INTRODUCTION TO GENETICS
BIOL 2050 H-A; FRSC 2050 H-A
Course Outline Fall Semester 2012
Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON
Instructors:
Dr Laura Finnegan
DNA B108.14
laurafinnegan@trentu.ca
Phone: 705-748-1011 ext 7130
Dr. Janet Yee
CSB E110
jyee@trentu.ca
Office Hours: Finnegan: Wednesdays 10-12 or by appointment; Yee: TBA
Teaching Assistants: TBA
Departmental Secretary:
Sandra Sisson, DNA D102
Email: ssisson@trenut.ca
Phone: 705-748-1011 ext 7424
Laboratory Coodinator:
Smolly Coulson , DNA D219
Email: scoulson@trentu.ca
Phone: 705-748-1011 ext 7927
Course Description: This course will provide an overview of introductory genetics by covering a variety of
topics that include Mendelian inheritance, meiosis and mitosis, chromosome structure, transcription, translation,
mutation, population genetics, evolutionary genetics, and some of the applications of genetics in society.
Please consult Blackboard regularly for course material and announcements.
Required Text: Genetic Essentials: Concepts & Connections 1st edition (2010) by Benjamin Pierce. WH
Freeman, New York; ~$115.00
There is a very helpful, free Web site to accompany the book at http://whfreeman.com/pierceessentials1e.
This site is provided FREE with the text from W.H. Freeman and includes valuable Animations/Podcasts,
Weblinks and Classic Experiments.
Available as a CourseSmart eBook at: http://www.coursesmart.com/9781429252393 for $59.95 (USD) for 360
days. The e-book version of Genetics Essentials includes activities, simulations, exercises – all integrated with
an electronic version of the text. You can even bookmark and highlight as you would with a paper book.
Lectures
September 11 – December 5, 2012
Monday 4 – 4:50 pm; Location: OCA101.2
Wednesday 9– 9:50 am; Location: SC137
Attendance at lectures is highly recommended. Attending lectures will help with key concepts and focus areas
and will allow you to participating in any class discussion that occurs.
Labs
September 17 – December 3, 2011 (Every other week)
Mondays 9 – 11:50 am; DNA D103/105
Mondays 1 – 3:50 pm; DNA D103/105
Thursday 9 – 11.50am; DNA B113
Attendance at all laboratories is mandatory. Laboratory assignments are due at the end of each laboratory
period. See or e-mail Sue White-Sobey (swhitesobey@trentu.ca) if you have not already signed up for a section.
Ensure you ONLY ATTEND the lab section that you are signed up for
Holidays:
Thanksgiving: Monday October 8, 2012
Reading week: Monday October 22 – Friday October 26, 2012
Course Evaluation:
Laboratories: 25% (5 labs each worth 5% - due at the end of each lab period)
Short Essay: 15% (2-3 pages, double-spaced, (500 – 750 words): 15%
Exam 1: 30% (In class on Monday, October 29, 4-6 pm, covers everything up to Thanksgiving)
Exam 2: 30% TBA during Christmas exam period, covers everything after Thanksgiving
Course feedback: 1% bonus
Course Policies
Penalties: Lab assignments are due at the end of each lab period. Lab assignments will not be accepted late
and a mark of zero will be awarded if assignments are not handed in (Exceptions may be made for valid
reasons (i.e. serious illness) if acceptable documentation (i.e. a medical doctor’s note) is provided). Please
ensure you sign the lab attendance sheet before leaving the lab.
The essay assignment is due by 5pm October 29th. Essays received up to 24 hours late (i.e. before 5pm Oct
30th) will be deducted 10% of the possible total grade for the assignment. Essays received after that time will be
awarded a mark of zero (again exceptions may be made as previously outlined).
Contact Preference: The best way to initially contact us is by e-mail. If required, we will meet you for
appointments to discuss matters further. For e-mails received between Monday-Thursday, we will make every
effort to respond within 24 hours. For those inquiries received on Fridays, we will reply by the following Monday.
Please include your course number (BIOL/FRSC 2050) in the subject of your e-mail or the e-mail may not be
answered. Remember that class discussion boards are also available on WebC.
Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty, which includes plagiarism and cheating, is an extremely serious academic offence and
carries penalties varying from a 0 grade on an assignment to expulsion from the University. Definitions,
penalties, and procedures for dealing with plagiarism and cheating are set out in Trent University’s Academic
Integrity Policy. You have a responsibility to educate yourself – unfamiliarity with the policy is not an excuse.
You are strongly encouraged to visit Trent’s Academic Integrity website to learn more –
www.trentu.ca/academicintegrity.
Access to Instruction
It is Trent University’s intent to create an inclusive learning environment. If a student has a disability and/or
health consideration and feels that he/she may need accommodations to succeed in this course, the student
should contact the Disability Services Office (BH Suite 109, 748-1281, disabilityservices@trentu.ca) as soon as
possible. Complete text can be found under Access to Instruction in the Academic Calendar.
Please see the Trent University academic calendar for University Diary dates, Academic Information and
Regulations, and University and departmental degree requirements. Also ensure that you are aware of
deadlines dates for withdrawal from the course without penalty.
Lab
cycle
Date
Day
WebCT file
Readings
Sept. 10
Mon.
Introduction &
Mitosis/Meiosis
Ch 1 and 2
No Lab
Ch 3 (39-58)
I
Lab 1:
Mitosis &
Meiosis
Ch 3 (59-61)
Ch 4(69-84)
II
“
I
Lab 2:
Mendelian
Genetics
II
"
12 Wed.
17 Mon.
19 Wed.
24 Mon.
26 Wed.
Oct. 01 Mon.
03 Wed.
“
Mendelian
Genetics
“
Pedigree
Analysis & Sex
Linkage
“
Extension of the
Basics
Chromosome
Variation
15 Mon.
—
Population &
Evolutionary
Genetics
*Lab 3 assigned
"
17 Wed.
Review
08 Mon.
10 Wed.
22 - 26
Oct. 29
Lab (Mon.)
Ch 4
Ch 7
Thanksgiving
Ch 17
Reading week
Mon.
31 Wed.
Nov. 05 Mon.
Test 1
DNA and RNA
structures
DNA replication
No Labs
Ch 8
Ch 9
07 Wed.
"
Ch 9
12 Mon.
Transcription
Ch10
14 Wed.
Translation
Ch 11
19 Mon.
Gene Expression
Ch 12
21 Wed.
Gene Mutations
Ch 13
I
Lab 4:
Working with
DNA sequences
II
"
I
Lab 5:
Phylogenetic
Inheritance
Ch 15
26 Mon. Cancer Genetics
II
"
Ch 14
28 Wed.
Biotechnology
Dec. 03 Mon.
"
05 Wed.
Review
*Lab 3 is a virtual lab which will be assigned after class on Wed 10th. If you need help with it
come to the lab on Monday 15th. It is due Wed 17th at 9am in class.