Undergraduate Courses

Fall 2023, Mondays 11:45 am – 12:35 pm

Sustainable agriculture. Genetically modified organisms. Social justice. Organic food. Biotechnology. You’ve heard these buzzwords, but what do they mean? Does sustainable mean organic? What does biotechnology have to do with social justice? Should I eat GMOs? Should I avoid them? This course will explore how biotechnology can be used to engineer foods, and how food biotechnology can be used to work toward sustainability and social justice. We will have to not only learn some science, but also grapple with the definitions of terms that are used to mean different things by different people. Together, we will practice dissecting scientific claims, discussing sometimes controversial topics, and thinking about how we approach wicked problems.

Fall 2023, Tuesdays 4:30 pm – 7:15 pm

This course examines the historical development of theories of “race” in the Western world as applied to human social institutions. It utilizes a knowledge of the biological sciences that is accessible to non-major students. In particular, it provides the student with a basic understanding of the principles of evolutionary/population biology, genetics, and taxonomy as they relate to anthropology. Students will also be exposed to topics in philosophy, history
(particularly African American history), sociology, and political science. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Spring 2024, Wednesdays 10:40 am – 11:30 am

Sustainable agriculture. Genetically modified organisms. Social justice. Organic food. Biotechnology. You’ve heard these buzzwords, but what do they mean? Does sustainable mean organic? What does biotechnology have to do with social justice? Should I eat GMOs? Should I avoid them? This course will explore how biotechnology can be used to engineer foods, and how food biotechnology can be used to work toward sustainability and social justice. We will have to not only learn some science, but also grapple with the definitions of terms that are used to mean different things by different people. Together, we will practice dissecting scientific claims, discussing sometimes controversial topics, and thinking about how we approach wicked problems.

Spring 2024, Mondays 12:30 pm – 1:40 pm

Learn how genetic and genomic tools and methodologies contribute to our understanding of plant and yeast species and varieties/strains that are essential to the beer brewing process.

Spring 2024, Wednesdays 3:00 pm – 3:50 pm 

Have you ever wondered what makes your furry friend so unique, from their distinctive coat color to their quirky behaviors? This course delves into the fascinating world of pet genomics, offering you a chance to unlock the genetic mysteries of your beloved companion.

Spring 2024, Tuesdays 3:00 pm – 3:50 pm 

In this course we will discuss what selfish DNA is and how we
can take advantage of it to combat world problems. We will visit
a lab conducting research in the area and discuss why despite
years of promising research, technologies that take advantage
of selfish DNA have never been released into the wild. We will
discuss the ethical concerns, risks and benefits of using selfish
DNA, and develop skills to learn more about the topic. No prior
experience in biology or any specific topic is required.