Bio 102 Bio II: Genetics and Evolutionary Biology
Spring 2014
Syllabus and Course Expectations
Lecture Instructors
Dr. Catalina Arango, SC 126
Phone: 610-660-1895
Email: carango@sju.edu
Fr. John Braverman, S.J., SC 127
Phone: 610-660-1894
E-mail: jbraverm@sju.edu
Dr. Michael McCann, BL 112E
Phone: 610-660-1146
E-mail: mmccann@sju.edu
Dr. Shantanu Bhatt, SC 124
Phone: 610-660-3440
E-mail: sbhatt@sju.edu
Course Description
Genetics as a science encompasses a broad range of effects in all organisms. The basis of these effects is the gene.
The study of genetics can be conducted on two levels: a macrobiological level, that is, looking at expression of genes
in organisms, and studying how these genes interact in the larger realms of populations and the environment. Of equal
importance is the study of the cytogenetic and molecular genetic function of genes, for example, DNA replication,
mutation, transcription, and protein synthesis. This course is based on this dichotomy.
Learning objectives for this course include, but are not limited to:
1. The development of an understanding of the principles of Mendelian genetics. Students are expected to understand
the processes of mitosis and meiosis and to be able to use the mathematical principles and predict the results of
various crosses.
2. The development of an understanding of the principles of Molecular Genetics. Students are expected to understand
the processes of transcription, translation, DNA replication and repair, as well as the mechanisms controlling gene
expression.
3. The development of an understanding of the principles of population genetics and evolution via natural selection.
Students are expected to be able to apply the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium rule to populations and to describe how
genetic diversity is generated and how natural selection can act on populations.
Student mastery of these, and other, learning objectives will be assessed primarily by the use of in class examinations,
quizzes and homework assignments.
Required Textbook
iGenetics, A Molecular Approach, by Peter J. Russell, Third Edition. Second custom edition for SJU. Boston:
Pearson.
Time and Place
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 11:15 AM – 12:05 PM.
Laboratory
A three-hour lab each week will be held in SC 212 or 214. For students in Phage or Worms labs, two 1-½ hour labs
will be held in other locations as posted.
Office Hours
Office hours will be posted on the instructors’ office doors and on Blackboard.
Attendance
Class attendance is expected. Attendance in lab sections is mandatory. Excessive or unexcused absences is grounds
for a grade of FA.
Academic Honesty
Cheating of any kind will result in a grade of F for the test or quiz for the first offense. Any subsequent cheating will
result in a grade of F for the course. Any acts of dishonesty will be reported to the Board on Academic Honesty.
Plagiarism in a written assignment will result in a grade of F for that assignment. Any subsequent plagiarism will
result in a grade of F for the course.
Bio 102 Bio II: Genetics and Evolutionary Biology
Spring 2014
Calculators
No graphing or programmable calculators may be used on exams or quizzes. Using such a calculator will be
considered a violation of the academic honesty policy and a grade of “0” will be given for that quiz/exam.
Grading
The course grade will be assigned on the basis of performance in lecture exams and quizzes (75%) and laboratory
work (25%), based on a maximum of 800 points:
Lecture exams: four @ 100 points; final @ 110 points
Quizzes ten @ 10 points; drop the lowest two
Homework
Laboratory
Total
= 510
= 80
= 10
= 200
800
No make-up quizzes or exams will be given. If you miss an exam unexpectedly, you must contact the instructor
immediately. If you have a legitimate excuse, the final exam grade will be used in place of your missed test grade.
Planned exceptions to the exam schedule require prior written approval of the professor.
Letter grades are assigned as follows:
A A- B+ B B- C+ -
91-100
89-90
85-88
81-84
79-80
75-78
C C- D+ D F -
71-74
69-70
66-68
60-65
below 60
Class Web Sites
Course notices, information, handouts, and practice quizzes with answers are available on Blackboard. There is a
Blackboard Genetics Resource Site for all sections in addition to a Blackboard page for your individual section. Your
text also has a web page, http://www.geneticsplace.com. Information about how to register is in the front of your text.
This site contains many helpful animations, review questions and other useful material. In addition, textbook owners
have access to the site MasteringGenetics (http://www.masteringgenetics.com). It contains practice quizzes and
valuable tutorials. To use it, you will need the course ID for your section, which will be provided by your instructor.
Email
Your instructors will use your SJU email address for electronic communication. You are responsible for checking for
and reading messages sent to your SJU email address.
Students with Disabilities
In accordance with state and federal laws, the University will make reasonable accommodations for students with
documented disabilities. For those who have or think that you may have a disability requiring an accommodation
(learning, physical, psychological) should contact Services for Students with Disabilities, Room G10, Bellarmine, 610660-1774 (voice) or 610-660-1620 (TTY), as early as possible in the semester for additional information and so that an
accommodation, if appropriate, can be made in a timely manner. You will be required to provide current (within 3
years) documentation of the disability.
For a more detailed explanation of the University’s accommodation process, as well as the programs and services
offered to students with disabilities, please visit their website. If you have any difficulty accessing the information online, please contact Services for Students with Disabilities at the telephone numbers above.
Bio 102 Bio II: Genetics and Evolutionary Biology
Spring 2014
Homework
Selected problems from the ends of each chapter of the textbook will be assigned as homework.
Supplemental Instruction
Weekly sessions will be conducted by Supplemental Instructors (SIs) to teach study skills, test preparation, and other
techniques for success. The SI program is organized by the Learning Research Center. All SIs are upper class biology
majors and attend lecture on a regular basis. SI meeting times for each lecture section will be posted.
Classroom behavior
Students are expected to arrive to class on time, prepared to be active learners, which includes (but is not limited to)
arriving at class on time, bringing clickers to every class, participating in clicker surveys, being attentive, and NOT
being a distraction to other students. You absolutely cannot use cell phones during lecture! Please turn your cell
phone OFF (do not set them on vibrate) and put them away. Students are expected to take care of any personal needs
(bathroom visits, water fountain, etc.) before class starts, so that it will not be necessary for anyone to leave class
before the end of the period except for DIRE emergencies. Please respect your fellow students by refraining from
indulging in private conversations during lecture. Such behavior disrupts the concentration and learning environment
of all the students around you.
Schedule
A tentative outline of topics, reading assignments, and exams is below. Students are expected to read the assigned
chapter and review the PowerPoint notes (available on Blackboard) before coming to class. Departures from this
schedule may be made and will be announced in class. There will generally be a quiz scheduled each week.
Date
Chapter and Topic
1/17
1/20
1/22, 1/24
1/27, 1/29
1/31, 2/3
2/5
Friday, 2/7
2/10, 2/12
2/14, 2/17
2/19, 2/21
2/24, 2/26
2/28, 3/3,
3/5
Friday, 3/7
3/10, 3/12, 3/14
3/17, 3/19, 3/21
3/24, 3/26, 3/28
3/31, 4/2
Ch. 1 (Introduction)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Ch. 12 (Mitosis and Meiosis)
Ch. 2 (DNA structure & organization)
Ch. 3 (DNA replication)
Ch. 4 (Gene function)
Exam 1
Ch. 4 (Gene function)
Ch. 5 (Transcription)
Ch. 6 (Translation)
Ch. 7 (DNA mutation & repair)
Ch. 8 (Genomics)
Ch. 11 (Mendelian genetics)
Exam 2
Spring Break
Ch. 11 (Mendelian genetics)
Ch. 12 (Chromosomal basis of inheritance)
Ch. 13 (Extensions of Mendelian genetics)
4/4
Monday, 4/7
4/9
4/11, 4/14, 4/16
Ch. 14 (Genetic mapping in eukaryotes)
Exam 3
Ch. 14 (Genetic mapping in eukaryotes)
Ch. 15 (Genetic mapping in prokaryotes)
Bio 102 Bio II: Genetics and Evolutionary Biology
4/18, 4/21
4/23
4/25
4/28
Wednesday, 4/30
5/1 [Constructive Monday]
5/2, 5/5
Easter Holiday
Ch. 17 (Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes)
Ch. 17 (Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes)
Ch. 18 (Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes)
Exam 4
Ch. 18 (Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes)
Ch. 21 (Population genetics)
Final Exam: A cumulative final exam is held during the University exam days.
Spring 2014