Science - Electives Biotech Program

This is a second-year study of biological and chemical principles related to molecular biology and biotechnology. The course is designed for students with interests in the health sciences, animal science, and plant biology. A variety of topics, issues, and techniques will be addressed, including cellular structure and function; enzyme activity; classical and molecular genetics; DNA science (gene regulation, mutation, transfer; karyotyping; and DNA sequencing and decoding), genetic engineering applications; and various biotechnology techniques. Ethical, social, and legal implications associated with biotechnology will be explored through case studies, student research, discussion, debate, and examination of current events. Laboratory experiences will include chromatography, electrophoresis, immunology, enzyme studies, DNA extraction, PCR simulation, and plant cloning.

The Microbiology portion of this course familiarizes students with the microbial world. Students explore the clinical and environmental aspects of microbes, and principles of structure, metabolism, growth, and genetics of prokaryotes. Opportunities are provided to develop an understanding of microbial anatomy and physiology, and to develop safe techniques for the handling and cultivating of micro organisms. The Forensic portion of this course provides students with fundamental learning in forensic laboratory analysis and crime scene investigation, with academic emphasis in criminal justice. Appropriate laboratory experiences are provided to develop further understanding and use of scientific inquiry skills.

This second level course provides a fundamental overview of organic chemistry. Upon successful completion, students will understand the relationship between structure and function of molecules, the major classes of reactions, reaction energetics and mechanisms, synthesis of organic compounds, and how to determine structure via various spectroscopic techniques. Students will be challenged to consider how these concepts relate to the broader applications of science, especially in the laboratory setting.

This course provides an introduction to research methods relevant to current biotechnology practices. This course will focus on an introduction to research design methods. In addition, the course will focus on providing a practical understanding of several statistical tools used in scientific research. The emphasis will be on asking answerable scientific questions, conducting independent research, and to communicating scientific findings. Students in this course will be introduced to literature review, experimental design, research, the scientific method, statistics, and a variety of laboratory techniques.