao Kan, Beyond the Tree: A Values-Based Approach to Teaching Phylogenetics. Curriculum and Teaching Methodology (2025) Vol. 8: 75-80. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/curtm.2025.080612.

REFERENCES

[1] S. Abeln, D. Molenaar, K. A. Feenstra, H. C. J. Hoefsloot, B. Teusink and J. Heringa (2013) Bioinformatics and Systems Biology: bridging the gap between heterogeneous student backgrounds. Brief. Bioinform. 14: 589-598.
[2] P. K. Akalın (2006) Introduction to bioinformatics. Molecular nutrition & food research. 50: 610-619.
[3] Ö. Bishop, E. F. Adebiyi, A. M. Alzohairy, D. Everett, K. Ghedira, A. Ghouila, J. Kumuthini, N. J. Mulder, S. Panji, H. G. Patterton, and H. A. Consortium (2015) Bioinformatics Education-Perspectives and Challenges out of Africa. Brief. Bioinform. 16: 355-364.
[4] J. G. Fengmei Yang, Xianzhao Kan (2024) Biblioshiny-R Application on Bioinformatics Education Research (2004-2023). Curriculum and Teaching Methodology. 7: 192-199.
[5] J. C. Avise and K. Wollenberg (1997) Phylogenetics and the origin of species. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 94: 7748-7755.
[6] Z. Yang and B. Rannala (2012) Molecular phylogenetics: principles and practice. Nature reviews genetics. 13: 303-314.
[7] Y. Z. Hongzhi Chen (2023) Exploration of the Value of Current Ideological and Political Education in the Context of Great Ideological and Political Views. Adult and Higher Education. 5: 74-79.
[8] W. Liu and C. He (2022) Curriculum-Based Ideological and Political Education: Research Focuses and Evolution. International Education Studies. 15: 28-35.
[9] W. Sun and H. Wang (2023) Discussion on the Curriculum Organization and Teaching Method for Curriculum Ideological and Political Education. Frontiers in Educational Research. 6.
[10] P. Diaba-Nuhoho and M. Amponsah-Offeh (2021) Reproducibility and research integrity: the role of scientists and institutions. BMC Research Notes. 14: 451.
[11] A. García-Carmona (2025) Scientific thinking and critical thinking in science education: Two distinct but symbiotically related intellectual processes. Science & Education. 34: 227-245.
[12] M. S. Frankel (2015) An empirical exploration of scientists' social responsibilities. Journal of Responsible Innovation. 2: 301-310.
[13] S. J. Bird (2014) Socially responsible science is more than "good science". Journal of microbiology & biology education. 15: 169-172.
[14] W. M. de Souza, M. Lecuit and S. C. Weaver (2025) Chikungunya virus and other emerging arthritogenic alphaviruses. Nature Reviews Microbiology. 23: 585-601.
[15] G. Ribeiro dos Santos, F. Jawed, C. Mukandavire, A. Deol, D. Scarponi, L. E. Mboera, E. Seruyange, M. J. Poirier, S. Bosomprah and A. O. Udeze (2025) Global burden of chikungunya virus infections and the potential benefit of vaccination campaigns. Nature Medicine.31: 2342-2349. 

Sponsors, Associates, and Links

---

• Advances in Educational Technology and Psychology
  
  
• Transactions on Comparative Education
  
  
• Applied & Educational Psychology
  
  
• Advances in Vocational and Technical Education
  
  
• Adult and Higher Education