BIT 100: Current Topics in Biotechnology

Overview:

• Provides science and non-science majors an opportunity to learn about current issues in biotechnology that play a role in our society
• Fulfills a Natural Sciences GEP requirement
• Engages students in lecture and lab planning, designing, and executing molecular biotechnology experiments

Lecture Topics:

• Introduction to biotechnology, fermentation and “tasty” biotechnology, introduction to molecular and cell biology
• Proteins, enzymes, polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing
• The Human Genome Project, bioremediation, biofuels
• Genetically modified foods, stem cells, gene therapy
• Pharmaceuticals, transgenic animals, cloning

Labs:

• Oil Spill Disaster: Exploring Bioremediation
• What’s Living in the Human Belly Button?:  Determining the Genetic Diversity of Microbes
• Is Your Favorite Food Genetically Modified?: Investigating Genetic Engineering
• Silencing Genes on Command: Using RNA Interference to Alter Stem Cell Function
• Zombie Apocalypse: Examining Disease Transmission Using Biotechnology