The Way We Work With Life:
Study Guide and Assignment Menu
BCH 190, BCH 523, and EDC 920


I. The Mechanics of Life and General Biotechnology


 1. Biotechnology: Panacea or Pandora’s Box
Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
2. Setting the Stage and Patterns of Life
Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island

Reading Assignment (pp.vii-21, Chapter 1) in Exploring The Way Life Works
Take Quiz #1. See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid. See Quiz 01 Study Guide.

The Mechanics of DNA: What is Life?

3. Flow of Life
Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
4. Techniques in Biotechnology
Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island

Reading Assignment (pp.23-51, sections 2.1-2.8, first part of Chapter 2) in Exploring The Way Life Works
Take Quiz #2. See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid. See Quiz 02 Study Guide.

5. Trends, Patterns and Relationships in Biology I
Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
6. Trends, Patterns and Relationships in Biology II
Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island

Reading Assignment (pp. 52-85, sections 2.9-2.16, second part of Chapter 2) in Exploring The Way Life Works
Take Quiz #3. See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid. See Quiz 03 Study Guide.


7. Gene Expression and Development
Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
8. The Genomics Revolution
 Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island

Reading Assignment (pp. 87-109, sections 3.1-3.8, first part of Chapter 3) in Exploring The Way Life Works

Take Quiz #4. See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid. See Quiz 04 Study Guide.


C. Evolution and the Flow of Information

9. Evolution: How Does It Happen?
Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
10. Evolution: Genes and Ideas
Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
11. What is Evolution?
Dr. Kenneth Miller, Brown University
12. Why is it Controversial?
Dr. Kenneth Miller, Brown University

Reading Assignment (pp. 110-137, sections 3.9-3.14, second part of Chapter 3) in Exploring The Way Life Works
Take Quiz #5. See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid. See Quiz 05 Study Guide.


II. Applications of Biotechnology

D. Agriculture Biotechnology: The Past Present and Future of Farming

 13. How Is It Done & How It Is Used I
Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
14. How Is It Done & How It Is Used II
Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island

Reading Assignment (pp. 138-157, sections 4.1-4.7, first part of Chapter 4) in Exploring The Way Life Works
Take Quiz #6. See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid. See Quiz 06 Study Guide.


E. Agricultural Biotechnology Panel Discussions (optional except for BCH 523 and EDC 920 Graduate Students)
15. Issues and Controversies in Agricultural Biotechnology I
Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
16. Issues and Controversies Agricultural Biotechnology II
Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
 17. A General Agricultural Biotechnology Lecture (optional and not tested)
 Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
18. A Panel Discussion: Research and Development Perspectives
Introduction by Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
1. From Basic Science Discovery to Applications
Dr. Thomas Hodges, Purdue University
2. Impact of Technology Improvement on Agricultural Production Dr. Hong Luo, HybriGene Inc
3. Biopharmaceutical and Bioindustrial Products Produced in GM Plants Dr. John Howard, Texas A&M University

19. A Second Panel Discussion: GMO and Public Debate
 Overview by Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island

  1. Issues Surrounding the GMO Debate

Dr. Neil Schultes, CT Agriculture Experimental Station

  1. Consumer Attitudes and Communications

Dr. Andrew Benson, International Food Information Council

  1. A View of Agricultural Biotechnology

Dr. Paul Chomet, Monsanto Co.

  1. Public Participation in Decision Making For GM Plants

Dr. Ian Sussex, Yale University

BCH 523 and EDC 920 Graduate Students:
Take Quiz #6a. See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid.

F. Cloning and Genetic Engineering

 20. Animal Cloning Presentation
 Dr. Jerry Yang, University of CT
21. Animal Cloning Documentary
Dr. Jerry Yang, University of CT

Reading Assignment (pp. 158-181, sections 4.8-4.15, second part of Chapter 4) in Exploring The Way Life Works
Take Mid-term exam which is comprehensive and assembled from the quizzes.
See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid.

G. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

 22. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: Emergent Technologies
Dr. Albert Kausch, University of Rhode Island
23. Pharmacogenomics and the Future
Dr. Albert Seymour, Pfizer Inc

Reading Assignment (pp. 183-207, sections 5.1-5.10, all of Chapter 5) in Exploring The Way Life Works
Take Quiz #7. See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid. See Quiz 07 Study Guide.


H. Applications of Medical Biotechnology

 24. Medical Biotechnology: Xenotransplantation and Tissue Engineering
Dr. Beth Zielinski-Habershaw, University of Rhode Island and Brown University
25. Medical Biotechnology: Gene Therapy
Dr. Beth Zielinski-Habershaw, University of Rhode Island and Brown University
26. Stem Cells: Therapy and Medical Research
Dr. Theodore Rasmussen, University of CT

Reading Assignment (pp. 209-223, sections 6.1-6.7, first part of Chapter 6) in Exploring The Way Life Works
Take Quiz #8. See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid. See Quiz 08 Study Guide.


27. The Biology of Cancer
Dr. Michael Morin, Pfizer Inc
28. Emergent Technologies in Cancer Treatment
Dr. Michael Morin, Pfizer Inc

Reading Assignment (pp. 224-241, sections 6.8-6.13, second part of Chapter 6) in Exploring The Way Life Works
Take Quiz #9. See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid. See Quiz 09 Study Guide.


I. Marine Biotechnology

29. The Oceans: An Untapped Source
 Dr. Marta Gomez-Chiarri, University of Rhode Island
30. Aquaculture
Dr. Terrance Bradley, University of Rhode Island
Water Quality Management
Dr. David Smith, University of Rhode Island
31. Poseidon’s Medicine Cabinet: Finding Drugs From the Sea
Dr. David Rowley, University of Rhode Island

Reading Assignment (pp. 242-285, sections 7.1-7.15, all of Chapter 7) in Exploring The Way Life Works
Take Quiz #10. See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid. See Quiz 10 Study Guide.


  1. Bioweapons and Biodefense


32. Bioterrorism, Weapons and Homeland Security
 Dr. Gregory Paquette, University of Rhode Island

K. Forensics

 33. Forensics: Trace Evidence
Dr. Amy Duhaime, Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory
34. DNA-based Forensics: The Real Story
 Dr. Mike Adamowicz, CT Department of Safety Forensic Science Laboratory
35. The National Forensic Debate: Public Safety vs. The Right of Privacy Dr. Carll Ladd, CT Department of Public Safety Forensic Science Laboratory
Reading Assignment (pp. 286-309, sections 8.1-8.9, first part of Chapter 8) in Exploring The Way Life Works
Take Quiz #11. See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid. See Quiz 11 Study Guide.


III. Ethics and Social Concerns

L. Ethical Issues and Social Concerns in Pharmacogenomics

 36. Bioethics and Pharmacogenomics I
 Dr. Elora Werringer, Pfizer Inc
37. Bioethics and Pharmacogenomics II
Dr. Elora Werringer, Pfizer Inc

Reading Assignment (pp. 310, sections 8.10-8.23, second part of Chapter 8) in Exploring The Way Life Works

Take Quiz #12. See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid. See Quiz 12 Study Guide.

Take Final-term exam which is comprehensive of part II (everything since the Mid-term exam) and assembled from the quizzes. See PowerPoint slides available as a study aid.

Take an exit survey (optional)