Genes and Disease Self-Paced

Imagine a world where genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis or cancer could be cured. This is the promise of modern genetics, a field that is rapidly advancing and revolutionizing our understanding of health and disease. To better understand the advancements being made, we must first understand how our body works, how genes are inherited, and the causes of diseases.

This honors-level course explores the fascinating world of genetics, investigating the fundamental principles that govern inheritance, gene expression, and the development of diseases. Students will gain a deep understanding of the cellular basis of life, the role of proteins in cellular processes, and the genetic factors that contribute to the diversity of life and the development of diseases.

This semester-long course will engage students through hands-on simulations, case studies, videos, research and more. Students will use their analytic skills and genetic tools (Pedigrees and Punnett squares) to identify patterns and predict the likelihood of inheriting certain genetic diseases. Students will research diseases and explore the ethical implications surrounding genetic screening, testing and the future of genomics in medicine.

About the Self-Paced Course Model

Self-Paced courses are designed for students who need flexibility in their academic schedule. Teachers answer questions and interact with students in Private Topics, provide feedback on work, and host weekly office hours. Students work independently on course activities; the course does not include class discussion assignments or other collaborative work.

This course has start dates on each Wednesday throughout the year. Students must maintain enrollment for a minimum of 4 weeks and have up to 16 weeks to complete all assignments in the course. It is expected that students will work for approximately 90 hours to complete this course, though the amount of time may vary depending on a student’s work habits and comfort with the material.

Acknowledgements

Successful completion of a full year of high school biology or equivalent.
I acknowledge that this is a self-paced 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 Essential Questions:

How do genetic information and cellular processes interact to influence health and disease?
How do genetic inheritance and environmental factors contribute to the development of disease?
How can biotechnology be used to understand, diagnose, and treat genetic diseases?

Course Learning Objectives:

Apply the fundamental principles of genetics to predict inheritance patterns of disease.
Identify and evaluate the impact the environment has on genes and disease.
Explain how biotechnology can be used to diagnose and treat genetic diseases.

Additional Requirements

Students will be asked to supply some common materials to perform a few hands-on activities including dice, colored paper or candy, pipe cleaners and beads, and miscellaneous other craft supplies (student choice). Having clay or playdough is also recommended.