Biology Labs Online vs Rosalind

Biology Labs Online is a free web collection of 12 interactive biology simulations and exercises for college and AP high school students. Topics include inheritance, evolution, genetics, population growth, protein structure and function, electron transport, plant physiology, cardiovascular homeostasis, and enzyme biochemistry. The inquiry-based activities are designed to reinforce scientific methodology, including principles that may be dangerous, expensive, or time-consuming to study in wet labs. They are not intended to replace traditional labs, operate as standalone tutorials, or serve as online courses. Older Java applets are converted to JavaScript through CheerpJ, a process the site says can have minor quirks. The listed tested browsers on Windows and Mac include Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Brave, plus Safari on Mac. The applets assume mouse input and do not work well on mobile devices. Many can export data and graphs, but pop-ups must be allowed for the output window to appear. Notebook data must be exported locally or copied elsewhere to preserve it. Instructors can request access to instructor resources by email.

Rosalind is a free web learning platform that teaches bioinformatics and programming through problem solving. Its tracks include Python Village, Bioinformatics Stronghold, Bioinformatics Armory, Bioinformatics Textbook Track, and Algorithmic Heights. Python Village introduces programming basics, while Stronghold covers mass spectrometry, sequence alignment, genome assembly, phylogeny, probability, and string algorithms. Submissions are checked automatically. Learners may code on their own computers and upload or paste answers, using any programming language. Rosalind targets biologists developing programming skills and programmers new to computational molecular-biology problems. Faculty can create classes, assign problems, monitor progress, review submissions, and use a grade sheet; Faculty accounts are free. Problems impose time limits and waiting after incorrect answers. The Faculty page says plagiarism checking was being implemented, requiring instructors to compare code themselves meanwhile. Public access costs nothing.