For more information, contact Ellie Warder, 520-621-5903, warder@email.arizona.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Genes, Biotechnology & the Environment (SUMMER 2009)
High school students and high school teachers: Are you interested in Biology? Genetics? DNA? Evolution? Biomedical research? How genes help living things to survive stress? If so, this is a unique opportunity to learn the latest topics and methods in genomics and biology.
You will learn—and use—the latest lab techniques for studying DNA and genes. You will discover how genes affect survival and reproduction. You will learn about the most basic processes that are found in all kinds of life on earth, using insects and bacteria as your study organisms. And all of these topics will be taught using hands-on approaches, with experiments that you will help to design and conduct.
The methods and concepts of this course are central to modern biomedical research and are the basis for the current scientific revolution that is known as genomics. If you are interested in science generally, medical research, evolutionary biology, environmental biology, or computers, this course will open your eyes to a huge range of possible interests and careers. DNA studies depend on computational methods—so even if you prefer computers to biology, you will find out how computers help us understand topics such as the human genome and the genetic basis of diseases.
State-of-the-art equipment and materials will be available for students to learn and apply basic molecular biology methods, in the context of research questions developed within the class. Students will collect their own materials (insects or bacteria), extract DNA, and perform the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a particular gene region of choice. Samples will be submitted to the University of Arizona sequencing facility (under the Arizona Research Laboratories) for sequencing. The students will then analyze the sequences and use bioinformatics software available on the web to compare their sequences to related sequences in public databases.
The course is led by an instructional team including
- Margaret Wilch, M.S., of Tucson High Magnet School, an award-winning high school teacher experienced in research-based teaching
- a Ph.D. candidate from UA Professor Nancy Moran’s research lab.
The course is supported by a grant to Dr. Nancy Moran from the National Science Foundation and is a cooperative project of the University of Arizona and Tucson High Magnet School.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:
DATES: June 29 – July 15, 2009 (14 weekdays total)
TIME: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Tucson High Magnet School (400 North Second Avenue, next to UA campus)
FEE: Free for all applicants who are selected
ELIGIBILITY: High school students entering sophomore, junior or senior year in fall 2009 with one year of high school biology (some exceptions may be made for honors students without previous high school biology)
HOW TO APPLY: Student participants will be selected from a pool of applicants. Mail your application to GBE, c/o Becky Nankivell, Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, P.O. Box 210088, Tucson, AZ 85721-0088. Application must be postmarked by May 4, 2009. Selections will be made by May 15, 2009, when students will be contacted.
Download an application or e-mail Margaret Wilch or Becky Nankivell (or phone 520-626-8355) to have one sent to you.
FOR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS:
ECOL 508L Genes, Biotechnology & the Environment
CREDIT: 2 units
DATES: June 29 - July 16, 2009 (14-1/2 weekdays total)
TIME: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Tucson High Magnet School
Tuition waivers (up to $650) are available for up to 6 Arizona high school teachers or students training to be Arizona high school teachers. E-mail Becky Nankivell (or phone 520-626-8355) for UA Outreach College registration information.
HOUSING NOTE: UA dormitory housing is available for rent by those over 18, or minors accompanied by an adult guardian. Download Reservation Form. Mail or fax information is on the form.