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Biotechnology
Teacher Contact
Jessica Sphar
It’s best to contact be via email: Jessica.sphar@sweetwaterschools.org
Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:45pm-3:15pm

You can expect a response to emails within 48 hours from when it was sent. If an email is sent during the weekend
allow for up to 72 for a response.

Course Objectives
Biotechnology is a “D” level life science course which allows students to explore biomedical research, pharmacology,
human health, and aseptic techniques. To build academic and science literacy we will study and apply relevant
laboratory procedures and techniques currently used in the beginning stages of laboratory research. Students will be
challenged to be “thinkers” and “do-ers” while self-assessing your own progress and seeking help when necessary. In
this course you will be asked to create lab abstracts, lab reports, presentations, infographics, among other Web 2.0
products. You are required to bring your laptop (personal or school issued) to class every day.

Course Prerequisites
Students must have passed the following courses with a C or better: Medical Biology/Biology, Medical
Chemistry/Chemistry. Students who are in the academy pathway should have taken Anatomy & Physiology their 11th
grade year.

Course Materials
 Laptop
 Laptop charger
 1.5 inch binder
 5 tab dividers
o Tab 1 - Syllabus & Study guides
o Tab 2 - Notes
o Tab 3 - Labs & Abstracts
o Tab 4 – Vocabulary
o Tab 5 - Resources
 Pen & Pencil
 Lined Paper

Technology Requirements
 Google Account (provided by SUHSD)
 Google Suite Apps (Google Slides, Google Sheets, Google Docs)
 Kami (extension) pdf editor
 Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Power Point)
 Google Classroom
o File Formats accepted for submission include the following:
 Pdfs
 Google Docs
 Google Sheets
 Google Slides
 Powerpoint (.ppt)
  Word (.docx)
 Excel (.xlsx)
 Linked files

Technology Support
If you are having issues retrieving your password for your school issued Google Account you can reset your password
through the Sweetwater Google Mail Support Site

For additional support and troubleshooting, please visit Mr. Martin Duncan in the Library during nutrition break, lunch,
or after school.

Course Policies
It is extremely important that you learn Biotechnology and that your grade reflects that learning. If you want or need a
higher academic grade in Biotech, I highly encourage you to seek one of many opportunities available to better
understand content. All students will be expected to utilize the tutoring sessions and online tutorials that will be posted
on Google Classroom. I am here to help you earn a grade C- or higher, but I cannot do that if you do not seek assistance.

Classwork/Homework
Assignments will be given on a regular basis and will be checked frequently to assess student progress and provide
feedback. The purpose of homework is to build understanding and to master standards that are reflected in lab and on
unit exams.

To access the course content you will need to join the course Google Classroom. When using your laptop, make sure to
use the school issued Gmail account. If you need to access online content on your smart phone, it’s important to have
the following apps installed: Google Drive, Google Sheets, Google Docs, and Google Slides. Assignments will be
submitted online using Google Classroom. All work is due midnight prior to the next meeting.

To do well in this course participation is necessary. Class participation will vary depending on the assignments. You will
have online discussions in which you will have to participate and engage with your peers both online and during class.
Since this is a lab course, you will need to engage during the labs and participates along all the steps in the protocol. In
addition to conducting the lab, you will be responsible for generating either a lab abstract or a lab writeup that will be
submitted electronically.

Absence & Late work

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up missed work and unit exams. All late/missing work is due prior to
the unit exam. The most that you can earn on late work will be a 75% on the assignment.

Grading
60 % Labs – This includes participation, lab writeups, and lab abstracts

30 % Assessments – This includes presentations, exams, and quizzes

10 % Homework – Homework will include online discussions, writing prompts, infographics

Academic Integrity & Online Interactions

When working online with peers it’s essential that conversations are kept cordial and polite. When conducting online
discussions it’s important to following the following discussion guidelines:

Discussion posts will be due by Friday 11:59pm.

You will be responsible for commenting on at least two student posts by Monday 11:59pm. Feel free to respond to
additional student posts.
Each student should have at least 2 responses on their post by Monday 11:59pm.

Please be respectful and tactful in your response to other’s posts. Follow this Netiquette Infographic guideline when
responding to student posts. To see examples on how to respectfully respond to discussions visit the Writing
Commons- Responding Thoughtfully site.
When using images from online sources or referencing texts make sure to credit the source and link it to the original
source. Yale Center for Teaching & Learning is a great site that demonstrates how to properly cite sources.

Course Topics
Semester 1
 Introduction to Biotechnology
 Biotechnology Careers
 Scientific Methodology
 Basic Skills for Biotechnology
 Chemistry in Biotechnology
 Biochemistry & Cell Structure
 Cell Organization and Processes (Central Dogma)
 Bacterial Digest, Ligation, Gel Electrophoresis Confirmation (AMGEN)
 Protein Purification (AMGEN)

Semester 2
 Protein Structure, Function and Techniques
 Human Genetics
 PCR Alu Sequence
 Biotechnology and Medicine
 Antibody Methods (ELISA)
 Human Health & Ecosystem Project Based Learning – Written Report & Presentation
 Date TBD - Final Exam for Biology 131: Introduction to Biotechnology (articulation exam)