Professional success in science depends on the ability to communicate, both by publishing in professional journals and by explaining the implications of research to a broad audience. This course covers a wide range of topics related to scientific communication. Students work on multiple forms of communication, practice communicating science to the public, strengthen peer reviewing skills, explore online scientific communities, and enhance awareness of relevant economic, legal, and ethical issues.

In the course, students undertake a hands-on undergraduate research experience to describe, document, and publish the discovery of new bacteriophages (bacterial viruses). In doing so, students will elucidate how the genome codes biological information. The aim of the course is for students to develop further research and computational analysis skills while preparing to publish their scientific discoveries. The course will focus on research data analysis and presentation of research data to scientists and the public.

In this course students investigate emerging technologies, innovations and new products in the biotechnology industry, through case studies and scientific literature. Modern biotechnology focuses mainly on medicine. New treatments for rare and complex diseases as well as genetic testing to identify genetically-inherited diseases are continually being developed and discovered. Technology that makes these and other advances possible is the focus of this course.

Fundamental biological principles that underlie cell culture and its applications are the foundation of the lecture component of this course. Applications of cell culture techniques to current research areas in academic and biopharmaceutical settings will be discussed.