Genetics and Society: A Course for Educators

Genetics and Society: A Course for Educators

Instructors: Rob DeSalle, Ph.D.

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18,935 already enrolled

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

174 reviews

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

174 reviews

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

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Assessments

4 assignments¹

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Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

How have advances in genetics affected society? What do we need to know to make ethical decisions about genetic technologies? This course includes the study of cloning, genetic enhancement, and ownership of genetic information. Course participants will acquire the tools to explore the ethics of modern genetics and learn how to integrate these issues into their classrooms.

You will explore the history of genetics and genomics, and be introduced to ways of thinking ethically about issues involving genetic technology. You will learn how ethical issues can be used to spark your students’ interest, and how to uncover students’ misconceptions.

What's included

4 videos6 readings1 assignment

4 videos Total 25 minutes

Course Overview 2 minutes
Introduction to the Course 1 minute
The Broad Timeline of Genetics 12 minutes
Teaching Genetics Through an Exploration of Ethical Issues 9 minutes

6 readings Total 60 minutes

Syllabus 10 minutes
Resources 10 minutes
Genetics: A Short History 10 minutes
Nature and Nurture 10 minutes
Thinking Ethically 10 minutes
Advancing Technology and the Need for Expanding Ethical Concerns 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 1 Quiz 30 minutes

You will explore systems biology, stem cells, and cloning and the applications of these technologies. You will also learn about the ethics of cloning, which will be the basis for your written assignment, which opens this week.

What's included

5 videos3 readings1 assignment1 peer review

5 videos Total 51 minutes

Recent Developments in Cloning 9 minutes
Science Bulletins: Cloning and Conservation 10 minutes
Teaching with the Next Generation Science Standards 16 minutes
Next Generation Science Standards 13 minutes
Peer-Graded Assignment Overview 4 minutes

3 readings Total 30 minutes

Cloning: How and Why? 10 minutes
DNA Fingerprinting, Individual Identification and Ancestry 10 minutes
Tools and Techniques in the Modern Molecular Laboratory 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 2 Quiz 30 minutes

1 peer review Total 120 minutes

Ethical Conflict Written Assignment 120 minutes

You will see how genetic information is being used to individualize medical treatments and take a video tour of the Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics at the American Museum of Natural History. You will also apply the Science and Engineering practices from A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Education Standards in considering how to engage students in discussion about ethics.

What's included

7 videos4 readings1 assignment

7 videos Total 41 minutes

Genomics in Medicine 10 minutes
Lab Tour with Dr. DeSalle 7 minutes
Using “Genethics” with Students 7 minutes
Science Bulletins: Stem Cells: Developing New Cures 7 minutes
Science Bulletins: Stem Cell Advance Study of Lou Gehrig’s Disease 2 minutes
Science Bulletins: Stem Cells Made from Eggs Alone 2 minutes
Science Bulletins: Genes and Health – Moving Beyond Race 7 minutes

4 readings Total 40 minutes

Epigenetics and the Epigenome 10 minutes
Human Variation Versus Ethnic Groups and Pharmacogenomics 10 minutes
Redesigning the Self: The Promise and Perils of Genetic Enhancement 10 minutes
A Modern Day Genetic Testing Conundrum 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Week 3 Quiz 30 minutes

This week you will learn about the societal implications of genetically modified food, and discuss ways to incorporate this issue into your teaching.

What's included

3 videos6 readings1 assignment

3 videos Total 23 minutes

Genetically Modiﬁed Organisms 9 minutes
Science Bulletins: Potato Biodiversity – Ensuring the Future 9 minutes
Teaching About GMO Food 5 minutes

6 readings Total 60 minutes

Genetically Modified Food: Bt Corn 10 minutes
Genomics, Biotechnology, and Agriculture 10 minutes
Mapping Morality: The Rights and Wrongs of Genomics 10 minutes
Resources 10 minutes
Opportunities for Educators 10 minutes
Support AMNH 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Week 4 Quiz 30 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(32 ratings)

Rob DeSalle, Ph.D.

American Museum of Natural History

2 Courses 22,096 learners

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American Museum of Natural History

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Reviewed on Jan 6, 2021

Very informative course and it breaks up classes nicely between scientific principles and ethics. It was a lot easier for me to keep up with than I thought it would be.

Reviewed on Feb 18, 2017

This course was very informative and gives an good knowledge of the basics of genetics.

Reviewed on Dec 15, 2022

Excellent information! I think the videos were great. It seems as though the discussion feature was not enabled, but that would have been nice. I think the peer-evaluations are also a good idea!

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