Core Course

Cellular Biotechnology 504

Winter term

This is a one–semester, three–credit course that provides an overview of some of the disciplinary areas that define cellular biotechnology. Emphasis is placed on describing basic principles, and illustrating the relationships between the various subjects of biotechnology. Students participate in a team–based approach to proposal development for biotechnology–related problem solving.

The course topics change from year to year but have included the following topics:

  1. gene therapy
  2. stem cells and stem cell therapy
  3. drug discovery
  4. proteolysis
  5. imaging in biotechnology
  6. biomaterials and tissue engineering
  7. nanoscale manipulation

Emphasis is placed on describing basic principles, and on illustrating the necessary relationships between the various subjects of biotechnology.

This course is cross–listed with the Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology; Biological Chemistry; Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology; and Microbiology & Immunology.

Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Place: 5623 Medical Science II, Wheeler Lecture Hall

Evaluation of student performance

Student performance is evaluated in two ways:

  1. through homework assignments given in each of the five major course modules; and
  2. through a team–based project.

Homework assignments are given out during each of the course modules, and the completed assignment is due at the first class period of the following module. The five homework assignments each comprise 10% of the final grade, for a total of 50%. The course project consists of formulating, writing and presenting a research/idea proposal that explores a biotechnological solution to a problem that is related to, or incorporates, some of the topics discussed in class. Proposals are cross–disciplinary in approach; they contribute to 50% of the final grade. Attendance is monitored; good attendance can benefit those with borderline grades.