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BIO 253: Biotechnology Concepts - 3 Credits
Overview

This course explores the growing field of biotechnology ranging from basic cellular and molecular biology concepts to both basic and advanced laboratory techniques. Emphasizes the application of biotechnology to medicine, agriculture, environmental science, and forensics.  Includes discussion of the business, regulatory/legal, ethical, and societal issues of this topic as well as the growing field of bioinformatics.

Entry Level Competencies:

The following are required for entry into this course:

  • BIO 101 or BIO 173, and CHM 111. This course can be taken concurrently with BIO170 - Biotechnology Methods.
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Objectives
 

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

  1. Define biotechnology and provide numerous examples of how biotechnology is being applied in different sectors including the medical field, agriculture, environmental science, and forensics
  2. Describe key concepts in cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics and their significance in biotechnology research and product development
  3. Understand the structure of DNA, sources of DNA, and how DNA is manipulated in biotechnology applications
  4. Define genetic engineering and identify products created with this technology
  5. Describe the structure and function of proteins and how proteins are studied
  6. Detail the process of biomanufacturing, from research and development to scale-up to sales and marketing
  7. Discuss the importance of plant biotechnology in creating new and novel crops and plantproducts
  8. Explain the importance of medical biotechnology, including in pharmacogenomics and immunology
  9. Understand the regulations governing the biotech industry
  10. Discuss the bioethical issues involved in different biotechnology applications
  11. Give examples of careers and job responsibilities associated with this field
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Materials
 

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Grading
 

Possible Assignments Include: (Subject to change each semester. The actual assignments are available in the Syllabus in the Blackboard course site on the first day of classes.)

Assignments
Points
Quizzes
125
Discussion Board Posts
145
Homework Assignments
265
Group Project
200
Exams - 2
402
Total
1137

Your final grade will be based on the following scale. Please note that you must also pass at least one of the proctored exams in order to pass the course, regardless of your scores on the other assignments.

Grade
Points
Percent
A
1023-1137 90-100
B
910-1022 80-89
C
797-909 70-79
D
684-796 60-69
F
0-683 0-59
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Exams
 

There are 2 exams in this course.

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ELI Policies and Procedures
 
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Beginning the Course
 

Last Updated: August 12, 2013