Course Syllabus

You can find the most updated version of the syllabus here

QUINCY COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS - QUINCY CAMPUS

Summer 2024

INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY, BTC 101-01

M-W, 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM: On campus (Saville 103)

 

Instructor Name: Julia Buben Instructor Email: juliabuben@quincypublicschools.com

Remind: @qcbiotech

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION 

This course is designed to introduce the student to the role of biotechnology in the fields of medicine, environmental science, forensics, microbes and agriculture. The student will explore the theory, tools and application behind the genetics involved in these fields. This lab-based, hands-on course will expose the student to the techniques and equipment utilized in scientific laboratories around the world. Prerequisites: CHE 121 or BIO 111. One course allowed concurrently.

 

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK(s) 

Title: Molecular Biotechnology Author: Carolyn A. Dehlinger. ISBN: 978-1-284-03140-9  

*This textbook will be loaned to you for free for the duration of the course and is only a resource. No material from the textbook that is not covered in this course will be assessed in any way. 

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS / DRESS CODE

Students should come to class prepared with the following materials:

• A laptop / chromebook
• A pen (no pencils!)
• Closed toed shoes
• Hair elastic (to tie back long hair)

 

*Students WILL NOT be permitted to participate in lab activities if closed-toed shoes are not worn for safety purposes, which will then impact your professionalism grade. Students are welcome to bring a pair of pants / shoes to change into before class time if they prefer on hot days*

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of lecture portion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Discuss the relationship between protein structure and function and their importance in biotechnology
2. Explain the importance of gene regulation and the use of plasmids in biotechnology
3. Compare and contrast aspects of the central dogma: DNA→mRNA→Protein 
4. Compare and contrast the application of microbes, plants and animals in biotechnology 
5. Evaluate purification methodologies relevant to a given protein 
6. Demonstrate proper use of online databases in biotechnology
7. Analyze multiple sets of online data and evaluate the results 

 

Upon successful completion of the laboratory portion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Explain the importance of safety and personal protective equipment in the laboratory
2. Organize a scientific laboratory notebook 
3. Construct flow charts to implement experiments
4. Analyze experimental data and write formal scientific reports
5. Apply basic techniques for the expression, purification, and characterization of recombinant DNA and proteins
6. Apply antibody techniques to characterize potential disease targets in biotechnology
7. Evaluate experimental design for optimization of laboratory techniques

 

COURSE DELIVERY FORMAT 

On Campus 

This course meets on campus according to the schedule posted above. Instructional features include discussion questions, assignments, assessments, other activities, and opportunities for questions and answers during the course meetings. The course will also have a Canvas page that contains the class syllabus, handouts, lecture presentations, and laboratory information. Online resources may supplement the textbook or provide interaction with the content and/or assessment. 

 

ATTENDANCE 

This class will consist of lectures, classroom discussions, and activities. Attendance is mandatory. 

• Excused Absences: Absences due to health-related concerns, family emergencies, grief, college orientations etc.
• Unexcused Absences: Absences due to vacations or other optional events are not excused. You are permitted 1 unexcused absence out of the 14 sessions. You will be responsible for all missed assignments during that unexcused absence, which will be due one week from the date of the absence. You are responsible for contacting your instructor for missing work via email or before/after class time. 

TARDINESS / DISMISSALS

Students are expected to be on time for class each day. Students will not be permitted to make up class activities missed due to unexcused tardiness or dismissal. Excessive tardiness (3+) will affect your professionalism grade. 

GRADING POLICY

Quizzes / Tests	250 points
Homework	50 points
Lab Notebook / Classwork	150 points
Lab Reports	400 points
Professionalism	100 points
Presentation	50 points
Total*:	1000 points

 

*Extra credit opportunities to earn additional points may be offered which will be added onto your total.

A = 930 + points	A- = 900 - 929 points	B+ = 870 - 899 points	B = 840 - 869 points	B- = 800 - 839 points
C+ = 770 - 799 points	C = 740 - 769 points	C- = 700 - 739 points	D = 600 - 699 points	F = 0 - 599 points

 

LATE WORK POLICY

Assignments may be given throughout the semester each with specific due dates. Timely submission of the assignments is expected. Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis, however, students must ask the instructor at least 24 hours before the due date. Late assignments will not lose points, however, 5 points will be deducted from your professional grade for each late assignment. 

QUIZZES / TESTS

Midterm (7/31)	100 points
Final (8/21)	100 points
Quizzes	Online, 5 x 10 points each

 

Midterm + Final

The midterm and final will be in-person and students will be permitted to use one sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper with notes on it, as well as a calculator. The midterm and final may be made-up if a student has an excused absence (documentation required).

Quizzes

Quizzes are open notes, and worth 10 points each. These are to be taken outside of class, and will be open for 48 hour periods. Students are not permitted to make up quizzes after their due date! The lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the semester. 

HOMEWORK / WEEKLY UPDATES

One homework assignment will be due each week (except during Week 1 and Week 7). All homework will be due on Tuesdays at 8:59 AM, based on lectures from the previous week. Homework assignments can be submitted an unlimited number of times prior to the due date, and the highest score will be put in the gradebook.

Directions for the weekly update presentation will be provided in class. Students may choose to work independently or in partners to provide a 5-10 minute presentation about a recent study (<6 months) in a particular branch of biotechnology. More details can be found on the rubric for the assignment. 

LAB NOTEBOOK / CLASSWORK

Students will submit a copy of their lab notebook page(s) for every lab as a classwork grade. This will be graded based on completion, effort and following directions. These assignments cannot be made up for unexcused absences. Other classwork may be assigned as deemed necessary.

LAB REPORTS

One lab report will be submitted per partner set. Students also have the option to submit lab reports independently. Not every lab we do will require a lab report. Lab reports will be due one week after the completion of the lab, and will be graded according to a unique rubric given out at the start of each lab. 

PROFESSIONALISM

Your professionalism grade will take into account a variety of factors including timeliness, attendance, classroom behavior, participation, and partner reviews. 5 points will be deducted from your professionalism grade for every assignment submitted late throughout the summer. No points will be deducted if you ask for an extension 24 hours before the deadline. 

COMMUNICATION WITH INSTRUCTOR 

The best means of communication is by email or Remind. Email and Remind will be checked daily Monday - Thursday. Any emails or Remind messages sent Friday - Sunday will be answered Monday morning. 

STUDENT ID CARDS 

All students must possess a Quincy College photo identification card. The identification card serves as proof of identification while on campus and is required to gain access to and use the facilities of Quincy College. All students are required to carry their Quincy College photo identification card with them at all times while on campus. Students must present a current Quincy College photo identification card when attending examinations. 

COURSE CONTENT (subject to change)

DATE:	CONTENT:	ASSIGNMENTS DUE:
M 7/8	Syllabus What is biotech? Lab Safety Micropipette Technique Workshop	Micropipette Technique Workshop WS (5 pts)
W 7/10	BioScann Day 1 Introduction to Bi-Weekly Updates The Emergence of Biotech Pipetting Art - Lab Notebook Page Tutorial	Practice Lab Notebook Page (no score)
M 7/15	Ms Buben OUT BioScann Day 5 HW Assignment #1: Micropipetting / History of Biotech Quiz #1: Micropipetting / History of Biotech Work on Weekly Update Presentations	HW Assignment #1: Micropipetting / History of Biotech (10 pts) Quiz #1: Micropipetting / History of Biotech (10 pts)
W 7/17	Weekly Update Presentations BioScann Day 2 Intro to Gel Electrophoresis Preparing Agarose Gels Molecular Dye Rainbow Lab	Molecular Dye Rainbow Lab (30 pts)
M 7/22	Weekly Update Presentations BioScann Day 3  Restriction Enzymes RFLP Lab	HW Assignment #2: Gel Electrophoresis (10 pts) Quiz #2: Gel Electrophoresis (10 pts)
W 7/24	Weekly Update Presentations BioScann Day 4 RFLP Results Analysis (Graphing) Central Dogma Central Dogma Lab
M 7/29	Weekly Update Presentations Central Dogma Lab (Cont’d) Midterm Review/work on RFLP lab	Central Dogma Lab (30 pts) HW Assignment #3: RFLPs / Plasmid Mapping (10 pts) BioScann Days 1-5 Packet due (25 pts)
W 7/31	Weekly Update Presentations Midterm Bacteria / Antibiotics Antibiotics Resistance Crisis Kirby Bauer Lab	Midterm (100 pts) Lab Report #1: RFLP (100 pts)
M 8/5	Weekly Update Presentations Kirby Bauer Lab Analyze Results Using BLAST Tool to Identify Disease-Causing Agents	Agriculture BLAST Activity HW Assignment #3 (10 pts) Quiz #3: Bacteria / Antibiotics (10 pts)
W 8/7	Weekly Update Presentations Transformation Notes Complete HW Assignment #4 IN CLASS Transformation Lab Part 1	HW Assignment #4 (10 pts)
M 8/12	Weekly Update Presentations Transformation Lab Part 2 (analyze results) PCR Sleep Cycle Lab	Lab Report #2 Kirby Bauer Lab (100 pts) Quiz #4: Transformation (10 pts) PCR Sleep Cycle Lab
W 8/14	Weekly Update Presentations Bradford Assay Notes Bradford Assay Lab	Lab Report #3 Transformation Lab (100 pts)
M 8/19	Weekly Update Presentations Protein Structure + Function	HW Assignment #5: Protein Structure / PCR (10 pts) Quiz #5: PCR  / Protein Structure (10 pts)
W 8/21	Final Exam Extra Credit Lab	Lab Report #4: Bradford Assay Lab (100 pts) Presentation (50 pts) Final Exam (100 pts)