Written Assignment: Biology and Technology in the Real World

11 Jun Written Assignment: Biology and Technology in the Real World

Question
Instructions

Written Assignment: Biology and Technology in the Real World

Addresses course outcomes 2 and 3:

use knowledge of biological principles to ask relevant questions about the natural world
make observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations
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 UMUC Library Subject Guides at http://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, see http://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/info/basics/Pages/Default.aspx

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

.gif” alt=”https://learn.umuc.edu/d2l/img/0/Shared.Main.actHide.png?v=10.5.3.271-164″ title=””””>Hide Rubrics

Rubric Name: Biology and Technology in the Real World

Criteria

Excellent (90-100%)

Good (75-89%)

Adequate (60-74%)

Unacceptable (0-59%)

Contribution (40 points)

0 points

The information obtained from a minimum of three information sources is summarized clearly, accurately and well organized in your own words. All information sources are credible and relevant to the requirement for the chosen topic.

36-40 points

0 points

The information obtained from only two information sources is summarized and/or some minor issues with clarity, accuracy, and organization of information and/or one information source is not credible and/or relevant and/or more than a few direct quotes.

30-35 points

0 points

The information obtained from only one information source is summarized and/or major issues with clarity, accuracy, and organization of informationand/or mostly direct quotes.

24-29 points

0 points

No information sources are summarized, and/or none of the sources are credible and relevant, and/or all direct quotes.

0-23 points

Contribution (40 points)

0 points

All questions and requirements for chosen topic are addressed and own ideas are expressed, analyzed and defended based on knowledge learned from literature research.

36-40 points

0 points

One of the questions or requirements for chosen topic is not addressed, and/or minimal description and analysis of own ideas, and/or minimal connection between own ideas and what is learned from literature research.

30-35 point

0 points

Several of the questions or requirements for chosen topic are not addressed, and/or missing description and analysis of own ideas, and/or no connection between own ideas and what is learned from literature search.

24-29 points

0 points

Most of the questions and requirements for chosen topic are not addressed and no description and analysis of own ideas.

0-23 points

Grammar/Spelling (10 points)

0 points

0-3 minor spelling/grammatical errors

10 points

0 points

4-7 minor spelling/grammatical errors

8-9 points

0 points

8-12 spelling/grammatical errors

6-7 point

0 points

More than 13 spelling/ grammatical errors.

0-6 points

References (5 points)

0 points

All references listed at the end, in-text references are included, all references in correct APA format.

5 points

0 points

Missing one reference, and/or minor problems with APA format, and/or missing in-text references.

4 points

0 points

Missing several references and/or references not in APA format.

3 points

0 points

No references included.

0 points

Length of paper (5 points)

0 points

Paper is between 750 and 1500 words

5 points

0 points

Paper is between 600-749 or 1501-1700 words

4 points

0 points

Paper is between 400-599 or 1701 – 1999 words

3 points

0 points

Paper is less than 399 or more than 2000 words

0 points

Overall Score

Excellent
90 or more

Good
75 or more

Adequate
60 or more

Unsatisfactory
0 or more