BIOL 350 Fundamental Genetics Syllabus
Spring 2014
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.
Supplies:
Scantron Sheets and Scientific
calculator
Writing Papers in the Biological
Sciences., 5th Edition by McMillan
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
Percentage
Comments
Three 1-hr exams
30%
300 points (each exam = 10%)
Genetics Problem set
10%
100 points (Transmission genetics problems)
Final Exam
10%
100 points (Comprehensive final exam)
Weekly Quizzes
10%
100 points (Material discussed the previous 1 – 2 weeks)
Genetics report
10%
100 points (written research report and oral presentation)
Class participation
0.5%
50 points
Laboratory
25%
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
Spring 2014
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
Date
Jan 14
Jan 16
Jan 21
Jan 23
Jan 28
Jan 30
Feb 4
Feb 6
Feb 11
Feb 13
Feb 18
Feb 20
Feb 25
Feb 27
Mar 4
Mar 6
Mar 11
Mar 13
Mar 18
Mar 20
Mar 25
Mar 27
Apr 1
Apr 3
Apr 8
Apr 10
Apr 15
Apr 17
Apr 22
Apr 24
May 6
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
The Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance
Exam I
The Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance
The Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance
Linkage and Mapping
Linkage and Mapping
Linkage and Mapping
Linkage and Mapping
DNA: Replication and Recombination
Exam II
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
Gene Structure and Function
Exam III
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
4
2-3
4
4
5
5
5
5
6
4-5
6
6
6
6
6
8
8
6
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: Laboratory content 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.
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BIOL 350 Fundamental Genetics Syllabus
Spring 2014
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 14, 21, and 28. 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 Fundamental Genetics laboratory component is worth 25% (250 points) of the final course grade. The
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 13
Jan 20
Jan 27
Feb 3
Feb 10
Feb 17
Feb 24
Mar 3
Mar 10
Mar 17
Mar 24
Mar 31
Apr 7
Apr 14
Apr 21
Apr 28
Meeting
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Exercise
Probability
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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