VBS 1001, Introduction to Biotechnology

Introduction to Biotechnology

Learn to be science literate, how to assess science in the news and social media. Think about how biotechnology advances affect society. Gain a basic understanding of cell and molecular biology and biotechnology. Perform laboratory exercises using modern molecular biology techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 and forensic methods. Develop a biotechnology research plan to solve a current world issue.

Course Aims and Objectives

The basic principles and uses of biotechnology today as well as the history of biotechnology will be covered. A basic understanding of cell biology and biotechnology techniques relating to plant, animal, and microbial systems will be presented including discussions and debates on the uses and ethics of biotechnology. Specifically, you will:

1. Learn how biotechnologies have been developed to benefit society and how some are developed specifically to harm society.
2. Learn how to manipulate DNA to create new molecules and organisms that are useful to society, including cloning and the related ethics.
3. Examine GMOs and their risks, benefits, and associated controversies.
4. Specifically look at gene therapy and related ethical concerns.
5. Learn how advances in biotechnology can affect the environment such as eliminating our need for natural resources such as fossil fuels and help stop global warming.
6. Learn how biotechnology can help feed the world, as well as the pros and cons associated with advances in food production.
7. Learn about specific molecular biology techniques such as PCR, sequencing, and immune diagnostics and how they are used to diagnose and treat disease including development of vaccines and therapies.
8. Learn how biotechnology is used to solve crimes.
9. Perform laboratory exercises using modern molecular biology techniques including those used in popular TV shows to solve crimes.
10. Learn how to interpret laboratory results, calculate results and make graphs and figures.
11. Work as a team to develop a biotechnology research plan to solve a current problem, answer an important question, and/or create something new and useful for society.
12. Evaluate peers' written and oral presentations.

Knowledge Objectives and Goals

This course fulfills the following specific learning objective (SLO) core components:

1. Can identify, define, and solve problems
   1. Addressed through mastery of laboratory exercises and development of a research plan to solve a problem using biotechnology.
   2. Mastery of laboratory exercises will be assessed by quizzes and exams. Oral presentations will be rated by faculty and students using a detailed score sheet and written research proposals will be scored by faculty using a rubric created for the course.
2. Can locate and critically evaluate information
   1. Addressed by students performing biomedical literature searches, retrieving information needed to create their research proposals, and by providing a summary of the literature in the introduction of their research proposal and oral presentation.
   2. Student's summary of the published literature will be evaluated as one of the criteria for scoring written and oral presentations.
3. Have mastered a body of knowledge and mode of inquiry
   1. Addressed through lectures and laboratory exercises in which students will: master an understanding of the history, basic terminology, core concepts, and techniques of modern biotechnology. Specifically, students will understand the scientific method, learn how to use biotechnology to diagnose and treat diseases, gain understanding of how biotechnology is used in industry, and understand how biotechnology affects the environment.
   2. Students mastery will be evaluated by multiple choice exams and quizzes.
4. Understand diverse philosophies and cultures within and across societies
   1. Although this SLO will not be directly assessed, lectures and assigned reading will include discussions of how ancient biotechnology evolved throughout the world, the bioethics associated with the use of biotechnology, and how laws and oversight differ throughout the world regarding the use of biotechnology. In addition, by working in groups to solve problems, students may encounter and interact with individuals with diverse philosophies and from different cultures.
5. Can communicate effectively
   1. Students will improve personal communication skills through working with others in group exercises, by preparing a written research proposal, and by orally presenting their proposals.
   2. Oral presentation will be evaluated by faculty and peers using a detailed score sheet and written research proposals will be scored by faculty using a rubric created for the course.
6. Understand the role of creativity, innovation, discovery, and expression across disciplines
   1. Although we will not directly address this SLO, students will gain skills in being creative, innovative, making discoveries, and expressing themselves by working in groups to solve problems and performing laboratory exercises; by developing research proposals; by doing literature searches; and by presenting their projects. The skills students gain here can be applied across disciplines.
7. Have acquired skills for effective citizenship and life-long learning
   1. Students will gain understanding of the concepts and skill with applications used in modern biotechnology. Group projects allow students to gain skills cooperating with others and working as part of a team to solve problems. In addition, the knowledge and skills developed will be directly marketable in biomedical and biotechnology industries.
   2. Students will assess the contribution of others in their group relative to themselves.

Biological Sciences Core

This Introduction to Biotechnology course meets the general requirements for a liberal education, the common goals for all core courses, the specific requirements for the Biological Sciences Core, and the Technology and Society Theme.

A recent symposium at Boston College’s Institute for the Liberal Arts examined the question of why science matters as part of a liberal arts education. Their findings included that “Science matters at a liberal-arts university because the problems facing our global community will not be solved by scientists alone” (Crane, M.T. and Chiles, T.C. 2011. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Nov. 13). An informed and scientifically literate public is essential to dealing with the complex scientific and political issues facing our society now and in the future. Given this, it is critical that liberal education includes basic biology and biotechnology.

Throughout this course students will gain an understanding of basic biology and biotechnology including insights into: how genetic tests are used to solve crimes; common diagnostic assays used by physicians to diagnose disease; the creation of transgenic organisms and the associated benefits and risks. We will discuss ethical considerations related to biotechnology, how biotechnology has evolved over the centuries and how it impacts our everyday lives. Students will also gain a basic understanding of how to search, interpret and analyze the scientific literature. In addition, students will work in groups to create and orally present a research proposal, which will aid the development of their creative thinking, interpersonal and presentational skills. Thus, this course will assist students to become informed citizens capable of understanding and dealing with the problems facing our global community.

Technology and Society Theme

Advances in biotechnology have a profound impact on society. It is important for citizens to be knowledgeable about new biotechnologies in order to be active rather than passive consumers of these new technologies. Throughout this course we will cover several biotechnologies and discuss the impact of these on society and how society has influenced these technologies. We will reflect on ethical issues, the risks and benefits associated with biotechnologies, and discuss how society defines the context in which new technologies are developed, funded implemented and regulated. Students will consider the impact of biotechnologies from multiple perspectives including developers, users/consumers, as well as the potential environmental impacts and conflicting ethical views on existing and emerging technologies. For example, on the topic of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) including herbicide resistant crops students will learn how GMOs are created and will themselves make GMOs in the lab.

Students will engage in discussions of the societal influences on the laws regulating the development, distribution, and labeling of GMOs, the funding sources for developing GMOs, the positive effects such as increased crop yields and decreased food costs, and the negative effects GMOs may have, such as potentially harming beneficial insect pollinators such as bees. As another example, we will cover the topic of vaccines. Students will learn how vaccines are created, how they were historically used to prevent infection, how new vaccine strategies are developed to treat existing diseases such as cancer, how vaccine development is funded, and the risks and benefits of vaccination on society including a discussion of current controversies associated with vaccination in our society. Assigned reading in books, news articles, and internet sources will address and discuss biotechnology and society. Additionally, as part of this course, students will develop and present research plans which will include a thoughtful discussion of how their proposed research project would impact society and how society might shape, use, and respond to their project. Students will participate in evaluating other students' projects. This course will repeatedly engage students in critically evaluating biotechnologies that will provide a framework for students to evaluate new technologies in the future.