20806219Biology for Innovators
Course Information
Description
This course introduces a variety of disciplines and associated careers in the biological sciences. Focusing on the laboratory practices that support biology innovation, students use technologies, lab practices and instrumentation common to applied biology settings. Students select an innovation, conduct literature research on the topic, and share results with peers.
Total Credits
1

Course Competencies
  1. Explain the evolution of quality systems in the United States as they apply to food and drug industries
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay
    Criteria
    Essay formulates a clear argument for or against the regulation of dietary supplements
    Essay supports the argument with at least three credible references
    Essay meets requirements for format, grammar, spelling and clarity as described in essay assignment

  2. Apply the Code of Federal Regulations and current Good Manufacturing Practices regulations
    Assessment Strategies
    Project plans for a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) facility for DNA isolation and testing
    Criteria
    Project plans clearly identify workers and their roles in each area of facility
    Project plans present a clear and defensible workflow to minimize product contamination
    Project plans describe the reasoning supporting the specific design
    Project plans are clear, neat, and easily understood

  3. Perform quality laboratory work, focusing on proper lab technique, documentation, and calibration
    Assessment Strategies
    Skills demonstration, Laboratory notebook documentation
    Criteria
    Skills demonstration verifies correct use of balances, micropipettors, and pH meters
    Skills demonstration displays proper calibration of instrumentation
    Skills demonstration practices troubleshooting of equipment
    Laboratory notebook documentation follows industry-accepted standards
    Laboratory notebook documentation analyzes laboratory measurements for accuracy, precision, and linearity

  4. Prepare laboratory solutions correctly
    Assessment Strategies
    Skills demonstration, Laboratory notebook documentation
    Criteria
    Skills demonstration displays proper solution-making technique
    Skills demonstration produces solutions of the correct concentration and purity
    Skills demonstration verifies proper use of equipment, including calibration and performance verification
    Laboratory notebook documentation follows industry-accepted standards
    Laboratory notebook documentation analyzes solutions for accuracy and precision
    Laboratory notebook documentation provides traceability for solutions as required by industry

  5. Characterize solutions using spectrophotometry
    Assessment Strategies
    Skills demonstration, Laboratory notebook documentation
    Criteria
    Skills demonstration displays proper use of qualitative spectrophotometry to identify compounds
    Skills demonstration displays proper use of quantitative spectrophotometry to determine the concentration of solutions
    Laboratory notebook documentation follows industry-accepted standards
    Laboratory notebook documentation analyzes absorbance spectra data correctly to identify compounds
    Laboratory notebook documentation illustrates proper analytical techniques to create and use standard curves

  6. Explain applications of a biology innovation
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral Presentation
    Criteria
    Oral presentation describes a current biology innovation
    Oral presentation explains applications of this innovation
    Oral presentation discusses ethical impacts of this innovation
    Oral presentation meets requirements for format, grammar, spelling and clarity as described in presentation assignment