MOLECULAR GENETICS: PBIO 427 (#05942)/527 (#05951)
Time & Place: MWF 10:10-11:00; Porter 429
Instructor: Allan Showalter
Spring 2011
Text: Biotechnology, 2nd Edition ©2005 by Susan R. Barnum
Requirements: PBIO 331 or 431 or BIOS 325 or permission.
Course Description:
The purpose of this course is twofold: 1) to acquaint the student with essential concepts and
techniques used in modern molecular biology/molecular genetics and 2) to introduce and discuss
current research being performed in eukaryotic molecular genetics. There will be required
readings and lectures throughout the quarter. In addition, each student enrolled in the course will
deliver several short (~15-20 minute) oral presentations on selected scientific papers throughout
the quarter (the exact number of presentations will be determined by the class size). All students
are encouraged to ask questions and take part in a lively discussion of the lectures and presented
papers. The scientific papers for these presentations will be assigned to the students by the
instructor and will be required reading for the entire class.
Grades will be based on the following:
1. Oral presentations (totaling 100 points). Note that each student will have to prepare a
one-page abstract of his or her presentation and a list of relevant references for
distribution to the class one class period prior to the presentation. A copy of the key
paper for each presentation should also be provided to the instructor at that time. Note
that if you provide me with the abstract and a pdf file of the paper, I will post this
information on the course web page.
2. 4 Quizes (totaling 100 points).
3. A comprehensive final examination (100 points).
4. Graduate students enrolled in the course will additionally have to submit an 8-10 page
double spaced paper (50 points) on a course-related topic approved by the instructor. The
format of this paper should follow that of a review paper found in the journal “Cell”.
Thus, there are 300 points possible for undergraduate students and 350 points possible for
graduate students. Typically, 93.3% and above will earn an A, 90-93.3% an A-, 86.7-90% a B+,
83.3-86.7% a B, 80-83.3% a B-, 76.7-80% a C+, 73.3-76.7% a C, 70-73.3% a C-, 66.7-70% a
D+, 63.3-66.7% a D, 60-63.3% a D-, and below 60% an F.
Note that quizzes and exams will be based upon material covered in class (i.e., lectures and
student presentations) as well as in the assigned readings.
Office Hours:
Allan Showalter- By appointment, Porter 504 (phone 593-1135; email: showalte@ohio.edu)
Academic Conduct:
The penalty for course-related academic dishonesty (i.e., cheating on quizzes, exams, plagiarism,
etc.) will be failure of the entire course.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is mandatory; no make-up presentations, quizzes, or exams will be allowed for any
unexcused absence. Excused absences must be approved by the instructor.
PBIO 427/527: MOLECULAR GENETICS
Spring 2011-Syllabus
Instructor: Dr. Allan Showalter
WEEK
DATE
READINGS*
TOPICS
1
3/28
3/30
4/1
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3
Course introduction
Molecular biology review
Molecular biology review
2
4/4
4/6
4/8
5
5
-
Microbial biotechnology
Microbial biotechnology
student presentations (2)- Rich & Emily
3
4/11**
4/13
4/15
6
6
-
Plant biotechnology
Plant biotechnology
student presentations (2)- Jenna
4
4/18
4/20
4/22
7
7
-
Animal biotechnology
Animal biotechnology
student presentations (2)- Jenna & Rich
5
4/25**
4/27
4/29
p.209-213
-
Marine biotechnology/“Cracking the Code of Life”
“Cracking the Code of Life”
student presentations (2)- Emily
6
5/2
5/4
5/6
9
9
-
Genomics
Genomics
student presentations (2)- Emily & Rich
7
5/9**
5/11
5/13
10
10
-
Medical biotechnology
Medical biotechnology
student presentations (2)- Jenna & Emily
8
5/16
5/18
5/20
11
11
-
Forensics and DNA profiling
Forensics and DNA profiling
student presentations (2)- Jenna & Rich
9
5/23
5/25**
5/27
12
12
-
Regulation, patents, and society
Regulation, patents, and society
Regulation, patents, and society
10
5/30
6/1
6/3
-
Memorial Day holiday; NO CLASS MEETING
Societal issues and ethics of biotechnology
Societal issues and ethics of biotechnology
6/9 (Thurs.)
*
Final Exam (8:00 AM-Porter 429)
Assigned readings are from chapters in your text, Biotechnology, 2nd edition ©2005 by Susan R.
Barnum. Additional assigned readings for student presentations will be made in class.
** Quiz days.
PBIO 427/527: MOLECULAR GENETICS PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name (underline your family name):
Preferred name:
Home phone:
Office phone:
Email:
Undergraduate or graduate student:
Major or Department:
Advisor:
Research project:
-------------------------do not fill in below this line-------------------------------------------------Presentations:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
QUIZ (short answers please)
Name_________________________
1. What is meant by the term "Central Dogma"?
2. Name three differences between DNA and RNA.
3. What is a restriction enzyme?
4. List two major differences between prokayotic and eukaryotic genes.
5. Define the terms "exon" and "intron".
6. What are promoters and enhancers and how do they differ?
7. Define the term "transposable element".
8. List the two basic methods which can be used to sequence DNA.
9. Distinguish the following types of blots: Southern, Northern, and Western.
10. What reaction does the enzyme reverse transcriptase catalyze?
11. Distinguish between a cDNA clone and a genomic clone?
12. Define the term "transgenic".
13. What is a cloning vector?
MOLECULAR GENETICS
INSTRUCTOR EVALUATION FORM FOR STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
STUDENT:
GRADE:
PRESENTATION FEEDBACK (i.e., comments on the organization and clarity of the talk, the
quality of the visual aids, the oral delivery/general "flow" of the talk, the scientific accuracy of
the information presented, and whether sufficient background information was presented):