Please note that this syllabus is in progress and is subject to change.

Course Syllabus
Stem Cells: Science and Society
Faculty Advisor

Facilitators

Nicholas Ingolia

Charlotte Hayward charlottehayward@berkeley.edu

Colby Gekko
cegekko@berkeley.edu
Evan Mason
ejmason84@berkeley.edu
Heng-Yi Liu
hengyi.liu@berkeley.edu
Kayon Brantley
kayonbrantley_01-

Basics
2 units, Pass / No Pass
Weekly Lecture + Discussion
15@berkeley.edu
1 hour each

Shivani Thombare
Umeet Sajjan

sthombare95@berkeley.edu
umeetsajjan@berkeley.edu

Course Description
Many believe that the cures to most diseases lie in stem cell science and research, yet
others fear repercussions that could forever alter our social conscience and morality. This
class takes students on a journey inside the stem cell revolution, where scientists,
researchers, policy-makers, and ethicists will challenge students to consider the societal,
political, even spiritual implications of rapidly developing frontier.
The Stem Cell Decal aims to creatively provide students with a basic understanding of stem
cells and stem cell research. We cover four modules over twelve weeks: Science and
Biology, Engineering and Technology, Ethics and Controversy, and Policy and Advocacy.
These topics will be explored through weekly one hour lectures on a variety of stem cell
topics, featuring both guest speakers and facilitators. Hour-long discussion sections led by
facilitators will be held weekly to review lecture material, present pressing stem cell issues
in recent scientific literature and news media, creatively instruct you in the basics of stem
cell research, and urge conversation about current developments in the field.
After taking this course, students will have a basic understanding of stem cell science, its
potential and applications, the controversy behind it, and its role in society. We hope
students will possess enough knowledge to understand and participate in stem cell activities
on campus and beyond, while also formulating their own position on the political stances
surrounding stem cell research.

Course Format / Enrollment CCNs

The Stem Cell Decal is a 2 unit. Students must attend both the lecture portion and a
discussion section. You CANNOT take the lecture or discussion portions individually. Make
sure you are enrolled in the appropriate lecture and discussion section for your class
standing on Telebears. Double check Telebears to make sure you are enrolled in a course
with the correct CCN, faculty advisor, location, and time. We cannot make enrollment
changes past the 5th week of classes. It is YOUR responsibility to confirm your enrollment.

Please note that this syllabus is in progress and is subject to change.

Lecture (009): Monday 6-7pm 219 Dwinelle

Lower Division Lecture CCN: MCB 98
57683
Upper Division Lecture CCN: MCB 198 59042

Discussions

(010)

(011)

(012)

Day
Time
Location

Wednesday
3-4pm
2062 VLSB

Thursday
4-5pm
47 Evans

Friday
12-1pm
2070 VLSB

Facilitator(s)

TBD

TBD

TBD

Lower Division CCN

57686

57689

57692

Upper Division CCN

59045

59048

59051

General Expectations
Please come to class on time and be ready to participate! Keep up to date with bCourses,
which is our primary mode of communication. It will help you succeed in this course! If you
have any questions regarding enrollment or material, please contact a facilitator, or send us
an email. We also welcome any feedback, via email or in-person.

Grading

i.
ii.
i.

1.
a.
b.
c.
2.
a.
b.
c.
d.
3.
a.
b.

This decal is offered on a Pass / No Pass grading basis. To receive a passing grade in this
decal, you must complete the following four items:
Pass 8/10 Reflections
The prompt will be only be given at the end of Monday lecture
Reflections therefore also serve to record lecture attendance
Reflections are due 11:59pm the Friday immediately following lecture
Pass 7/10 Quizzes
Quizzes are given at the beginning of each discussion section
Quizzes therefore also serve to record discussion attendance
There will be 5 questions: 3 multiple choice, 2 true/false
3/5 is considered Passing
Final Project
Research a Stem Cell Article
Submit a 1-page, double-spaced analysis
Create 5 Quiz-style questions and include their answers
Attend a Stem Cell Event
Submit a 1-page, double-spaced reflection and proof-of-attendance (i.e. a picture of you at
the conference; a ticket stub or pamphlet will not suffice)
Weekly reflections and the final project will be submitted via bCourses, and quizzes will be
completed during each discussion. The final project can be completed at any point during
the course.

Absences
If you are unable to attend your regular discussion section, you can attend a different
section that week to make-up the absence/quiz. However, you MUST inform the discussion
leaders of both your section and the alternate section via email. Note that the 8/10

Please note that this syllabus is in progress and is subject to change.

Reflection and 7/10 Quiz requirements are designed to accommodate any extenuating
circumstances. If you are unable to complete these requirements, please do not enroll this
semester.

Communication
Please make sure to check bCourses regularly for announcements / information / resources.
Reach the facilitators at stemcelldecal@gmail.com, or individual facilitators at the emails
provided above. Contact us before contacting our faculty sponsor, Professor Nicholas Ingolia;
oftentimes we will be better able to answer your questions promptly.

Course Schedule / Content

1.
2.
3.
4.

Science and Biology

Engineering and Technology
Ethics and Controversy
Policy and Advocacy

Weeks 1-4
Weeks 5-7
Weeks 8-9
Weeks 10-12

Week

Date

Lecturer(s)

Lecture Topic
Discussion Topics
Reading

2-1

Nicholas Ingolia
+
Facilitator(s)

2-8

Facilitator(s)

2-15

TBD

Optional Lecture due to Presidents Day

Selected Research Topic: TBD

2-22

TBD

Selected Research Topic: Neuroscience

Neurodegenerative disease
Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis

2-29

TBD

Biotechnology and Stem Cell Applications

Tissue engineering
Niche concept
Tissue scaffolds
Material science
Parabiosis and Aging
Disease-in-a-dish modeling
Cerebral organoids

3-7

Justin Rebo

Introduction to the Stem Cell Decal

The Central Dogma (Molecular and Cell Biology)
Cell Division
Reading:
Course Syllabus
The Biology of Stem Cells
Potency
The source of stem cells
Culturing stem cells
Differentiation
Reprogramming: iPSCs, SCNT
Cancer

Tissue Engineering
Niche concept
Tissue scaffolds
Material science

Please note that this syllabus is in progress and is subject to change.

3-14

TBD

Stem Cells and Genetic Engineering

TALENs
CRISPR/Cas9
Sickle cell and -thalassemia

3-28

Facilitator(s)

4-4

Raymond
Dennehy

10

4-11

CIRM
Representative

Funding Stem Cell Research

Clinical Trials
Hope vs. Hype

11

4-18

Antoinette and
Konski (Foley &
Lardner)

Policy and Patents

The role of government (Bush)
California, Prop 71, and CIRM

12

4-25

Roman Reed

Bioethics
Foundation of ethical inquiry
Abortion
Access
The Anti-Stem Cell Position
Stem cells (and science) in the media

Patient Advocacy