BIOLOGY IN POPULAR MEDIA
Learn introductory biology concepts, and about science as a process while analyzing depictions of biology, biologists and the scientific method in popular movies, TV and documentaries. Evaluate the factuality of biology as it is represented and explore common biology tropes and their impact on science and the public's understanding of biology.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: None Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness Breadth - Biological Science Level - Elementary L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify portrayals of biology and biologists in popular movie and television franchises, as well as documentaries. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Assess how portrayals line up with current biological interpretation. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Summarize basic biological concepts such as natural selection, homology and surface area to mass scaling. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Identify media tropes regarding biology and biologists. Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify portrayals of biology and biologists in popular movie and television franchises, as well as documentaries. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Assess how portrayals line up with current biological interpretation. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Summarize basic biological concepts such as natural selection, homology and surface area to mass scaling. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Identify media tropes regarding biology and biologists. Audience: Undergraduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027