Content Goals and Objectives
Unit 1- Introduction to Biotechnology through Forensics
Unit Goal: Connect an overview of mathematical, laboratory and processing skills to the characteristics of effective scientific research and development of scientific product.
Student Learning Objectives: Use metric units to convey equivalent values in applied units as used in the science laboratory setting
Use best laboratory practices to safely handle reagents and operate laboratory equipment
Accurately use the measuring tools of the science laboratory to dispense consistent volumes of liquids
Use laboratory analysis to assess the significance of evidence found at a crime scene
Use sound scientific protocols and approaches to effectively analyze evidence from a crime scene
Make connections between the outcomes of laboratory analysis and the actions at the scene of a crime
Tools & Techniques Applied in this Unit:
Lab Safety Lab Documentation Metric Unit Conversions
Pipetting Solution Terminology Percent Solutions
Chromatography Antibody/Antigen Testing Gel Electrophoresis
Lab Notebook Focus: Goals, Tables and Charts, Introductions, Mechanics of Lab Documentation
Unit 2- Microbial Ecology
Unit Goal: Demonstrate how microbial sampling, culturing, and observations can be used to analyze the health of an environment
Student Learning Objectives: Collect samples of microbes from the environment and grow them in laboratory cultures
Plate out bacterial cultures using uniform spreading and streaking techniques
Use aseptic technique when handling and transferring microbial samples
Identify useful microorganisms to act as indicator species for specific environmental conditions
Recognize that organization and complexity of the microbial world mirrors the macroecosystem hierarchy
Use biotechnology techniques to genetically modify bacteria for specific expression
Compare and Contrast 2 different bacterial transformation techniques
Tools & Techniques Applied in this Unit:
Aseptic Technique Microbial Culturing
Streaking for Isolation Biological Assessment strategies Selective & Differential Media Bacterial Transformation
(Chemical/Heat Shock,Electroporation)
Lab Notebook Focus: Recording Quantitative and Qualitative Data and Simple Graphs
Unit 3 – Medical Genetics and DNA
Unit Goal: Relate the genetic code to regulation and control mechanisms that define gene expression
Student Learning Objectives: Identify Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance patterns
Connect gene expression with mechanisms of genetic inheritance
Use patterns produced by restriction digest of linear DNA to indicate a phenotype and predict a genotype
Use techniques in biotechnology to amplify DNA
Tools & Techniques Applied in this Unit:
PCR and SNPs Restriction Endonucleases Standard Curve
Lab Notebook Focus: Comparison of Observed to Expected Data, Error Analysis, Use of Controls
Unit 4- Agricultural Virology and RNA
Unit Goal: Use RNA-based biotechnology and bioinformatics techniques to confirm the identity of a virus
Student Learning Objectives: Identify methods for inoculating plants with a virus
Describe regulation of RNA production and modification
Relate importance of virology to agricultural, horticultural, and medical diagnostics
Use computer-based design strategies to research primer sequence identity
Apply understanding of RNA-DNA relationship to create cDNA
Connect viral classifications with methods of analysis
Identity the harmful and beneficial effects of viral infections
Connect the mechanisms of treating viral infections with the characteristics of the virus lifecycle
Tools & Techniques Applied in this Unit:
Plant Virus Inoculation
RNA Extraction Bioinformatics (Databases, Primer Design)
Reverse Transcriptase- PCR
Lab Notebook Focus: Sophisticated Analysis linking science to observed results
Unit 5- Applications of Proteins in Research and Industry
Unit Goal: Employ knowledge of protein structure, function, and chemical properties to perform analysis of proteins using biotechnology techniques
Student Learning Objectives: Isolate and purify proteins using chromatography techniques
Determine purity and concentration of protein sample extract using spectrophotometry and gel electrophoresis
Connect mis-folding of proteins to disease processes
Use hybridization techniques to identify the presence of a specific protein
Link causes and diagnostics of cancer to protein expression
Tools & Techniques Applied in this Unit:
Serial Dilutions Affinity Chromatography Western Blot Spectrophotometry Enzymatic Activity Assay DAS-ELISA Monoclonal/Polyclonal Antibodies SDS-PAGE Gel Electrophoresis
Lab Notebook Focus: Lab Conclusions
Unit 6- Genetic Recombination/ Engineering
Unit Goal: Exhibit independence and competence in the Biotechnology laboratory setting by accurately applying skills and acquired knowledge of microbiology, molecular biology and genetics
Student Learning Objectives: Modify the genetic profile of bacteria to change its gene expression
Use patterns produced by restriction digest and gel electrophoresis to verify genetic modification
Plate out bacterial cultures using uniform spreading and streaking techniques
Use aseptic technique when handling and transferring microbial samples
Tools & Techniques Applied in this Unit:
Extraction of Plasmid DNA Gel Electrophoresis Microbial Culturing
Recombinant DNA Plasmids Bacterial Transformation
Restriction Analysis (Plasmid)
Lab Notebook Focus: Organization of Long-term Projects
Unit 1- Introduction to Biotechnology through Forensics
Unit Goal: Connect an overview of mathematical, laboratory and processing skills to the characteristics of effective scientific research and development of scientific product.
Student Learning Objectives: Use metric units to convey equivalent values in applied units as used in the science laboratory setting
Use best laboratory practices to safely handle reagents and operate laboratory equipment
Accurately use the measuring tools of the science laboratory to dispense consistent volumes of liquids
Use laboratory analysis to assess the significance of evidence found at a crime scene
Use sound scientific protocols and approaches to effectively analyze evidence from a crime scene
Make connections between the outcomes of laboratory analysis and the actions at the scene of a crime
Tools & Techniques Applied in this Unit:
Lab Safety Lab Documentation Metric Unit Conversions
Pipetting Solution Terminology Percent Solutions
Chromatography Antibody/Antigen Testing Gel Electrophoresis
Lab Notebook Focus: Goals, Tables and Charts, Introductions, Mechanics of Lab Documentation
Unit 2- Microbial Ecology
Unit Goal: Demonstrate how microbial sampling, culturing, and observations can be used to analyze the health of an environment
Student Learning Objectives: Collect samples of microbes from the environment and grow them in laboratory cultures
Plate out bacterial cultures using uniform spreading and streaking techniques
Use aseptic technique when handling and transferring microbial samples
Identify useful microorganisms to act as indicator species for specific environmental conditions
Recognize that organization and complexity of the microbial world mirrors the macroecosystem hierarchy
Use biotechnology techniques to genetically modify bacteria for specific expression
Compare and Contrast 2 different bacterial transformation techniques
Tools & Techniques Applied in this Unit:
Aseptic Technique Microbial Culturing
Streaking for Isolation Biological Assessment strategies Selective & Differential Media Bacterial Transformation
(Chemical/Heat Shock,Electroporation)
Lab Notebook Focus: Recording Quantitative and Qualitative Data and Simple Graphs
Unit 3 – Medical Genetics and DNA
Unit Goal: Relate the genetic code to regulation and control mechanisms that define gene expression
Student Learning Objectives: Identify Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance patterns
Connect gene expression with mechanisms of genetic inheritance
Use patterns produced by restriction digest of linear DNA to indicate a phenotype and predict a genotype
Use techniques in biotechnology to amplify DNA
Tools & Techniques Applied in this Unit:
PCR and SNPs Restriction Endonucleases Standard Curve
Lab Notebook Focus: Comparison of Observed to Expected Data, Error Analysis, Use of Controls
Unit 4- Agricultural Virology and RNA
Unit Goal: Use RNA-based biotechnology and bioinformatics techniques to confirm the identity of a virus
Student Learning Objectives: Identify methods for inoculating plants with a virus
Describe regulation of RNA production and modification
Relate importance of virology to agricultural, horticultural, and medical diagnostics
Use computer-based design strategies to research primer sequence identity
Apply understanding of RNA-DNA relationship to create cDNA
Connect viral classifications with methods of analysis
Identity the harmful and beneficial effects of viral infections
Connect the mechanisms of treating viral infections with the characteristics of the virus lifecycle
Tools & Techniques Applied in this Unit:
Plant Virus Inoculation
RNA Extraction Bioinformatics (Databases, Primer Design)
Reverse Transcriptase- PCR
Lab Notebook Focus: Sophisticated Analysis linking science to observed results
Unit 5- Applications of Proteins in Research and Industry
Unit Goal: Employ knowledge of protein structure, function, and chemical properties to perform analysis of proteins using biotechnology techniques
Student Learning Objectives: Isolate and purify proteins using chromatography techniques
Determine purity and concentration of protein sample extract using spectrophotometry and gel electrophoresis
Connect mis-folding of proteins to disease processes
Use hybridization techniques to identify the presence of a specific protein
Link causes and diagnostics of cancer to protein expression
Tools & Techniques Applied in this Unit:
Serial Dilutions Affinity Chromatography Western Blot Spectrophotometry Enzymatic Activity Assay DAS-ELISA Monoclonal/Polyclonal Antibodies SDS-PAGE Gel Electrophoresis
Lab Notebook Focus: Lab Conclusions
Unit 6- Genetic Recombination/ Engineering
Unit Goal: Exhibit independence and competence in the Biotechnology laboratory setting by accurately applying skills and acquired knowledge of microbiology, molecular biology and genetics
Student Learning Objectives: Modify the genetic profile of bacteria to change its gene expression
Use patterns produced by restriction digest and gel electrophoresis to verify genetic modification
Plate out bacterial cultures using uniform spreading and streaking techniques
Use aseptic technique when handling and transferring microbial samples
Tools & Techniques Applied in this Unit:
Extraction of Plasmid DNA Gel Electrophoresis Microbial Culturing
Recombinant DNA Plasmids Bacterial Transformation
Restriction Analysis (Plasmid)
Lab Notebook Focus: Organization of Long-term Projects