BIO 326 GENETICS, Fall 2005 SYLLABUS
Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Schisa
Office: Brooks Hall, 229
Phone: 774-2203
email: schis1j@cmich.edu (the best way to reach me)
Office Hours: Mon. 1-2:50pm, Th. 9:15-11am. Sign-up sheet posted outside my office.
Lecture: Pearce 127, MWF 11-11:50pm
Course Description: The principles of heredity dealing with the location, transmission, structure, and
function of genes and the results of modern genetic techniques.
Prerequisites: Nine hours of biology (BIO 101 and 2 of the following 3: 203-botany, 208microbiology, 218- zoology). Microbiology, general chemistry, and basic algebra are strongly
recommended.
Blackboard Site: http://blackboard.cmich.edu/webapps/login
You will need your global ID and password. You will be expected to check regularly for
announcements on blackboard; you can easily email your classmates and check grades here.
Required texts and software:
*Klug, W. S. and Cummings, M.R. (2003). Concepts of Genetics. 8th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice
Hall.
*McMillan, V.E. (2001). Writing papers in the biological sciences. 3rd Ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins.
207p.
*Henig, Robin Marantz (2001). The Monk in the Garden: the lost and found genius of Gregor Mendel,
the father of genetics. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 304p.
Recommended text – is available at CMU bookstore bundled with main text; or obtain from an online
source. Nikla, H. (2005). Student handbook: solutions manual and art notebook for Klug and
Cummings, Concepts of Genetics, 8th Ed. 274p.
Lab Sections: Brooks 204
Lab#- Day
Time
Instructor
Section #
#1- Monday
2-4:50pm
Christina Woodard
49093
#2- Tuesday
12-2:50pm
Christina Woodard
14059
#3- Tuesday
3-5:50pm
Jeremy Bickel
14077
#4- Tuesday
6-8:50pm
Jeremy Bickel
14031
#5 Wednesday
3-5:50pm
Jeremy Bickel
14045
#6 Wednesday
6-8:50pm
Christina Woodard
14062
Grading: 4 exams plus final = 500 points total (50%). Exams 1, 2, 3 and 4 are 75 points each. The
final exam (200 points) will be given during the regular final exam period. You must have a passing
grade on lab reports and worksheets to pass the class. You must attend lab in order to get credit for
assignments on that lab.
Exams 1-4 (75 each)
Laboratory reports and worksheets
Oral presentation
Quizzes and homework: lecture, lab - to
be announced or not
Final Exam- partly cumulative
92+ = A
90-91.9 = A88-89.9 = B+
82-87.9 = B
80-81.9 = B78-79.9 = C+
300
275
50
175
200
1000
72-77.9 = C
70-71.9 = C68-69.9 = D+
62-67.9 = D
60-61.9 = D<60 = E
Reading Assignments: Reading assignments in the text are listed on the tentative lecture schedule.
Readings and lectures will complement each other — I cannot cover every detail in lecture and will
expect you to obtain certain information from reading the text rather than from lecture. Don't fall
behind! Try to read the assignment before each class, but at the very latest read it on the same day
as the class.
Course Goals: This is a truly exciting time in human history to be studying genetics! Advances in
molecular biology and computer science have created a synergy that is allowing us to uncover
information that most geneticists dared not even dream about a few decades ago. The genome
sequencing projects are generating data at a very rapid pace, revealing the complete genomic
sequences of a wide variety of organisms ranging from bacteria to us. The human genome mapping
and sequencing projects are helping us to determine the function of the 30,000 or so genes that to a
large extent direct how we develop and function biologically. These projects are also helping to
identify those genes, that when defective, cause disease. We are also learning about how life has
evolved, and the genetic differences that separate one species from another. So now is an exciting
time to become a geneticist-- even if only for one semester! But, we'll have to start at the beginning,
and learn the fundamental basics that researchers such as Gregor Mendel, Thomas Hunt Morgan,
Watson and Crick, and colleagues discovered and on which all modern molecular genetics is
grounded.
The purpose of this course is to think biologically about transmission, molecular, and population
genetics. You will learn how to analyze and interpret genetic data, from working chapter problems
and from laboratory data. Students who reason well about genetics should be able to make
connections with other aspects of biology, and better understand genetic issues in society at large.
Students should be better thinkers and problem solvers after taking this course.
Absences: Students with 5 unexcused absences will have their course grade dropped by one letter
grade per additional unexcused absence. Students with extended absences due to illness or other
excused reason should contact me about making up required coursework. The last day to withdraw
from class with an automatic W is 5 PM, Friday,.November 4, 2005. The final exam will not be given
at any other than the scheduled time. Make-up quizzes and exams will be given only under extreme
personal circumstances (illness, death in the family), extramural athletic participation, required field
trips in other courses, or employment obligations, and must be approved in advance. A note from the
appropriate authority must be provided. A grade of Incomplete will be given only to students who are
passing the course and, for some reason of emergency, fail to complete the course requirements.
Late assignments: Late homework, lab reports, or other assignments will have 10% deducted from
the grade per day late. In the “real world”, your boss will not tolerate a late report. Being ready the
next day will not do you any good. College is meant to prepare you for the real world and this policy is
consistent with that goal.
General lab issues: Laboratory work in Genetics is not a separate course unrelated to what is
discussed in the lecture room. Students are urged to make a serious effort to synthesize the material
covered in the lecture, laboratory, and text. All of these will be appropriate material on which to base
an examination question. Accordingly, students are expected to be present each week when the
laboratory group meets. Since it will be impossible to set up missed laboratory exercises after the
normally scheduled time, only excused absences will be considered.
Although formal lab reports are not required for every lab session, lab attendance is mandatory at
every session. If you cannot attend a lab, please contact me. You are responsible for notifying me as
soon as possible about illness, trouble, or conflict. You are responsible for any make-up
assignments, if possible, and for an excused absence. There will be no make up assignments for
unexcused absences. Any lab that is missed without notification of the lab instructor will be
considered unexcused. Missed labs hurt not only you but also your lab partner. If you have a serious
problem that you don't want to discuss with your instructor, please contact the Office of Student Life,
774-3016.
Policy on Academic Integrity: In May 2001, the Central Michigan University Academic Senate
approved the Policy on Academic Integrity which applies to all university students. Copies are
available on the CMU web site at http://academicsenate.cmich.edu/noncurric.htm, and in the
Academic Senate Office in room 108 of Bovee University Center. All academic work is expected to be
in compliance with this policy. See also Plagiarism: a brief overview at
http://www.cst.cmich.edu/users/alm1ew/Plagiarism.html if you have questions. Any plagiarized work
or other act of dishonesty will receive a Zero and the Office of Student Life will be notified. You are
responsible for understanding what constitutes plagiarism.
Classroom Civility: Each CMU student is encouraged to help create an environment during class
that promotes learning, dignity, and mutual respect for everyone. Students who speak at
inappropriate times, sleep in class, display inattention, take frequent breaks, interrupt the class by
coming to class late, engage in loud or distracting behaviors, use cell phone or pagers in class, use
inappropriate language, are verbally abusive, display defiance or disrespect to others, or behave
aggressively toward others could be asked to leave the class and subjected to disciplinary action
under the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures.
Requests for Accommodation: CMU provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodation
to participate in educational programs, activities or services. Students with disabilities requiring
accommodation to participate in class activities or meet course requirements should first register with
the office of Student Disability Services (250 Foust Hall, telephone #989-774-3018, TDD #2568), and
then contact me as soon as possible.
Bio 326 Genetics, Tentative Lecture Schedule, Fall, 2005
Week Date
Topic
Reading
1
2
3
M 8/29
Introduction; history/overview of genetics
1: 1-15
W 8/31
Core concepts/ Overview of genetics, continued
2: 19-27
F 9/2
Meiosis /Mendelian Genetics I: Monohybrid Cross
2: 27-35/ 3:39-44
M 9/5
LABOR DAY- No Class
Start “Monk in
the garden”
W 9/7
Mendelian Genetics II: Postulates, Crosses, & Probability 3: 44-54
F 9/9
Mendelian Genetics III: Probability/Statistics
3: 54-56
M 9/12
Mendelian Genetics IV: Pedigrees
3: 56-59
W 9/14
Extensions of Mendelian Genetics I
4: 66-79
REVIEW exam I - TBA
F 9/16
4
5
6
Extensions of Mendelian Genetics II
4: 80-90
Exam I in lab this week - covers material through 9/16
M 9/19
Linkage I
5:100-106
W 9/21
Linkage II
5: 107-114
F 9/23
Linkage III
5: 114-129
M 9/26
Bacterial Genetics
6:137-148
W 9/28
Guest lecture
F 9/30
Bac. Gen./Sex determination
6:148-160/ 7:165-178
M 10/3
Sex chromosomes & Chromosome mutations
7:178-184/ 8:187-194
W 10/5
Discussion of Monk in the Garden
Review Exam II – TBA
7
F 10/7
Exam II – emphasizes material 9/16 through 10/5
M 10/10
DNA, RNA I
10: 231-240
W 10/12
DNA, RNA II
10: 240-259
F 10/14
DNA Replication and recombination
11: 263-278
8
9
M 10/17
DNA Organization in Chromosomes
12: 286-302
W 10/19
Transcription
13: 317-329
F 10/21
The Genetic code
13: 306-316
M 10/24
Translation
14: 334-348
W 10/26
Proteins
14: 349-357
Review Exam III - TBA
10
11
12
F 10/28
Exam III – emphasizes material 10/10-10/26
M 10/31
Regulation of gene expression - prokaryotes
16: 392-407
W 11/2
Regulation of gene expression - eukaryotes
17: 411-430
F 11/4
Model systems
21:516-529
M 11/7
Behavior and Genetics I
handouts
W 11/9
Model systems II /Behavior II
21:529-544
F 11/11
Mutation
15: 361-376
M 11/14
DNA repair, transposable elements
15: 377-386
W 11/16
Recombinant DNA Technology
19: 457-478
Review Exam IV – TBA
13
14
15
F 11/18
Genomics and Proteomics
20: 484-511
M 11/21
Exam IV, emphasizes material 10/31-11/16
W 11/23
Stem Cells/Cell cycle regulation & Cancer I
F 11/25
Thanksgiving Break -NO CLASS
M 11/28
Genetics and Cancer II
18: 446-453
W 11/30
Applications and ethics of Biotechnology
22: 549-570
F 12/2
Ethics Discussion
M 12/5
Population Genetics I
25: 617-636
W 12/7
Population Genetics II / Evolutionary Genetics
26:640-658
F 12/9
W 12/14
Review
FINAL EXAM, cumulative, emphasis on 11/18-12/9; 10-11:50pm
18: 434-446
Bio 326 Genetics, Tentative Laboratory Schedule, Fall 2005
Week
1
Dates
Aug. 29-31
Topic
Introduction to Drosophila; Probability
part I
Assignments Due
Probability worksheet
2
3
Sept. 5-7
Sept. 12-14
NO LABS – Labor Day
Probability part II, chi-square
Drosophila mutants; Set crosses
4
Sept. 19-21
Exam I
5
Sept. 26-28
6
Oct. 3-5
Check fly crosses
Presentations – group A
Genetic transformation of E. coli
7
Oct. 10-12
Plasmid prep & Restriction mapping;
check flies
Transformation worksheet
8
Oct. 17-19
Restriction digestion worksheet
9
Oct. 24-26
Gel electrophoresis
Presentations - group B
Human DNA – PCR
10
Oct. 31-Nov. 2
PCR analysis – gel electrophoresis
Intro to Bioinformatics
PCR worksheet
Bioinformatics worksheet
11
Nov. 7-9
Introduction to C. elegans
Chemotaxis assay – wild-type
Drosophila report
C. elegans Pre-Lab
12
Nov. 14-16
Chemotaxis assays – unknown
mutants
Experimental design worksheet
13
Nov. 21-23
14
Nov. 28-30
NO LABS – week of Thanksgiving
Student-designed chemotaxis
experiments
Chemotaxis report
15
Dec. 5-7
Hardy-Weinberg population genetics
Hardy-Weinberg worksheet
Probability II, chi-square
worksheets
Out-of-Class Preparation: Most of the labs will take the full three hours, especially on days on which
you must separate and count the different classes of progeny from a cross. To use your lab time
most efficiently and to avoid making costly mistakes, it is essential that you come to the lab prepared
to do the work. At minimum, you should read the lab assignment prior to coming to class. You may
also find it helpful to do background reading in the genetics textbook on the specific topic covered.
There will be both announced and unannounced quizzes in lab. You should also expect to come to
lab outside of your assigned “lab slot”.