BIO 3353 - Plant Genetic Engineering

Credits: 3 hrs

This is the study of the processes that involve the application of scientific knowledge to transfer beneficial traits from one species to another in order to achieve an advance in the function, size, or protective characteristics of an organism that is the subject of the bioprocess. Through the use of transgenics, a single gene with a very specific function is transferred into a plant to achieve a very specific behavior or result. Through this methodology, one can isolate a specific pest, create growth in a vegetable that has a tendency to harvest at a smaller size, or alter a quality of the crop so as to ward off an infectious disease. Students will be taught to follow the steps necessary to achieve a result with a particular plant. A brief discussion of the Animal and plant Health Inspection Service under the Department of Agriculture that regulates the movement, importation, and field-testing of a genetically engineered plant will be included. (Three one-hour lectures per week) Prerequisite(s): BIO 2301 and BIO 1315 with a grade of “C-” or better.