COVENANT UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
PROGRAMME: BIOCHEMISTRY
COURSE CODE:
BCH 414
COURSE TITLE:
BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS
UNITS:
3
SEMESTER/ SESSION:
ALPHA, 2013/2014
COURSE LECTURER:
Dr. S. N. Chinedu & Dr. S.O. Rotimi*.
*Course Coordinator
A.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course reviews the fundamentals of genetics. It examines the structure of the
prokaryotic, viral and eukaryotic gene/genome, gene expression in prokaryotes, viruses
and eukaryotes, and the mechanisms of gene transfer in bacteria. It aims at introducing the
concept of Recombinant DNA technology by examining its concept, techniques and
applications in food industries, agriculture and diseases management. It also introduces
Genomics, Proteomics, Nanotechnology, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology as
emerging concepts in modern genetics.
B.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this course, the students are expected to:

Understand the similarities and differences in the structure of prokaryotic, viral and
eukaryotic genomes

Explain the control mechanisms of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Describe the basic mechanisms of gene transfer in bacteria

Appreciate the applications of Recombinant DNA technology in industries and
medicine.

Understand modern terms like proteomics, nanotechnology, Bioinformatics and their
application to genetics.
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C.
METHODS OF LECTURE DELIVERY /TEACHING AIDS
Lecture Delivery and Teaching Aids include
D.

Guided instructions

Interactive classroom session

Transparencies

Diagrams

Laboratory Practicals
COURSE OUTLINE
Module 1
Gene/ genome structure (Dr. S. O. Rotimi)
Week 1
A review of fundamentals of genetics
Week 2
Structure of prokaryotic genes/genome
Week 3
Structure of eukaryotic genes/genome
Module 2
Gene expression (Dr S. N Chinedu)
Week 4
Gene expression in prokaryotes
Week 5
Gene expression in viruses
Week 6
Gene expression in eukaryotes
Module 3
Mechanisms of gene transfer in bacteria (Dr S. N Chinedu)
Week 7
Vertical and horizontal gene transfer
Week 8
Genetic transformation, transduction and conjugation
Mid-term Test
Module 4
Recombinant DNA Technology (Dr S. N Chinedu)
Week 9
Techniques in Recombinant DNA technology
Week 10
Application of Recombinant DNA in agriculture and medicine
Module 5
Advances in genetics (Dr. S. O. Rotimi)
Week 11
Introduction to genomics and proteomics
Week 12
Introduction to Nanotechnology
Week 13
Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Week 14
Tutorials and Revision
E
STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME/ METHOD OF GRADING
1. Continuous Assessment
30 marks
2. Semester Examination 70 marks
2
F
CLASS BEHAVIOUR
Please note the following:

Mandatory 90% class attendance,

No eating or dozing in the classroom,

Active participation in all activities,

All class assignments must be submitted on time,

Punctuality to classes must be observed.
TOPICS FOR TERM PAPERS/ASSIGNMENTS
(i)
Compare and contrast the structures of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes
(ii)
Compare and contrast gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
(iii)
Discuss genetic transduction
(iv)
Discuss the applications of Recombinant DNA technology in any of the following
fields :

Food industry

Agriculture

Disease management
(v)
Write on any two of the following:

Genomics

Proteomics

Nanotechnology

Bioinformatics and computational Biology
RECOMMENDED READING
1. Stryer, L. Biochemistry (4th edition).
2. Lehninger, A. Principles of Biochemistry (5th edition)
3. Horton H. A. et al. Principles of Biochemistry (4th edition)
4. Old RW and Primrose SB, Principles of Gene Manipulation: An Introduction to
Genetic engineering (3rd edition).
5. Dubey, RC. A Textbook of Biotechnology (3rd edition).
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