GENETICS 101—UNDERSTANDING THE HEADLINES

Six-Week Course

Dates: Six Tuesdays, Feb. 17–March 31 (no class March 17)
Time: 6:30–8 p.m.
Location: See Course Locations and Parking page
Course Fee: $150 (discounted to $120 for select groups)

Ruth Buskirk, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, UT Austin

DNA evidence from crime scenes. Genetically modified foods. Biotechnology. Advances in science and technology make headlines and inspire TV shows, but many of us don't fully appreciate how they impact our health and society. This course introduces concepts and applications of molecular biology with the goal of helping people understand the real science behind the media headlines and popular entertainment. We will address such questions as: How is genetic information stored in DNA? How are genes turned on and off? How are cancer cells different from other cells? What is recombinant DNA? What is gene therapy? This course will include both lectures and discussion/work groups.

Ruth Buskirk is a senior lecturer in biological sciences at The University of Texas at Austin. She earned her B.A. at Earlham College, her M.A. at Harvard University, and her Ph.D. at The University of California - Davis. Dr. Buskirk has authored more than 50 research articles, mainly in animal behavior and physiology, and she has also written biology instructional materials. She is an award-winning teacher who has taught introductory biology at the university since 1987.