BIOL 350 Fundamental Genetics Syllabus
Fall 2014
Instructor:
Dr. William H. Jackson
Office:
SBDG 201B
Office hours:
By appointment
Telephone:
641-3601
Email:
Billj@usca.edu
Lecture:
TTH,8:00-9:15 in SBDG 200
Text:
Genetics: From Genes to Genomes, 4th Edition
by Hartwell, et al.
Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences, 5th
Edition by McMillan
Laboratory:
M, 1:00-3:40 in SBDG 108
Supplies:
Scantron Sheets and Scientific
calculator
Credit:
Four (4) Semester Hours
Course Description: Fundamental Genetics is a four credit hour course for biology majors, which covers the principles
of transmission, molecular, and population genetics. Topics covered will include Mendelian genetics, quantitative
inheritance, linkage, recombination, the biochemical aspects of gene function and regulation, and developmental and
population genetics.
Course Objectives: This course will introduce the underlying principles of genetics. It is divided into transmission and
molecular genetics. On completion of this course students will be expected to
1. Demonstrate an understanding of transmission genetics;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of molecular genetics;
3. Demonstrate an ability to discuss applications of genetic concepts;
4. Prepare written and oral reports based on genetics concepts; and
5. Solve genetics problems using appropriate mathematical techniques.
Attendance Policy: An “F” may be assigned for absences in excess of 25% of regularly scheduled class meetings.
Absences, neither excused nor unexcused, absolve the student from meeting class assignments. Exam make-ups will
only be allowed for documented, excusable reasons. Quizzes cannot be made up.
Disability Statement: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability that might affect your
performance in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, B&E 134, (803) 643-6816, as soon as
possible. The Office of Disability Services will determine appropriate accommodations based on documentation.
Policy for Portable Electronic Devices: The use of any portable electronic devices, including cell phones, pagers,
MP3 players, iPods, etc., during class is not allowed for any reason unless prior approval has been given to a student
from the instructor or unless required for the course. If you are planning to have any of these devices in class, they must
be turned off and stowed away for the duration of the class period. If you use a portable electronic device during a test,
quiz, or other assessment, you are eligible to receive a failing grade on that assignment.
Methods of Presentation and Evaluation: Information will be presented through lectures, class discussions, and
laboratory exercises using appropriate visual aids and laboratory equipment. Student progress will be assessed through
the assignments shown below. The final course evaluation will be determined as shown.
Description
Three 1-hr exams
Genetics Problem set
Final Exam
Weekly Quizzes
Primary literature review
Oral Report
Laboratory
Percentage
30%
10%
10%
10%
10%
5%
25%
Comments
300 points (each exam = 10%)
100 points (Transmission genetics problems)
100 points (Comprehensive final exam)
100 points (Material discussed the previous 1 – 2 weeks)
100 points (written research report)
50 points (oral research report)
250 points See Laboratory Syllabus supplement
The letter grades will be based on total accumulated points and will be assigned as follows: A>900; B>800; C>650;
D>550; F<550. Biology majors must make a C or better in this core course.
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BIOL 350 Fundamental Genetics Syllabus
Date
Aug 21
Aug 26
Aug 28
Sep 2
Sep 4
Sep 9
Sep 11
Sep 16
Sep 18
Sep 23
Sep 25
Sep 30
Oct 2
Oct 7
Oct 9
Oct 14
Oct 16
Oct 21
Oct 23
Oct 28
Oct 30
Nov 4
Nov 6
Nov 11
Nov 13
Nov 18
Nov 20
Nov 25
Nov 27
Dec 2
Dec 4
Dec 11
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Fall 2014
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
Topic/Comments
Mendel’s Breakthrough
Mendel’s Breakthrough
Mendel’s Breakthrough
Extensions to Mendel
Extensions to Mendel
Extensions to Mendel
Exam I
The Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance
The Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance
The Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance
Linkage and Mapping
Linkage and Mapping
Linkage and Mapping
Linkage and Mapping
Exam II
DNA: Recombination and Replication
DNA: Recombination and Replication
DNA: Recombination and Replication
Fall Break (Oct 23-24) – No classes
DNA: Recombination and Replication
Gene Structure and Function
Election Day – No classes
Gene Structure and Function
Gene Structure and Function
Exam III
Gene Structure and Function
Gene Expression
Gene Expression
Thanksgiving Holiday (Nov 26-30) – No Classes
Gene Expression
Gene Expression
Final Exam at 8:00 AM in SBDG 200
Chapter
2
2
2
3
3
3
2-3
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
4-5
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
6-7
7
8
8
8
You will be expected to endorse the USCA HONOR PLEDGE on every assignment: 'On my honor as a University
of South Carolina Aiken student, I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this
assignment/examination. To the best of my knowledge, I am not in violation of academic honesty'
Laboratory: Genetics Laboratory is not separate from lecture; therefore, students are expected to synthesize the
material covered in lecture, laboratory, and the text. Each student is expected to meet every laboratory session, as it
is impossible to recreate the laboratory setup after the scheduled meeting time. In general, each laboratory meeting
will be divided into three sessions and designed to (1) extend lecture, (2) practice solving genetics problems, and (3)
carry out assigned laboratory exercises.
Several laboratory meetings will be required to work on a genetic cross using Drosophila melanogaster and will
require several weeks to complete. Because the laboratory studies involve living systems, the student must be
prepared to work on the project when the need arises.
Weekly quizzes will be used in the weeks preceding the Genetics Problem Set Exam to gauge student understanding
of genetics problem solving skills. Each quiz will be based on class discussions and assigned homework problems.
Individual completion of each quiz will be followed by group discussion resulting in consensus answers to quiz
questions. The final grade on each quiz will be a combination of individual (60%) and group (40%) effort.
The Genetics Problem Exam will include problems similar to those discussed in class. Genetics problems will be
introduced in lecture and followed by individual and group quizzes that will be used to assess mastery of problemsolving strategies. Preparation for the quizzes will be through class discussion and assigned homework problems.
Writing in genetics. Two major writing assignments will be assigned during the semester. The first assignment will
familiarize you with reading and reviewing the primary literature as a means to study genetics. Students will (1)
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BIOL 350 Fundamental Genetics Syllabus
Fall 2014
identify a gene of interest, (2) develop a statement of interest, and (3) identify, analyze, and summarize three
primary research papers that are concerned with the gene of interest. At the end of the semester, each students will
give a 10-minute oral presentation of their topic during the scheduled laboratory periods on Nov 18, 25, and Dec 2.
PowerPoint is required for these presentations. Written laboratory reports will be required for several exercises.
Each report will be written in the form of a scientific paper and include the following: Title, Introduction, Methods,
Results, and Discussion. For additional information on how to write research report review chapter 4 in Writing
Papers in the Biological Sciences, 5th Edition by McMillan.
Students are strongly cautioned to be on their guard against plagiarism when preparing all reports. All
reports must be submitted in hardcopy and electronic formats. The electronic copy will be monitored for plagiarism.
Grading: The laboratory component of Genetics is worth 25% (250 points) of the final course grade. The point
breakdown for each assignment is shown below:
Description
Drosophila cross one report
Drosophila cross two report
Drosophila cross three report
Drosophila cross four report
Lab quizzes
TOTAL
Points
50
50
50
50
50
250
TENTATIVE LABORATORY SCHEDULE
Date
Meeting
Exercise
Aug 25
1
Probability; Research Topic
Sep 1
---
Labor Day – No classes
Sep 8
2
D. melanogaster; Probability and Hypothesis testing
Sep 15
3
Probability and Hypothesis testing
Sep 22
4
Probability and Hypothesis testing
Sep 29
5
Sex Linkage
Oct 6
6
Linkage
Oct 13
7
Cross One write up
Oct 20
8
PROBLEM SET EXAM
Oct 27
9
Cross Two write up
Nov 3
10
Cross Three write up; Problem set review
Nov 10
11
Cross Four write up
Nov 17
12
Oral presentations of research topics
Nov 24
13
Oral presentations of research topics
Dec 1
14
Oral presentations of research topics
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