Biotechnology

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is a yearlong course. In Biotechnology Semester 1 you’ll learn the basics of biotechnology and evolutionary theory, explore the various ways we store and preserve food, and discover the process of fermentation and microbiology. This course will also cover the importance of breeding plants and hybridization and how early breeding programs led to the study of genetics and an understanding of the function of genes. Finally, you’ll delve into early industrial discoveries and explore the developments in biotechnology during the industrial revolution.

In Biotechnology Semester 2 you’ll build on your knowledge from Biotechnology S1 and learn how this field seeks to cure such deadly diseases as cancer and malaria, develop innovative medicine, and effectively feed the world through improved agricultural systems. Learn about some of the challenges biotechnology faces today, such as the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria and questions about the safety of commercially produced genetically modified organisms (GMOs). You’ll research new biotechnologies and learn how they are changing the world we live in, including the environmental benefits of industrial biotechnology.