COURSE OUTLINE
BIO 350; SECTION 001
Fall 2015
Instructor:
Office:
Office hours:
Phone:
e-mail:
Dr. Michele Harmon
SBDG 221
Mon. 8:00 am – noon
(803) 641-3607
micheleh@usca.edu
Lecture:
Credits:
Lab:
8:00 - 9:15 am Tuesday & Thursday SBDG 200
4
Mon. 1:00 – 3:40 pm, SBDG 108
Required lecture text: Genetics: From Genes to Genomes, 4th Edition by Hartwell, et al.
Course Objectives: Fundamental Genetics is a four credit hour course for biology majors, which covers the principles of
transmission, molecular, and population 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.
Methods of Presentation and Evaluation: Information will be presented through lectures along with appropriate visual
aids. Traditional exams will be used to evaluate student progress in the class. These exams will include multiple choice,
terms/definitions, and short answer. Students should bring a pencil and a long-form Scantron to each exam.
There will be quizzes and in-class assignments administered during the first 10 minutes of each class during the semester.
There will be no make-up opportunities for absence or late arrival; however, the lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the
end of the semester. Students are expected to have reviewed the material from the previous lecture in preparation.
The final course grade will be based on the following:
4 Lecture exams @ 100 pts. each
1 Final exam @ 200 pts.
On-line and in-class quizzes / assignments
Laboratory quizzes, reports, and participation
GRADING SCALE:
400
200
100
300
1000 total pts. available
A (90-100%), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), F (0-59)
ATTENDANCE POLICY: The instructor may impose a penalty for absences in excess of 25% of regularly scheduled class
meetings (lectures and labs) by assigning an “F” in the course. Absences, neither excused nor unexcused, absolve the student
from meeting class assignments. Lecture exam dates are clearly stated in the syllabus, and all students are expected to take
the exam at the regularly scheduled time. Make-up lecture exams will be considered only for a documented, excusable
reason. If there is an illness or emergency, you are expected to contact the instructor immediately. Be prepared to show
documentation (doctor’s excuse, etc.). Failure to contact the instructor within 24 hours will forfeit any chance of making up
the test, and the student will be assigned a zero.
Attending lecture and taking notes is the sole responsibility of the student. Under no circumstance will the instructor
provide copies of lecture notes or slides for students.
LABORATORY ATTENDANCE: Because of their nature, laboratory investigations cannot be made up – therefore
students must make every effort to attend laboratory sessions.
POLICY FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES: The use of any portable electronic devices, including cell
phones, pagers, MP3 players, iPods, eReaders, 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.
POLICY ON LAPTOP COMPUTERS: The use of laptop computers is not allowed during lecture; however, personal
laptop computers are welcome and encouraged in the laboratory. Open laptops during the lecture period will be considered a
violation of the above policy on Portable Electronic Devices.
Schedule for BIOL 350, Section 001 for Spring 2015
Date
Aug. 20
Aug. 25
Aug. 27
Sept. 1
Sept. 3
Sept. 8
Sept. 10
Sept. 15
Sept. 17
Sept. 22
Sept. 24
Sept. 29
Oct. 1
Oct. 6
Oct. 8
Oct. 13
Oct. 15
Oct. 20
Oct. 22
Oct. 27
Oct. 29
Nov. 3
Nov. 5
Nov. 10
Nov. 12
Nov. 17
Nov. 19
Nov. 24
Dec. 1
Dec. 3
Dec. 10
Topic
Introduction and pre-test
Mendel’s Breakthrough
Mendel’s Breakthrough
Extensions to Mendel
Extensions to Mendel
Extensions to Mendel
Exam 1
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 2
DNA: Replication and Transcription
DNA: Replication and Transcription
DNA: Replication and Transcription
Fall Break - No class
Gene structure and Function
Gene structure and Function
Exam 3
No class today
Gene structure and Function
Gene structure and Function
Gene Expression
Gene Expression
Exam 4
Population Genetics
Population Genetics
Comprehensive Final Exam: 8:00 am
Chapter
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
8
8
8
8
8
8
19
19
CHANGES: The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the lecture or laboratory schedule, the number of quizzes
and exams given, and the contents of each exam as deemed necessary.
COMPUTER USE AND EMAIL: Laboratory exercises will require the use of a computer. You must be able to log on to
the USCA computer system in order to accomplish these laboratory exercises. If you do not know how to sign on to the
USCA computer system, you should contact the CSD HELP desk as soon as possible.
All official email communications, including class announcements, are made to USCA email accounts. Students should
check their USCA email account on a regular basis and use this account for communication with the instructor. In order to
protect the privacy of the student, the instructor will not reply to emails sent from non-USCA accounts (e.g., Hotmail,
Yahoo, etc.).
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 medical documentation.
Laboratory Schedule for BIOL 350, Fall 2015
Date
Topic
Aug. 24
Probability: Part I
Aug. 31
Probability: Part II
Sept. 7
Labor Day – No class
Sept. 14
Designer species
Drosophila set up
Sept. 21
Problem Set I
Sept. 28
Problem Set II
Oct. 5
Monohybrid Cross Lab Report
Oct. 12
Dihybrid Cross Lab Report
Oct. 19
Group Case Studies with Oral Presentation
Oct. 26
Sex Linkage and Linkage Map Exercises with Drosophila data
Assign individual case studies
Nov. 2
No lab today
Nov. 9
Case Study Presentations
Nov. 16
Case Study Presentations
Nov. 23
Primary Literature Reviews
Nov. 30
Primary Literature Reviews
Population Genetics