Honors Collegium 70A – Genetic Engineering in Medicine, Agriculture, and Law

Honors Collegium 70A

Genetic Engineering in Medicine, Agriculture, and Law

Enrollment: Open to College Honors/College Scholars students; Not open to students with credit for Life Sciences 3, 4, former Microbiology 7, or Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology 70

Requirements fulfilled: GE Foundation Categories- Foundations of Scientific Inquiry—Life Science, GE Lab/Demo. This class carries the laboratory/demonstration credit for GE.

Course Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, two hours. Historical and scientific study of genetic engineering in medicine, agriculture, and law, including examination of social, ethical, and legal issues raised by new technology.

Bob Goldberg

I graduated from Ohio University, obtained my Ph.D. degree in genetics from the University of Arizona, and did a postdoc at Caltech before coming to UCLA in 1976. My scientific career has marched step by step with the discovery of genetic engineering, and my research has used this technology to understand the function of genes that control seed formation–one of the major sources of food for human and animal consumption. My research has contributed to the engineering of new Canola hybrids that are now grown on over 20 million acres in Canada– yes, I am one of the scientists who makes GMOs! I have also been involved with many biotech startups over the course of my career. Teaching is my main passion and I have strived my entire career to make teaching as engaging, thought-provoking, and exciting as possible for my students. I have been fortunate to have received many awards for my work in the classroom and was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences for my research discoveries. Bottom line — I have had a wonderful career and love being a UCLA professor and interacting with the amazing students that have come through my classes over the past four decades.

Q & A

What is your home department at UCLA? Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology

How long have you been teaching your HC seminar? In the Honors Collegium since 1986 — one of the first science GE classes on campus.

What is your favorite part about teaching this HC seminar? Interacting and getting to know amazing students from diverse majors and backgrounds

What do you find to be the most compelling about the subject matter of this seminar? How genetic engineering affects our lives — think COVID vaccines in less than a year from conception!

What are the learning objectives for this course?

Teach the foundation of genetic engineering, how it affects our lives, and the excitement of scientific discovery.

Student Feedback

Honors Collegium 70A–Genetic Engineering in Medicine, Agriculture, and Law

“Amazing instructor, even though not a STEM major, really interesting to me and he’s very passionate, great class and an even more amazing lecturer.”

“Dr. Goldberg truly cares for all of his students and clearly puts forth lots of effort into making the class what it is. Coordinated guest speakers were excellent and contributed to the strong learning environment. Truly an unforgettable quarter with a special professor. Thank you, Dr. G.”

“Dr. Goldberg has provided me with one of the most amazing experiences in the classroom in my entire career as a student. Apart from explaining the science very well, he truly cares about his students, no matter what they’re level of expertise in the field. I would highly recommend this class to others.”

“Dr.G is the best professor I’ve ever had in UCLA. He’s really knowledgeable.”

“I absolutely love this class! This was my introduction to this subject and I’m excited to continue learning about it!”