Contemporary Issues in Biology (Biol 10003)
The course "Contemporary Issues in Biology" is designed for nonscience majors and I currently serve as course coordinator. The course focuses on the exciting contemporary issues in biology ranging across the subdisciplines of molecular biology, physiology, evolution and environmental science. Examples of issues covered in the course include: the Human Genome Project, DNA Fingerprinting, Cloning, Drug Addiction, Antibiotic Resistance, AIDS, Human Evolution, Acid Rain, Global Warming and the Ozone Hole. The lecture portion of the course focuses on the biological concepts underlying issues presented in readings from Time Magazine, U.S. News and World Report and Newsweek. Each lab is conducted in the computer laboratory and consists of topics examined by introductory videos and web searches.