Course description & objectives
Course Prerequisites: PLS 130 or MCB 181R
Course Description: 3 units - Introduction to Biotechnology is designed as an initial survey course to immerse the student in the techniques, applications and societal issues that focus on Genetic Engineering, DNA Technology, and Cellular Engineering. The course will emphasize recombinant DNA technology and present numerous examples of products produced through biotechnology. Where feasible, the students will be presented with a product and through lectures and open discussion, develop the science behind the product. This ‘discovery mode’ of learning encourages the students to actively participate in lectures and develop an inquisitive approach to problem solving. Initially classes will be in a lecture format augmented with videos to establish baseline knowledge; it will then shift to an interactive format in which the students will be expected to interact in the classroom. Guest speakers will provide additional exposure to various topics. Finally student presentations will provide a forum for students to demonstrate their collective knowledge base through organizing and presenting a multimedia presentation.
Course Objectives:
1. To understand the basic concepts of molecular biology and methods used in the manipulation of nucleic acids to isolate and characterize genes.
2. To understand how molecular tools are used to modify an organism.
3. To become aware of the numerous benefits of molecular biology and its utilization in basic and applied sciences.
4. To develop an understanding of the regulatory and social issues surrounding biotechnology.
Textbook
Glick, B.R. and Pasternak, J.J. 1998. Molecular Biotechnology: Principles and Applications of Recombinant DNA (second edition)
