Biotechnology: A Comprehensive Curriculum Guide for a One Semester Course at the High School (grades 11-12) or Community College Level

The Biotechnology industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of the US economy, offering great opportunity for current and future employment. This has stimulated a desire in many schools to offer dedicated biotechnology courses to foster greater student interest in this important arena. The question, however, for many of the teachers either asked to or who wish to start such a course is "where do I begin?" This manual offers high school and community college educators with a detailed "road map" on how to start a biotechnology course at their schools. It was written by former biotech executive turned high school teacher who started and taught a biotechnology course for 5 years. The manual provides details about curriculum, resources (texts, labs, internet) used, and equipment required. It is designed to provide teachers a foundation upon which they can build and customize their own course curriculum.

The author worked for 30 years in the biotechnology industry in varying roles, including research scientist, manufacturing manager, sales, marketing management, new business development and general management. Following his retirement in 2001, Mr. Moss taught high school biology and Advanced Placement biology at a suburban public high school until his retirement in 2007. The biotechnology curriculum presented in this guide was developed by the author in 2002 and taught by him until 2007. The author has presented this curriculum at several professional development workshops sponsored by the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation.