Biology and Physical Sciences
Central College
BIOL 2416 – Genetics
CRN 86004 - Spring 2016
Mo 8:30AM - 11:30AM LHSB, Rm 307
We 8:30AM - 11:30AM LHSB, Rm 306
4 Credit Hour Lecture and Laboratory Course
Instructor: Brian C. Mahon, Ph.D.
Office Hours: LHSB 313 M/W 12:30-2 PM
Electronic-mail: brian.mahon@hccs.edu
Telephone: (713) 718-6423
Learning Web: http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty
Prerequisites: BIOL 1406 (General Biology)
Instructional Materials
COURSE TEXTBOOK: iGenetics:A Molecular Approach, 3rd edition, Peter J. Russell
TEXTBOOK PUBLISHER WEBSITE: www.pearsonmastering.com Mastering
Genetics for homeworks.
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).
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.
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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
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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 15 to 20 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
Mastering Homeworks
Laboratory Exercise Worksheets/quizes
Total
64
9
9
9
9
100
GRADE SCALE
A, 90% - 100%
B, 80% - 89.99%
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].
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 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 course 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;
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

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
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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 2016 Withdrawal Deadlines: April 5th, 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
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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).
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Tentative WEEKLY CALENDAR
Week
Date
Laboratory (Monday 8:30am - LHSB 307)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
“Statistical and Quantitative Genetics Lab”
Reading: Statistical Methods in Quantitative Genetics (CH 22)*
Techniques: A Statistical Application (Workshop); DNA
Origami (Workshop)
“Laboratory Basics Lab”
Techniques: Volumetric Manipulation (Workshop)
“Cell Microscopy and Karyotype Analysis Lab”
Techniques: Applied Microscopy (Workshop); Histological
Sample Preparation (Workshop)
Mapping and Sequencing of Genomes (CH 8)
Functional and Comparative Genomics (CH 9)
“Extraction and PCR Amplification of DNA Lab”
Techniques: DNA Extraction (Workshop); Polymerase Chain
Reaction – Step 1 of Molecular Cloning (Workshop)
“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
“Genetic Cloning: Producing an Expression Plasmid Lab”
Techniques: Molecular Cloning 3 – Insert and Vector DNA
Purification, Dephosphorylation of Vector DNA (Workshop)
“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)
“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)
“Bacterial Transformation Lab; Genetic Diseases Lab”
Techniques: Bacterial Transformation; Fruit Fly Dihybrid
Cross Step 2 (Workshop); Presentations (2…)
“Recombinant Selection Lab; Genetic Diseases Lab”
Techniques: Recombinant Selection (Workshop); Fruit Fly
Dihybrid Cross Step 3 (Workshop); Presentations (5…)
“Genetic Diseases Lab”
Techniques: Fruit Fly Dihybrid Cross Step 4; Presentations (9…)
“Genetic Diseases Lab”
Techniques: Informatics Project due; Presentations (9…)
Population Genetics Lecture (CH 21)
“Population Genetics Lab”
Techniques: Population Genetics ( Workshop)
Lecture Exam IV, Chapters 17-21
Lecture (Wednesday 8:30 am - LHSB 306)
Course Introduction/Syllabus; Safety &
Enrollment Forms
Genetics: An Introduction (CH 1)
The Genetic Material (CH 2)
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)
*We will only cover the section concerning Statistical Genetics & its Quantitative Application.