Biotechnology

Biotechnology is a cutting-edge, high-demand field that encompasses everything from plant and animal breeding to genetics. In the first half of the course, we review the basics of biology and genetics as we discover how biotechnology has changed the world around us, from farming and agriculture to food preservation and fermentation.

In the second half, we'll learn how and why biotechnology is so important to the agricultural, pharmaceutical, and genetic fields of study. We’ll learn about mapping the human genome, the role of antibiotics, how medicine is created to combat diseases, and the future of the biotechnology field. Since biotechnology is a highly visible and influential field of science, we will also investigate the ethical considerations and essential public policies that guide researchers, scientists, and the medical profession. It’s time to explore the depth and breadth of this fascinating field!

This paced course uses content from eDynamic Learning taught by a VHS Learning instructor who is certified in their content area and who follows VHS Learning policies. The course will be hosted in the Buzz learning management system. The course will include a variety of individual assignments and projects, as well as class discussions.

Acknowledgements

Successful completion of a full-year High School Biology course.
This course contains an end-of-course proctored exam. Instructions for students to identify an appropriate adult proctor are included in the course lessons.

Course Objectives

Course Learning Objectives:

Explain the fundamental biological and genetic concepts relevant to biotechnology
Describe the historical development and key technological advances in biotechnology
Analyze the impact of biotechnology on agriculture, food preservation, medicine, the environment, and industry.
Evaluate the ethical implications of biotechnological research and applications.
Explain the role of public policy in regulating biotechnology research and development to ensure ethical and safe practices.
Predict potential future applications of biotechnology