Download Biotechnology II syllabus

Biotechnology Academy – Brief Course Descriptions
2014-15
*courses marked with asterisk are taught throughout a school year, with 60 hours each semester and students
receiving 0.5 credits per semester)
Biotechnology 1
Prerequisite: None
120 hours (1 credit)
Biotechnology I is an overview to the applications of DNA/RNA technology, molecular biology. In the
laboratory component of this course, biochemical and molecular biological techniques that are routinely
performed in research, government, and industrial biotechnology laboratories will be used. Standard lab topics
covered include DNA isolation, electrophoresis and analysis, Bacterial Transformation, Microbial Culturing,
Protein Isolation and Electrophoresis, PCR, and Lab Solution Preparation.
Biotechnology 2
Prerequisite: Biotechnology 1
120 hours (1 credit)
This course is a continuation of Introduction to Biotechnology I. Students will develop a conceptual framework
for biotechnology application. The tools and techniques of DNA and protein manipulation and analysis are
studied from a real-world application perspective. Students will perform a range of labs including diagnostic
PCR and BioAssays, Southern and Western blotting techniques, ELISA technology, and plant tissue culture.
Specific topics in genomics, comparative proteomics and bioinformatics will also be included.
Survey of Biotechnology *
Prerequisite: None
120 hours (1 credit)
In this course students will investigate Biotechnology processes throughout history. Students will attend field
trips and seminars that will reinforce the need for biotechnology in today's workforce. They will also explore
the ethics concerning biotechnology research and use. This is a course that will familiarize the student with
common laboratory glassware, utensils, and equipment. They will become skillful at using micropipettes,
centrifuges, autoclaves, pH meters, and microscopes. Laboratory safety and precision/accuracy with equipment
will be emphasized along with the scientific method, advanced math skills, scientific notation, significant
figures, metric conversion factors, and creating and interpreting graphs for laboratory analysis and reporting.
Students will develop a conceptual framework for biology and an appreciation of science as a process. Students
will learn about selected biotechnology approaches to solving human, environmental and agricultural problems
and appreciate the impact of biotechnology on our lives and society. The course concludes with a consideration
of bioethical issues relating to this powerful new technology.
Advanced Placement Biology *
Prerequisite: Biology I
120 hours (1 credit)
Advanced Placement Biology is designed to be equivalent to a two semester college introductory biology
course. Students will learn about the core scientific principles, theories, and processes governing living
organisms, biological systems, and natural phenomena. The goal is for students to develop advanced reasoning
and inquiry skills as they design experiments, collect and analyze data, and interpret that data to draw
conclusions. The course is focused around the topics of: the diversity and unity of life, cellular processes –
energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology and interactions.
Advanced Placement Environmental Science *
Prerequisite: Biology I
120 hours (1 credit)
Environmental Science is a course that will provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and
methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze
environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these
problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them.
Advanced Biotechnology I
Prerequisite: Survey of Biotechnology, Biotechnology I and Biotechnology 2
120 hours (1 credit)
This is a course that will challenge students to gain knowledge in upper-level biochemistry, molecular biology,
and lab techniques. Students will develop a conceptual framework for the use of Biotechnology in expanding
areas. Lab topics covered in detail include, Advanced Cloning, Protein Expression Systems, Protein and
Molecule Purification using various column chromatography techniques, RNA Isolation and RT-PCR,
Microarray Screening and Analysis, cDNA, gDNA and EST Library Production and Screening, RNAi,
Nanotechnology and generation of transgenic plants through advanced plant tissue culture.
Advanced Biotechnology II
Prerequisite: Survey of Biotechnology, Biotechnology I and Biotechnology 2
120 hours (1 credit)
This course encompasses upper-level biochemistry, microbiology, and lab techniques. The themes covered
through lab or computer investigations include, Microbiology and Fermentation, Nanotechnology, Animal Cell
Tissue Culture, Plant tissue culture, and Virus culturing. Specific emphasis is placed on the role of microbes in
Biotechnology. Skills developed in this course are reflective of those found in industry and research
environments.
Biotechnology Career Capstone *
Lab
Prerequisite: Advanced Biotechnology
120 hours (1 credit)
This course is designed to introduce students to a “pipeline” project concept where all current knowledge and
skills are used to produce a biotechnology product. Lab projects involve the PCR amplification, cloning,
sequencing and analysis of a specific gene, further continued into advanced gene expression systems resulting
in protein purification and enzyme fraction activity assays. Through this project students will be further
exposed to the field of bioinformatics, a specialized and synthetic discipline that combines elements of
biological science, biotechnology and computer science in order to understand and interpret DNA and amino
acid sequence data.
Biotechnology Career Capstone
Internship
This internship is the culmination of all the knowledge and laboratory experience that the student has acquired.
The student may be paired with a scientist as a mentor in a lab as an intern or student may have a pipeline
project that would require them to bring all aspects of acquired knowledge and skills to one final project. A final
paper, review and presentation about the capstone experience is part of the course. The techniques learned in
Biotechnology pre-requisite courses will be applied in an actual research setting to give the student more
experience while learning practical applications for laboratory procedures. The course will focus around
several class and individual projects and themes. Students will be placed in an internship position based on
several criteria including but not limited to: Academic success and aptitude in Biotechnology classes,
Availability of internship openings and Suitability of Internship project. Instruction and laboratory hours will
vary.