Syllabus for Frontiers in Bioscience

Learning outcomes

The course provides a basis for understanding and discussing the social impact of pioneering discoveries in molecular biology.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• briefly describe how scientific knowledge is founded
• briefly describe how DNA controls cells, organisms and viruses
• briefly describe how DNA can change to createnew cells, organisms and viruses
• briefly describe applications of DNA technology related to cancer, infectious diseases, genetic diseases, and genetically modified organisms.

Content

Scientific hypotheses and theories. DNA and its function. Revolutionary breakthroughs in genetic engineering and synthetic biology. Use of CRISPR in gene therapy and genetically modified organisms (GMO). Research and applications in cancer therapy and stem cells.

Instruction

Lectures, films, seminars, literature studies. Laboratory session where participants can prepare DNA.

Assessment

For passed examination, active participation in seminars and laboratory work (4 credits) and oral and written presentation of individual literature projects (6 credits) are required.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.