Genetics and Society: A Course for Educators

Get one of our best deals and build skills with 50% off Coursera Plus. Save now.

Genetics and Society: A Course for Educators

Instructors: Rob DeSalle, Ph.D.

19,066 already enrolled

Included with

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

174 reviews

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

174 reviews

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 4 modules in this course

How have advances in genetics affected society? What do we need to know to make ethical decisions about genetic technologies? This course includes the study of cloning, genetic enhancement, and ownership of genetic information. Course participants will acquire the tools to explore the ethics of modern genetics and learn how to integrate these issues into their classrooms.

You will explore the history of genetics and genomics, and be introduced to ways of thinking ethically about issues involving genetic technology. You will learn how ethical issues can be used to spark your students’ interest, and how to uncover students’ misconceptions.

What's included

4 videos6 readings1 assignment

4 videosTotal 25 minutes

Course Overview2 minutes
Introduction to the Course1 minute
The Broad Timeline of Genetics12 minutes
Teaching Genetics Through an Exploration of Ethical Issues9 minutes

6 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Syllabus10 minutes
Resources10 minutes
Genetics: A Short History10 minutes
Nature and Nurture10 minutes
Thinking Ethically10 minutes
Advancing Technology and the Need for Expanding Ethical Concerns10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 1 Quiz30 minutes

You will explore systems biology, stem cells, and cloning and the applications of these technologies. You will also learn about the ethics of cloning, which will be the basis for your written assignment, which opens this week.

What's included

5 videos3 readings1 assignment1 peer review

5 videosTotal 51 minutes

Recent Developments in Cloning9 minutes
Science Bulletins: Cloning and Conservation10 minutes
Teaching with the Next Generation Science Standards16 minutes
Next Generation Science Standards13 minutes
Peer-Graded Assignment Overview4 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Cloning: How and Why?10 minutes
DNA Fingerprinting, Individual Identification and Ancestry10 minutes
Tools and Techniques in the Modern Molecular Laboratory10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 2 Quiz30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Ethical Conflict Written Assignment120 minutes

You will see how genetic information is being used to individualize medical treatments and take a video tour of the Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics at the American Museum of Natural History. You will also apply the Science and Engineering practices from A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Education Standards in considering how to engage students in discussion about ethics.

What's included

7 videos4 readings1 assignment

7 videosTotal 41 minutes

Genomics in Medicine10 minutes
Lab Tour with Dr. DeSalle7 minutes
Using “Genethics” with Students7 minutes
Science Bulletins: Stem Cells: Developing New Cures7 minutes
Science Bulletins: Stem Cell Advance Study of Lou Gehrig’s Disease2 minutes
Science Bulletins: Stem Cells Made from Eggs Alone2 minutes
Science Bulletins: Genes and Health – Moving Beyond Race7 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Epigenetics and the Epigenome10 minutes
Human Variation Versus Ethnic Groups and Pharmacogenomics10 minutes
Redesigning the Self: The Promise and Perils of Genetic Enhancement10 minutes
A Modern Day Genetic Testing Conundrum10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Week 3 Quiz30 minutes

This week you will learn about the societal implications of genetically modified food, and discuss ways to incorporate this issue into your teaching.

What's included

3 videos6 readings1 assignment

3 videosTotal 23 minutes

Genetically Modiﬁed Organisms 9 minutes
Science Bulletins: Potato Biodiversity – Ensuring the Future9 minutes
Teaching About GMO Food5 minutes

6 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Genetically Modified Food: Bt Corn10 minutes
Genomics, Biotechnology, and Agriculture10 minutes
Mapping Morality: The Rights and Wrongs of Genomics10 minutes
Resources10 minutes
Opportunities for Educators10 minutes
Support AMNH10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Week 4 Quiz30 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(32 ratings)

Rob DeSalle, Ph.D.

American Museum of Natural History

2 Courses22,361 learners

Offered by

American Museum of Natural History

Explore more from Basic Science

Status: Preview
University of Cambridge
Law and Genetics
Course
Status: Preview
Universiteit Leiden
Mind of the Universe - Genetic Privacy: should we be concerned?
Course
Status: Preview
Duke University
Introduction to Genetics and Evolution
Course
Status: Preview
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Genomics for Law
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
71.83%
4 stars
19.54%
3 stars
5.74%
2 stars
0.57%
1 star
2.29%

Showing 3 of 174

Reviewed on Oct 19, 2015

this was a fantastic course. Genetics fascinates me!

Reviewed on Jan 26, 2018

Audited this course only. Added to my knowledge and understanding. Would have liked more on ethics otherwise a great course. Highly recommended.R J Diewold M.D. Red Deer AB Canada

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2019

Really very informative thank you so much for this course.

View more reviews

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.