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 136-037 Issues in the Modern Life Sciences

Note

Formerly available as 136-222/322. Students who have completed 136-222/322 Issues in the Modern Life Sciences are not eligible to enrol in this subject. To receive third year Science credit, a student should enrol in 136-337 Biotechnology in Modern Society.

Availability

2nd and 3rd year

Credit Points

12.5

Coordinator

Rosemary Robins

Prerequisites

Normally 12.5 points of first year HPS. see PrerequisitesStudents seeking credit for this subject as a Science subject for the purposes of the BSc degree must previously have completed Biology 141 and 142.

Semester

2 (view timetable)

Contact

Between 10 and 12 weekly tutorials and between 20 and 24 lectures, normally two per week

Subject Description

This subject will introduce students to selected research and industrial applications of modern biotechnology in order to discuss the broader issues that arise from them. Case studies examined in this course will focus on specific applications of animal and plant biotechnology, pharmaceutical production, the human genome project, genetic screening and gene therapy. In the course students will be asked to consider a number of social, ethical, risk and regulatory issues arising from these technologies which are debated within the wider community. Several analytical perspectives on science and technology that have been developed within the history, philosophy and sociology of science will be taught, and students will be encouraged to apply these in their consideration of the material covered in the course.

Assessment

The best four of ten tutorial exercises of 250 words each, a test of 1000 words, and an essay of 2000 words.

Prescribed Texts

Printed subject materials will be available for purchase from the Bookroom.

Search : Index : Faculty of Arts : History and Philosophy of Science
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