SCI04320 Molecular Genetics
Instructor: Cheryl H. Kellogg
Spring Semester 2015
Office Hours: M, W, F 10-11:30
Class Meets: M, W, and F @12:00
Office: Elliot B009G
Laboratory: Tues @ 10-12:00p.m.
Contact: chkellogg@bsu.edu
Or 765-285-7426
The basic principles of genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics will be taught through readings
of the scientific literature, class presentations, group projects and computer lab web-based
experiences. Emphasis will be placed upon student participation in the learning process. Some
topics covered will be: genomic sequencing, phylogenomics, transcriptomics, high-throughput
genetics, chemical genetics, proteomics and protein networks.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of the course students will be able to:
● Identify arguments in the media and critically assess the validity of the conclusions
● Understand the science, politics, and ethics behind current issues in genetics and
medicine
● Use information found in the scientific literature to support or critique positions made in
the media
● Effectively read, comprehend, and communicate on contemporary issues that relate to
genetics and medicine
Textbook
Karp, G. 2005. Essential Cell Biology: concepts and experiments. Fourth Edition. John Wiley &
Sons, Inc. N.Y
We will also be using newspaper and journal articles that will be distributed via Bb along with
assignments and homework’s. You must log onto Bb everyday for announcements made for class.
Assessment
Participation and presentations are a large component of this course. This will be assessed by:
● Reading passages in class
● Active participation in class discussions
● Working within groups during in-class activities and presentations
● Formally presenting material and arguments to the class at the end of each unit.
Showing up for class does not make you an Active Participant.
Formal presentations will be graded on both content and style according to a grading rubric that
will be distributed to students when the assignment is given.
Writing skills will also be developed in this course through homework assignments. This will be
assessed by:
● Original thoughts and logically laid arguments
● Correct grammar and spelling
● Organization: topic sentences, supporting details, well thought transitions, logical flow
A grading rubric for written assignments will be distributed to students when the assignment is
given. Testing of content knowledge will be accomplished through short quizzes on assigned
readings and class material and through a cumulative final exam at the termination of the course.
Article Reviews:
Every other week, assigned readings from your texts, or articles from the primary
literature (see list attached) will be assigned. Articles will be discussed in class. Two to three
students will be selected randomly to be the leaders in the discussion (participation as a
discussion leader will be considered for the final grade). They will be expected to know the
contents of the article, give a summary of the article and to direct the class discussion.
Participation in the discussion will be considered for fine-tuning of the final grade. A one-page
summery of the article will be due prior to the class, by submitting it into Bb.
Class Participation:
At the beginning of (most) classes during the semester, I will select one student and ask
him/her one question in reference to the materials covered the previous class. Another student
will be selected to answer a question about the materials that will be covered during the current
class. Students will be selected randomly. If the selected student cannot answer the question,
points will be deducted from this portion of the class grade. Every student will have at least two
chances to answer a question. Questions posed to presenters at the end of the semester (Oral
Presentations, see below) will also count for this portion of the grade.
Other chances for Class Participation, will include Attendance and Blog Questions these will
bring your participation grade to a total of 100pts.
Of the 100 points;
A maximum of 50 points will be given for: Learning to participate in a meaningful discussion of
scientific data. You can only participate if you have read all assigned papers and come to class
and lab prepared. Active participation by everyone makes for a lively and interesting discussion.
Your opinion is important, and you are encouraged to express it.
You are given 50pts at the beginning of the semester and you will lose points here
If you don’t participate, in a genuine and respectful way. Every class you don’t ask a question
you lose 5pts (-5pts).
Blog Questions (50pts at 5pts each): For each class presentation, everyone will be expected to
post 1 question prior to class, after you have read the class assignment. It may include
Article, technique or topic) on our class blog. This should be one or more questions about what
you are unclear or interested hearing more about from the reading that you want to ask in class.
If you are presenting, you do not need to submit a question. NOTE: You are exempt from
submitting 2 questions during the semester. Any more than that you lose points. Each week you
don’t submit a question over the 2 you are exempt from, you lose 10ptsveach time. The question
should be submitted no later than midnight the day of the presentation. *NOTE: The
Speaker(s) should read the questions on the blog and be ready to answer them in class, in
addition to your presentation. I will surely help you out if you don’t know.
Quizzes:
Quizzes will include 3-4 questions related to the past and present lectures, readings, lab
or discussion and will be completed at the beginning of the lecture. Ten minutes will be provided
to complete the quiz. These will be unannounced and are unable to be made up in the event of
your absence.
Grading
Note: Late assignments will be penalized one letter grade for each day the assignment is late.
The grade for the course is based on total number of points in combined performance on the
following assessments.
Three (one-hour) Exams
300 points
92-100 %
A
Homework (~5)
75
90-92 %
AFinal Paper
100
80-89 %
B
Oral Presentation
25
75-79 %
C
Class Participation
100
70-74 %
CArticle Reviews (10)
200
<70 %
D*
Quizzes
100
Total Available =
Testing of content knowledge will be accomplished through short quizzes on assigned readings
and class material and through a cumulative final exam at the termination of the course.
NOTE: Please read this paragraph carefully as it represents firm course policy. Anyone who
misses one of the in-class exams must take the make-up exam with in 2 days of returning to the
Academy or receive a zero for the missed exam grade.
The make-up will substitute for the missed earlier exam. Under no circumstances will missed
exams be made up unless I am notified prior to the exam, as a result to an unavoidable situation.
Exam questions will emphasize lecture and lab information, but will also include all the
information from the textbook reading assignments and scientific articles assigned. Please come
to see me as early in the semester as possible if you are having excessive difficulty in the course.
It is usually difficult and often impossible to make corrective adjustments later in the semester.
Final exam
The final exam will be cumulative and consist of two parts. The first part will consist of 25
multiple choice or short answer questions that tests scientific concepts covered in the three units.
The second part will consist of a written section to assess the student’s ability to analyze and
evaluate media articles on scientific discoveries or data. Students will be given three articles that
represent each of the three units covered during the course and must choose one article to
analyze and critique. Students will be asked to: 1) identify the arguments, biases and conclusions
made by the author in the article; 2) explain whether or not the conclusions made in the article
are appropriate given the available data and arguments provided; and 3) if the chosen article
makes claims with unsupported data, the student must also address what evidence must be
presented in the article to substantiate the claim or claims.
Guidelines for Unit Presentations
Objective
To assess the students’ ability to analyze, evaluate, and communicate information in the media
and primary literature discussing contemporary issues in Molecular Genetics. Note: This
assignment is different than the Article Reviews.
Expectations
Students will work in small groups (3-4 per group) and find a recent news article or peerreviewed journal article (based on the instructor’s direction) related to the unit being discussed.
The group will read the article, determine the central scientific theme, and evaluate the validity
and impact of the author’s conclusions. The group will then present their analysis to the class in
7-8 minute oral presentation. The presentation should address the following questions:
1. What research or scientific idea is being discussed in the article and how does it relate to the
unit you just completed?
2. What are the arguments for and against the scientific idea being discussed?
3. Do you feel the conclusions made in the article are valid? If so, cite any relevant data or
citations in the article that support the conclusions. If not, what data would be necessary to
provide appropriate support?
4. What are the political, societal, and/or ethical implications of the information in the article?
5. What Molecular Genetics concepts or skills are presented in this article (define)?
Group members may use any style of presentation they choose (PowerPoint, chalk & talk,
handouts, etc.), but should cite specific tables, figures and statements that enabled them to
answer the above questions. One member of the group must upload the article to Bb at least 24
hours prior to the presentation.
Grading
Presentation Breakdown: (example)
Unit I: Epigenetics
5%
Unit I: Gene Therapy
5%
Unit II: Vaccines and GMOs
5%
Unit III: The Human Micro biota
5%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------Student Presentation Total:
20%
Academic Integrity
As a student at Indiana Academy you are expected to understand and follow standards of
intellectual and academic integrity. The Academy and myself assume that you will be honest and
that you will submit only your own work. The faculty requires that you adhere to the level of
honesty as outlined below and refrain from dishonorable or unethical behavior.
A. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is taking another person's work and calling it your own.
Plagiarism includes any paraphrasing or summarizing of the works of another person without
recognition, including the submitting of another student's work as your own. Plagiarism can
involve a failure to reference a source of information in a paper or report the quotation of the
paragraphs, sentences, or phrases written by someone else. Any information taken from the
Internet without properly referencing the source (i.e., the URL) is considered plagiarism. You are
responsible for understanding the rules of use for sources, the appropriate ways to reference
sources, and the consequences of plagiarism.
B. Cheating on Exams: Cheating on exams makeup tests or quizzes involves giving or
receiving help during the exam. Examples of such help include the use of notes, computer based
resources, books, or "crib sheets" during an examination (unless specifically approved by a
faculty member), or sharing answers with another student during an exam. Other examples
include allowing another student to view your own exam or quiz.
C. Unauthorized Collaboration: Submission for credit of a report or paper as your own
work, which has been written in collaboration with another individual is not allowed. It is also a
violation of academic honesty knowingly to provide such help. Collaborative work specifically
authorized by a faculty member is allowed.
D. Falsification: It is a wrong to misrepresent or falsify data generated in the laboratory
portion of the class. You are expected to report the date as it is appears regardless of whether it
“fits” into the expected outcomes of the laboratory.
E. Multiple Submissions: It is a violation of academic honesty to submit the same or
substantial portions of the same work for credit more than once unless the faculty member(s) to
whom the material is submitted for additional credit allows it. In cases in which there is a
progression of research in a lab or course, use of prior work may be allowed or required;
however the student is responsible for indicating in writing that the new work is cumulative.
Penalties for failure to adhere to academic policy:
1. Exams or quizzes: For the first offense, the student will receive a zero for the
assignment. If a student aids another student during the exam, both parties will receive a zero.
For the second offense, the student will receive an F for the course. Please read the Academic
Policy in your handbook, to be sure you are familiar with its components.
2. Lab reports or papers: For the first offense, the student will be asked to rewrite the
assignment after a meeting with the appropriate faculty member in the course and will receive a
“late” penalty of one letter grade. For the second offense, the student will receive a zero for the
assignment. For any subsequent offense, the student will receive an F for the course.
This year I would like to institute an honor code for this class. Please read and sign. Thanks and I
am looking forward to a great semester!
In order to participate in Molecular Genetics you must agree to the following standards by
signing your name below:
I will research and report data taken from web-based databases and resources honestly and
accurately.
Under no circumstances will I fabricate data or change data to fit what I think it should be.
All work that I will submit under my name will be my own. I will not copy or paraphrase from
any website or student in the course (including previous students or other students in other
courses online). I will list the names of
students with whom I worked with (if applicable for certain parts of your project).
I will not allow another student to submit assignments for me.
I will strive to produce a first author web-based project that is honest and true to my own
semester research.
I will be proud to publish my work on our course website as my own.
Name:______________________________________
Date:_______________________________________