12 Jun Biology and Technology in the Real World
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Biology and Technology in the Real World
Instructions
Written Assignment: Biology and Technology in the Real World
Addresses course outcomes 1-4:
recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems
make observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations
weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific
method
use knowledge of biological principles, the scientific method, and appropriate technologies to ask relevant
questions, develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, interpret results, and draw conclusions
1. Select one of the topics listed below.
2. Find at least two information sources related to the topic. You can find assistance with searching for articles at the
athttp://libguides.umuc.edu/science.
3. Write a 750-1500 word paper, excluding references and title page. You must read the information sources that you
find and summarize the information in your own words, addressing each of the questions and expectations for your
chosen topic. Extensive quotes from the article are discouraged. Use APA style for citing references,
seehttp://www.umuc.edu/library/guides/apa.html.
4. Post your assignment to your Assignments folder by the due date listed in the course schedule.
Topics (select one)
a) Genetically modified organisms (GMOs). What is the purpose genetic engineering of crop plants and domestic
animals? Briefly explain how GMOs are created. What foods in your supermarket contain GMOs? Are foods that
contain GMOs safe for human consumption? What types of regulations exist for these foods? Clearly explain your
reasoning for each answer. The following website from FDA regarding GMO regulation may be
helpful:http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm352067.htm
b) Stem cells. Your friend had a spinal cord injury after a bad car accident. The medical team has decided that he is a
good candidate for a clinical trial using stem cell therapy. Your friend has not had a biology course since high
school, so you decide to write him a letter sharing your knowledge of stem cells. Include in your letter a description of
the biology of stem cells and how these cells are unique from other cells. Contrast the different types of stem cells,
including pros and cons of each.
Explain how stems cells are can be used to treat diseases and injury, with special focus on spinal cord injuries.
Conclude with your own opinion. The following website from NIH regarding stem cell research will be very helpful:
http://stemcells.nih.gov/index.asp.
c) Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) and tar sands (oil sands). With society’s dependence on nonrenewable fossil
fuels, the oil & gas industry is turning to the use of hydraulic fracturing and tar (oil) sands to extract natural gas and
oil respectively. A friend asks you "What’s all this controversy in the news about fracking and tar sands?" Briefly
explain to your friend how hydraulic fracturing and tar (oil) sands are used to obtain these fossil fuels. Then, in more
detail, describe the environmental problems that may result from these processes and why they are controversial.
Issues that may be addressed involves, but are not limited to, water, air and soil pollution, effects on human health,
effects on other species and natural ecosystems. Finally, give your opinions on possible solutions to these
environmental problems, with your reasoning backed by the references that you studied. The following websites
from EPA may be helpful: http://www2.epa.gov/hydraulicfracturing
Due Date
Hide Rubrics
Rubric Name: Written Assignment: Biology and Technology in the Real World
Criteria
Excellent (90 Good (75 – 89%)
100%)
89 points
100 points
The
information
obtained from The information
a minimum of obtained from only
three
two information
information
sources is
sources is
summarized and/o
summarized rsome minor
clearly,
issues with clarity,
accurately and accuracy, and
Content (40 well organized organization of
points)
in your own
information and/or
words. All
one information
information
source is not
sources are
credible and/or
credible and relevant and/or
relevant to the re than a few
requirement direct quotes.
for the chosen 30-35 points
topic.
36-40 points
Contribution All questions One of the
(40 points) and
questions or
requirements requirements for
for chosen
chosen topic is not
topic are
addressed,and/or
addressed and minimal
own ideas are description and
expressed,
analysis of own
analyzed and
defended
based on
knowledge
learned from
literature
research.
36-40 points
ideas, and/orminim
al connection
between own
ideas and what is
learned from
literature research.
30-35 points
Less than 3
4-7 minor
Grammar/Sp minor
spelling/grammatic
spelling/gram
elling (10
al errors
matical errors
points)
7-8 points
9-10 points
All references
listed at the
end, in-text
references are
References included, all
(5 points)
references in
correct APA
format.
5 points
Length of
Paper (5
points)
Paper is
between 750
and 1500
words
5 points
Overall
Score
Level 4
91 or more
Missing one
reference,and/or
inor problems with
APA
format, and/ormiss
ing in-text
references.
4 points
Paper is between
600-749 or 15011700 words
4 points
Level 3
75 or more
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