BSCI 210.02 Principles Of Genetics
Spring 2007
General Course Information:
Lecture: 9:35-10:50 am, Tuesday and Thursdays
1220 Biological Sciences/MRB III
Help Session: 5:30-6:30 PM Thursdays
U7202 Biological Sciences/MRBIII
Instructors
Dr. Bruce Appel
U7215 BSB/MRBIII
322-2003
b.appel@vanderbilt.edu
Office hours: Wednesdays 2-4 pm
Dr. Josh Gamse
U5231 BSB/MRBIII
936-5574
josh.gamse@vanderbilt.edu
Office hours: Wednesdays, 2-4 pm
Course learning goals
This course may be somewhat different from science courses that you have taken in the
past because of the emphasis on conceptual (not just procedural) learning. While the
“facts” and vocabulary of genetics are important, our ultimate goal is to help you “think
like a geneticist”. Procedural knowledge (How do you calculate genetic linkage? How do
you do a Southern blot?) is important. However, conceptual knowledge (How does the
genetic linkage between two genes relate to their physical distance on the chromosome
and why might that relationship vary in different organisms? What can we conclude if a
mutation changes the result observed in a Southern blot?) is the basis of enduring
understanding. You will be expected to learn the “facts” of genetics by reading the
textbook material BEFORE CLASS. Class time will be devoted (through a combination
of traditional lecture, discussion, and problem-solving) to uncovering the basic principles
of the genetic approach and to practicing “thinking like a geneticist.” By the end of the
semester, we expect that students will be able to
 draw meiosis and explain how chromosome dynamics during meiosis relate to
Mendel’s Laws.
 evaluate the physical relationships of DNA sequences (either genes or molecular
markers) by analyzing their patterns of inheritance in many different contexts.
 describe the types of changes that DNA undergoes and relate these changes to the
consequences for gene function and regulation.
 describe the basic mechanisms of cell cycle regulation and predict the
consequences of errors in these processes.

use genetic nomenclature to describe the relationships between genes and
hypothesize about the molecular underpinnings of these relationships.
 describe the basic mechanisms of evolution and identify the evolutionary forces
that shape genomes.
 evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different model organisms for the study
of genetic processes and describe how knowledge derived from model organisms
contributes to a broader scientific understanding.
 identify a problem, formulate a hypothesis, design an experiment, and interpret
the results (accept or reject hypothesis).
Class examinations will be designed to test your knowledge of the “facts” of genetics,
and your ability to apply that knowledge to new problems. Ample opportunities to
practice problem-solving will be provided in class, through required and optional
problem sets, and through distribution of practice exams. Please take full advantage of
these opportunities!
Course overview
The first quarter of the course will be devoted primarily to Mendelian genetics. We will
learn about Mendel’s methods and observations, and the principles of heredity that he
derived from these observations (all derived without a working knowledge of
chromosome dynamics during meiosis!). We will go on to examine the molecular basis of
Mendelian heredity, as well as linkage, recombination, genetic mapping and mutation.
We will examine how genomes change and learn about the genetics of prokaryotic
organisms. Based on the foundation of genetic linkage established during the first half of
the course, we will begin the second half of the semester learning about the mapping and
diagnosis of human genetic disease. Integral to this discussion is an examination of the
techniques of molecular biology. We will then examine how gene expression and cell
division are regulated as a prelude to a detailed discussion of the genetics of cancer. The
semester will conclude with a discussion of evolution at the molecular level.
Required Textbook
Genetics -- From Genes to Genomes, third edition, Leland H. Hartwell et al.
McGraw Hill
Method of Evaluation
Exams and problem sets worth a total of 600 points will be given, distributed in the
following manner:
Three exams (100 points each)
8 problem sets (100 points total)
Reading assignment questions (50 points total)
Final exam (150 points)
Each exam will test material covered since the previous exam. The final exam will be
comprehensive. No alternate final will be scheduled.
Course grades will be assigned on a curve. The class average will be designated as B-.
Excused absences from exams must be arranged at the beginning of the semester, no later
than January 16th. No make-up exams will be given except in the case of documented
emergency.
The Vanderbilt Honor Code governs the exams, including any make-up exams, upon
which no assistance may be given or received. Uncertainty concerning application of the
Honor Code does not excuse a violation.
Study Guidelines
 READ THE ASSIGNED MATERIAL BEFORE CLASS. Because we will
emphasize problem-based approaches to genetics during classroom time, reading
of the textbook material before class is critical. You will be responsible for basic
knowledge introduced in the textbook, even if that material is not explicitly
covered during the lecture. If this material is unclear, ask about it during class!
Many students are reluctant to ask questions within a large class. However, if you
are confused it is likely that most of your colleagues are also confused.
 TAKE NOTES WHILE YOU ARE READING AND DURING CLASS. Review
and rewrite those notes after class and come see the instructor or TA right away if
you have questions. Proficiency in genetics is cumulative. Do not make the
mistake of waiting until the day before the exam to get your questions answered
(or to realize that you have those questions!). Memorization (cramming) can be
accomplished the night before the exam. Conceptual understanding cannot.
 FIGURE OUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT. We have to be selective about what we
present in class. Thus, we will tend to dwell on those things we think are most
important. The goal in class is to provide you with a framework with which you
can understand new information and solve new problems. Thus, you should be
able to understand the material in the textbook even if we don't explicitly talk
about it in class. We will point out areas in which understanding is critical as we
go along. It is your responsibility to identify areas in which you need help and to
seek that help during office hours.
 SOLVE THE PROBLEMS IN A TIMELY MANNER. You will likely encounter
similar, but not identical, problems in the exams. Waiting to do the problems on
the night before the exam will not be productive!
 STUDY WITH A PARTNER/GROUP. You will find that explaining the material
to one another is a powerful method for learning the material yourself.
Conversely, your partner/group may have understood material that gives you
trouble. (However, when it comes to graded assignments such as problem sets,
you MUST work them on your own UNLESS the instructor has given permission
to solve the work as a group!)
Syllabus for BSCI 210
Principles of Genetics (Spring 2007)
Jan-11-07
Ch. 1: Overview of Genetics
Ch. 2: Introduction to Mendelian Genetics
Jan-16-07
Ch. 2: Law of Segregation, Independent Assortment and
Introduction to Human Genetics
Jan-18-07
Ch. 3: Variations on the Mendelian Theme
Jan-23-07
Ch. 3: Variations on the Mendelian Theme
Jan-25-07
Ch. 4: Chromosomes, Mitosis and Meiosis
Jan-30-07
Ch. 4: Chromosomes and Inheritance
Feb-01-07
Ch. 5: Genetic Linkage and Recombination
Feb-06-07
Ch. 5: Genetic Mapping
Feb-08-07
EXAM I
Feb-13-07
Ch. 6: DNA as the genetic material
Ch. 7: Mutation
Feb-15-07
Ch. 7: Mutation and Gene Function
Feb-20-07
Ch. 13: Eukaryotic Genome Organization and Replication
Feb-22-07
Ch. 14: Chromosomal Rearrangements
Feb-27-07
Ch. 14: Changes in Chromosome Number
Mar-01-07
Ch. 15: Prokaryotic Genetics
Mar-06-07
Spring Break
Mar-08-07
Spring Break
Mar-13-07
Ch. 15: Prokaryotic Genetics
Mar-15-07
Ch. 9: Introduction to Molecular Cloning
Mar-20-07
Ch. 9: Essential Techniques of Molecular Biology
Mar-22-07
EXAM 2
Mar-27-07
Ch. 10: Analysis of Genomes
Ch. 11: The Direct Detection of Genotype
Mar-29-07
Ch. 11: From Candidate Region to Gene
Apr-3-07
Ch. 17: Transcriptional Regulation in Prokaryotes
Apr-5-07
Ch. 18: Transcriptional Regulation in Eukaryotes
Apr-10-07
Ch. 19: Regulation of Cell Number : Normal Regulation
Apr-12-07
Ch. 19: Regulation of Cell Number : Loss of Regulation
Leads to Cancer
Apr-17-07
EXAM 3
Apr-19-07
Ch. 20: Using Genetics to Study Development
Apr-24-07
Ch. 22: Evolution at the Molecular Level
Apr 26-07
FINAL EXAM