BIO 160 - Introduction to Biotechnology

4 Credit Hours

This course introduces the principles and applications of recombinant DNA technology in animals, plants, and microorganisms to improve human health and promote a cleaner environment. Topics will include the history of biotechnology, genetics, and molecular biology, applications of biotechnology, and biotechnology policy and ethics. Students will learn fundamental laboratory skills used in biotechnology, including DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, protein and bioinformatics analyses. The course combines lecture and hands-on laboratory experiences to illustrate modern biotechnology practices.

Prerequisite(s): BIO 150 with C or higher and CHE 150 with C or higher