02 Sep SC200-4: Analyze how technology has driven scientific progress throughout history
SC200-4: Analyze how technology has driven scientific progress throughout history.
Science and Technology
Science is the study of how the universe works using the scientific method as a framework for
asking questions. Throughout history, humans have built-up a body of scientific knowledge and
have used this knowledge to develop technologies to make life easier or to broaden their
knowledge. Scientific discovery drives technological advances and sometimes, as new
technologies are developed, they enable scientists to answer questions that were unanswerable
before. For example, researchers had to understand the physics of visible light and how it
changes when going through different substances before they could use this knowledge to
design microscopes. Once microscope technology was developed, it allowed scientists to ask
questions about things that were not visible to the human eye. For this Assignment, you will look
at this interdependence between science and technology by learning more about one
biotechnology that is crucial to the modern world such as feeding a growing world population,
fighting disease, developing new fuels, or cleaning up the environment.
Example: If you were thinking about cell phones (not a biotechnology), you could look at the
scientific discoveries that had to happen before cell phones could exist. The discovery of
electricity, electromagnetic waves, and the electrochemistry of batteries all had to happen before
cell phones could be invented. You could also look at the technological advances that had to
happen before we could have cell phones. Batteries, electric circuit boards, receivers, speakers,
and satellites all had to exist before someone could invent the cell phone.
To learn more about biotechnology, review the assigned readings in your textbook for this unit
and review the following assessment resources.
Select one specific biotechnology that you are interested in learning more about. For your
selected biotechnology address the following questions in the table provided.
1. What biotechnology did you select? Explain what it is and how it is used.
2. Identify two scientific discoveries that had to take place before your selected
biotechnology could be developed.
3. Describe the two scientific discoveries that had to take place before your selected
biotechnology could be developed. When and how did the discoveries that you described
take place?
4. Identify two technologies that had to exist before your selected biotechnology could be
developed.
5. Describe the two technologies that had to exist before your selected biotechnology could
be developed. How long have the technologies that you described existed?
6. Identify and discuss two positives and two negatives of biotechnological advances. Are
there any biotechnologies that you think should not be pursued? Why or why not? Explain
your answer.
Minimum Submission Requirements
At least 500 words not counting the instructions, questions or reference pages.
Use a minimum of four sources (with at least one from the PG library).
Free of grammar, spelling and punctuation errors.
No evidence of plagiarism.
Use the APA style for all citations.
Be original and insightful with no more than 10% taken verbatim from any outside
sources.
If work submitted for this competency assessment does not meet the minimum submission
requirements, it will be returned without being scored.
Submitting Your Assessment:
When you are ready to submit your Assessment, click on the Assessment Dropbox and
complete the steps below.
1. Select the Assessment Dropbox.
2. Review the assignment directions and enter a brief note to the instructor in the Comment
Box (like “Attached is my assessment.”)
3. Select the Add a File button.
4. Select the upload button. Find the file you saved.
5. Double click on your file name.
6. Select the Add button.
7. Select Submit.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is an act of academic dishonesty. It violates the University Honor Code, and the
offense is subject to disciplinary action. You are expected to be the sole author of your work.
Use of another person’s work or ideas must be accompanied by specific citations and
references. Whether the action is intentional or not, it still constitutes plagiarism.
For more information on the Plagiarism policy, refer to the current Catalog.
The criterion statements in Bold are the minimum requirement to show competent performance
on the course outcome; all Bold criteria must be met to pass this course outcome.
The criterion statements in [Brackets] represent mastery achievement. A predefined number of
mastery criteria must be achieved to earn an A grade, indicating mastery of the course outcome.
