Genetics and GMOs DRAFT Syllabus

Genetics and GMOs
Nina Thompson
nina@trilliumcharterschool.org
(503) 807-7179
Course Blog:http://geneticsandgmos.blogspot.com/

Course Objectives:
Students will be able to understand, explain, and predict patterns of inheritance on the micro and macro levels.
Students will be able to state statistical likelihoods, of patterns being inherited.
Students will be able to identify both sides of pertinent social and policy issues such as genetic testing, GMOs


State Benchmarks:
H.2L.5 Explain how multiple lines of scientific evidence support biological evolution.
H.1L.2 Describe the chemical structure of DNA and its relationship to chromosomes. Explain the role of DNA in protein synthesis.

H.1L.3 Explain and apply laws of heredity and their relationship to the structure and function of DNA.

H.1L.4 Explain how cellular processes and cellular differentiation are regulated both internally and externally

H.4D.5 Describe how new technologies enable new lines of scientific inquiry and are largely responsible for changes in how people live and work.

H.4D.6 Evaluate ways that ethics, public opinion, and government policy influence the work of engineers and scientists, and how the results of their work impact human society and the environment.


Classroom Policies:

Rights and Responsibilities:
Students in this class are asked to abide by the Trillium Constitution guidelines of conduct. To work within the structures set in place for nonviolent conflict resolution. I encourage students to discuss issues or concerns with instructors as soon as they arise. Discussions in this class may get heated as we are talking about very serious issues, however we'll ask that people take a respectful professional tone in our conversations and not cross into personal attacking. Lab Procedure safety requires all of us to be aware of each other's space, be careful about our movements, and wear our goggles for the entire period of asked to.

Curriculum and Content:
Content has been selected to help students become more aware consumers of media, to improve science literacy, to make students aware of the controversial topics of genetic testing and Genetically Modified Foods. Special effort has been made to cover the guidelines for education set forth by the State of Oregon's CIM Benchmarks.

Retakes:
Any student scoring under 70% will be asked to retake the test or quiz. A retake cannot be a higher score than 89%.

Late Work:
Late work will be accepted for half credit within two weeks of the deadline. Exceptions to this would require a doctor note and is subject to instructor approval.

Grades Will Be Based On:
Multiple Choice Midsemester Exam and Final: 40%
Debate or Final Research paper on a topic tied to the class 30%
In class work, movie questionnaires, homestudy, quizzes: 30%
The typical 90% and above is an A, 80-89% is a B, 70-79% is a C, 69% and below is a D, 59% and lower is an F

Cheating: In the first instance of any academic dishonesty cheating, the student will receive an 'F' grade for the work involved. Furthermore, any student who supplies answers, in part or in whole, will receive the same discipline as the one who receives work that is falsely claimed as their own. Subsequent cheating will result in disciplinary action that may lead to suspension or expulsion and/or loss of credit for the class.

Proposed Course of Study:

We'll be using the text book Science Plus: Technology and Society. Holt, Rinehart, Winston. 1997. In addition we'll be watching documentaries about the arguments for and against genetically modified food, watching movies about genetic disorders, and following the print media as it explores these topics.

Units of Study:

Inheritance
Your family tree
Mendel and his peas
Punnet Squares
Monohybrid and DiHybrid Crosses
Project: Dihybrid case.
Vocabulary: Gene, genetics, inheritance, recessive, dominant, allele, homozygous and heterozygous

Chromosomes and DNA:
Cells, cell division, Meiosis
Genetic disorders vs. misfires
Genetic disorders "Puzzle"
DNA, DNA Structure, Watson, Crick and Franklin,
Chromosomes
Project: Extracting DNA, Genetic disorder group (or individual) presentation
Vocabulary: Cell division, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, Interphase, Meiosis, Tay Sachs, Sickle Cell Anemia, Hodgkins, Cleft pallat, widow's peaks, Cystic fibrosis

Genetically Modified Organisms:
Firsts and why
How they are used in science research
How they are used to fuel the world market
Pros and Cons
Project: Research for impending debate
Vocabulary: TBD

Genetic Testing:
Firsts and why
How they are used in science research
How they are used to exclude peolpe from jobs and insurance
Pros and Cons
Movie: Gattaca
Project: Research for impending debate
Vocabulary: TBD