The model organism Tetrahymena thermophila is used in many modern research experiments due to its simplicity and the numerous homologues that it shares with other more complex organisms. In this freshman honors course, Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences, students with little laboratory experience or background were expected to complete several original research projects throughout the semester, though the primary focus was on learning to analyze, understand, and ultimately clone genes such as UBE2S found in Tetrahymena thermophila. UBE2S, or Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzyme E2S, is a gene present in numerous organisms and active within several cellular processes. The gene aids in a wide variety of functions, most notably mitosis regulation and protein degradation. At the start of the lab, students were introduced to techniques to isolate and concentrate genomic DNA from T. thermophila. The targeted gene was then researched through bioinformatics using several databases and molecular computational tools. This procedure was followed by amplification using polymerase chain reactions, visualization through agarose gel electrophoresis, and cloning using pENTR plasmid TOPO cloning and transformation into E. coli. The isolated plasmids were then screened for correct insertion through restriction enzyme digestion. A final gel electrophoresis at the conclusion of the semester confirmed the successful cloning of T. thermophila UBE2S. All positive clones were then cryopreserved for use in future research projects in upper division biomedical sciences labs, specifically Recombinant DNA Techniques.