Biology and Physical Sciences
Central College
BIOL 2416 – Genetics
CRN 70170 - Fall 2015
Mo 11:30AM - 2:30PM LHSB, Rm 307
We 11:30AM - 2:30PM LHSB, Rm 314
4 Credit Hour Lecture and Laboratory Course
Instructor: Brian C. Mahon, Ph.D.
Electronic-mail: brian.mahon@hccs.edu
Telephone: (713) 718-6050
Learning Web: http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty
Prerequisites: BIOL 1406 (General Biology)
Instructional Materials
COURSE TEXTBOOK: iGenetics:A Molecular Approach, 3 rd edition, Peter J. Russell
TEXTBOOK PUBLISHER WEBSITE: http://geneticsplace.com A book (paper or electronic form) is highly recommended for the course!
LABORATORY MANUAL: Accessible at my learning web page in .pdf format
SCANTRONS: Form 882E (you will require a quantity of four)
E-MAIL: Course correspondence will only be directed through an HCC e-mail address (all students have an HCC address issued to them by the registrar). Any difficulties should be directed to the office of the registrar for resolution.
This course and this syllabus was created by Dr. James Jabbur (HCC) and has been and will be modified as needed.
Communication and hours
Please feel free to contact me concerning any problems that you are experiencing in this course. You do not need to wait until you have received a poor grade before asking for my assistance. Your performance in my class is very important to me. I am available to hear your concerns.
Course Description
This course is an integration of a lecture and a laboratory with a corresponding textbook and online manual. Seminal concepts of heredity, the molecular nature of the genetic material, the ways in which genes control life functions, and the distribution and behavior of genes in populations will be covered throughout. Biotechnical approaches will be discussed in theory and applied in practice.

BIOL2416 – page 2
Course Goal
Students will begin thinking, writing, and dialoguing creatively, critically and analytically about biological theories, practices, history and policies.
Student Learning Outcomes and Learning Objectives will be determined through course examination, presentation and assignment.
SCANS or Core Curriculum Statement and Other Standards
Credit: 4 (3 lecture, 1 laboratory)
This course is designed to fulfill a core curriculum requirement and help individuals decide whether a career in biology or biomedical science could be a satisfying choice for them.
Instructional Methods
As an instructor, I want my students to be successful. I feel that it is my responsibility to provide you with knowledge concerning the field of biology. Accordingly, it is your responsibility to make the effort to find enlightenment in the subject material. Read the textbook, submit assignments on the due dates, study for the exams, participate in classroom activities, attend class and most importantly, enjoy yourself!
I believe that engaging the students in learning is essential for teaching to be effective.
Thus, you will spend class time involved in collaborative activities. You will be involved in discussions with your classmates and your instructor. As you will want to contribute to these discussions, you will need to come to class prepared to discuss, analyze and evaluate information from your text and other assigned readings. Textbook, powerpoint aided lecture presentation, laboratory investigation, computer based tutorial and homework assignments aid in this didactic (Socratic) methodology.
Student Assignments
Assignments have been developed that will enhance your learning. To better understand a topic, you will be given assignments on key information that you will need to remember for your success in your career as an educator. Students will be required to successfully complete the assignments designated in the Weekly Calendar (above).
Assignments are explained in further detail in Grading and Assessments (below).
Grading and Assessment
Your instructor will conduct exams and assessments that you can use to determine how successful you are at achieving the course learning outcomes. If you find you are not mastering the material and skills, you are encouraged to reflect on how you study and prepare for each class. Your instructor welcomes a dialogue on what you discover and may be able to assist you in finding resources on campus that will improve your performance.

Lecture Exams: There will be a total of four lecture exams and one comprehensive final exam. Each exam will contain a number of multiple-choice questions covering designated textbook chapters. Questions will include knowledge and comprehension

BIOL2416 – page 3 questions covering biological definitions and terminology. Questions will also include analysis, synthesis, and evaluations questions concerning biological theories. Each exam is equivalent in value toward your grade. The comprehensive final exam will be conceptual in basis (and is very challenging); put a great deal of value in your overall lecture exam performance!

Presentations: You will be required to present a 10 to 15 minute lecture on genetic syndromes. Presentation details will be affirmed in class; assignments will be determined in class.

Research Assignment: A DNA informatics, computer based assignment will be required of students. The assignment will be presented by the instructor; the due date will be affirmed.

Laboratory Attendance: Mandatory.
Roll is taken; absence is noted. Although lecture attendance is not mandatory, it is strongly advised for you to attend. You will only be granted a total of four absences.

Laboratory Exercise Worksheets: Laboratory Exercises are to be reviewed by the student prior to the beginning of laboratory (prefer you do this the day before; grab a cup of coffee and read up!). Laboratory Exercise Worksheets will be completed after the exercise is performed in the laboratory. Although students work in groups, each individual is responsible for the completion of their own Worksheet. Worksheets are to be submitted by the following week (in lab) for credit.

Ongoing grades are posted in class (not online); the final grade is posted online at www.hccs.edu or at 1-877-341-4300.
GRADE COMPUTATION
4 Lecture Exams (16 pts each)
Presentations
Research Assignment
Comprehensive Final Exam
Laboratory Exercise Worksheets
Total
GRADE SCALE
A , 90% - 100%
B , 80% - 89.99%
64
9
9
9
9
100
C , 70% - 79.99%
D , 60% - 69.99%
F , below 59.99%
Classroom Rules and Regulations

Textbook and laboratory manual are required.

The laboratory safety release form must be signed during the first lab session. You must read the laboratory safety rules before doing any of the lab exercises.

Students must read the relevant lecture and laboratory assignments before class and always bring the manual and textbook to the laboratory and lecture.

Lecture and laboratory material is posted on EAGLE ONLINE or on the LEARNING
WEB at http://learning.hccs.edu/; for (Professor:) enter [Mahon].

BIOL2416 – page 4

Eating or drinking is not allowed in the laboratory; children are not allowed in the laboratory.

Any student caught cheating on an exam will receive a cour se grade of “F” and be dismissed from the course.

Attendance is mandatory! Students with more than four unexcused absences will result in an administrative withdrawal without notification. Attend class regularly, be on time and remain until the end of period. If you have an attendance problem please notify me.

Students are responsible for everything covered during their absence. If you miss class (for whatever reason), use the syllabus and ask your classmates to “fill you in” on missed material.

If you are late for an exam, you will be allowed to take the exam (within the remaining time allotted) as long as no one else has completed the exam and left the room. No makeup exams are administered.
 All pagers and cell phones must be set on “silent mode” during lecture and laboratory.
Please be civil to me and your classmates: do not text or talk during class.

The Learning Emporium (San Jac. Bldg. Rm. 384) is available for tutorial services free of charge. Open Laboratories will be scheduled for the review of Laboratory materials.
Scheduling and computers are available in the Biology Computer Laboratory.
HCC Policy Statement - ADA
Services to Students with Disabilities
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc) needing reasonable accommodation must contact the Disability Support
Services Office at Central College, Room 102, LHSB, 713-718-6164, each semester.
Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability
Support Services Office.
HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty
A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the coursework has been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available to other students. The instructor is responsible for measuring each student's individual achievements and also for ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field.
Thus, in our system, the instructor has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You are expected to be familiar with College Policy on Academic Honesty, found in the catalog. What that means is: if you are charged with an offense, pleading ignorance of the rules will not help you. Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. “Scholastic dishonesty”: includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:
 Copying from another students’ test paper;

Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test;

Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization;

BIOL2416 – page 5

Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of a test that has not been administered;

Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
Collusion mean the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F in the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal from the College System. (See the Student
Handbook)
HCC Policy Statements
Class Attendance - It is important that you come to class! Attending class regularly is the best way to succeed in this class. Research has shown that the single most important factor in student success is attendance. Simply put, going to class greatly increases your ability to succeed. You are expected to attend all lecture and labs regularly. You are responsible for materials covered during your absences. Class attendance is checked daily, tracked and reported to the business office. Although it is your responsibility to drop a course for nonattendance, the instructor has the authority to drop you for excessive absences.
If you are not attending class, you are not learning the information. As the information that is discussed in class is important for your career, students may be dropped from a course after accumulating absences in excess of four (4) class meetings. The four meetings of class time would include any total classes missed or for excessive tardiness or leaving class early.
You may decide NOT to come to class for whatever reason. As an adult making the decision not to attend, you do not have to notify the instructor prior to missing a class.
However, if this happens too many times, you may suddenly find that you have “lost” the class.
Poor attendance records tend to correlate with poor grades. If you miss any class, including the first week, you are responsible for all material missed. It is a good idea to find a friend or a buddy in class who would be willing to share class notes or discussion or be able to hand in paper if you unavoidably miss a class.
Class attendance equals class success.
Title IX and Sex Discrimination
HCC is committed to provide a learning and working environment that is free from discrimination on the basis of sex which includes all forms of sexual misconduct. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires that when a complaint is filed, a prompt and thorough investigation is initiated. Complaints may be filed with the HCC Title IX
Coordinator available at 713-718- 8271 or email at oie@hccs.edu

BIOL2416 – page 6
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy
Beginning Fall 2007, the State of Texas imposes penalties on students who drop courses excessively. Students are limited to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their educational career at a Texas public college or university.
HOW TO DROP
• If a student decides to drop or withdraw from a class upon careful review of other options, the student can drop online prior to the deadline through their HCC Student
Center.
•HCC counselors and/or instructors may drop students for excessive absences without notification (see Class Attendance below).
•Students should check HCC’s Academic Calendar by Term for drop/withdrawal dates and deadlines.
Classes of other duration (mini-term, flex-entry, 8-weeks, etc.) may have different final withdrawal deadlines. Please contact the HCC Registrar’s Office at 713.718.8500 to determine mini-term class withdrawal deadlines.
Spring 2015 Withdrawal Deadlines: October 30th, before 4:30pm
To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an
Early Alert process by which your professor may “alert” you and HCC counselors that you might fail a class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. It is your responsibility to visit with your professor or a counselor to learn about what, if any, HCC interventions might be available to assist you – online tutoring, child care, financial aid, job placement, etc. – to stay in class and improve your academic performance.
Repeat Course Fee
The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat failed classes. To increase student success, students who repeat the same course more than twice, are required to pay extra tuition. The purpose of this extra tuition fee is to encourage students to pass their courses and to graduate. Effective fall 2006, HCC will charge a higher tuition rate to students registering the third or subsequent time for a course. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing homework, test taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available.
Classroom Behavior
As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared responsibility to develop and maintain a positive learning environment for everyone. I take this responsibility very seriously and will inform members of the class if their behavior makes it difficult for him/her to carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you are asked to respect the learning needs of your classmates and assist your instructor achieve this critical goal.
Use of Camera and/or Recording Devices
As a student active in the learning community of this course, it is your responsibility to be respectful of the learning atmosphere in your classroom. To show respect of your

BIOL2416 – page 7 fellow students and instructor, you will turn off your phone and other electronic devices, and will not use these devices in the classroom unless you receive permission from the instructor.
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable accommodations
Instructor Requirements
As your Instructor, it is my responsibility to :

Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student grades are to be derived

Facilitate a learning environment through class activities, discussions, and lectures

Describe special projects or assignments

Inform students attendance, withdrawal, tardiness and make-up policy

Provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a description of any special projects or assignments

Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required
To be successful in this class, it is the student’s responsibility to
:

Attend class and participate in class discussions and activities

Read and comprehend the textbook

Complete the required assignments and exams:

Ask for help when there is a question or problem

Keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and all assignments
Suggested Study Tips and Resources Available for Genetics

You may find it helpful to define important terms; using flash-cards is a good way to do this. However, facts only provide a foundation for understanding key concepts.
Comprehension should not be confused with Analysis. It is important to relate terms to each other in order to fully understand and synthesize the information we discuss.

To get a take on what the exams offer (in style and substance), try to answer the questions at the end of each chapter.

Take advantage of my Learning Web page and the supplemental materials therein for further clarification. The Biology Computer Lab (LHSB 415) is available to access department study pages and other biology software.

The Learning Emporium (San Jac. Bldg. Rm. 384) is available for tutorial assistance, available at no cost to students during the semester. If needed, see the Teaching
Assistant, not the day before the exam. Open laboratories, proctored by institutional faculty, will be scheduled to review for the lab practical exams.

Exchange phone numbers with some of your classmates; you may want to form a study group.

Academic advisor for Sciences (Ms. Sheila Villegas): (713-718-6131).

BIOL2416 – page 8
WEEKLY CALENDAR
Laboratory (Monday 11:30am - LHSB 307) Week Date Lecture (Wednesday 11:30 am - LHSB 314)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
8/24-8/26 Course Introduction/Syllabus; Safety & Enrollment Forms
“Statistical and Quantitative Genetics Lab”
8/31-9/2
Reading: Statistical Methods in Quantitative Genetics (CH 22) *
Techniques: A Statistical Application (Workshop); DNA
Origami (Workshop)
“Laboratory Basics Lab”
Techniques: Volumetric Manipulation (Workshop)
9/7-9/9 Labor Day Holiday (have fun!)
9/14-9/16 “Cell Microscopy and Karyotype Analysis Lab”
Techniques: Applied Microscopy (Workshop); Histological
Sample Preparation (Workshop)
9/21-9/23 Mapping and Sequencing of Genomes (CH 8)
Functional and Comparative Genomics (CH 9)
9/28-9/30 “Extraction and PCR Amplification of DNA Lab”
Techniques: DNA Extraction (Workshop); Polymerase Chain
Reaction – Step 1 of Molecular Cloning (Workshop)
10/5-10/7 “Enzymological Mapping and DNA Electrophoresis Lab”
Techniques: Restriction Nuclease Mapping and DNA
Electrophoresis (Workshop); Molecular Cloning 2 – Insert
DNA Purification, Insert and Vector DNA Digestion
10/12-10/14 “Genetic Cloning: Producing an Expression Plasmid Lab”
Techniques: Molecular Cloning 3 – Insert and Vector DNA
Purification, Dephosphorylation of Vector DNA (Workshop)
10/19-10/21 “Patterns of Trait Inheritance in Genetic Transmission Lab”
Techniques: Molecular Cloning 4 – Purification of
Dephosphorylated Vector DNA, Ligation of Gene DNA into
Vector DNA; Patterns of Trait Inheritance in Genetic
Transmission (includes Punnet, Probability and Pedigree
Analysis Workshop)
10/26-10/28 “Fly Genetics and Heredity Lab; Genetic Diseases Lab”
Reading: Fruit Fly Reference Manual
Techniques: Fruit Fly Dihybrid Cross Step 1 (Workshop);
Presentations (2 students will present 2 disorders, each)
11/2-11/4 “Bacterial Transformation Lab; Genetic Diseases Lab”
Techniques: Bacterial Transformation; Fruit Fly Dihybrid
Cross Step 2 (Workshop); Presentations (2…)
11/9-11/11 “Recombinant Selection Lab; Genetic Diseases Lab”
Techniques: Recombinant Selection (Workshop); Fruit Fly
Dihybrid Cross Step 3 (Workshop); Presentations
(5…)
11/16-11/18 “Genetic Diseases Lab”
Techniques: Fruit Fly Dihybrid Cross Step 4 ; Presentations (9…)
11/23-11/25 “Genetic Diseases Lab”
Techniques: Informatics Project due ; Presentations (9…)
11/30-12/2 Population Genetics Lecture (CH 21)
“Population Genetics Lab”
Techniques: Population Genetics ( Workshop)
12/7-10/12 Comprehensive Final Exam (time/date to be announced)
Genetics: An Introduction (CH 1)
The Genetic Material (CH 2)
“Presentation Workshop Lab”
Genetic Disease Presentations Lecture
DNA Replication Lecture (CH 3)
Gene Function (CH 4)
Transcription (CH 5)
Translation (CH 6)
DNA Mutation, Repair & Transposons (CH 7)
Lecture Exam I, Chapters 1-5
Recombinant DNA Technology (CH 10)
Mendelian Genetics (CH 11)
Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance (CH 12)
Lecture Exam II , Chapters 6-10
Extensions of …Genetic Principles (CH 13)
Gene Mapping in Eukaryotes (CH 14)
Genetics of Bacteria and Bacteriophages (CH 15)
Variations in Chromosome Structure… (CH 16)
Lecture Exam III, Chapters 11-16
Regulating Bacterial Gene Expression (CH 17)
Regulating Eukaryotic Gene Expression (CH 18)
Genetic Analysis of Development (CH 19)
Genetics of Cancer (Ch 20)
Thanksgiving Holiday (eat turkey!!)
Lecture Exam IV, Chapters 17-21