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Natural Selection and Applied Genetics
advances understanding and effective teaching about the factors that determine which genetic traits are passed on to future generations.
Course Objectives
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Identify how certain genetic traits can improve an
individual's chances of survival and its ability to
pass those traits on to the next generation
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Examine how natural selection helps populations adapt
to changes in the environment over time
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Explore how humans have used our understanding of
genetics and selection to change the course of evolution
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Use concept mapping as a teaching and learning tool
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Use informed discussion and debate as a teaching and
learning tool
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Explore how to teach about controversial topics
Course Syllabus
Session 1:
Adaptation and Natural Selection
Explore the process of natural selection to
see how environmental factors can influence
which genes and traits are passed on to future
generations — and which are not. Teaching and
learning strategies focus on the use of concept
mapping.
Session 2:
Applied Genetics
Investigate how the application of our knowledge
of the structure and function of DNA may
affect the world in which we live. Teaching
and learning strategies focus on how to promote
reasoned dialog about scientific, and potentially
controversial, topics.
Additional Course Information
- 15 contact hours
- Third in a series of four courses for teachers of
middle school life science
- Other courses in the series:
- A full survey course (45 contact hours),
Teaching Middle School Life Science, is also available.
We recommend course modules be taken in order. If this is not possible,
it's important to have a basic knowledge of the content and methodology
described in the preceding courses.
See also: Course Tour example
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