13 Jan – Students may be assigned a

Assignment 1 – Biology and Technology in the Real World

Addresses course outcomes 1-4:

recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems
make observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations
weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific method
use knowledge of biological principles, the scientific method, and appropriate technologies to ask relevant questions, develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, interpret results, and draw conclusions
Select one of the following topics: a) Genetically modified food. b) Stem cells. c) Fracking

– Students may be assigned a topic. No more than 1/3 of the class may work on any one topic.

Write at least 750 – 1500 words, excluding references. Students must read the articles found, summarize the information they contain briefly in your own words, discuss how the articles relate to biology concepts, answer the questions associated with the chosen topic, and analyze and defend your ideas based on what was learned. Extensive quotes from the article are discouraged. More details about assignment expectations and a grading rubric are below.

This assignment demonstrates the acceptable, ethical, and academic method for citing information from a public source.

Assignment 1 Instructions:

I Introduction and Summary of Articles

Find at least 2 scholarly articles related to the topic that are no more than 1 year old. Using your own words, write a summary of the information learned in at least 2 of the scholarly articles. Be specific about which article contains what information. Include all important points. Extensive use of quotes is discouraged. Each summary should be at least 1 paragraph long.

II Biological Concepts and Terms

Relate the topic to biological concepts and terms.

Relate at least 3 concepts from class to the chosen topic.(DHA, Cells, Phytoplankton, ATP)
Discuss specific facts learned in class by defining a term and/or explaining a concept and discuss how these are related to your topic.
Point out how the topic relates to the material covered in class.
Discuss the issues of the topic in the context of the material covered in class.
How did this topic help you understand concepts covered in class?
An example of one concept and how it is related to class:
“One article discusses how a new drug is absorbed through a cell membrane in order to change the metabolism of the cell. One topic covered in class that relates to this article is the discussion about cell organelle, such as cell membranes. Cell membranes are composed of a phospholipid bilayer and proteins that control the flow of molecules in and out of the cell.”

“Cell Organelle” is the “topic covered in class”.
“Cell membranes are composed of a phospolipid bilayer and proteins that control the flow of molecules in and out of the cell.” is the “definition of the term/explanation of the concept”
“This article discusses how a new drug is absorbed through a cell membrane” is “relating the article to the concept learned in class”.
All 3 of these items must be included in order to earn credit for relating a concept learned in class to the article read.
III Content of the References

Thoroughly answer the questions associated with the chosen topic. Clearly explain your reasoning for each answer.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

What is the purpose genetic engineering of crop plants and domestic animals?
Briefly explain how GMOs are created.
Are foods that contain GMOs safe for human consumption?
What foods in your supermarket contain these foods?
What types of regulations exist for these foods?
The following website from FDA regarding GMO regulation may be helpful:http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm352067.ht