Life: Biology of Disease Lab

Catalog description

The scientific method has resulted in historically unprecedented changes in our world. In this course you will learn how science proceeds, and practice the scientific method yourself in a weekly laboratory experience. You will learn the qualities of a good hypothesis or model, how to assess its validity, the significance of a scientific theory, and the elusiveness of \201Cproof.\201D On completing the course, you will be better able to understand and evaluate scientific or pseudoscientific claims that have direct impacts on your personal and professional life. You will explore the scientific method with the nature of disease as backdrop. You will explore the causes, treatment and prevention of diseases along with their evolution. We will look at infectious, and genetic diseases, as well as those with environmental causes. Some of the specific diseases we will explore include Ebola, AIDS, food poisoning, bubonic plague, cystic fibrosis, ulcers, alcoholism, obesity and cancer. You will also have the opportunity to choose your own diseases to explore. Co-requisites: BIOL105 Course Attributes: Nat Sci Elect/Integration Lab, Scientific Persp/Explore Lab College of Arts & Sciences Biology