Biotechnology Course Syllabus
Mr. Radsick jradsick@duarte.k12.ca.us
Duarte High School
Course Description
This year long course offers the student an opportunity to experience the basics of microbiology, human
genetics, biotechnology, and exploration of bioethical issues. This Biotechnology course includes career
exploration, as well as the history and applications of DNA/RNA technology, molecular biology, bioethics, and
laboratory safe practices. This course is supplemented with laboratory exercises and demonstrations that
illustrate the basic techniques of biotechnology. Specific topics in genomics and bioinformatics will be
included. The laboratory component of this course encompasses biochemical and molecular biological
techniques that are routinely performed in research, government, and industrial biotechnology laboratories. The
exercises are designed to provide a hands-on context for the topics being presented in the course lectures.
Finally, the course concludes with a consideration of bioethical issues relating to this powerful new technology.
Course Objectives
1. The course will provide demonstrations of the structure and function of DNA, RNA, chromosomes,
genes, and proteins.
2. The course will offer a definition of biotechnology, including examples of real-world applications.
3. The course will provide opportunities to apply laboratory techniques with the appropriate lab equipment
and materials.
4. The course offers opportunities to discuss and debate selected bioethical issues.
Student Competencies or Outcomes
The following benchmarks support the objectives of this course. The student should know that...
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The information passed from parents to offspring is coded in DNA molecules.
Genes are segments of DNA molecules. Inserting, deleting, or substituting DNA segments can
alter genes. An altered gene may be passed on to cells that develop from it. The resulting features
may help, harm, or have little or no effect on the offspring's success in its environment.
The student should know that...
o Risk analysis is used to minimize the likelihood of unwanted side effects of a new technology.
The public perception may depend, however, on psychological factors as well as scientific ones.
o New varieties of farm plants and animals have been engineered by manipulating their genetic
instructions to produce new characteristics.
The student should be able to...
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Write clear, step-by-step instructions for conducting investigations, operating equipment, lab
reports and following a procedure.
o Participate in group discussions on scientific topics by restating or summarizing accurately what
others have said, asking for clarification or elaborations, and expressing alternative positions.
The student should know that...
o Biotechnology has contributed to health improvement in many ways, but its cost and application
have led to a variety of controversial social and ethical issues.
o The development and use of technologies to maintain, prolong, sustain, or terminate life raise
social, moral, ethical, and legal issues.
This course also supports the National Science Education Standards published by the National Research
Council.
Outline of Subject Matter
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The Biotechnology Industry
Laboratory Skills
Microbiology and Cell Culture
DNA Structure and Analysis
Bacterial Transformation and Plasmid purification
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Protein Structure and Analysis
Immunological Applications
Research Projects
Laboratory Activities/Assignments
1. The Biotechnology Industry
Career Exploration project in Biotechnology and Industries
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Lab: Egg dissection
Lab: Cheese Production
2. Laboratory Skills
Rotating station experience to practice making solutions, diluting solutions, measurement, metric
system, conversions, sterile technique, pipetting, and micropipetting.
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Lab: Bleach activity
Lab: DNA Extraction and Precipitation
Lab: Pipetting
Lab: Kool-Aid Chromatography
Lab: Making Solutions
Lab: Titration
3. Microbiology and Cell Culture
Practice making and pouring media and sterile technique.
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Lab: Making Microbiology Media
Lab: Disk Diffusion Test (Modified Kirby-Baurer Test)
Lab: Microbes and Health (Koch’s Postulate)
Lab: Gram Staining
Lab: Quantifying Bacterial Numbers
4. DNA Structure and Analysis
Models of DNA Project which includes history of discovery, measurement, experiment, collaboration, peer
review, scientific process, kinesthetic learning.
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Lab: Restriction Enzyme Analysis
Lab: Casting Agarose Gels
Lab: Die Electrophoresis
Lab: Forensic DNA Fingerprinting
Lab: Plasmid Mapping
5. Transformations
Time line project/assignment has to include Avery, Griffith, Chargaff, Watson, Crick, Riggs, Franklin,
etc. Standing on the shoulders of giants.
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Lab: Bacterial Transformation with S3 plasmid
Lab: Bacterial Transformation with pGLO plasmid
Lab: Purification of S3 and pGLO plasmids
Lab: DNA Quantification
6. Polymerase Chain Reaction
Collection of DNA large sample in search for ALU element project. Statistical analysis of data to compare to
expected values.
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Lab: STR PCR Analysis
Lab: GMO Detection by PCR
Lab: Detection of the Human PV92 Alu insertion
7. Protein Structure and Analysis
Protein model project using three dimensional models to understand molecular interactions better.
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Lab: Protein Quantification Using Bradford Assay
Lab: Size Exclusion Chromatography
Lab: GFP Purification by Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography
Lab: SDS-PAGE of Fish Muscle
Lab: Bio-Fuel Enzyme Assay
Lab: Exploring Bioinformatics with GFP
8. Immunological Applications
City of Hope field trip to see Scientist routine use of Western Blotting.
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Lab: Serum Antibody Detection by ELISA
Lab: Bioethics: Quantitative ELISA
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Lab: Western Blotting
Listing of Instructional Materials
Textbook: Biotechnology A Laboratory Skills Course J. Kirk Brown
Grade Allocation
Tests/Quizzes
50%
Laboratory Reports
40%
Homework/Classwork
10%
o ASSESSMENT: A variety of assessments will be used in this course, but the majority of your grade will
be determined by quizzes and tests. Periodic quizzes (vocabulary or reading/content-based) will be
given to ascertain student understanding; they may be announced or unannounced. A unit test will be
given upon completion of each unit of study. Unit tests may cover one or several chapters in the book
and will require considerable time. Questions on quizzes and tests will include material covered during
class, in assigned readings and from laboratories. Projects may also be given for various units of
study. You may retake a test; however the highest grade afforded is 70 percent. Projects will require
that students do the bulk of work out of class. Additionally, since labs are a major part of the
Biotechnology course, laboratory reports will be graded.
o EVALUATION: Evaluation criteria include participating in and completing classroom activities,
working cooperatively in group assignments, correctly answering questions on quizzes/tests, completion
of assigned projects, communication laboratory data in a correct and complete manner, and
demonstrating proper lab techniques and safety. Note: Grading rubrics will be provided ahead of time
for all major projects, essays, and lab reports.
o GRADING SYSTEM: Grading is based upon a total points system whereby each assignment is given
a number of possible points. Grades are calculated by dividing your total score by the total points
possible, which gives a percentage. Students are expected to keep track of their own grades on ed-line.
o LATE WORK: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TURNING IN ALL ASSIGNMENTS ON TIME AT
THE BEGINNING OF CLASS. The highest grade on late work is 70%. However, all assignments need
to be current to receive credit on any work past the last assignment.
o MAKE UP WORK: According to district policy, students must have the ability to make up any missed
work for verified absences. A student is required to bring an excuse to the Attendance Office and is
required to make up work immediately upon arrival. If work is not made up then the resulting grade will
70% at best. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to get the work that you miss when you are
absent. If you miss a quiz or test, you will be given a different quiz/test than the class. Labs are
particularly difficult to make up so, make every effort to attend all classes where we will be conducting
a
Student Name: ______________________________________________
Student Email: _______________________________________________
Title of Course: ______________________
Class Period:__________
To the Student and Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
STUDENT AGREEMENT
I, ______________________, have read the syllabus for Biotechnology and agree to abide by the rules and
consequences set by Mr. Radsick and Duarte High School. I acknowledge my responsibilities in undertaking
such a rigorous and challenging course. I am aware of the Biotechnology testing, grading and make-up / late
policies.
_______________________________
______________________________
Student signature
Date
STUDENT SAFETY CONTRACT
I, ______________________, a student in science at Duarte High School, do hereby agree to follow all safety
rules and regulations as set forth by the instructor. I realize that compliance with these rules is necessary to
assure the safe operation of the school laboratory and provide safe environment not only for myself, but also for
my fellow students and teachers as well. I will, therefore, cooperate fully with the teacher and students to
assure all of us the safest laboratory possible. I will act responsibly to look for possible safety hazards and will
immediately point out these hazards to the instructor. I understand that violation of safety rules may result in
the loss of laboratory privileges and possible disciplinary measures.
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____________________________
Student Signature
Date
STUDENT AND PARENT COURSE CONSENT
We have read and understand the expectations for Biotechnology and will support Mr. Radsick in his effort to
provide an effective learning environment. We also understand that this course is a college level course that
will require a significant amount of effort on the part of the student.
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Student’s Signature
_________________________________________
Parent’s Signature
____________________________________
_________________________________________
Home Phone Number
Parent E-mail Phone Number at which
parent/guardian can be reached during school hours.
Are there any requests that you have of the instructor?