The Little Stuff: Energy, Cells, and Genetics

In this course, we will explore the smaller side of biology: molecular biology. We’ll cover basic topics including cell biology and how cells can go “rogue” and turn into cancer, how energy from the sun is transferred to fuel our bodies, basics of genetics and inheritance, and genetic technologies. At the end of this course, we will discuss ethical and moral implications of several exciting and new genetic technologies.

• Cells Gone Wild: Cancer
• In this module, we will explore cell biology with particular attention to one application of cell biology: cancer.
• Energy: From The Sun to Your Granola Bar
• In this module, we will discuss energy, including why the plants are the basis for (most) of life on earth. We will also examine how we can harness these fundamental biochemical reactions for making certain foods and beverages, such as bread and beer.
• Mom Genes: DNA, Genetics, and Parenthood
• In this module, we will explore the basics of genetics, including a discussion of epigenetics.
• Oh, Brave New World
• In this module, we will explore new genetic technologies, with a particular eye to the ethical and moral implications of these technologies.