SYLLABUS
BIOLOGY 240 – GENERAL GENETICS
FALL 2014 – A. VON ARNIM
Date
Aug 20
Aug 22
Aug 25
Aug 27
Aug 29
Sep 1
Sep 3
Sep 5
Sep 8
Sep 10
Sep 12
Sep 15
Sep 17
Sep 19
Sep 22
Day
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
Sep 24
Sep 26
Sep 29
Oct 1
Oct 3
Oct 6
Oct 8
Oct 10
Oct 13
Oct 15
Oct 17
Oct 20
Oct 22
Oct 24
Oct 27
Oct 29
Oct 31
Nov 3
Nov 5
Nov 7
Nov 10
Nov 12
Nov 14
Nov 17
Nov 19
Nov 21
Nov 24
Nov 26
Nov 28
Dec 1
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
Topic
Introduction, Mendelian Inheritance, Terminology
Dihybrid cross, Independent Assortment, Recombination
Chromosomes, Cell division
Sex-determination, X-linkage, Nondisjunction, Pedigrees
Chi-Square Test, Probabilities
Labor Day
No lecture today (but discussion this week)
EXAM 1 (Chapter 2-3, 4.11, 7)
Genetic Interactions - alleles, genes, epistasis
Linkage, Gene Mapping by Recombination
Mapping with Molecular Markers
Population Genetics, Hardy-Weinberg
Population Genetics, Modifications of Hardy-Weinberg
Genetics of Bacteria, Conjugation, Transformation
Genetics of Bacteriophages, Transduction;
Cytoplasmic Inheritance
Mutation – large scale chromosomal change
DNA: Discovery and Structure
DNA: Replication and Recombination
DNA: Chromosomes
RNA: Transcription and Processing
The Genetic Code
Proteins and Their Synthesis
Translation, tRNA, Ribosomes
DNA: Mutation including Transposable Elements
DNA: Repair
Fall Break – no class
EXAM 2 (Chapter 4-14)
Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria, Lac Operon
Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria
Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes
Regulation of Gene Expression, Chromatin and RNA
Regulation of Gene Expression, Epigenetics
Developmental Genetics
Cancer as a Genetic Disease
Gene Isolation and Manipulation I - Plasmids, Restriction
Gene Isolation and Manipulation II - Sequencing, PCR
Genome Analysis - Genome sequencing
Genome Analysis - Transcriptomics and Proteomics
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
DNA in Forensics
Personalized Medicine
Stem cell biology
Quantitative Genetics and Polygenic Inheritance
Thanksgiving Weekend - no class
Behavioral Genetics
Dec 10
W
FINAL EXAM 2:45-4:45pm (comprehensive)
Ch.
3
3
2
4/7/3
3
Discussion
No discussion
Chapter 3
Ch 3
4
5
5
25
25
6
6/9
8
10
11
12
13
13
14
14
15
Ch 4
Ch 5
Ch 25
Ch 6-8
Ch 10-12
No discussion
15
Ch 14-15
16
16
17
17
ST III
18
19
20
20
21
21
22
ST I
ST II
ST IV
23
24
Ch 16
Ch 17
Ch 19-20
Ch 21-22
Ch ST
No discussion
BIO 240 - ‘GENERAL GENETICS’
FALL 2014
Instructor:
TAs:
Text:
Webpage:
Albrecht von Arnim
Phone: 974-6206, email: vonarnim@utk.edu
Office hours (Hesler 228): Fri 2:30-3:30pm or by appointment
Ayan Malakar (amalakar@utk.edu)
Office hours: TBD
Caroline Rempe (crempe@utk.edu)
Office hours (Plant Biotechnology Bldg.): Tue 1:00-2:00pm or by appointment
a) Klug et al. Concepts of Genetics, 10th edition,
Pearson ISBN 978-0-321-72412-0
at http://online.utk.edu (Blackboard site)
Lecture (WLS M309): MWF
Discussion (NBA114): Tue
Tue
Tue
Thu
Thu
Thu
1.25 – 2.15pm
9:40-10:30
11.10-12.00
12.40-1.30
2.10-3.00
3.40-4.30
5.05-5.55
(section 001-41136)
(section 002-41137)
(section 003-41138)
(section 004-41139)
(section 005-41140)
(section 006-41141)
Malakar
Malakar
Malakar
Rempe
Rempe
Rempe
1. Course goals: Genetics is central to all areas of biology. In the years ahead, we will be exposed
increasingly to situations that require some understanding of the principles of genetics, because genetic
concepts are becoming more and more central to medicine and public health, agriculture,
environmental science, anthropology, the criminal justice system, psychology, and more. This course is
central to your professional preparation in a life science related field. It also prepares you to critically
assess information presented through the news media, or by health care providers, friends, and family.
‘Genetics’ stands not only for a body of knowledge; it is also a scientific methodology that has been
fundamental to solving many mysteries of life. The gene is a unit of biological information. Much of
biological science today relies on techniques to manipulate genes. Genetics has taught us the basis of
diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s as well as other old and emerging diseases, and it is the
basis for changes of life on earth through evolution. Independent of the domain knowledge about
Genetics that you will learn, you will also become more experienced with the following scientific
practices:
·
Interpret visual representations, such as figures and diagrams
·
Formulate open questions and hypotheses that are empirically testable
·
Evaluate data and derive a conclusion based on evidence
2. Learning outcomes: By the end of this course, you will learn many new ways to illustrate several of
the 'big ideas' (major concepts) in Biology: Central to Genetics is the notion of Information Flow and
Storage: Information is stored in many forms (DNA, epigenetic mechanisms, etc.) and flows from DNA
into RNA and proteins, from genotype to phenotype, as well as in reverse. The genome directs the
functioning of the organism. A related notion, Transformations of Energy and Matter, will appear
occasionally as well. We will be occupied a great deal more with this third notion, Structure Determines
Function. Molecules, molecular machines, etc. underlie the operation of the cell and the organism.
Genetics is also the basis for the fourth key notion, Evolution: Populations of organisms and their
cellular components change over time, as random changes in the genome meet the selective power of
the organism's natural environment. Finally, we will see Living Systems are Interconnected, as they
interact and influence each other on the biochemical and physiological level, between generations, and
within populations.
3. Prerequisites: Students enter this course with different levels of familiarity with the subject.
However, most of you have been exposed to the basic principles of both Mendelian inheritance
(transmission genetics) and molecular genetics (DNA > RNA > Protein) through 100-level Biology or
equivalent high school biology classes. Therefore, it is expected that you bring to this course a basic
but accurate understanding of the processes of mitosis and meiosis, Mendelian inheritance, the
structure of DNA, and the processes by which genetic information is processed from DNA, via RNA,
into proteins (the ‘central dogma’).
4. Lecture Attendance: Regular attendance at the lectures is expected. You will also spend time
studying the material with our excellent textbook. It is a good idea to read the relevant chapter before
each lecture. The advantages of coming to the lecture: (i) you are exposed to the material repeatedly,
(ii) the material is prioritized, (iii) you hear the material being explained from a different angle than in the
book. (vi) you will get a better idea which material from the textbook will be covered in exams. Note: I
do not post slides before the lecture. However, slides and key concepts will be provided via the
Blackboard course site.
5. Homework assignments: You will be assigned specific problem sets from the textbook. Working
the problems deepens your understanding of the material and is the best preparation for the exams.
This is often underestimated. It is fun, too. Just having a talent for memorization does not ensure a
good grade in Genetics, so working the problems is very important.
On four occasions, the homework will be collected by the TAs. For full (4x15=60max) points, the
homework must show how you approached and worked the problem (handwritten is OK). These are
among the easiest points to collect in the course. The TA’s will not ‘correct’ the homework; but you are
encouraged to discuss any problems you encountered with the TA or instructor.
6. Discussion: Discussion classes are designed to help you with your problem-solving skills. In
addition, there will be a mix of other activities such as discussion of human-interest topics in Genetics
(Genetics and Society), group projects, exposure to the primary research literature in Genetics, etc.
Discussion is NEW in Fall 2012, and we hope you will enjoy and appreciate it. Attendance will be taken
and is mandatory. You are allowed two unexcused absences. Quizzes will be held; these cover lecture
and discussion materials. Active participation in the discussion is expected and will contribute favorably
to your grade. Note: Because the discussion will be held in teaching labs, no open-toed shoes are
allowed.
7. Exams: Some exam questions will resemble the problems listed at the end of the book chapter while
others require you to define terminology and vocabulary. The exams are multiple-choice, but the correct
answer is almost always difficult to guess. Practice exams will be provided ahead of time. The final
exam is comprehensive. This means that most questions will relate to material from the third and final
lecture period but will require understanding of earlier, more basic material. No make-up exams will be
given unless documentation is provided. There will be one make-up exam, scheduled shortly after the
second exam. The makeup exam will cover material from both Exam 1 and 2. Caps or similar head
coverings are not permitted during exams. Cheating or other unethical behavior out of line with the
University’s honor code will lead to zero points.
8. Study tips: Many students think of Genetics as a challenging course. Having evolved over the past
hundreds of millions of years, genetic principles have become quite complex. Analytical, quantitative,
and memorization skills are all required to process and assimilate the material. And each chapter builds
on the ones before. Therefore:
-
Keep up with the material from day to day; DON’T FALL BEHIND!
Read the corresponding book chapter BEFORE the lecture.
Solve the assigned HOMEWORK PROBLEMS, then practice with problems that have not been
assigned. Don't give up too easily. You will encounter such problems on the exams.
Ask your TA or instructor for help.
The Office for Multicultural Student Life is organizing free tutoring for certain classes (asu@utk.edu)
The most efficient way of thoroughly learning and retaining a topic is to TEACH it. How can you apply
this to your situation?
-
-
Practice ‘GROUP LEARNING’: form a study group to work problems together.
Practice ‘ACTIVE LEARNING’: Can I explain the material in a coherent way to my fellow student?
Generate your own 'study guide’ for each chapter; for example by jotting down definitions of the key
terms or by creating a stack of 4x6" cards with the most important concepts. This encourages
transfer of your knowledge from 'passive' to 'active'.
Make up your own test questions. If YOU had to test the rest of us, what questions would you ask?
Carefully check your quizzes on where the gaps were: Where exactly is the borderline between
what you know and what you didn’t understand?
The most common problem that everyone encounters more or less frequently is that you may have only
a fuzzy understanding of the genetic TERMINOLOGY used in the problem/question in front of you.
9. Grading
Lecture..................................600 points
Exam 1 and 2 ..................... 200 + 200 points
Final Exam.......................... 200 points
Discussion............................. 200 points
Quizzes................................ 60 points (10 points each; best 6 of 8 quizzes are counted)
Homework (selected)........... 60 points (4 times 15 points; assigned in lecture; turned in to TA)
Participation......................... 80 points
Total.................................... 800 points
The median final grade is usually a B or B-. To gauge your standing the course, take note how many
'standard deviations' separate your exam score from the average in the class. The translation of
numerical points into letter grades will be determined toward the end of the semester. There is always a
‘curve’, but only high-achieving students receive A’s. Note: A C or higher (not C-) is needed for the BIOBCMB major.
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