About
Genetic Engineering and Society Interdisciplinary Minor Certificate
The interdisciplinary minor in Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) examines the technological, societal and ecological issues surrounding the development and potential use of genetically engineered organisms.
Participants learn the basic concepts and principles underlying genetic engineering and the methods used for evaluating the technology’s impacts on society and the environment.
- Tuition
- Benefits, and
- Generous Stipends (1-2 Semesters)
Contact Us
Dawn Rodriguez-Ward
GES Colloquium Co-Instructor, AgBioFEWS Graduate Training Program Coordinator; GES Executive Committee
Application link forthcoming. Please contact Dr. Rodriguez-Ward if you would like to be alerted when it becomes available at dtward2@ncsu.edu.
Application Deadline
March 15, 2023
Download the GES Minor Poster
Requirements
In order to complete the minor, coursework must be taken in relevant areas of natural sciences and the humanities and social sciences.
- 9 credit hours from approved courses
– With 6 hours from two core GES courses,
– And 3 hours from the list of approved courses outside the student’s home discipline
– A grade of B or higher in each course - Inclusion of a GES faculty member on committee, from a discipline other than the student’s major, ensuring representation from both humanities/social science and natural science
The choice of courses must be consistent with the interdisciplinary outlook of this minor, namely that students will learn the basic concepts and principles underlying genetic engineering and the methods used for evaluating the technology’s social, cultural and environmental dimensions.
The minor representative will be responsible for ensuring that the courses taken are appropriate and balance the student’s major. Students in the biological sciences will be encouraged to take hands on courses, such as those offered by the Biotechnology (BIT) program.
Approved Courses
Core courses:
- GES/COM 508 (3 CR) Emerging Technologies and Society
- GES 591 (3 CR) GE for Sustainable Crop Development
- GES 591 (3 CR) Governance, Systems and Modeling
Other approved courses:
- GES 506 – Principles of Genetic Pest Management
- ANT 550 – Culture, Ecology, and Sustainable Living
- BIT 410/510 – Manipulation of Recombinant DNA
- COM 536 – Seminar in Environmental Communication
- ECG 540 – Economic Development
- ENG 515 – Rhetoric of Science and Technology
- FW 411/511 – Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management
- GN 735 – Genomic Science
- HI 540 – Topics in Environmental History
- HI 581 – History of the Life Sciences
- HI 585 – History of American Technology
- NR 571 – Current Issues in Natural Resource Policy
- REL 571 – Darwinism and Christianity
- PA 598/798 – Science and Technology Policy
- PHI 475/575 – Ethical Theory
- PSY 757 – Innovation and Technology
- ST 590 – A,C Bioinformatics I/II
*Additional courses may be added to the approved list, as determined by the Executive Committee. Courses may be substituted at the Co-Directors’ discretion.
GES Minor Co-Directors
Fred Gould
University Distinguished Professor, William Neal Reynolds Professor of Agriculture, Co-Director of the Genetic Engineering and Society Center, Executive Director of the Genetics and Genomics Academy, and GES Minor Co-Director
Gould studies ecology and evolutionary biology. For over 20 years, he worked on strategies for decreasing the rate of insect pest adaptation to transgenic cotton, rice, and corn. His current research focuses on mosquitoes engineered so they can’t transmit human diseases. Gould participated in policy development for transgenic crops at the national and international level. He sees a need to develop more inclusive and transparent approaches for building, assessing and regulating transgenic pests.
Jason Delborne
Professor and Director of Science, Technology, and Society (STS) Program; University Faculty Scholar; GES Executive Committee, GES Minor Co-Director
Delborne’s research explores highly politicized scientific controversies with particular attention to interactions among policymakers, scientists, and the public. He has developed a conceptual model of scientific dissent, organized and studied several experiments in citizen engagement, and analyzed how public think tanks, such as the Congressional Research Service and the Government Accountability Office, navigate scientific controversies to provide expertise to policymakers.