Syllabus
Genetics (BIOL 3431)
Fall 2008
Instructor:
Larry Rohde, Ph.D.
Campus Closing:
Office - BAYU 3525-6
Call the emergency line 281-283-2221
Phone - 281-283-3743
or http://www.uhclemergency.info/
Lab – 281-283-3740
Message is updated every 30 minutes
e-mail - rohde@uhcl.edu
Website - http://sce.uhcl.edu/rohde/
Office Hours: Wednesday, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, and Friday 1:00 to 5:00 pm. If necessary,
appointments can also be scheduled. I can also be contacted by e-mail or voice
mail. Sometimes I am in the lab (B3108, B3125 or B3126) at the above times, if
you need to see me and have not set an appointment, ask our secretary (Maria
Winters) to contact me by phone.
Section:
BIOL 3431, Tuesday & Wednesday 5:30pm to 6:50pm, BAYU 3332
Prerequisites: One year of general biology and one semester of chemistry.
Text:
iGenetics: A Molecular Approach (2006) by P.J. Russell. REQUIRED
Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co. Since this text will be used exclusively, it
is in your best interest to read the chapters.
Study Guide and Solutions Manual, iGenetics: A Molecular Approach, by Bruce
Chase (2006), REQUIRED, Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co. This study
guide is recommended for this course. It helps you to review terms and concepts
as well as practice questions for each chapter. In addition, it provides the
solutions and explanations to questions at the end of each chapter.
Course
Objectives:
This course is designed to provide students with an advance introduction into
classical genetics, molecular genetics, quantitative genetics and population
genetics. Since this is a junior level course, memorizing terminology, solving
problems and applying concepts will be emphasized.
Testing:
All the material covered in the exams will be based on information and assigned
homework problems from the textbook. In order to do well in this course, the
assigned reading must be read before lecture to help you grasp the problems and
to ask for clarification of concepts when necessary. Remember that during the
lecture because of time limitations you will get just a brief introduction to the
topics you must know to pass this course. So let me emphasize that the bulk of
the information will come from reading the textbook and solving the
assigned problems.
Drop Date:
October 27, 2008
UHCL
Honesty
Policy:
The Academic Honesty Policy at UHCL (found on pages 76-78 of the 2006 to
2007 catalog) states:
"Academic honesty is the cornerstone of the academic integrity
of the university. It is the foundation upon which the student builds
personal integrity and establishes a standard of personal behavior."
The Honesty Code of UHCL states:
"I will be honest in all my academic
activities and will not tolerate dishonesty."
Because honesty and integrity are such important factors, you should be aware
that failure to perform within the bounds of these ethical standards is sufficient
grounds to receive a grade of "F" in this course and be recommended for
suspension from UHCL.
Grades:
Lecture Exams
Final Comprehensive Exam
Total =
Grading
Scale:
A
AB+
B
Lecture
Notes:
At the beginning of each class you will receive a copy of the lecture notes.
These lecture notes are presented as an outline of the chapters we will cover. In
order to do well on quizzes and exams, you should review these notes first and
read the book. (Note: Some questions will come from the book). If you
missed the class or lost your notes, extra lecture notes are available in a kiosk
located next to my office door.
92-100%
89-91%
86-88%
80-85%
BC+
C
C-
80 %
20 %
100 %
78-79%
75-77%
68-74%
65-67%
D+
D
DF
63-64%
58-62%
55-57%
< 54%
Homework: Homework is listed on the last page of the syllabus. Homework is not handed in
as a grade. Instead, eight sets of questions (40% of the exam grade) of each
exam will be very similar to homework assignments.
In order to pass this class, you have to work the homework problems.
I repeat, In order to pass this class, you have to work the homework
problems!!!!!!!!!!
Genetics’
Teaching
Assistant
& Tutor:
Official Teaching Assistants for Genetics and the Lab will be posted on my
website. Those students who need help with their Genetics lectures or homework
can contact these teaching assistants or meet with me.
All meetings with the
TAs and me will be on UHCL campus only. Although individual meetings are
OK, I recommend that students meet with TAs as a study group. I can meet with
individuals or groups.
Exam &
Quiz Rules
The following rules will be followed during tests:
1) Keep your eyes on your own test. If I catch you looking at someone
else’s exam, I will warn you first with a cold stare and second vocally.
The third time I will take up your exam and give you a Zero!!!!!!
2) All cell phones (including Bluetooth), e-mail devices (e.g. Blackberry) and
iPods will be turned off and put away. DO NOT ANSWER OR USE
YOUR communication devices!!!!!!! Tell your family and friends that you
will not be allowed to use your communication device during test time. This
has unfortunately become a way to cheat and will not be tolerated in my
classroom.
3) You will need a regular, classic calculator when taking an exam. Do
not use Dictionary/translator-type PCs, pocket-type PCs, or any
calculators that allows you to type in text. You will not be allowed to share
calculators. I have extra calculators if needed.
Daily
Quiz:
Quizzes will be given on the Thursday class day and you will have 10
minutes to take the quiz. Each quiz may have 10 questions from the material
covered in the previous lectures (after the last quiz). Questions will be multiple
choice and true/false. During the semester you will take a total of 15 quizzes.
The 5 lowest quiz grades will be dropped and the final quiz grade (if higher) will
be used to replace the lowest, lecture exam grade. On lecture and final exam
days, a quiz will be handed out with the exam. If you do well on the quizzes,
you will do well in the class.
Lecture
Exam:
There will be four lecture exams during the semester. You will have 80 minutes
to take the lecture exam plus quiz. Questions will be divided into three
sections and will be either multiple choice, true/false or matching. In the first
section (40 percent of test grade), there will be 8 sets of questions covering only
the homework problems. The second section (60 percent of test grade) will have
the remaining 30 to 60 questions and will be based on assigned chapters. The
third section (8 points) will consist of eight bonus questions. Some questions on
the exam will be dealing with calculations for making chemical solutions and
using the metric system (See next paragraph).
Extra
Questions:
Some of the questions in the second section of the lecture exam will be dealing
with calculations for making chemical solutions and using the metric system.
These “extra questions” will be the only ones in the exam that will be fill-inthe-blank. If you are going to study science and work in this field, there are
certain mathematical skills you will need. The following mathematical
problems, which are basic to biology, will be addressed in the exam:
1) Making dilutions using the V1C1 = V2C2 formula.
2) Generating a certain volume of a solution with a specific molarity using the
molecular weight or how to make a percent solution (see #5).
3) Generating complex solutions using stock solutions. You should be able to
make a 250 ml solution of 100 mM Tris-HCL, 50 mM NaCl, 0.1% SDS and
1 mM EDTA using the following stock solutions: 1 M Tris-HCl, 5 M NaCl,
10% SDS, 0.5 M EDTA and then bringing it up 250 ml with water.
4) Understanding and using the metric system for measuring length (meters),
weight (grams) and volume (liters). You should be able, for example, to
convert nanometers into meters.
5) Remember this relationship between meters, grams and liters:
At room temperature at 1 atmosphere of pressure =>>
One milliliter of water = One gram of water = One cubic centimeter of water.
How does one cubic millimeter fit in this relationship? How can this be used
to make a 10% solution of a particular compound, e.g., SDS?
Final
Exam:
The final will be focused on the homework and lecture material after exam 4.
Its format will be the same as the lecture exams. However, the bonus section
(10 points) will be comprehensive.
Final exam is December 11 (Thursday) from 4:00 pm to 6:50 pm in BAYU
3332.
Make-Up
Exams:
Make-ups for non-exam day quizzes are not available. However, you
will have one week to make up an exam (plus its corresponding quiz). The
exams/quiz will be mostly fill-in-the-blank and you will have 80 minutes
to take the exam & quiz. Exceptions to this rule for lecture exams:
1) Work requires that you miss the test. You will need a letter (on
letter head and with a signature/phone number) from your
supervisor.
2) Medical reasons prevent you from taking the test. You will
need a letter (on letterhead and with a signature/phone
number) from your Doctor.
I will call to confirm your absence!!!!!!
SACS
Quiz:
You will take this Quiz at the beginning of the semester and at the end.
Those who score a 90 or above, 80 to 89, or 70 to 79 on this test at the end
of the semester will, respectively, receive an additional 3, 2 or 1 point(s)
added to their final semester score.
Date
Exam/Quiz
Chapter
Topic
Aug. 26
SACS Quiz
1
Introduction
Aug. 28
Quiz # 1
2
Genetic Material
3
DNA Replication
4
Gene Function
5
Gene Expression: Transcription
Sept. 2
Sept. 4
Quiz # 2
Sept. 9
Sept. 11
Exam # 1 & Quiz # 3
Sept. 16
Sept. 18
Quiz # 4
Sept. 23
Sept. 25
Quiz # 5
Sept. 30
Oct. 2
Quiz # 7
Oct. 14
Oct. 16
Gene Expression: Translation
7
DNA Mutation, DNA Repair,
And Transposable Elements
8
Recombinant DNA Technology
9
Applications of Recombinant
DNA Technology
10
Genomics
Exam # 2 & Quiz # 6
Oct. 7
Oct. 9
6
Quiz # 8
11
Mendelian Genetics
12
Chromosome Basis of
Inheritance
13
Extensions of Mendelian
Genetic Principles
14
Quantitative Genetics
Course Schedule (cont.):
Date
Exam/Quiz
Oct. 21
Chapter
Topic
15
Gene Mapping in Eukaryotes
Oct. 23
Exam # 3 & Quiz # 9
Oct. 27
Last Day To Drop
Oct. 28
16
Advance Gene Mapping
in Eukaryotes
17
Variations in Chromosome
Structure and Number
18
Genetics of Bacteria and
Bacteriophages
19
Regulation of Gene Expression
In Bacteria and Bacteriophages
20
Regulation of Gene
Expression in Eukaryotes
Oct. 30
Quiz # 10
Nov. 4
Nov. 6
Quiz # 11
Nov. 11
Nov. 13
Exam # 4 & Quiz # 12
Nov. 18
Nov. 20
Nov. 25
Nov. 27
Quiz # 13
21
Genetic Analysis of
Development
22
Genetics of Cancer
23
Non-Mendelian Inheritance
Thanksgiving Break
Course Schedule (cont.):
Date
Exam/Quiz
Dec. 2
Chapter
Topic
24
Population Genetics
Dec. 4
Quiz # 14
25
Molecular Evolution
Dec. 11
Final
Quiz # 15
SACS Quiz
4:00 pm to 6:50pm
BAYU 3332
Homework Assignments:
Chapters
Problems
1
none
2
1 to 36
3
1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10 to 14, 16, 18, 20, 21 to 25
4
1 to 4, 8, 10, 12 to 14, 17, 22, 23, 25
5
1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 to 15, 17 to 19, 22, 24, 26
6
1 to 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 24, 28 to 30
7
1 to 6, 9 to 11, 14, 17, 20 to 24, 30 to 32, 34, 35
8
1, 3 to 13, 15 to 17, 24, 27 to 31, 33, 34, 36 to 40
9
1, 4 to 9, 14 to 16, 20 to 23, 25
10
1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 12, 15, 16, 19, 22
11
1 to 34
12
1 to 27, 32, 35 to 39, 41 to 44
13
1 to 12, 14, 15, 18, 21, 22, 27, 32 to 36
14
1 to 7, 9, 11, 17, 20, 21, 24, 26
15
1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 to 11, 13, 16, 19 to 21, 23, 24, 26, 28
16
1 to 3, 5 to 8, 11, 15, 18, 21
17
1, 3, 7, 12, 13, 16, 21 to 26, 29, 33
18
1 to 3, 7, 8, 14, 16 to 18, 22, 23
19
1 to 5, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17 to 19, 22, 23, 25
20
1, 4, 8, 10, 13, 18, 19
21
1, 2, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 22 to 24, 26
22
1 to 4, 6, 7, 10 to 12, 14 to 23, 28, 29
23
1 to 3, 12, 13, 16, 19, 25, 29, 30
24
1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18, 22, 29, 33, 34, 35, 37
25
2 to 5, 7, 13, 21