BIOL 461Contemporary Issues in Science and Medicine

3 credits · Biology · Penn State

Current/classical issues relating to health, research, agriculture, environment, and biotechnology. Active exploration of the impact of science on society. BIOL 461 Contemporary Issues in Science and Medicine (3) The aim of this course is to provide students of the biological and biomedical sciences with a framework to recognize, examine, and resolve conflicts which may affect their professional conduct. Current and classical issues relating to human health, scientific and medical research, agriculture, the environment, and biotechnology will be explored. The history, controversies, and current issues related to each topic will be presented by the instructor through lecture, guest presentations, and multimedia presentations. Each topic will be explored by students through a variety of activities, including role playing, case studies (real and hypothetical), mock trials, small- and large-group discussions, writing exercises, and student research projects presented in oral and poster format. Some activities and discussions will involve the entire class simultaneously, while other activities will be structured for very small groups (2-3 students), small groups (5-6 students), or large groups (10-15 students). This course is especially relevant to any student majoring in Biology, as it allows and encourages them to relate information they have learned in other Biology courses to their own professional conduct. Although the course was specifically designed to cover issues that are relevant to students majoring in each of the Biology concentration areas (Genetics and Developmental Biology, Ecology, Plant Biology, and Vertebrate Physiology), it is also relevant to students in colleges other than Science, who may be enrolled in majors with some biological content or applications. This course is designed to be rigorous and very interactive.