NORTHWEST IOWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SHELDON, IOWA 51201
COURSE OUTLINE/SYLLABUS
Course Number: BIO 301-A
Division/Discipline: Arts and Sciences
Course Title: Introduction to Biotechnology
Credits: 3
Total Length in Hours
Lecture Hours
Lab Hours
50
50
Prerequisites (Number/Title):
Prerequisite: Introductory chemistry or biology course either high school or college level
Corequisite: BIO 302-A/Introduction to Biotechnology Lab
Course Description:
This course is an overview of Biotechnology which will emphasize applications of DNA/RNA technology, and
molecular biology. Topics will include cloning, gene therapy, plant biotechnology, DNA fingerprinting, genetic
testing, and various products made through biotechnology. The course is intended for those who have a strong desire to
learn about the principles of biotechnology and their applications and / or have an interest in pursuing a career in an
industrial, academic, or biomedical research laboratory.
Course Competencies/Objectives:
After completion of the course the student will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate an appreciation for modern biotechnology
2.
Describe the evolution of Biotechnology topics historic to present
3.
Explain and use the scientific method
4.
List and describe basic methods and applications of biotechnology as it applies to plants and animals
5.
Demonstrate basic skills required for the biotechnology workplace
Text and Materials:
Biotechnology: Science for the New Millennium, First edition (2007). Daugherty (Required)
Instructor/Division: Nihal Behrens / Arts & Sciences
Date Developed: 8-7-06
Date Revised: 1-11-07
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Units of Study
Lecture Hours
Chapter 1 What is Biotechnology?
- What is Biotechnology?
- Doing Biotechnology: Scientific Methodology in a Research Facility
- The Variety of Biotechnology Products
- How Companies Pick Potential Products?
3
Chapter 2 The Raw Materials of Biotechnology
- The Raw Materials of Biotechnology
- Cellular Organization and Processes
- The Molecules of Cells
- The “New” Biotechnology – Manipulating Molecules
5
Chapter 4 Introduction to the Study of DNA Molecules
- DNA Structure and Function
- Sources of DNA
- Isolating and Manipulating DNA
- Using Gel Electrophoresis to Study Molecules
5
Chapter 5 Introduction to the Study of Protein Molecules
- The Structure and Function of Proteins
- The Production of Proteins
- Enzymes: Protein Catalysts
- Studying Proteins
- Why Study Proteins?
5
Chapter 6 Finding a Potential Biotechnology Product
- Sources of Potential Products
- The Use of Assays
- Looking for Products in Nature
-Studying Plant Proteins as Possible Products
-Producing rDNA Protein Products
3
Chapter 7 Spectrophotometers and Assays for Biotechnology Products
- Using the Spectrophotometer to Detect Molecules
- Introduction to pH
- Buffers
- Using the Spectrophotometers to Measure Protein Concentration
5
Chapter 8 Modeling the Production of a Biotechnology Product
-Producing a Genetically Engineered Product
- Transforming Cells
- After Transformation
- Fermentation, Manufacturing, and GMP
- Retrieving Plasmids after Transformation
5
Chapter 9 Bringing a Biotechnology Product to Market
- Harvesting a Protein Product
- Using Chromatography to Study and Separate Molecules
- Column Chromatography
- Product Quality Control
- Marketing and Sales
5
2
Chapter 10 Introduction to Plant Biotechnology
- Introduction to Plant Propagation
- Basic Plant Anatomy
- Plant Growth, Structure, and Function
- Introduction to Plant Breeding
- Statistical Analysis of Data
5
Chapter 13 Making DNA molecule
- DNA synthesis
- DNA synthesis products
- Polymerase chain reaction
- Application of PCR technology
5
Chapter 14 Advanced Biotechnology techniques
- DNA sequencing
- Genomics
- Advanced protein studies
- Other advances and applications of biotechnology
4
Note: this outline is tentative and may be subject to change
Course Requirements/Grading Criteria
Student requirements:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Approximately 4 exams and a comprehensive final exam.
Completion of assigned readings and exercises.
Occasional quizzes (may be announced or unannounced quizzes).
Short research paper/ presentation
Evaluation and Grading:
Homework: Students will be given weekly homework assignments. Homework problems and due dates will be given
in lecture. For credit, all work must be shown. Homework is due at the BEGINNING of the lecture period on the due
date. Late homework will be accepted up to a week from due date with 2 points deduction per day. Reading
assignments will also be given.
Exams: will be given after approximately every 2 chapters. In addition to chapter exams, a final exam will also be
given. The final exam is a comprehensive exam that will include all materials covered during the course.
Quizzes: Occasional quizzes will be given. They maybe announced or unannounced.
Research paper: A short research on a biotechnology topic of interest will be written and presented. More details will
be given at a later time.
Students are expected to keep track of their progress in the course. Students should record the results of all quizzes,
homework assignments, and exams immediately after the instructor returns them.
Final Grades:
Grading
Homework
Quizes
Exams
Research paper
Final Exam
Participation
15%
10%
40%
10%
20%
5%
3
Grading Scale
A = 100-90%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = < 60%
Make-up Exams/ Quizzes:
No make up quizzes are given unless you have prior instructor approval and take the quiz in advance of your absence.
If you are going to miss an exam you must notify the instructor before the exam is given. Notification is required on
my office phone, in person, or by email. If you do not notify the instructor before the exam you will not be allowed to
make up the exam. Make up exams may be different from the exams given to others.
Academic Dishonesty:
If academic dishonesty is suspected on a test, quiz, or homework assignment, the following procedure will be used:
1. The person or persons suspected will be confronted.
2. The person or persons suspected will be allowed to state their case.
3. If it is determined that cheating has taken place, a zero will be given on the test, quiz, or homework
assignment involved.
Course Requirements/Grading Criteria Continued
Regular attendance is absolutely necessary for the successful completion of biotechnology. Students are expected to
attend every class. Students are also expected to be on time and ready to begin class at the scheduled time. It is your
responsibility to take notes in class in such a manner as to encompass not just what is on overheads, power points, or
written on the blackboard, but also what the instructor says. Exams are based on material presented in class and
material in the text book. If absent, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain information covered on that day of
class/lab. The instructor will not give the students a copy of the instructor’s lecture notes, but the students are
encouraged to set up an appointment with the instructor for help.
Successful completion of biotechnology will require the student to play an active role in the learning process. Students
are expected to spend a minimum of 2-3 hours studying outside of class for each hour they are in class. If a student
has a question they are encouraged to ask the instructor either during class or outside of class. The instructor can be
contacted by:
Telephone:
Email:
Office:
(712) 324-5061, extension 235
(800) 352-4907, extension 235
nbehrens@nwicc.edu
Room 413 at NCC
Electronic Grading Information:
The final grade will be determined as outlined in the course syllabus. It is the students’ responsibility to keep track of
how they are doing as they proceed through the course, based upon information in the syllabus. Any use of an
electronic grade book for NCC courses is limited to providing of information on individual assignment, and at any
given time may not be a comprehensive assessment of your course grade.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with documented disabilities can pursue
accommodations as needed. To assure that accommodations and or modifications will be available when classes start,
students are encouraged to make request as soon as possible. Students who require some modifications of seating,
testing or other course requirements should see the instructor or institution’s counselor.
Instructor/Division: Nihal Behrens / Arts & Sciences
Date Developed: 8-7-06
Date Revised: 1-11-07
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This project is funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community Based Job Training Grant as implemented by the U.S. Department of
Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (CB-15-162-06-60). NCC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the
following basis:

against any individual in the United States, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age disability, political affiliation or
belief; and

against any beneficiary of programs financially assisted under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), on the basis of the
beneficiary’s citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or his or her participation in
any WIA Title I-financially assisted program or activity.
This product was funded by a grant awarded under the President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative, as implemented by the U.S. Department of
Labor’s Employment & Training Administration. The information contained in this product was created by a grantee organization and does not
necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. All references to non-governmental companies or organizations, their
services, products, or resources are offered for informational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement by the Department of Labor.
This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it and is intended for individual organizational, non-commercial use only.
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