ABIO 350 Fundamental Genetics Syllabus
Spring 2012
Dr. William Jackson
Instructor:
Dr. William H. Jackson
Laboratory
Instructor:
Dr. Michele Harmon
Office:
SBDG 201A
Office:
SBDG 221A
Office hours:
By appointment
Office hours:
By appointment
Telephone:
641-3601
Telephone:
641-3607
Email:
BillJ@usca.edu
Email:
MicheleH@usca.edu
Lecture:
TTH,8:00-9:15 in SBDG 200
Laboratory:
M, 1:00-3:40 in SBDG 108
Text:
Genetics: From Genes to Genomes,
4th Edition by Hartwell, et al.
Text:
Writing Papers in the Biological
Sciences., 5th Edition by McMillan
Supplies:
Scantron Sheets and Scientific
calculator
Credit:
Four (4) Semester Hours
Course Description: Fundamental Genetics is a four credit hour course for biology majors. Topics covered will include
principles of transmission and molecular genetics; quantitative inheritance; recombination; biochemical aspects of gene
function and regulation; and developmental and population genetics.
Course Objectives: This course will introduce the student to 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 write and discuss applications of genetic concepts;
4. Prepare written and oral reports of data; and
5. Solve genetics problems using appropriate mathematical techniques in conjunction with data collection.
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 and lab exercises cannot be made up.
Disability Statement: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability, which might affect your
performance in class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, 134 B&E (803) 641-3609, as soon as possible.
The Disability Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical 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
three 1-hour lecture exams, a Genetics Problem Set exam, a comprehensive final exam, and weekly quizzes (lecture and
lab). Several assignments will be handled through Blackboard. Final grades will be determined as follows:
Description
Three 1-hr exams
Genetics Problem set
Final Exam
Weekly Quizzes
Genetics report
Laboratory
Percentage
37.5%
12.5%
10%
10%
5%
25%
Comments
375 points (each exam = 15%)
125 points (Transmission genetics problems)
100 points (Comprehensive final exam)
100 points (Material discussed the previous 1 – 2 weeks)
50 points (oral and written presentation of genetic disease)
250 points See Laboratory Syllabus supplement
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ABIO 350 Fundamental Genetics Syllabus
Spring 2012
Dr. William Jackson
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.
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
Date
Jan 10
Jan 12
Jan 17
Jan 19
Jan 24
Jan 26
Jan 31
Feb 2
Feb 7
Feb 9
Feb 14
Feb 16
Feb 21
Feb 23
Feb 28
Mar 1
Mar 6
Mar 8
Mar 13
Mar 15
Mar 20
Mar 22
Mar 27
Mar 29
Apr 3
Apr 5
Apr 10
Apr 12
Apr 17
Apr 19
May 1
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Topic/Comments
Mendel’s Breakthrough
Mendel’s Breakthrough
Extensions to Mendel
Extensions of Mendel
Extensions of Mendel
The Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance
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: Replication and Recombination
Spring Break – No Classes
DNA: Replication and Replication
DNA: Replication and Replication
DNA: Replication and Replication
DNA: Replication and Replication
DNA: Replication and Replication
Gene Structure and Function
Exam III
Gene Structure and Function
Gene Structure and Function
Gene Expression
Gene Expression
Gene Expression
Final Exam at 8:00 AM in SBDG 200
Chapter
2
2
3
3
3
4
2-3
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
4-5
6
6
6
6
6
6
8
6
8
8
8
8
8
Comp
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'
Genetics Laboratory: Genetics Laboratory is not separate from Genetics 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
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ABIO 350 Fundamental Genetics Syllabus
Spring 2012
Dr. William Jackson
questions. The final grade on each quiz will be a combination of individual (50%) and group (40%) effort. Group
participation (10%) will be based on peer evaluations completed at the end of the term.
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 is a research
paper on a genetics topic of your choice. Students will develop a research question, carry out a literature search, and
write a three page research paper. Each paper must include at least five references that are cited using CSE format
(Chapter 4 in the supplemental text). Students will also give a 10-minute oral presentation of their topic during the
scheduled laboratory periods on April 9, 16, and 23. 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, 4th 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 ABIO 350 is worth 25% (250 points) of the final course grade. The tentative
due dates and total points for each assignment are 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
Jan 9
Jan 16
Jan 23
Jan 30
Feb 6
Feb 13
Feb 20
Feb 27
Mar 5
Mar 12
Mar 19
Mar 26
Apr 2
Apr 9
Apr 16
Apr 23
Meeting
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Exercise
Probability; Research topic
MLK Day – No Lab
Probability; Drosophila melanogaster
Probability; Hypothesis testing; Research topic
Monohybrid and Dihybrid Cross
Cross One write up
Sex Linkage; Writing a scientific paper; CSE format
Cross Two write up
Spring Break - No lab
PROBLEM SET EXAM
Linkage maps; Draft due
Cross Three write up; Problem set review
Cross Four write up
Oral presentations of research topics
Oral presentations of research topics
Oral presentations of research topics; Final paper due
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