BIOL1200 : Biology and Society

This is an interdisciplinary course that explores the interaction between biology and related complex human issues. Along with gaining an understand of biology's more technical aspects, students in this course will also explore the historical, political, and environmental perspectives needed to understand the impacts that important biology issues have on society. Breakthroughs in genetics, stem-cell propagation, cloning, and human genome project give rise to numerous ethical questions. The emergence of viral pathogens such as HIV and Ebola, the increasing prevalence of drug resistant bacteria, and the specter of anthrax and smallpox being utilized as agents of terrorism, raise daunting social and scientific questions. Addressing such issues requires both an understanding of biology and its context within our society.

Prerequisites: None.

Credit Breakout:  3.00 lecture,   0.00 lab,   0.00 other.

Student Expectations:
The on-line class will combine lecture notes, text readings, discussion question posts, and case study analysis. There will be three equally-weighted exams with each exam consisting of short answer questions. The tree exams will account for 50% of the grade. A copy of a sample exam will be available on-line for first exam only.