BIO 150 D1 Genetics in Human Affairs
Spring 2013
Instructor: Adam Branson
Office: 203-M
Instructor Accessibility:
email: abranson@cfcc.edu
office hours:
phone: 910-362-7629
CFCC General Education Competencies will incorporate all or some of the following:
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Computer Skills
Critical Thinking
Global Awareness
Oral Communication
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Quantitative Skills
Written Communication
Understanding Scientific Concepts & Applications
Text: Human Genetics: Concepts and Applications 10th Ed. Ricki Lewis McGraw Hill
Course Description:
This course describes the importance of genetics in everyday life. Topics include the
role of genetics in human development, birth defects, cancer and chemical exposure, and
current issues including genetic engineering and fertilization methods. Upon completion,
students should be able to understand the relationship of genetics to society today and its
possible influence on our future.
Course Hours: 3 per week
Credit Hours: 3 semester
Prerequisites: BIO110 or 111
Grading Scale:
A (4.0) 100-92
WP-not computed in GPA
B (3.0) 91-84
WF-computed as an F
C (2.0) 83-76
I-incomplete
D (1.0) 75-68
F (0.0) 67-0
Course Objectives:
A.
Understand the genetic basis of life
B.
Understand the role of genetics in human development
C.
Understand the importance of genome sequencing
D.
Understand the role of genetics in human disease
E.
Understand the role of genetics in cancer
F.
Understand cloning and stem cell technologies
G.
Understand the use of genetic engineering and genetically modified organisms
H.
Understand genetic forensic testing, genetic disease testing, and genetic counseling
I.
Understand the use of reproductive technologies
J.
Understand the ethics of using genetic technologies
K.
Understand how genetic technologies impact society through medicine, law, politics,
religion, and economics
Outline of Instruction:
Part 1 Introduction to Genetics
Chapter 1 Overview of Genetics
Chapter 2 Cells
Chapter 3 Meiosis and Development
Part 2 Transmission Genetics
Chapter 4 Single Gene Inheritance
Chapter 5 Beyond Mendel’s Laws
Chapter 6 Matters of Sex
Chapter 7 Multifactorial Traits
Chapter 8 Genetics of Behavior
Exam I
Part 3 DNA and Chromosomes
Chapter 9 DNA Structure and Replication
Chapter 10 Gene Action: From DNA to Protein
Chapter 11 Gene Expression and Epigenetics
Chapter 12 Gene Mutation
Chapter 13 Chromosomes
Exam II
Part 4 Population Genetics
Chapter 14 Constant Allele Frequencies
Chapter 15 Changing Allele Frequencies
Chapter 16 Human Ancestry
Part 5 Immunity and Cancer
Chapter 17 Genetics of Immunity
Chapter 18 Genetics of Cancer
Exam III
Part 6 Genetic Technology
Chapter 19 Genetic Technologies
Chapter 20 Genetic Testing and Treatment
Chapter 21 Reproductive Technologies
Chapter 22 Genomics
Exam IV
Course Requirements and Class Policies
Evaluation
EXAMS: There will be four lecture exams each worth 100pts. The exam will be mixed
format (T/F, Multiple choice, short answer and essay). You will have one week’s notice prior to
the exams and there will be NO MAKEUPS.
PARTICIPATION: This is a discussion course and therefore class participation will be
fundamental to your grade. I expect educated discussion on the topics and you will be graded
from 1-10pts each meeting corresponding to your level of participation. “Participation” is
defined as adding valid SCIENTIFIC statements to the discussion. We will also have guest
lectures throughout the semester. You will be expected to listen attentively and ask thoughtful
questions, which will count towards your participation grade for the day. Simply being present
in class does NOT grant you any points, nor does simply expressing opinion! There will be a time
and a place in this course to voice your opinions and views, and this will be done in a civil
manner. There will be controversial topics discussed in this course and I expect maturity from
each student. If maturity is not observed you will be asked to leave and will be counted absent
for the day (with the forfeiture of your daily points). You are expected to research and bring in
an article per class period related to genetics. We will go in alphabetical order. You must email
it to me 1 ONE class period before we discuss it as a class. I will then post it on Black Board for
the class to download and read to be prepared to discuss it in class.
RESEARCH PROJECT: You will research a topic in genetics that interests you that is
germane to the course. You must have at least (5) scientific peer-reviewed sources to support
your topic. You will then write a two page (12pt font, double spaced) report summarizing your
findings and the future direction of the topic. You will also present a 7 minute presentation to
the class outlining your topic and any current research. The paper will count 75 points and the
presentation 25 points, for a total of 100 points.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is counted from the first class meeting for all students
including late entrants. Students who have not attended at least once by the 10 percent date
of the class (within the first 4 class meetings) will be dropped by the instructor as having “never
attended”. Students will not be able to start the class after this date. No tuition and fee
adjustments will be made. You can only miss three classes over the course of the semester,
after which you will receive an F for your final grade. You must be present for half the class to
be counted present! You are responsible for getting any notes or information you miss due to
absences. I will also record the number of times tardy, every 2 tardy = 1 absence.
Religious Observances: Students will be allowed two days of excused absence each academic
year for religious observances required by the faith of the student. These excused absences will
be included in the three absences. Students are required to provide written notice of the
request for an excused absence by completing the Religious Observance Absence form
available in Student Development. The completed form must be submitted to the Vice
President of Student Development or his/her designee a minimum of ten (10) school days prior
to the religious observance. The Vice President of Student Development or his/her designee
will notify the instructor within three (3) school days of receiving the request. Students will be
given the opportunity to make up any tests or other work missed due to the excused absence
and should work with their instructors in advance of the excused absence to delineate how to
make up the missed coursework (N.C.G.S. 115D-5).
WITHDRAWALS: You are responsible for obtaining the withdrawal form, I will then sign
it and YOU are responsible for turning it in by the withdrawal date. I am not responsible for you
either not picking up your form once I have signed it or you failing to turn it in.
Accommodation of Special Needs Based on Disability: Any student who requests classroom
accommodations because of a disability must present documentation to verify his/her
disability. This documentation must be furnished to the Disabilities Service Coordinator and
this should be provided prior to requesting accommodation by the instructor. On a confidential
basis, the student, disabilities services and the instructor will determine the appropriate
accommodations following documentation. Accommodations will be provided in a manner that
is consistent with the objectives, outcomes, and academic standards of the course. Absences
must not exceed class attendance policy.
Academic Honesty: Any behavior indicating dishonesty, unethical intent or action as specified
by CFCC will result in an "F" for the course. Plagiarism is using as your own the words or ideas of
another, whether written or oral. When you use material from a source, you must quote or
paraphrase accurately and properly cite the information. Failure to do so is considered
plagiarism. Examples of plagiarism include word-for-word copying without correctly indicating
that you are quoting, inaccurate quoting and paraphrasing, and incomplete or missing
documentation. Purchasing a paper or copying someone else's work and submitting it as your
own are also plagiarism. Any misrepresentation of the source in your writing or speaking would
constitute a form of plagiarism.
Whether intentional or unintentional, plagiarism is not acceptable and will result in the student
being assigned a grade of zero for the assignment and/or the course, at the instructor's
discretion.
Student Accounts:
Your myCFCC account is a single username and password for all of your CFCC network accounts:
email, WebAdvisor, Blackboard, campus computer access, and more. The email account
provided to you (yourusername@mail.cfcc.edu) is used for all official communication with
CFCC instructors and staff. Some information will ONLY be sent by email and not by postal mail,
so it is very important that you check this account. This account may also be used for personal
mail, but is subject to the CFCC Acceptable Use Policy. Be sure to logout of your account in each
service you may have opened (email, Blackboard, etc) when you leave a shared computer,
otherwise it is possible for the next user of the computer to access your information.
Contingency Plan: If there is an emergency and the instructor or an appropriate substitute does
not meet with the class, wait fifteen minutes. Then, everyone in the class should sign a roll
sheet and designate someone to take it to the Department Chair or Secretary.
TOBACCO FREE CAMPUS POLICY:
Cape Fear Community College:
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Is committed to providing its employees and students with a safe and healthful
environment.
Recognizes the use of tobacco products on campus grounds is detrimental to
the health and safety of students, staff, faculty and visitors.
Recognizes that it has the legal authority to prohibit tobacco use pursuant to
G.S. 143-599.
Therefore, Cape Fear Community College has set the following 100% tobacco free
campus policy, to be implemented on August 1, 2009.
Use of tobacco is prohibited by students, staff, faculty or visitors:
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in all campus buildings, facilities or property owned or leased by Cape Fear
Community College and outside areas of the campus;
on campus grounds, facilities, or in vehicles that are the property of the college;
at lectures, conferences, meetings, athletic, social and cultural events held on
college property;
for the purposes of this policy, tobacco is defined as any type of tobacco product
including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, bidis, hookahs,
smokeless or spit tobacco or snuff, e-cigarettes or any product simulating
smoking instruments;
Except at a specific location(s) on the North Campus as approved by the College
President due to unsafe conditions going off-campus.
***The instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Cape Fear
Community College, to make changes, adjustments, additions and deletions in course content,
first day handout, or instructional technique, without notice or obligations.