SAS20 Course Goals are:

1. To provide non-science majors with the basic concepts of genetic and modern methods of biotechnology,

2. To educate students in the process of scientific discovery and the public perception of the process.

3. Empower students to evaluate for themselves the present and future impact of genetics on society.

Tuesday and Thursday, 10:30-11:50 am
55 Roessler Hall
Instructors:
Pam Ronald (pcronald@ucdavis.edu) and Doug Cook (drcook@ucdavis.edu)
TA: Steve Wathen

see complete, up-to-date course information on-line at
http://medicago.ucdavis.edu/Courses/SAS20/main.cfm

1.5 hours lecture/discussion twice a week.

Critical thinking, organization, legibility, spelling and grammar will be taken into consideration in grading exams and assignments.

20% midterm (40 points)

The midterm exam will cover basic genetics, the process of scientific discovery and understanding, and the role of the media. The exam will consist of a medium length essay question to be picked up Thursday 10/24 in class (55 Roessler) and handed in Tuesday 10/29 in class.

20% term paper (5 pages double spaced) (40 points):

Students will be given an opportunity to examine the progress of a real world issue in biotechnology. Students will evaluate the public and scientific debate of the issue. Please email or discuss term paper topics with Pam or Doug before beginning. You can choose subjects talked about in class but the term paper cannot be on the same subject as your debate. For complete credit, your term paper must include the following sections:

1. Introduction, describe background issues, historical perspectives, problem to be addressed

2. Scientific knowledge of issue (you must cite your sources (at least 3). If you use a newspaper as a source, discuss reliability of source)

3. Possible outcomes or research, ethic issues

4. Your opinion of issue (eg should testing for this particular disease be done?)

15% DEBATE (30 points):

Students will form groups of 4 and choose from a list of topics to be presented to the class. The timing of the oral presentation will be strictly limited according to the rules described in the debate handbook. You will be graded on your ability to clearly convey the scientific knowledge and importance of your subject to the class.

20% homework, graded (40 points)

A variety of short reading and/or writing assignments will be given during the quarter. Please submit a hard copy of your homework at the beginning of class. Late homeworks can be turned in to Steve Wathen.

25% final (50 points)

The emphasis on the final exam will be on animals, human, plants and microbe biotechnology. The exam will include questions form each debate and guest speakers as well as lectures. The exam will be 1/2 CLOSED book and consist of short answer and 1/2 OPEN book consisting of medium length essay questions. Questions will cover class lectures, assigned readings, debates and guest speaker presentations.

Students shall hear from and meet guest speakers D. Perlman and T. Abate (SF chronicle reporters 10/22); Doug Kalish (10/29): Gary Anderson (UCD, 11/7); and John Tonkyn ( DNA dept. of Justice, 12/3).

Bound copies of required readings can be purchased at Copyland 231 G Street