BIO 160- Heredity and Evolution
Spring 2014
Instructor: Prof. Susan Jackson
Contact Information:
Email: Susan.Jackson@sju.edu Office: Science Center 313B
Course Objectives and Means of Assessment:
Biology 160 is designed for non-science majors to fulfill part of their natural science
requirement. The course focuses on giving students a basic understanding of ideas that
will help them understand new information they encounter involving DNA, heredity, and
evolution. The course will include several general topics of information:
1. Introduction and the nature of genetic material
2. Transmission of genetic material
3. Gene expression and regulation
4. Genetic variation as a basis for evolution
5. Human evolution
6. Genetics and society
These course objectives will be assessed via;
Four exams that are designed to test understanding, synthesis, and application of the subject
material covered in lecture, as well as 4 reaction papers based on readings and/or in-class
assignments.
Required Text: Human Genetics, 10th ed., by Ricki Lewis (2012). There will also be additional readings
handed out in class.
Grading: Your final grade will be determined by performance on the exams and papers. The faculty
evaluation of attendance, class attitude/effort, and participation are considered when the student's final
grade is calculated. Students that miss more than 2 weeks worth of classes will be reported to the Dean
and face the possibility of failing for the semester due to delinquency.
The grading breakdown is as follows:
Category
Exam #1
Exam #2
Exam #3
Final Exam
Points_________Category
50
Rxn. Paper #1
50
Rxn. Paper #2
50
Rxn. Paper #3
50
Rxn. Paper #4
200
Grade Assignment:
B+ = 87 - 89
A = 93 - 100
B = 83 - 86
A- = 90 - 92
B- = 80 - 82
C+ = 77 - 79
C = 73 - 76
C- = 70 - 72
Points
15
15
15
15
60
Total of 260 points
D+ = 67 - 69
D = 60 - 66
F = below 60
Exams: Exam dates will be announced. Examinations will generally be in the format of multiple-choice
and short answer. Makeup exams are not to be expected without an acceptable reason PRIOR to the
exam. Please plan travel and interviews accordingly.
Academic Honesty: Any student(s) that misrepresents his/her work in any fashion during this course
will be brought up on academic charges. Any guilty person will receive an F for the assignment or for the
course, depending on the professor's discretion. Misrepresentation of work includes, but is not limited to,
copying from another student, copying from the text, copy and pasting from the internet, or using cell
phones (or any other electronic device) during exams.
Syllabus (Subject to change)
Week
1
Jan. 21
General Topic
Introduction
Subject/Reading Assignment
Introduction: Chapter 1, Cells, Mitosis and Meiosis:
Chapters 2-3
2
Jan. 28
Transmission
DNA Structure, Replication, Transcription and
Translation: Chapters 9-10
3
Feb. 4
Transmission
Exam 1, The Race for the Double Helix
4
Feb. 11
Transmission
Chromosomes: Chapter 13
5
Feb. 18
Transmission
Single Genes and Sex Chromosomes: Chapters 4-6
6
Feb. 25
Gene Expression &
Variation
Gene Expression & the Environment: Chapters 5-7
7
Mar. 4
Gene Expression &
Variation
Exam 2, Assigned Readings
8
Mar. 11
9
Mar. 18
No Class: Spring Break
Genetic Variation
Allele Frequencies & Hardy Weinberg: Chapters 1415
10
Mar. 25
Human Evolution
Darwin
11
Apr. 1
Human Evolution
Human Ancestry: Chapter 16
12
Apr. 8
Human Evolution
Human Ancestry: Chapter 16
13
Apr. 15
Human Evolution
Exam 3, The Human Family Tree
14
Apr. 22
Genetics & Society
Genetic & Reproductive Technologies: Chapters 19
& 21
15
Apr. 29
Genetics & Society
Immunity & Cancer: Chapters 17-18
16
Final Exam (Exam 4)
Students with Disabilities: Those who have or think that you may have a disability (learning,
physical or psychological) are encouraged to contacts Services for Students with Disabilities,
Room 113, Science Center, 610-660-1774 or 610-660-1620, as early as possible in the
semester. Accommodation can only be provided to students with current (within 3 years)
documentation.
Students are encouraged to discuss their instructional ("reasonable academic adjustments")
and accommodation needs with their professors.
All student requests for extended time to take examinations in a distraction-free environment
must be discussed with the professor a minimum of one week prior to the scheduled date of the
exam. The student must complete the Extended-Time Request Form, obtain the professor's
approval, and submit the form to the office--Services for Students with Disabilities--a minimum
of three (3) days prior to the date of the scheduled exam. Failure to follow these procedures
could result in a denial of the request.
Exceptions to exam schedules require prior written approval of the professor.