Medical Human Genetics

Medical Human Genetics is a single term biology elective that introduces high school students to genetics. Genetics is a branch of science that deals with heredity and the likelihood of certain traits passed down to the offspring. In this class, as the name suggests, students will learn about genetics and apply their knowledge in a medical context, culminating in a final project in which cures are proposed for various genetic diseases.

Curriculum
The course begins with a review of the genetics one learned in Regents Living Environment. Next, students will learn about hereditary diseases and pedigrees, which are like family trees but instead, track the disease in question.

Dr. Nedwidek
Dr. Maria Nedwidek, casually Dr.Ned, usually starts the class with a do now before giving her lesson. The material is taught in lecture format and notes are written on the board, although at times, she will just dictate. She usually asks about a term on the board to make sure the class knows what it means. Homework is usually given by email with several day's advance notice, although there are breaks when Dr.Ned feels she is being overwhelmed by other work. Dr. Ned goes over the homework often, again to make sure her students understand the material.

There is a final project where the student chooses a genetic disease, researches it and proposes a cure. Selecting a disease begins as early as two months into the course and the student is expected to work on it periodically. In the end, the student will have handed in several drafts and a final version. The student will also have to make a short presentation on his or her disease. The entire project counts for 20% of the final grade.

She is aware that her course is not easy and hands out a course outline, complete with a time schedule, within the first few days on class. She asks the students to look it over and after reading through all of it, to decide whether or not they would drop the class. Dr. Ned does expect a lot of effort from those who stay (very few actually do drop it). She is considered one of the most intensive teachers in Stuy&mdash;you may or may not hear about her endeavors with "those Freshmen".