Chemistry 210
BIOTECHNOLOGY: SCIENCE, CULTURE AND ETHICS
Spring 2000

Schedule of Topics

 Week #

Dates

Monday

Wednesday

Friday

 1

 1/26, 1/28

No class 

Class introduction

Intro to biochemistry 

 2

 1/31-2/4

DNA structure (*meet in Carr computer lab)

DNA replication
Film: "Life Story" 7pm, Clapp 218

Central dogma/DNA transcription and translation

 3

 2/7-2/11

DISCUSSION: The Double Helix
Paper #1 due

DNA sequencing

Gene sequencing and databases (*meet in Carr computer lab)

 4

 2/14-2/18

 No class

Gene mapping
+ Genome projects
Guest lecturer: Mike Fortun, RPI; 4pm; Carr 209

Discussion on Fortun talk

Quiz #1 (DNA structure) 

 5

 2/21-2/25

Genetic information and ethics

Debate #1 "Resolved: Widespread genetic screening should be a public health priority

Debate wrap-up
Sequencing technology

 6

 2/28-3/3

DNA fingerprinting

 Quiz #2 (DNA sequencing)
PCR

Intro to social studies of science

 7

 3/6-3/10

DISCUSSION: Making PCR
Paper #2 due

Manipulating DNA 

 Recombinant proteins

 8

 3/20-3/24

The Asilomar meeting

 Recombinant DNA and agriculture

 Debate #2 "Resolved: The FDA should strengthen regulations on genetically modified foods"

 9

 3/27-3/31

Debate wrap-up
Quiz #3 (recombinant DNA)

 Recombinant DNA + animals

 Gene therapy/genetic medicine

 10

 4/3-4/7

DISCUSSION: Biopiracy
Paper #3 due 

Reproduction & cloning
Panel discussion: "New technologies & communities of color" 7pm Gambel 

 Post panel discussion or guest lecturer, Lynn Morgan

 11

 4/10-4/14

Cloning

Debate #3 "Resolved: The government should impose a moratorium on human cloning research" 

 Debate wrap-up
Quiz #4 (cloning)

 12

4/17-4/21 

  Introduction to proteins & protein structure

Protein function & drug design 

 AIDS, HIV and drug design

13 

 4/24-4/28

 DISCUSSION: The Billion Dollar Molecule
Paper #4 due 

Debate #4: "Resolved: New Pharmaceutical technologies deserve an extended period of patent protection"

 Wrap-up

 14

 5/1

Course wrap-up
Quiz #5 (proteins and drug design) 


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