Biotechnology: How It Works and Why It Matters

Catalog description

Biotechnology uses living things and their components to make products, treat disease, and address global challenges — but how does it work, and what are its consequences? This course for non-majors introduces the molecular tools behind genetic engineering, genome editing, mRNA vaccines, protein design, and AI-driven drug discovery, and examines their real-world applications — from engineering microorganisms to produce biofuels and bioplastics to developing precision therapies for individual patients. Monday and Wednesday lectures build core scientific knowledge in biotechnology, and Friday discussions delve into controversies, ethical dilemmas, and policy debates drawn from current events. No prior college science required. Students from any major will leave better equipped to evaluate biotechnology claims, weigh tradeoffs, and form informed positions on the technologies reshaping our world.