Fall 2013
AGRI-376
- Applied Genetics in Agriculture Instructor:
Jonathan Vaughn, M.S.
318 Knoblauch Hall
Phone: (309) 298-1080 (Ag Office)
JW-Vaughn@wiu.edu
Office Hours: MW 2:00-2:50 or by appointment.
Lecture: MW 1:00-1:50 @ Knoblauch Hall 305
Lab section 001: TH 1:00-2:50 @ Knoblauch Hall 305
Lab section 002: TH 3:00-4:50 @ Knoblauch Hall 305
Credits: 3 hours
Prerequisites: AGRN 176 or HORT 180 or BOT 200 or ZOOL 200
Text: Essentials of Genetics, 7th ed. 2010. Klug, Cummings, Spencer, and Palladino.
ISBN: 0321618696
Course Objective: This course is designed for Agriculture majors who are interested in developing their basic
understanding of genetics, along with learning about the techniques and implications of manipulating genes in
plant and animal systems. With the recent advances in cloning and genetic engineering, understanding the
genetics and the current molecular technology in genetics is critical for agriculture majors dealing with concerns
of genetically modified organisms. It is also critical for agriculture majors to consider and understand the social
implications of manipulating genes. Students will develop a basic understanding of: mitosis and meiosis, DNA
structure and replication, RNA transcription and protein translation, principles of classical genetics, control of
gene expression, DNA mutations, methods for assessing genetic diversity, recent developments in genetic
technology, and social implications of manipulating genetic information in agricultural organisms.
Evaluation: Grades will be based on lecture exams, quizzes, and participation as follows:
Lecture Exam 1
100
Lecture Exam 2 (cumulative)
100
Lecture Exam 3 (cumulative)
100
Lecture Final Exam (cumulative)
150
Quizzes
50
(3 quizzes given, lowest quiz grade dropped)
Lab Attendance and Participation
50
(no unexcused absences, FULL participation in lab)
Total
450
Grading Scale:
450-405
404.5
404.0
403.5-360
355.5
355.0
A
AB+
B
BC+
354.5-315
314.5
314.0
313.5-270
265.5
< 265
C
CD+
D
DF
LECTURE, LABORATORY AND EXAM SCHEDULE:
Date
Lecture Topic
8/19, Mon.
Introduction to genetics
8/21, Wed.
History of genetics
8/22, Thur.- LAB 1
Genetics overview video, Fast Plants
8/26, Mon.
Cell and chromosome structure
8/28, Wed.
Mitosis and meiosis
8/29, Thur.- LAB 2
Mitosis-onion
9/2, Mon.
Labor Day – No Class
9/4, Wed.
Mono, dihybrid cross
9/5, Thur.- LAB 3
Mendelian genetics, natural selection
9/9, Mon.
Mono, dihybrid cross
9/11, Wed.
Non-Mendelian genetics
9/12, Thur.- LAB 4
Probability and statistics
9/16, Mon.
Non-Mendelian genetics
9/18, Wed.
Chromosome mapping & linkage
9/19, Thur.- LAB 5
EXAM I
9/23, Mon.
Quantitative genetics
9/25, Wed.
Quantitative genetics
9/26, Thur.- LAB 6
Fingerprint lab
9/30, Mon.
DNA structure
10/2, Wed.
DNA structure
10/3, Thur.- LAB 7
Inheritance study – planting
10/7, Mon.
RNA
10/9, Wed.
DNA replication
10/10, Thur.- LAB 8
DNA extraction
10/14, Mon.
DNA replication
10/16, Wed.
Transcription
10/17, Thur.- LAB 9
Translation lab
10/21, Mon.
Translation & proteins
10/23, Wed.
Translation & proteins
10/24, Thur.-LAB 10 EXAM II
10/28, Mon.
Restriction enzymes
10/30, Wed.
Recombinant DNA
10/31, Thur.- LAB 11 DNA fingerprinting
11/4, Mon.
Genomics
11/6, Wed.
Genomics
11/7, Thur.- LAB 12
BLAST lab (bioinformatics)
11/11, Mon.
Gene regulation
11/13, Wed.
Gene regulation
11/14, Thur.- LAB 13 Livestock cloning video
11/20, Mon.
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
11/21, Wed.
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
11/22, Thur.-LAB 14 EXAM III
11/25-11/29
Thanksgiving Break
12/2, Mon.
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
12/4, Wed.
Genetics in agriculture and industry
12/5, Thur.- LAB 15
Paper and discussion
12/11, Wed.
FINAL EXAM, KH 305, 1:00pm
***Schedule is tentative and is likely to change!***
Chapters, Due Dates
Ch. 1
Ch. 2, Ch. 11(eukaryotes only)
Ch. 2
Handout
Ch. 3
Pond exercise, Handout
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Handout
Ch. 4
Handout, Ch. 7 (7.1-7.2 only)
Cumulative
Ch. 22
Ch. 22
Handout
Ch. 9
Ch. 9
Handout
Ch. 9
Ch. 10
Handout
Ch. 10
Ch. 12
Handout
Ch. 13
Ch. 13
Cumulative
Ch. 17
Ch. 17
Handout
Ch. 18
Ch. 18
Handout
Ch. 15
Ch. 15
Ch. 19
Ch. 19
Cumulative
Ch. 19
Cumulative
COURSE POLICIES
Your enrollment and attendance in this course automatically subjects you to course policies that have
been established by the university. It is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to follow the course
policies. Brief descriptions of these policies are listed below. The University Handbook will be
followed in cases where further clarification is needed. See: http://www.wiu.edu/policies/
Personal Habits: Some personal habits are distracting to others in the classroom and are not
acceptable. They include, but may not be limited to: holding conversations with others during lecture,
text messaging, making or receiving phone calls, using personal electronic devices for gaming,
using tobacco products, etc. Please respect those around you and limit theses practices to personal
time. You will be asked to leave the class if these habits are not controlled. A description of the
student’s right and responsibilities can be found at http://www.wiu.edu/provost/students.php
Make-up exams and Quizzes: Make-up exams are only available if you are excused due to a
university sponsored function (e.g. required field trip, athletic competition, etc.) or verified illness or
death in the family. Advanced notice is expected, and if applicable, a physician’s written verification
of illness is required. No make-up quizzes will be offered.
Academic Honesty: You are encouraged to work with your classmates in class and laboratory and
study together in groups. However, exams must be completed independently. You are expected to
maintain academic honesty as stated by the University (http://www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php).
In accordance with university policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), academic
accommodations may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the need for an
accommodation. For the instructor to provide the proper accommodation(s) you must obtain
documentation of the need for an accommodation through Disability Resource Center (DRC) and
provide it to the instructor. It is imperative that you take the initiative to bring such needs to the
instructor's attention, as he/she is not legally permitted to inquire about such particular needs of
students. Students who may require special assistance in emergency evacuations (i.e. fire, tornado, etc.)
should contact the instructor as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency.
Contact Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 298-2512 for additional services.
Attention Education Majors:
The changes within the state certification requirements, which go into effect immediately for all of
those students who graduate in the spring 2012 and after, require education majors to receive a grade of
a "C" or better in this course in order to meet these new requirements. With the new university +/grading system, receiving a "C-" or below will require you to retake this course or find a substitute
course to meet School of Agriculture graduation requirements.