* Prospective NCAA Division I and II student-athletes should visit the NCAA Eligibility Center website (www.eligibilitycenter.org) and seek the NCAA's acceptance of a particular Education Provider's virtual course prior to registration.
Nearly every day there is amazing news about biotechnology and genetic engineering. This is an exciting, dynamic area that includes many applications that we hear about often – cloning, stem cells, genetically engineered plants and animals, DNA fingerprinting and forensics, gene therapy, and the Human Genome Project. This course is intended to provide you with an overview of biotechnology, starting with a review of DNA structure and function and extending to the current research ongoing in the field.
Biotechnology is a course designed to familiarize you with these current innovative technologies based on our use of the DNA molecule. You will examine the opportunities and challenges that these abilities have created for us all. You will look at the techniques that are used in biotechnology and will also see just what kind of work modern biotech companies are involved in.
In this class, we will be looking at how scientists use or plan to use DNA in all sorts of fascinating ways. We have all heard of DNA fingerprinting, but there are many, many other ways in which DNA is being used these days, and that's what we'll be looking at in this course, from DNA vaccines to cell therapy to genetically engineered corn.
Academic Content:
The course reviews DNA and its functions and studies the tools of biotechnology and how they are used in various ways in medicine and in agriculture. Current work in biotechnology is discussed and benefits, disadvantages, and current trends in biotechnology are studied as well.rvention is considered.
Kinds of Assignments:
Tests: There are no major Tests in this course. We will be spending most of our time researching and discussing information about biotechnology and how it works. Your grades will usually be on how well you present the information you find and how well you seem to understand it.
Assignments: Assignments will vary each week; however, there will be a continuous thread from week to week in your current event discussions. We will find out more about those next week. You will be presenting position papers on controversial subjects, writing research papers, making models, working on group projects, and doing other activities.
Projects Required:
Project work will include investigating a biotech company, using the Virtual DNA Fingerprinting Lab, and finding out about the tools of biotechnology. Projects are done in groups of two or four, depending on the project. Each week there is a current events discussion that highlights ongoing research in biotechnology.
Learning Objectives:
gain a more thorough understanding of DNA and the exciting applications of this molecule
learn in what ways biotechnology is already in use
learn how biotechnology may be used in the future
develop an appreciation for the scientists and science involved in biotechnology
be exposed to potential career possibilities
understand the science behind many ethical decisions facing the world today
have a better understanding when you hear biotechnology-related news in the media.
