Course Syllabus

Biotechnology and Personal Genetics

Course Overview and Expectations

2026-27 School Year

 Ms. Church

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to Personalized Genetics and Biotechnology! Biotechnology and personal genetics is a laboratory, project, and discussion-based course requiring solid reasoning skills used to problem solve and critically analyze problems and data. This course encompasses a detailed examination of biotechnology topics including gene editing, DNA manipulation, microbiology, recombinant DNA technology, pharmaceuticals, bioinformatics and synthetic biology. Laboratory work includes: DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, restriction enzyme digest, and microbiological transformations. Students will be introduced to the recent advances in genetics, genetic testing and personal genome sequencing, and will be presented with some of the decisions and ethical challenges an individual may face regarding the use of this technology. We will also learn about some of the likely benefits of personal genetics, such as gaining the ability to act on one’s genetic risks, tailoring medicines and interventions, and becoming more active and engaged healthcare consumers. A sampling of topics to be covered: reproductive technologies, CRISPR gene editing technology, historical topics (i.e. the American Eugenics Movement), clinical trials, cancer genetics, forensics and social justice.  The completion of an introductory high school biology course is a prerequisite for this course.

 

Academic Expectations and Academic Integrity

You will participate in a variety of learning experiences designed to help you develop skills in problem solving, critical analysis of information, decision making, and effective use of technology. Working both independently and cooperatively, you will be responsible for assigned reading, researching and scientific writing, discussing and questioning information, performing laboratories, making presentations which incorporate technology, and completing assigned projects. 

Please understand that cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty is unfair both to your learning and to your friends and classmates. Cheating includes the sharing/copying of completed assignments and using internet sources/AI tools without permission and/or citation. If a violation should occur, guidelines outlined in the student handbook will be followed (parents and the appropriate assistant principals will be contacted, notation will be made in the student file, and appropriate consequences will be assessed) ASSUME that ALL work is ORIGINAL and INDIVIDUAL and is NOT to be shared unless indicated. The use of generative AI tools for coursework is prohibited unless explicitly authorized by your teacher. When use is permitted, all AI-generated content must be properly cited and used to support, not replace, your own critical thinking and analysis.

This course also has a major emphasis on participating in group discussions and presenting research. Willing participation in small and large group discussions is paramount for success in this course. Most importantly, it is my hope that you will ask a lot of questions. Not only is questioning an essential attribute of a good scientist but it will ensure you understand what is being taught.

 

 This course is being offered at the ACP and honors level this year. We will have individual discussions early in Quarter 1 to designate appropriate course levels for the year. 

The similarities and differences are explained below:

	ACP	Honors
Projects	Most projects designed to be completed in class	Graded with Honors rubric Designated quarterly projects assigned outside of class time in addition to all ACP projects
Labs	Complete lab and analysis questions and lab summaries	Complete lab, analysis questions, and extension questions and additional lab write ups
Reading	Typical assignments (current events, articles, in class)	Typical assignments and 1-2 books per semester outside of class that require Canvas discussion posts.
Homework	Homework is assigned and completed a few times a week, current events a few times a term.	Homework is ongoing including frequent lab extensions, reading, current events and continuous work on quarterly projects.
Work Completion	2 assignments (10 points or less)  per quarter can be exempt	Required to submit ALL assignments for full credit.
Participation	Participate regularly in small and large group discussions. Students submit reflections in a timely manner. Reflections are students' own thoughts on class activities.	Students lead small and large group discussions, ask thoughtful questions, and engage their peers in meaningful conversations. Students submit reflections in a timely manner that follow a rubric for thoughtful written reflections on class activities.

 

Classroom Conduct

Establishing a maintaining a classroom atmosphere in which ideas and knowledge can be exchanged is important to your involvement and learning. Our conduct in class is based on simple courtesy, common sense, and school-wide civic and social expectations. 

• Demonstrate respectful behavior
• Value the physical and emotional well being of yourself and others
• Value diversity and respect human differences
• Demonstrate honest and moral character

 

Classroom Procedures

Be ready to learn and to participate!  Arrive on time for class, and especially labs*! Student handbook tardiness policy will be observed.

 

Attendance and Makeup Work

Homework/Classwork – If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get assignments and turn in work when you return. Check with a classmate or email me, or check the website to get assignments. Late homework will not be accepted for full credit. Any late assignment will automatically be deducted points, and only 80% credit can be earned.

 

Teacher Absence - If I am not in school, I will send a Canvas announcement before class to inform you of a class cancellation or information about a substitute teacher. All expectations for work completion will be communicated in that announcement, as well as due dates for any new assignments.

 

*Labs*- LABS BEGIN AT 7:30am Block A! Please be on time. The labs are very involved and often will not be able to be completed appropriately if you are late. Arriving late for a lab is disruptive and puts you and your group mates behind. Most of the labs conducted in this class have time sensitive procedures that cannot run if you are behind schedule.

If you know you will be absent or tardy from class, please email me (churchm@wellesleyps.org) ASAP.  It is important for you to contact me about missed work ASAP or you will fall behind. Typically, we cannot accommodate lab make ups, but an alternative assignment will be provided. COMMUNICATION IS KEY - PLEASE REACH OUT!

Course/Class Materials

Computer (fully charged, and bring charger), earbuds or headphones

1” Three Ring Binder with dividers OR folder

A calculator may be helpful.

 

Online Access to Course Materials
I will be using Canvas this year for all items related to the course.  There will be a link to documents, which will include homework assignments, slides from class, etc.  Please note that not all class materials are digital. If you missed a handout, please let me know.

 

There will also be a link to an assignment calendar, which will include DUE DATES for assignments, tests, quizzes, etc. so you can check it if you are not in class on a given day, or if you forget to write down any assignments in class!!!

 

Assessment and Grading

Assessments

We will have a variety of assessments in our classroom to measure whether learning has occurred. Assessments may include lab analysis questions, projects, presentations, research papers, and essays. Assignments such as projects, presentations and papers will be accompanied by a grading rubric.

 

Grading

The grading for the class is based on a total points system. Classwork, homework, participation, labs and projects will be among the assignments that are graded.

DCAP

District accommodations (DCAP) are available to all students, and in the 26-27 school year, WHS is committed to moving this forward with fidelity.  While some accommodations can be offered at the moment, others require advanced notice. For example: Extended time on an in-class assessment is a collaborative decision made by the teacher, student, and family to meet individual student needs.  The WHS guideline is up to 25% extra time.  This accommodation relies on proactive student communication prior to the date of the assessment.  The student and teacher must establish how the accommodation will be provided.

 

Technology Use (Phones and Laptops)

As per the school-wide policy, Cell phones will remain at the front of the classroom in the cubbies provided. Occasionally, phones will be used as tools (for instance the camera is valuable for data collection or recording video/podcasts for projects), but usually they are off and in the cubbies (phones remain in the cubbies for any bathroom/drink/movement break). The use of laptops will be frequent. The appropriate use of technology is expected and the district acceptable use policy for technology will be adhered to at all times (frequent infractions include prohibited behaviors such as texting/ playing games or watching non-school related videos during class time - please refrain from engaging in these distracting activities). Please utilize the do not disturb feature on your laptops so your time in class is not interrupted by texts, alerts and other non-academic activities. 

 

Topics to be Covered

Unit 1: Introduction to Biotechnology

• Introduction to Biotechnology
• Intro to lab techniques
• Molecular biology review
• Introduction to the topics of personal genetics and biotechnology
• A prion love story
• Projects: PCR and Gel electrophoresis deep dive
• Labs: DNA Extraction, COVID19 qPCR Lab, Rainbow electrophoresis, Pipetting techniques, Lambda DNA digestion

Unit 2: Introduction to Personal Genetics

• Genetics and Reproduction: fetal DNA testing
• Genetics, jobs and your rights
• Projects: What genetic disease are you interested in, or plagues your family?
• Labs: Bitter Taste Lab- PCR, HNPCC Lab - using gel electrophoresis to determine inheritance of a family disease, Nature’s Dice
• Videos: NOVA, Cracking Your Code, The Gene Doctors, and GATTACA

Unit 3: Human Intervention

• Reproductive Technologies
• CRISPR, human germline editing
• Microbiology/Recombinant DNA technology
• GMOs
• Project: CRISPR Graphic Novel project
• Labs: CRISPR Knockout, GMO investigation
• Videos: Human Nature (NOVA), UnNatural Selection (Netflix)

Unit 4: Genetics of Cancer & Environmental Impacts

• What is cancer? Who gets it and why?
• Henrietta Lacks
• Inherited forms of cancer, infectious forms of cancer
• Labs: HNPCC Lab

Projects: Henrietta Lacks Timeline, Cancer and the Environment Case Study Presentations

Unit 5: Humans in Research: Clinical Trials, Drug Development, Historical Case Studies

• Research ethics - Belmont Report
• Clinical trials, advertisement of clinical trials and pharmaceuticals 
• Current advancements in therapeutics
• Historical Case Studies: The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, American Eugenics Movement
• Projects: Mystery Drug Case Study Analysis, Capstone Project: Rx Pitch

Unit 6: Forensics &  Genomics

• Forensics and social justice
• Molecular evidence of crimes
• Bioinformatics
• Genomics
• Project: Types of evidence and reliability (PCAST report)
• Labs: Forensic DNA fingerprinting lab, using gel electrophoresis
• Videos: Can Science Stop Crime (NOVA), Other historical examples of interest

Unit 7: Applied Human Genetics* 

• Sleep and human behavior
• Athletics and genetics
• Aggression in humans
• Genetics and sex in humans
• *Topics subject to change based on time

Final Project(s)

• Careers in Life Sciences
• Predict the future of Biotechnology
  

In Conclusion

I look forward to working with you and getting to know you this year.  Don’t forget that I am here to help you succeed in learning this year. I hope that this will be a rewarding year for all of us. If you need to ask questions outside of class time, please send me an email to make an appointment. 

Parents/Guardians: please feel free to contact me via email (churchm@wellesleyps.org).  Email is the best way to get in touch with me.  I will reply to your email as soon as possible.  I look forward to meeting you this year.

 

Sincerely, 

Meghan Church

Link of Course Expectations