Study Notes
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Exam #1 Review

Exam #2 Review

Exam #3 Review

Final Exam Review

xenotransplantation

Spring 2007
Dr. James Olesen 
285-3510 
Office:  CL 229D

jolesen@bsu.edu

Click on the appropriate week to access notes

Honors Symposium in the Life Sciences

Instructor:               Dr. Jim Olesen
Office:                    CL 229D
Phone:                    285-3510
Email:                     jolesen@bsu.edu
Office Hours:          M,W 1:00-2:00 pm or by appointment

Textbook:   Cummings, M.R.  (2006)  Human Heredity: Principles and Issues, 7^th edition

Web Site:     www.bsu.edu/web/jolesen

This site contains an outline of the notes and will be updated throughout the semester with other relevant information for the course.

Course Description:  Modern Biology of Life

This course introduces students to the biological basis of human life and explores several of the most important cellular mechanisms that operate in the body.  Based on a working knowledge of these systems, such topical issues as aging, cancer, cloning, euthanasia, genetic engineering, gene therapy, the Human Genome Project and recombinant DNA biotechnology will be discussed.  Concurrently, the numerous ethical and societal issues surrounding such topics will be addressed.  In the end, students will have a more complete, insightful understanding of the biological world around them and will gain an appreciation of how scientific advances affect their lives now and in the future.

Course Objectives and Goals:

The overall goals of this course are to:

1)      Help students engage in lifelong education by learning to acquire and use knowledge.

2)      Provide opportunities for students to build skills in problem recognition and problem solving.

3)      Direct students toward specialized learning experiences.

4)      Assist students to clarify personal values and encourage sensitivity to the opinions of others.

5)      Assist students to communicate ideas/opinions in a more logical fashion.

6)      Present appropriate factual knowledge that will lead to intelligent decision-making.

7)      Openly discuss the moral and ethical issues within modern biology.

8)      Enable the students to gain a firm understanding of scientific methods.

 Grading:

Grade Scale:

* Class participation and attendance will be considered in the final grade determination.

 * I will only elevate grades in those cases where the grade is within 1% of the next highest grade and there is routine class participation and attendance.  If there is no participation, then no grade elevation will be granted.

 Other Policies:

• I expect each student to participate in class, as we will discuss many ethical topics and each student’s viewpoint is important and relevant to the discussion.  Please do    not feel that your opinion is not valid, it will only help to further our exploration of    the assigned topics.  It is hoped through discussions, you will be better informed in the context of the materials we will cover.
   

• It is the student’s responsibility to obtain copies of any information, announcements, assignments, etc. which were missed due to an unexcused absence.
   

• There may be changes made in the schedule, if so, you will be notified in class of any change.
   

• Excused absences for University-related functions must be arranged in advance.
   

• In the event of an emergency or illness, please notify me ASAP.

No make-up exams will be given except with University excuse.

Assignments will be docked one letter grade each day late.

You must take the final exam to pass this course. 

I will not accept emailed assignments...please bring them to class.

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please contact me ASAP.

Case Studies:

During the semester, we will hold a series of ethical discussions on topics that are impacting our society as it relates to the world of biology.  Prior to each discussion period, I will distribute a handout containing questions that you are to answer or formulate your opinion on.  You should search the Internet or other sources for answers or background information.  On the day of a discussion, you will turn in a brief outline (~2 pages) of your answers and include several (more than 3) references (ex: Internet sources, textbook, magazines).  Place the full URL address for websites or book/article titles in the text where you discuss the information taken from each source.  This outline will be worth 5 points.  The following week, you will turn in a more complete 2-3 page write-up summarizing and expanding on your viewpoint and those of others expressed in class.  Do not just repeat was said in class, but express your opinion of what was mentioned and discussed.  This summary will be worth 10 points.  These write-ups should be double-spaced, 10-12 pt font size and you are expected to include the  references you used in the outline.

Term Paper:

The topic will be selected from a list of potential ethical questions provided (or others?), which will be approved by instructor (see Lab Schedule).  The paper must be a minimum of 8 pages in length, 12 pt Times New Roman font size, be double-spaced and have the borders set to 1 inch.  You must cite at least 10 references and the references must be highlighted in the body of your paper where the information is discussed.  You will discuss your viewpoint on the topic and use the references for background information and support of your opinions.  This is to be an opinion paper and not an extensive review of the topic.