Survey of Biotechnology
Syllabus
Course Hours: 120 hrs = 1 HS credit
OCAS Subject Code:8701
Summary:This course is designed to introduce students to areas and concepts involved in Biotechnology. Students will investigate Biotechnology processes throughout history. Students will learn about selected biotechnology approaches to solving human, environmental and agricultural problems and appreciate the impact of biotechnology on our lives and society.Students will attend field trips and seminars that will reinforce the need for biotechnology in today's workforce. They will also explore the ethics involved in and concerning biotechnology research and use.
Major Themes: Students will develop a conceptual framework for biology and an appreciation of science as a process. Major themes discussed are:
- Introduction to Biotechnology
- Tools and Techniques of Biotechnology
- Microbes and Biotechnology
- Plants and Biotechnology
- Animals and Biotechnology
- Humans and Biotechnology
- Impact of Biotechnology
- Biotechnology Career Exploration
Textbooks: (provided by SOTC or referenced during class)
Biotechnology: A Laboratory Skills Course, J. Kirk Brown, BioRad Press 2011
Biotechnology: An Introduction. Susan R. Barnum, (2007), Brooks/Cole.
Biotechnology: Science for the New Millennium. Ellyn Daugherty, (2007), Paradigm Publishing.
Assessment: Students will be assessed as detailed in the Biotechnology Handbook using 60% Lab and 40% Theory to calculate their course grade.
Knowledge & Skills
A. Introduction to Biotechnology
1. Define biotechnology.
2. Understand the term “recombinant DNA”
3. Become familiar with terms associated with Biotechnology.
4. Discuss the history of Biotechnology and its discoveries
5. Describe classical Biotechnology and some of its products
6. Describe modern Biotechnology and some of its products.
B. Tools and Techniques of Biotechnology
1. Understand the importance of DNA isolation.
2. Explain the importance of Plasmids
3. Discuss genetic engineering and its uses.
4. Make a model DNA molecule.
5. Describe the process to extract DNA and Protein from cells.
6. Describe DNA and Protein electrophoresis
C. Microbes and Biotechnology
1. Become familiar with terms used in microbial Biotechnology.
2. Identify microorganisms used in microbial Biotechnology.
3. Discuss the benefits of microbial Biotechnology.
4. Understand methods used to insert foreign genes into bacteria
4. Discuss fermentation and its importance.
5. Discuss protein expression by microbes
D. Plants and Biotechnology
1. Become familiar with terms used in plant Biotechnology.
2. Discuss the uses of Biotechnology in plants.
3. Discuss the impact of plant Biotechnology on agriculture and the economy.
4. Perform micro propagation and tissue culture
5. List various forms of gene transfer in plants
6. Describe GMO foods and their detection using PCR and ELISA
7. List some concerns and benefits of transgenic crops.
E. Animals and Biotechnology
1. Become familiar with terms used in animal Biotechnology.
2. Discuss the uses of Biotechnology in animals.
3. Identify the applications of animal Biotechnology.
4. Write an opinion statement and debate an issue pertaining to animal Biotechnology.
F. Humans and Biotechnology
1. Understand the importance of the Human Genome Project
2. Understand gene therapy
3. Understand DNA fingerprinting
4. Distinguish between reproductive and therapeutic cloning.
5. Understand microarray/DNA chips and their use.
G. Impacts of Biotechnology
1. Discuss the pros and cons related to the use of Biotechnology.
2. Identify the impacts of Biotechnology through its results.
3. Write a position paper directed toward an ethical issue within Biotechnology.
4. Identify regulatory agencies involved in Biotechnology.
5. Discuss career opportunities within Biotechnology.
6. Determine the environmental impact of Biotechnology
7. Hypothesize on the future role of Biotechnology.
H. Field Trips and Career Exploration
1. Campus Tour of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
2. Career Spotlights – employees from the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
3. Mycology Lab Tour and Activity Day – Noble Foundation
4. Analytical Chemistry Lab Science Carnival – Noble Foundation
5. Microscopy Lab Workshop – Noble Foundation
Labs:Labs play asupportive part of the theory of this course and there are several lab topics that will be covered. They will provide the student with an opportunity to learn a variety of skills and facts, principles, and concepts of applied molecular biology. Lab investigations will encourage higher-order thinking, generating ideas, and formulating hypotheses. Due to the large amount of time required for laboratory set-up, it is essential that you are always present on lab days. This calendar shows the approximate timeline we will follow in Survey of Biotechnology and is subject to change and order. Please verify dates on a regular basis. Additional assignments will be given in class. Please ensure that you read the assigned chapters/sections every night so that the material covered in class is relevant and familiar.
Week / Topic / LabsWeek 1 / Lab Safety / Safety Symbols
Blood-borne Pathogen Training
Right to Know Training
MSDS and BioHazard Training
Week 2 / Introduction to Biotechnology / Biotechnology Timeline
Week 3 / Classical Biotechnology / Cheese Making Lab
Week 4 / Modern Biotechnology / Enzymes in Detergent – Mello Jello
Coming Clean with Enzymes
Week 5 / DNA Technology / Genes in a Bottle – DNA isolation
Making a DNA Model
DNA to Protein Investigation Model
Week 6 / Microbes in the Environment / Sampling the Environment for Microbes
Hand-washing Effectiveness Lab
Hand-soap Evaluation
Week 7 / Microbes in Biotechnology / Yogurt Production Lab
Sauerkraut Production
Week 8 / Identifying Microbes / Using Microscopes
Gram Staining
Week 9 / Microbes in Industry / Detergent Enzymes – Going to the Source
Week 10 / Microbes and Fermentation / Vinegar Production
E. coli DNA Extraction
Week 11 / Electrophoresis / The Role of Buffers in Electrophoresis
Rainbow Electrophoresis
Week 12 / Analysis of DNA / Pre-Cut Lambda DNA Analysis
Electrophoresis of E. coli DNA
Introduction to PCR
Week 13 / Transformation of Bacteria / E. coli Transformation Amylase Plasmid
Week 14 / Protein Expression in E. coli / Native Amylase Expression in Bacteria
Expression of pAmylase Enzyme
Bacterial Amylase Assays
Week 15 / Analysis of Proteins / Electrophoresis of Bacterial Amylase
Week 16 / Enzymes – Active Proteins / Enzymes and Lactose
Gene Switches – the Lac Operon
Week 17 / Plants– Structure and Function / Seed Germination and Dissection
Root Dissection
Stem Dissection
Week 18 / Plants– Structure and Function / Leaf Dissection
Flower Dissection
Fruit Dissection
Week 19 / Plants and Biotechnology / Generating Plant Vegetative Clones
(Potato and African Violet Clones)
Week 20 / GMO Foods (Part 1) / GMO Soybeans
Detecting Plant Genetics using PCR
Week 21 / GMO Foods (Part 2) / Which Plant is a Mutant
Flower Forensics
Week 22 / Animal Biotechnology
Week 23 / Medical Biotechnology / Discovering Mammalian Cell Types
Morphology of Cancer Cells
Week 24 / Medical Biotechnology / Disease Detective
Medical Mystery: Epidemic Proportions
Week 25 / Human Genome Project / DNA Fingerprinting (paper based)
DNA Chips and Disease
Week 26 / Human Genome Project / Genetic Engineering- Way to Grow HGH
Week 27 / Forensics / Kidnapped
Analysis of Drugs and Poisons
Maggot Murder Mystery
Week 28 / Ethics / The Use of Animals for Genetic Testing
STEM Cells
Week 29 / Biotechnology - Extension / Marine Biotechnology
Nanotechnology
Week 30 / Exam
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