General Genetics (BioSc231) SyllabusInstructorDr. Dave WestenbergDepartment of Biological SciencesOffice: 105A Schrenk Hall 341-4798,Lab: G-6 Schrenk Hall [email protected] Hours - MWF 9:30 - 10:20, or by appointment or just stop by my office or lab andif I'm available I'll be happy to answer questionsCourse Description: This course will cover the principles of heredity and reasons forvariation in all living organisms. After completing this course you should be familiar withseveral phenomena, principles, rules and laws of genetics including: Mendel’s Law of segregationand independent assortment; meiosis and mitosis; origins of specific phenotypic and genotypicratios; mechanisms of sex determination; sex linkage; gene mapping; complementation; DNAstructure and function; cytoplasmic inheritance; chromosomal aberrations; mutations.Textbook: An Introduction to Genetic Analysis by Griffiths et alYou will be expected to have read the assigned chapter and related questions before thecorresponding class period. The end of chapter "Review the Basics" questions and assignedquestions will serve as the basis for classroom discussion. Make sure that you are familiar withall key terms at the end of each assigned chapter.Reserve material: Old exams and links to websites relevant to General Genetics can beaccessed through the course HomePage: http://www.umr.edu/-genbio/Bio231.htmlGrading and Exams: Your grade will be based on your scores on five exams (four midtermexams and one final) (60 points each), homework (60 points) and participation (40 points) for atotal of 400 points. Participation includes asking and answering questions, bringing to classrelevant information from you own research, etc. Your participation grade will depend onattendance - if you have more than four unexcused absences you will forfeit the 40 points.There will be no make-up exams during the term, however, during the second half of thescheduled final you may have the opportunity to take a comprehensive make-up exam.The exam dates are scheduled as follows:Exam 1 Monday, September 11Exam 2 Monday, October 2Exam 3 Wednesday, October 25Exam 4 Wednesday, November 15Exam 5 Monday, December 11, 10:30All exams will take place in the regular lecture room (Chem Eng 139) unless notified otherwise.Depending on interest, I will be offering review sessions before each exam and the time anddate will be arranged during class. This is intended to be an opportunity for you to askquestions and request clarification of specific topics – so come prepared.The general topics to be covered and the relevant chapters are listed below.Topic ChapterIntroduction to Genetics - an overviewMendelian GeneticsChromosomal Basis of HeredityExam 1 (9/11)Gene InteractionGene MappingSpecialized MappingExam 2 (10/2)The Structure and Replication of DNAGenetics of DNA FunctionThe Molecular Biology of Gene FunctionExam 3 (10/25)MutationsMechanisms of Gene MutationChromosomal Mutations - StructureChromosomal Mutations - NumberExam 4 (11/15)Recombinant DNAApplications of Recombinant DNACancer as a Genetic DiseasePopulation Genetics12345689101516171812132224Final Exam
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