Problems with DNA

Abstract

A modified version of this project was used during the final seven days of a year-long calculus sequence at the United States Military Academy to introduce students to the nature of integrative learning. Students from different majors were brought together in groups and spent the first few days going over the mathematics material presented here. They then spent a day separated into their respective departments to learn how their chosen fields viewed and contributed to issues related to DNA and gene technologies. Afterwards, the students reconvened in their groups to develop and give presentations advising a hypothetical candidate for public office on the many diverse viewpoints associated with this topic. While the coursework in calculus is essential for this project as presented here, some level of biology coursework will also greatly assist student understanding. In the absence of biology coursework, additional reading material can be provided to introduce the relevant concepts.