The objectives of this course are to become familiar with the diverse area of biotechnology, the types of jobs that are available in biotechnology,  and some of the methods used in this area of research.  Students will give presentations on the various areas of biotechnology-including forensics, gene therapy, and agriculture.   Because we want to provide an overview, topical areas that correlate with the text book will be assigned.  Students will also present to the class news items related to biotechnology, and a classified advertisement for a biotechnology job they might be interested in.

Grades will be based on the following:

Seminar presentation (organization, content, and style): 50%
Job presentation: 20%
Seminar abstract and references: 10%
New item presentation: 10%
Class participation: 10%

The seminar should be 25-30 minutes in length, leaving 10 minutes for discussion and questions. You can use overheads, PowerPoint, chalkboard, etc., for illustrating your points.  See your instructor for any special needs.  The following information (as approprate-the introductory presentations are exceptions) should be included in your seminar: applications of the technology; the techniques used in the particular technology; the benefits and risks of the technology.  At least one week prior to your presentation provide your instructor with a brief outline of your topic.  For the day of your seminar prepare a one page, (double-spaced) summary of your presentation , and a sheet of relevant references, including internet sites .  Make enough copies for the instructor and the other students in the class.

For the job presentations you will search either internet resources (check links from http://www.ship.edu/~wjpatr/BiotechnologyIntroPage.html) or from the classifieds from journals such as Science or from major city (Philadephia, Boston, New York City, etc.) newspapers.  You will describe to the class what the position is, what aspects interest you, and what you would need to do to become qualified for that position.

For the news item presentations you will search current literature, including internet sources, for newsworthy items of a biotech nature.  Sources can include Science (lots of short items in the front of the journal), Science News, http://www.sciencedaily.com/, and news magazines.  You will briefly describe the news item to the class, including the techniques used, the benefits, and the risks.  Be prepared for questions.
 
 

Seminar Hints

Your seminar should be 25-30 minutes in length, plus 10 minutes for discussion and questions. You can use overheads, Powerpoint, chalkboard, etc., for illustrating your points.  The following information should be included in your seminar:   applications of the technology; the techniques used in the particular technology; the benefits and risks of the technology. Make use of your textbook.  Each of the assigned topics is discussed in your text and provides at least good starting point.  Make sure you give sufficient background before you jump into technicalities - you have been reading the information and have become familiar with it already, but your audience has not.

The best seminars are not read verbatim.  Reading verbatim often leads to lack of interaction with your audience, too fast a pace, and severe cases of somnolence. You should be sufficiently familiar with your topic that you can talk from an outline, field an occassional question, and get back on track.

However, it isn't a bad idea to write out your seminar in some detail when you prepare your talk. That will allow you to analyze the organization and the content.  If you allow someone else to read it over, you can also make sure it makes sense to someone else.  You might also want to have the written version handy when you give your presentation- it's not unheard of to "freeze" when giving a talk.
 

Biotechnology Topical Resources

Biotechnology Concentration Information and Links