Bio 34: Human Genetics Fall 2011 Norco College, RCCD Class Code: #38064 TuTH Lecture 2:00-3:25pm IT 101 Instructor: Dr. Monica M. Gutierrez (“Dr. G”) Email: [email protected] Office: IT 200F (Temporary) Office phone: 372-7171 Office hours: TTH 11:10am- 12:40 pm and Wed 10:15am-1:15pm Website: http://faculty.rcc.edu/gutierrez-monica/ Textbook: Human Heredity, Michael Cummings, Eighth Edition, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-495-55445-5. Also required for each exam: large pink parscore form. Advisory: High school biology or any college life science with laboratory is advised before enrolling in human genetics. The website will allow students to download schedule, syllabus, study guides for each exam, sample exam questions, worksheets, textbook assignments, and power point lecture presentations. Course Description: The course is designed to introduce the mechanisms of human heredity including major concepts such as cell and chromosome structure, mitosis/meiosis, DNA structure/function, Mendelian genetics, interpretation of pedigrees and predicting offspring when the parent's genetic makeup is known. Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to: 1. Discuss the structure and function of cellular structures. 2. Explain the basics of nucleic acid structure, gene replication, transcription, translation and control of gene expression. 3. Compare and describe the steps of the cell cycle. 4. Compare and contrast the inheritance patterns of monogenic and multiple loci crosses. 5. Explain and interpret pedigree patterns. 6. Describe factors that can modify patterns of inheritance. 7. Explain sex determination in humans and contrast sex-linked, sex-modified, and sex-limited inheritance. 8. Explain normal human chromosome structure and examine variation in normal chromosome structure and number. 9. Explain the genetic influences on various human diseases such as cancer, metabolic and immunological disorders. GRADING: The course is worth 1000 points. Grades will be calculated as follows: (5) Exams @ 100 pts = 500 (1) Final (Cumulative) @ 200 pts = 200 (18) Study Guides @ 12.5 pts = 225 (1) Genetics Written Paper @ 50 pts = 50 (1) Genetics Worksheet (Based on Genetics DVD) @ 25 pts = 25 Total 1000 points A = 1000 - 880 points or 88-100% B = 879 - 780 points or 87-78% C = 779 - 680 points or 77-68%D = 679 - 580 points or 67-58% F = 579 and below or 57% or lower Keep records of all work (including test scores) at least until you have received your grade from the admissions office following completion of the course. If you believe an error exists, communicate no later than ten days after the start of the next semester. Exams: All exams will cover material from lectures and assigned readings and will consist of multiple choice, true/false, matching, and critical thinking/data analysis. Genetics Paper: Must be on a current genetics topic found in a scientific or newspaper article dated from July 2011 to the present. Must have the article approved by instructor prior to turning in paper. Paper must include a 1-2 page introduction of topic or problem, a summary of problem including current research being done, a conclusion and future solutions or next set of experiments proposed by the researchers or student. Must have at least 3 references from scientific journals or text books, and only 1 reference can be from a reliable internet source. A copy of article(s) and list of references must be included. Paper must be at least 4 pages in length, typed, and double spaced. Deadline for approval of genetics topic November 10, 2011. Paper is due December 1, 2011. Attendance: Attendance is mandatory and you should be present and ON TIME for all class sessions. If you miss more than 3 consecutive lectures, please be aware that on the fourth absence, you may be dropped from the class; however, this is not a guarantee that you will be dropped. Students who choose not to continue in the course are responsible for dropping the course through the admissions office. Please do not assume that I have automatically dropped you. Failure to officially drop the course may result in an "F". If you miss assignments/tests after the deadline to drop and have an acceptable reason (like hospitalization), an "Incomplete" would be more appropriate. Make up policy for exams: Make up exams will only be given under extraordinary circumstances such as, hospitalization, death, court date, etc . Student must bring valid documentation such as a doctor's note, death certificate, or court summons. Make up exams may consist of essay questions. Plagiarism and Cheating: Plagiarism is a form of cheating. Make sure that your work is original. Any time you use someone else's work and do not give that person credit, it is plagiarism. If you are "suspected" of plagiarism, you will bear the burden of proof. You must be able to present rough drafts or related materials and discuss the topic intelligently. This is important because I must be able to gauge what you have learned. Copying the work of another person, whether an essay or answers during a test, is considered plagiarism. Copying the work of another person, even though some cultures consider this sharing work, is considered plagiarism at RCC, an act of academic dishonesty. If you are uncertain about sharing vs. plagiarism be sure to ask for clarification. The District’s Board of Trustees issues policies governing academic integrity. Board Regulation 6080, Section III. C. 1 and 2 approved on January 25, 2005 states: “For instances of academic dishonesty a faculty member may take any one of the following actions: The faculty member may reduce the score on tests or assignment(s), reduce the grade in the course, fail the student in the course or recommend to the appropriate administrative officer that the student be suspended from the course. If course suspension is recommended, the administrative officer will review the information regarding the instance of academic dishonesty, notify the student, and will prescribe appropriate due process procedures.The administrative officer will make note of the offense in the student’s educational records. A second instance of academic dishonesty may result in expulsion proceedings. Any tuition and applicable fees will