Course syllabus
GENETICS -- BIOLOGY 201 – BLOCK 7, 2001 (March 12 – April 4)
A study of transmission, population and molecular genetics and DNA technology.
Laboratory experiments constitute a significant portion of this course. Prerequisites: BIOL
101 and 102 and permission of the instructor. Offered every year. 4 credits.
9:00 - 12:00 AM Monday through Friday and 1:30 – 4:00 PM Tuesday through Thursday
INSTRUCTOR:
Name: Ian VanLare
Lecture Room and Laboratory: 24 Tredway Science Hall
Office: 26 Tredway Science Hall
Office Phone: (423) 636-7300 ext. 266
Home Phone: (423) 639-7250
Email: ivanlare@tusculum.edu
Web Site: http://faculty.tusculum.edu/~ivanlare/genetics/201genetics.html
Office Hours: Students are welcome to come in at any time;
appointments may be made, but are not necessary.
COURSE:
Lecture Text: Essentials of Genetics (available at the college bookstore)
by Klug and Cummings, 1999, Prentice Hall, is the recommended text.
Laboratory Manual: You will need a three-ring binder for the laboratory
assignments provided by the instructor
Overview: The field of genetics is currently being revolutionized and has
been brought to the forefront of biology. The many new tools and
techniques developed along with recent findings is having a profound
moral, political, and socio-economic impact around the world. This course
is designed to provide you with an understanding of genetics such that it
will allow you to have a clear understanding of these complex issues.
Objectives: At the end of this course students should be able to
demonstrate a clear understanding of the facts and basic concepts
covered in lecture and laboratory, including;
a. The structure and form of DNA
b. DNA replication and partitioning
c. The central dogma of molecular biology
d. Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance
e. Genetics of cancer
f. Genetics of antibody diversity
g. DNA fingerprinting
h. Genetic analysis, screening, and therapy
i. The genetics of cloning
j. Population genetics and evolution
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ADMINSTRATION:
Conduct: Students should adhere to high standards of ethical behavior.
Specifically, it is expected that students:
a. neither give nor receive assistance on tests or quizzes;
b. deal forthrightly and honestly with the instructor in consultations on
determination of legitimacy of absences;
c. avoid plagiarism (refer to the section on academic misconduct in the
college catalog – page 17 and 18); and
d. conduct themselves in a manner that is conducive to learning.
Attendance: Assignments missed because of legitimate absences must be
made up at a time specified by the instructor or a grade of zero is recorded.
Assignments missed for absences not considered legitimate are recorded as
zero. Only the first three legitimate absences will be allowed to be made up.
You must contact me before missing an exam or no makeup will be
allowed!
The instructor in consultation with the student determines the legitimacy of an
absence. Legitimate absences include illnesses requiring professional
attention, family emergencies, and job or school interviews. It is the
responsibility of the student to initiate this consultation in a timely fashion
(with in 2 class periods) and to present verifiable written documentation. It
is the responsibility of the student to keep a record of their absences and of
work that must be made up.
Grade scale:
93 - 100 = A = Excellent
90 - 92 = A87 - 89 = B+
83 - 86 = B = Good
80 - 82 = B77 - 79 = C+
Grade determination:
Quizzes1
Activities2
Tests3
73 - 76 = C = Satisfactory
70 - 72 = C67 - 69 = D+
63 - 66 = D = Poor
0 - 62 = F = Failing
25%
37%
38%
1Quizzes
will generally be announced at administered at the beginning of
the class period. Tardiness may result in a lowered grade or a zero.
2Activities
will include laboratory reports, homework, and movie quizzes.
3Tests
will be of multiple formats, including multiple-choice, fill-in-theblanks, short answers, and problem solving.
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DEVELOPING There will be opportunities to improve skills needed to for following
COMPETENCY competencies.
SKILLS:
Writing: Students must prepare clear and accurate written responses
to questions posed on tests and assignments.
Analytical Reading: In order to comprehend new scientific terms and
concepts found in the various assignments, students must read
thoroughly and methodically. Students often must use newly acquired
scientific understanding in order to grasp more complex material.
Mathematics: Students will utilize basic algebra and probability in
determining the heritability of Mendelian traits.
Critical Analysis: Students must understand and be able to apply the
scientific method when designing experiments and when evaluating
claims made in popular and scientific literature.
Ethics and Social Responsibility: Students will write opinion papers
over ethical issues concerning genetic engineering, patenting, and
genetic tests.
CAREERS IN
GENETICS:
Animal or Plant Breeding
Anthropological Genetics
Behavioral Genetics
Biochemical Genetics
Clinical Genetics
Cytogenetics
Developmental Genetics
DNA Diagnostics Lab Director
Dysmorphology
Epidemiology
Gene Mapping
Genetic Counselor
Biology 201 -- Course Syllabus
Block 7, 2001
Genetic Laboratory Technician
Hospital Lab Technician
Immunogenetics
Medical Geneticist
Molecular Genetics
Oncological Genetics
Pharmacogenetics
Prenatal Diagnosis
Research Lab Technician
Research Scientist
Somatic Cell Genetics
Teratology
University Professor
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WHAT DO
GENETICISTS
DO?
Genetics is often divided into several branches; Geneticists employ a wide
variety of different techniques, depending on the area that they study. The
following brief list describes some important branches and the principle
techniques employed in each.
Molecular Genetics: This area involves investigation of the molecular
basis of gene transmission, mutation, and activity. The discipline employs
the techniques of high resolution genetic analysis in conjunction with
analytical methods of biochemistry. Techniques of molecular genetics
have found their way into investigations throughout biology.
Developmental Genetics: This discipline applies the methods of
molecular genetics, as well as those more commonly used to study
development, such as experimental microsurgery and microscopy, to
probe one of the most fascinating of all questions: How does the complex
adult arise from a single fertilized egg cell?
Cytogenetics: Cytogenetics is the discipline which seeks to describe and
explain the structure and behavior of chromosomes. In the days before
DNA was known to be the genetic material, the emphasis was on the
morphology and movement of chromosomes. Nowadays, the emphasis is
on chemical organization, molecular function, and the cause of
abnormalities within these very complex organelles.
Population Genetics: This area is concerned with the dynamics of
inheritance within whole populations of organisms. It seeks to explain the
origin and nature of natural variation, the relationship of such variants to
their environment, and ultimately, the process of evolution. The activities of
population geneticists range from field biology through intensive laboratory
investigation, to mathematical model-building and computer simulation.
Population genetics has recently become very important in mapping genes
using new techniques.
Applied Genetics: "Applied" genetics is sometimes taken to mean the
use of genetic knowledge for agricultural and industrial purposes,
particularly for the improvement of domesticated species. In a broader
sense, the applications of genetics include major areas in medical
practice. It is widely forecast that there will be a steady increase in the
practical applications of genetics, and particularly molecular genetics, in
the near future.
Human Genetics: The study of how genes are inherited in humans and
how their function and dysfunction can affect our well being.
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READINGS:
DNA Form and Properties
Structure of Nucleic Acids (pages 193 - 203)
Chemical and Physical Properties of DNA (pages 203 - 205)
Chromosomes and Chromosomal Folding (pages 233 - 241)
The Nucleus (pages 17 - 22 and 158 - 160)
DNA Replication and Partitioning
DNA Replication (chapter 10)
Chromosome Anatomy (pages 241 - 247)
Mitosis (pages 22 - 28)
Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
Protein Structure (pages 310 - 316)
Macromolecule Interactions
Transcription (pages 250 - 262)
RNA Processing (pages 262 - 267)
Prokaryotic Transcriptional Regulation (pages 280 - 289)
Eukaryotic Transcriptional Regulation (pages 289 - 297)
Protein Synthesis -- Translation (pages 267 - 276)
Viruses (pages 360 - 364)
Biotechnology
DNA Fingerprinting (pages 406 - 408)
Genetic Analysis (pages 397 - 404)
Genetic Screening and Therapy (pages 404 - 406)
The Genetics of Cloning (chapter 17)
Inheritance
Meiosis (pages 28 - 37)
Patterns of Gene Inheritance (chapter 3)
Non-Mendelian Inheritance (chapters 4, 5, and 7)
Chromosome Inheritance Aberrations (chapter 8)
Selected Topics
Mutations (pages 321 - 333)
Mutational Repair (pages 333 - 344)
Cancer (pages 423 - 432)
Antibody Diversity (pages 432 - 439)
Evolution
Population Genetics (chapter 21)
Microevolution (chapter 22)
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TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE:
9 - 12
1:30 - 4
9 - 12
Monday – M12
Tuesday – M13
Wednesday – M14
Thursday – M15
Friday – M16
Class introduction
and advising
Chem. and physical
properties of DNA /
Chromosomal
folding
The nucleus / DNA
replication
Chromosome
anatomy / Mitosis
Protein structure /
Macromolecule
interactions
Monday – M19
Tuesday – M20
Wednesday – M21
Thursday – M22
Friday – M23
TEST 1
Translation / Viruses
DNA fingerprinting
TEST 2
Transcription / RNA
processing
Prokaryotic and
eukaryotic
transcriptional
regulation
(end test 2 material)
Monday – M26
Tuesday – M27
Wednesday – M28
Thursday – M29
Friday – M30
Genetic screening
and therapy /
Genetics of cloning
Meiosis /
Non-Mendelian
inheritance /
Chromosomal
aberrations (end test
3 material)
Mutations /
Mutational repair
TEST 3
(end test 1
material)
Structure of nucleic
acids
Genetic analysis
1:30 - 4
9 - 12
Patterns of gene
inheritance
Cancer
1:30 - 4
9 - 12
Monday – A3
Tuesday – A4
Wednesday – A5
Antibody diversity
Population genetics /
Microevolution
TEST 4
NOTE: This syllabus may be changed, without notice, if the instructor deems it necessary.
Biology 201 -- Course Syllabus
Block 7, 2001
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BIOL 201 -- STUDENT INFORMATION FORM -- BLOCK 7, 2001
Full Name:
Name by which you prefer to be called:
(including nicknames)
Hometown and State:
Local Address:
Local Telephone Number:
Other Telephone Number:
Email Address:
Class (circle):
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Major:
Advisor:
Extracurricular activities:
Area of interest (medical, ecology, research
pharmacy, epidemiology, etc.)
**********************
I have received a copy of the Syllabus and the expectations of the course have been explained to
me.
Student Signature
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Biology 201 -- Course Syllabus
Block 7, 2001