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SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS
Voyage: Summer 2013
Discipline: Biology
BIOL 1559-101: Scientific Literacy: Ripped from the Headlines
Division: Lower
Faculty Name: Melissa A. Henriksen
Pre-requisites:
None. This course is appropriate for science and non-science majors.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Scientific literacy is a critical skill in the 21st century, with enormous implications for public policy.
Decisions about space exploration, healthcare funding, climate change, potential pandemics and so many other topics demand a public able to understand scientific concepts and methods. In this course, we will consider scientific literacy in the US and around the world. We will read, discuss and write about science that is currently in the popular media. Topics will include 1) the FBI’s anthrax investigations, 2) personalized medicine via cancer genomics, 3) the anti-vaccine phenomenon, 4) NASA’s announcement last year of a new life form, 5) the new science of epigenetics, and 6) colony collapse of honey bees. Media coverage of these topics will be viewed, read or listened to. This will be used as a jumping-off point for the subsequent discussion of corresponding piece(s) of the scientific literature. The scientific literature will be presented and discussed in class. The written component of the class will include essays synthesizing the discussion of the media coverage and the scientific literature. A field lab to a science museum in Lisbon, Portugal will be incorporated.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The course goals are that the students will 1) come to understand how science is performed, presented and peer-reviewed in the literature, 2) learn to critique media coverage of science and 3) examine how scientific literacy impacts opinion (public and personal) and public policy. We will consider how science, media coverage of science and the public’s interaction with science compares in different countries.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
NONE
FIELD WORK
Pavilion of Knowledge - Ciencia Viva, in Lisbon Portugal
Ciência Viva, as the Portuguese National Agency for the Scientific and Technological Culture, is engaged in
promoting Scientific Literacy among young people and the public-at-large. They pursue this, not only through their
Ciência Viva Science Centers Network, but also working closely with schools, universities and the scientific
community.
We will visit the Science Centre, the Pavilion of Knowledge. This visit will include:
. a visit to the exhibitions
. a behind the scenes tour
. and a sharing of ideas with the Head of Education, Science and Culture.
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In addition, two other staff members will give presentations on their outreach work: Margarida Suarez, and the
education officer responsible for the senior citizen engagement, Claudia Velhas. The Staff will return to the MV
explorer with us so we can give them a tour of the ship and discuss the S@S study abroad program.
Journal writings and participation in the discussions throughout the day will be graded.
METHODS OF EVALUATION / GRADING RUBRIC
Grading will be based on:
Fieldwork (20%)
Attendance, Participation, Journal Reflections
Four Written Responses (40%)
Three will be “synthesis essays” of about a page (ss, one inch margins, 10 point font) that refer to the
assigned readings and media and that synthesize the science, media and public relationships in that
particular module.
One must be a peer-review exercise (see the provided template for how to do this) on either the arsenic,
epigenetics or bees module primary literature paper. Just one of the assigned papers should be reviewed.
Essays are typically due on day three discussion, peer-review is due on day that paper will be discussed.
In Class Participation (30%)
Attendance, evidence that the reading was done, thoughtful responses to questions and comments
Final exam (10%)
See Schedule for more detail about assignments. Late assignments lose a letter grade per class day.
ELECTRONIC COURSE MATERIALS
These materials will be available in the Course Folder on the ship’s intranet. Science and Media PDF selected chapters 1-3, 4 & 9. ANTHRAX MODULE Media
FRONTLINE: The Anthrax Files
“A NATION CHALLENGED - THE BIOLOGICAL THREAT - A NATION CHALLENGED - THE BIOLOGICAL THREAT - SOME EXPERTS SAY U.S. IS VULNERABLE TO A GERM ATTACK - NYTimes.com.” http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/30/us/nation-challenged-biological-threat-some-experts-say-us-vulnerable-germ-attack.html?scp=17&sq=anthrax&st=nyt&pagewanted=1.
“A NATION CHALLENGED - THE INCIDENTS - A NATION CHALLENGED - THE INCIDENTS - Anthrax Found in
NBC News Aide - NYTimes.com.” http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/13/nyregion/a-nation-challenged-the-incidents-anthrax-found-in-nbc-news-aide.html?scp=87&sq=anthrax&st=nyt.
“A NATION CHALLENGED - THE OVERVIEW - A NATION CHALLENGED - THE OVERVIEW - Letter Containing
Anthrax Sent to U.S. Senate Leader - NYTimes.com.” http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/16/us/nation-challenged-overview-letter-containing-anthrax-sent-us-senate-leader.html?scp=169&sq=anthrax&st=nyt.
“Florida Man Is Hospitalized With Pulmonary Anthrax - NYTimes.com.” http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/05/us/florida-man-is-hospitalized-with-pulmonary-anthrax.html?scp=29&sq=anthrax&st=nyt.
Primary Literature
“NAS Report.pdf.” National Academies Press
Review of the Scientific Approaches Used During the FBI's Investigation of the 2001 Anthrax Letters CANCER MODULE Media
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World Science Festival: Cancer’s Last Stand “Genetic Test Changes Game in Cancer Prognosis - NYTimes.com.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/health/genetic-test-changes-game-in-cancer-prognosis.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper.
“In Gene Sequencing Treatment for Leukemia, Glimpses of the Future - NYTimes.com.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/health/in-gene-sequencing-treatment-for-leukemia-glimpses-of-the-future.html.
“New Frontiers of Cancer Treatment Bring Breathtaking Swings - NYTimes.com.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/09/health/new-frontiers-of-cancer-treatment-bring-breathtaking-swings.html.
Primary Literature
Parsons, D Williams, Siân Jones, Xiaosong Zhang, Jimmy Cheng-Ho Lin, Rebecca J Leary, Philipp Angenendt,
Parminder Mankoo, et al. 2008. “An Integrated Genomic Analysis of Human Glioblastoma Multiforme.” Science
(New York, N.Y.) 321 (5897) (September 26): 1807–1812. doi:10.1126/science.1164382.
“Cancers Selected for Study - TCGA.” http://cancergenome.nih.gov/cancersselected. VACCINES MODULE Media
FRONTLINE: The Vaccine Wars
“Medical Journal Retracts Study Linking Autism to Vaccine - CNN.” http://articles.cnn.com/2010-02-02/health/lancet.retraction.autism_1_andrew-wakefield-mmr-vaccine-and-autism-general-medical-council?_s=PM:HEALTH.
“Retraction of an Interpretation. [Lancet. 2004] - PubMed - NCBI.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15016483.1. “Retracted Autism Study an ‘Elaborate Fraud,’ British Journal Finds - CNN.com.”
http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/01/05/autism.vaccines/index.html. Primary Literature
Wakefield, A J, S H Murch, A Anthony, J Linnell, D M Casson, M Malik, M Berelowitz, et al. 1998. “Ileal-
lymphoid-nodular Hyperplasia, Non-specific Colitis, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder in Children.” Lancet
351 (9103) (February 28): 637–641.
Horton, Richard. 2004. “A Statement by the Editors of The Lancet.” The Lancet 363 (9411) (March 6): 820–821.
doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(04)15699-7. ARSENIC MODULE Media
“NASA Announcement LIVE: New Life Form Discovered (VIDEO).” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/02/nasa-announcement-live-ne_n_791166.html.
NASA-Funded Research Discovers Life Built With Toxic Chemical
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/features/astrobiology_toxic_chemical.html
“NASA Scientists Say They Have Found New Form of Life on Earth | Al.com.” http://blog.al.com/space-news/2010/12/nasa_scientists_say_they_have.html.
“Microbe finds arsenic tasty -
NYTimes.com.”http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/03/science/03arsenic.html?pagewanted=all. “New Science Papers Prove NASA Failed Big Time In Promoting Supposedly Earth-Shaking Discovery That Wasn’t -
Forbes.” http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2012/07/08/new-science-papers-prove-nasa-failed-big-time-in-promoting-supposedly-earth-shaking-discovery-that-wasnt/.
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“New Studies Rebut Finding That Arsenic May Support Life - NYTimes.com.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/science/new-studies-rebut-finding-that-arsenic-may-support-life.html?partner=rss&emc=rss.
Primary Literature (*chose only Reaves or Erb papers for peer-review)
Wolfe-Simon, Felisa, Jodi Switzer Blum, Thomas R Kulp, Gwyneth W Gordon, Shelley E Hoeft, Jennifer Pett-
Ridge, John F Stolz, et al. 2011. “A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus.” Science
(New York, N.Y.) 332 (6034) (June 3): 1163–1166. doi:10.1126/science.1197258.
Reaves, Marshall Louis, Sunita Sinha, Joshua D Rabinowitz, Leonid Kruglyak, and Rosemary J Redfield. 2012.
“Absence of Detectable Arsenate in DNA from Arsenate-Grown GFAJ-1 Cells.” Science (New York, N.Y.) (July 8).
doi:10.1126/science.1219861. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22773140.
Erb, Tobias J, Patrick Kiefer, Bodo Hattendorf, Detlef Günther, and Julia A Vorholt. 2012. “GFAJ-1 Is an Arsenate-
Resistant, Phosphate-Dependent Organism.” Science (New York, N.Y.) (July 8). doi:10.1126/science.1218455.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22773139.
EPIGENETICS MODULE Media
NOVA: Ghost in your Genes
“Epigenetics, DNA: How You Can Change Your Genes, Destiny - TIME.” http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1952313,00.html. Primary Literature (*chose one of these papers for peer-review)
Dolinoy, Dana C, Dale Huang, and Randy L Jirtle. 2007. “Maternal Nutrient Supplementation Counteracts
Bisphenol A-induced DNA Hypomethylation in Early Development.” Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences of the United States of America 104 (32) (August 7): 13056–13061. doi:10.1073/pnas.0703739104.
Heijmans, Bastiaan T, Elmar W Tobi, Aryeh D Stein, Hein Putter, Gerard J Blauw, Ezra S Susser, P Eline
Slagboom, and L H Lumey. 2008. “Persistent Epigenetic Differences Associated with Prenatal Exposure to Famine
in Humans.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 105 (44) (November
4): 17046–17049. doi:10.1073/pnas.0806560105.
BEES MODULE Media
NATURE: Silence of the Bees
“Mobile Phones Responsible for Disappearance of Honey Bee - Telegraph.” http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/7778401/Mobile-phones-responsible-for-disappearance-of-honey-bee.html.
“Saving the Honeybee : Article : Scientific American.” http://www.nature.com/scientificamerican/journal/v300/n4/full/scientificamerican0409-40.html.
Primary Literature (*chose one of these papers for peer-review)
Bromenshenk, Jerry J, Colin B Henderson, Charles H Wick, Michael F Stanford, Alan W Zulich, Rabih E Jabbour,
Samir V Deshpande, et al. 2010. “Iridovirus and Microsporidian Linked to Honey Bee Colony Decline.” PloS One 5
(10): e13181. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0013181.
Tokarz, Rafal, Cadhla Firth, Craig Street, Diana L Cox-Foster, and W Ian Lipkin. 2011. “Lack of Evidence for an
Association Between Iridovirus and Colony Collapse Disorder.” PloS One 6 (6): e21844.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0021844.
Evans, Jay D, and Ryan S Schwarz. 2011. “Bees Brought to Their Knees: Microbes Affecting Honey Bee Health.”
Trends in Microbiology 19 (12) (December): 614–620. doi:10.1016/j.tim.2011.09.003.
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Henry, Mickaël, Maxime Béguin, Fabrice Requier, Orianne Rollin, Jean-François Odoux, Pierrick Aupinel, Jean
Aptel, Sylvie Tchamitchian, and Axel Decourtye. 2012. “A Common Pesticide Decreases Foraging Success and
Survival in Honey Bees.” Science (New York, N.Y.) 336 (6079) (April 20): 348–350. doi:10.1126/science.1215039.
HONOR CODE
Semester at Sea students enroll in an academic program administered by the University of Virginia, and thus bind
themselves to the University’s honor code. The code prohibits all acts of lying, cheating, and stealing. Please consult
the Voyager’s Handbook for further explanation of what constitutes an honor offense.
Each written assignment for this course must be pledged by the student as follows: “On my honor as a student, I pledge
that I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment.” The pledge must be signed, or, in the case of an
electronic file, signed “[signed].”
SCHEDULE
Date Topic In Class Homework
June 19 C1 Introductions Read ch. 1-3 of PDF
June 20 C2 Science Literacy Read ch 4 & 9 of PDF
June 21 C3 Approaching Primary
Literature
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June 22 C4 The Anthrax Investigation View DVD Frontline Read National Academies
Review PDFs (3)
PORT Casablanca
June 27 C5 The Anthrax Investigation Primary Literature Discussion Read Kolata/Florida, Stolberg
(2 articles), Barstow
June 28 C6 The Anthrax Investigation Synthesis Discussion Essays Due
June 29 C7 Cancer’s Last Stand View Webcast WSF Read Parsons
July 1 C8 Cancer’s Last Stand Primary Literature Discussion Read Kolata (3) , look at
cancer genome atlas website
July 2 C9 Cancer’s Last Stand Synthesis Discussion Essays Due
PORT Antalya
July 6 C10 The Vaccine War View DVD Frontline Read Wakefield
July 7 C11 The Vaccine War Primary Literature Discussion Read Park, Murch, Horton,
“Retracted.”
PORT Istanbul
July 12 C12 The Vaccine War Synthesis Discussion Essays Due
July 13 C13 Arsenic: a lesson in peer
review
Wolfe-Simon Paper & NASA P.R. Read Erb and Reaves
PORT Piraeus(Athens)
July 18 C14 Arsenic: a lesson in peer
review
Discuss refutation papers* Read Overbye, Roop,
Herper, “Studies rebut”,
“NASA-funded research”
Peer Review Due
July 19 C15 Arsenic: a lesson in peer
review
Synthesis Discussion Essays Due
July 20 C16 Ghost in Your Genes View DVD Nova Read Dolinoy and Heijmans
PORT Livorno and Civitavecchia
July 27 C17 Ghost in Your Genes Primary Literature * Discussion Read Cloud, Peer Review
Due
July 28 C18 Ghost in Your Genes Synthesis Discussion Essays Due
PORT Malta
Aug 1 C19 Silence of the Bees View DVD Nature Read Bromenshenk, Evans,
Henry, Tokarz
Aug 2 C20 Silence of the Bees Primary Literature * Discussion Read Cox-Foster, “Mobile
phones” Peer Review Due
PORT Marseille and Barcelona
Aug 9 C21 Silence of the Bees Synthesis Discussion Essays Due
Aug 10 C22 Prepare for Field Trip Planning Discussion
PORT Cadiz and Lisbon
Aug 16
FIELD
WORK
Field Trip to Lisbon Science
Pavilion
Aug 17 C23 Wrap up Discussion Field Trip Journals Due
Aug 18 Study Day
Aug 19 C24 Final Exams Final Exam