Title: Welcome
Course: BTEC-1000-301-302-303-F21 > Section: Orientation

Course Overview

Hello, and welcome to Biotech 1000: Engineering Life! In this class, you’ll not only learn about biotechnology and how it is affecting our world, you’ll also do experiments of your own in our open learning lab. The course format is unusual, as background material is available online, and you self-schedule time in the open learning lab to do the experiments. The course is competency-based, meaning that you will move at your own pace to achieve proficiency in all the learning outcomes. You can expect about half of your time to be spent in online learning activities, and half in the lab.

This course fulfills the Global/International Learning general education requirement, and also serves as the first course for the Biotechnology Certificate of Proficiency and Associate of Science (AS). The 16-credit Certificate prepares students for employment in the biotechnology industry, and is fully embedded in the AS. The program’s curriculum was designed in consultation with biotechnology industry partners in the valley, with an emphasis on practical workforce skills. The AS also transfers to Utah Valley University’s Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology.

About Me

Depending on when you attend the open lab, you may work with one of several faculty and staff in Biotechnology. My name, though, is Jean Bower, and I’m the lead instructor of BTEC 1000. You’re welcome to call me Jean, or Dr. Bower if you prefer. I earned a PhD in microbiology in 2007, and have been teaching - which I love even more than lab work - ever since.

I am passionate about science as an ongoing process, a way of understanding the world; science is not a list of facts to be memorized. My favorite teaching moments often happen after something unexpected, or even frustrating, has occurred in the lab. When a student realizes that they are capable of reasoning through the experiment and figuring out what happened, it makes my day. My goal isn’t just to teach you about biotechnology; it’s also to help you develop confidence in your own abilities.

If you want to see me talk excitedly with my hands like I am in the picture, you can ask me about parasites that manipulate host behavior, or the need for more diversity in science. Outside of school, I’m a devoted pet parent and avid traveler. I look forward to getting to know you!

Teacher Participation Expectations

- I will log into the course at least five days a week, Monday through Saturday.
- I will respond to emails, Canvas messages, and calls within 24 hours, Monday through Friday.
- I will grade your assignments within one week.

Student Participation Expectations

- You are expected to spend 6-9 hours per week on the course through the full semester, or more hours per week if you want to complete in less than a semester.
- You are expected to participate in the course, online or in the lab, at least twice a week.

Go to the next page to review the syllabus.

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