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Crop Sciences

College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

CPSC 221: Biotechnology in Agriculture     

3 hours

 
 
 
Instructor

Dr. Stephen Moose, smoose@illinois.edu
Office: Room 389 E. R. Madigan Laboratory, (217) 244-6308
Office hours: Mon. 10:00-12:00 AM, and Tues., Thurs. after class, other times by appointment.

Course Time and Location Spring Timetable Entry: Not offered Fall semester or Summer Sessions.
Course Overview Biotechnology is becoming an increasingly important component of agriculture, medicine, and industry. Our ability to isolate and modify genes and to move them across species barriers for designed purposes is powerful and promising, but is plagued by ethical and practical uncertainties. This course will provide an overview of biotechnology that will explore scientific, economic, and societal issues, with a primary focus on agricultural biotechnology. The course involves active student participation in the form of discussions and brief written and oral presentations.

Over the course of the semester, key concepts from molecular genetics and biology that directly impact biotechnology will be introduced. Core techniques and methods of genetic engineering will be described. We will discuss the many diverse factors that influence the development, acceptance, and impact of specific agricultural biotechnology products. These include research, product development and manufacture, patents and intellectual property, government and regulatory issues, effects on agricultural production and marketing systems, ethical concerns, and consumer and public reaction. Guest lectures by visiting experts will provide a first-hand perspective on many aspects of biotechnology. The effects of biotechnology on individuals, societies, and ecosystems will be carefully considered.

Also available: CPSC 221 description from UIUC course catalog

Course Materials

Biotechnology is a rapidly moving and dynamic field that has blossomed during the computer era. A comprehensive textbook that covers the many advances, issues and impacts of agricultural biotechnology is not available. For these reasons and to provide students with additional opportunities for learning through electronic formats, this course will make extensive use of the Internet and the course website.

CPSC221 Blackboard Website. The course website is found within the Blackboard on-line course system, where you will need to login. Your initial login AND password will be your UIUC username (e.g. mine is smoose). You may change your password after you login. The Web Site contains copies of the course notes, other lecture materials, and links to Internet sites relative to the topics for each lecture. These documents represent an on-line course packet, and it is highly recommended that students review these materials and Internet sites prior to each class, and bring printed copies of them to class for taking notes. The instructor will provide printed copies only to those students who do not have ready access to printers. The web site will also allow students to submit their class assignments for grading, with some assignments requiring web participation.

Photocopied Materials: Additional reading for this course will be from articles and other materials that are passed out during class, these will also be posted on the course Web Site.

Invited Speakers. Outside speakers with expertise in a variety of biotechnology-related areas will be joining us this semester. These specialists will make a 40-50 minute presentation and then participate in a discussion with the class. Attendance and participation in these discussions is required, and material from these sessions will be covered in the examinations.

Additional Course Information

University Course Catalog link: CPSC 221