FYSP 051OC - 23 and Us: Genetics in Contemporary Society

FC NSMA QFR

4 credits
The year 2003, when the final version of the human genome was released, marked the beginning of a new biological era in which humans can easily access their own genetic content. What does it mean to read our nucleotide sequences, and how can this information be used or abused? This course aims to provide a broad understanding of human genetics from a scientific and historical perspective, exploring the scientific underpinning of inheritance, genetic analysis, and gene modification technologies. Contemporary and future applications of genetic knowledge in fields such as forensics, medicine, surveillance, and other areas will be explored and discussed.
Does this course require off campus field trips? Yes