Biology in the News

Biology is increasingly making its way into various aspects of our lives and will continue to do so throughout the 21st century. Thus, understanding the concepts underlying the headlines and their implications is very important and can help us engage meaningfully with the changing world around us. This course will begin by teaching skills like data interpretation and critical evaluation of logical arguments. With that foundation in place, we will then use specific, real-world events such as the FDA approval of GMO salmon, the development of the COVID-19 vaccines, and the fight against MRSA to explore the concepts in biology that underlie them (e.g. genetic modification, mRNA and vaccine development, and antibiotic resistance). Each week, students will be assigned to read news articles and informational materials giving background knowledge about the subject at hand. Each class will consist of a mini-lecture and in-class learning activities. The class will build towards a final project consisting of a podcast-style audio report on a biological process studied in the course. This course requires no prior background knowledge in biology and is intended for anyone interested in better understanding recent developments in the world of biology. By taking this course, students will learn basic concepts in biology and develop the skills necessary to critically evaluate arguments and the scientific data underlying those arguments.