Contacts

Director
Martha Haviland, Ph.D.

Director of Advising
Anne Carr-Schmid, Ph.D.

Coordinator of Academic Services
Cathie Alia

Biological Sciences

Undergraduate Quicklinks

Course Descriptions

01:119:154 Genetics, Law and Social Policy (Spring)

  • Genetics, Law and Social Policy is a 3-credit course designed for non-science majors to learn the basic concepts in genetics needed to understand a variety of topics that are often covered in the media and will likely play a role in everyone’s life at some point, either directly or indirectly.  The first few weeks of the course are focused on establishing the background in genetics that is needed to delve into subjects including assisted reproductive technology, genetic testing, cloning, genetically modified organisms, human genome sequencing and CRISPR technology.
  • Semester Offered: Spring
  • Credits: 3
  • Course URL: Canvas
  • Core Curriculum: NS, CCO

Prerequisites

 None

Course Syllabus 

 Spring Syllabus 2022

Course URL  

A Canvas site will be set up at the beginning of the semester.

Course Satisfies Learning Goals 

  • To understand and develop an appreciation for research as the basis of scientific study. 
  • To understand and to appreciate the process of science. 
  • To acquire the ability to use scientific reasoning. 
  • To understand biology as a framework of related concepts.

Course Satisfies SAS Core Learning Goals  

  • Our Common Future (CCO) : Analyze the relationship that science and technology have to a contemporary social issue. 
  • Natural Science (NS): Understand and apply basic principles and concepts in the physical or biological sciences. 
  • Natural Science (NS) : Explain and be able to assess the relationship among assumptions, method, evidence, arguments, and theory in scientific analysis.

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy

Your grade will be composed (approximately) of:

  • Two exams (30% of final grade) 
  • Weekly reading quizzes (15% of final grade)
  • Weekly homework assignments (30% of final grade)
  • Five reflection papers (25% of final grade) 

Course Materials  

Human Genetics 14th edition by Ricki Lewis

ISBN10:1266103201

Course Closed? 

If this course is closed, please add your name to request an spn  for the course under the Biological Sciences section on the SPN Request Page. Please note the system does not notify students unless they can be accommodated on the course. SPNs are distributed throughout the remainder of the semester and through the drop/add period. We ask that if you are provided an spn for a course and choose not to use it, to please notify our offices at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  so we may provide it to the next student. 

Faculty  

Dr. Doreen Glodowski 

** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.