ABIO 350 Fundamental Genetics Syllabus Dr. William Jackson Fall 2008 - 1 - Instructor: Dr. William H. Jackson Office: SBDG 201A Office hours: By appointment Telephone: 641-3601 Email: [email protected] Lecture: TTH,8:00-9:15 in SBDG 200 Text: Genetics: From Genes to Genomes, 3rd Edition by Hartwell, et al. Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences., 4th Edition by McMillan Laboratory: M, 10:00-12:40 in SBDG 108 See Laboratory Syllabus Supplies: Scantron Sheets and Scientific calculator, Lab notebook Credit: Four (4) Semester Hours Course Description: Fundamental Genetics is a four credit hour course for biology majors, which covers the principles of transmission, molecular, and population genetics. Topics covered will include Mendelian genetics, quantitative inheritance, linkage, recombination, the biochemical aspects of gene function and regulation, and developmental and population genetics. Course Objectives: This course will introduce the student to the underlying principles of genetics. It is divided into transmission and molecular genetics. On completion of this course students will be expected to 1. Demonstrate an understanding of transmission genetics; 2. Demonstrate an understanding of molecular genetics; 3. Demonstrate an ability to write and discuss applications of genetic concepts; 4. Prepare written and oral reports of data 5. Solve genetics problems using appropriate mathematical techniques in conjunction with data collected in the genetics laboratory; Attendance Policy: Students are expected to adhere to the University attendance policy as stated in the Student Handbook. In this regard, the instructor may impose a penalty for absences in excess of 25% of regularly scheduled class meetings by assigning an “F” in the course. Absences, neither excused not unexcused, absolve the student from meeting class assignments. Because of their nature, laboratory exercises cannot be made up – students should make every effort to attend all laboratory sessions. Disability Statement: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability, which might affect your performance in class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, 126A B&E (803) 641-3609, as soon as possible. The Disability Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation. Methods of Presentation and Evaluation: Information will be presented through lectures, class discussions, and laboratory exercises using appropriate visual aids and laboratory equipment. Student progress will be assessed through two 1-hour lecture exams, a Genetics Problem Set exam, a comprehensive final exam, and weekly quizzes (lecture and lab). Several assignments will be handled through Blackboard. The final course evaluation will be based on the following weighted assignments: Description Percentage Comments Two 1-hr exams 30% 300 points (each exam = 15%) Genetics Problem set 15% 150 points (Transmission genetics problems) Final Exam 15% 150 points (Comprehensive final exam) Weekly Quizzes 15% 150 points (Material discussed the previous 1 – 2 weeks) Laboratory 25% 250 points See Laboratory Syllabus supplement The letter grades will be based on total accumulated points and will be assigned as follows: A>900; B>800; C>650; D>550; F<550. Biology majors must make a C or better in this core course.ABIO 350 Fundamental Genetics Syllabus Dr. William Jackson Fall 2008 - 2 - TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE Date Week Topic/Comments Chapter Aug 21 1 Mendel’s Breakthrough 2 Aug 26 Aug 28 2 Mendel’s Breakthrough Extensions to Mendel 3 3 Sep 2,4 3 Extensions to Mendel 3 Sep 9,11 4 The Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance 4 Sep 16,18 5 Linkage and Mapping 5 Sep 23 Sep 25 6 Linkage and Mapping Exam I 5 2-5 Sep 30 Oct 2 7 DNA: Recombination and Replication DNA: Recombination and Replication 6 6 Oct 7 Oct 9 8 DNA: Recombination and Replication Fall Break (Oct 9 – 10) 6 6 Oct 14,14 9 DNA: Recombination and Replication Oct 21 Oct 23 10 DNA: Recombination and Replication Gene Structure and Function 6 7 Oct 28,30 11 Gene Structure and Function 7 Nov 4,6 12 Gene Structure and Function 7 Nov 11 Nov 13 13 Gene Expression Exam II 8 6-7 Nov 18,20 14 Gene Expression 8 Nov 25 Nov 26 15 Gene Expression Thanksgiving Holiday (Nov 21 – 23) 8 8 Dec 2,4 16 Biotechnology Dec 11 Final Exam at 8:00 AM in SBDG 200 6-8 You will be expected to endorse the USCA HONOR PLEDGE on every assignment: 'On my honor as a University of South Carolina Aiken student, I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment/examination. To the best of my knowledge, I am not in violation of academic honesty' Genetics Laboratory: Genetics Laboratory is not separate from Genetics Lecture; therefore, students are expected to synthesize the material covered in lecture, laboratory, and the text. Each student is expected to meet every laboratory session, as it is impossible to recreate the laboratory setup after the scheduled meeting time. In general, each laboratory meeting will be divided into three sessions and designed to (1) extending lecture, (2) practice genetics problems, and (3) carry out assigned laboratory exercises. Several laboratory meetings will be required to work on genetic crosses between mutant strains of Drosophila melanogaster and will require several weeks to complete. Because the laboratory studies involve living systems, the student must be prepared to work on the project when the need arises. While some of the work can be done during normal laboratory meeting times, this is not always the case. Genetics problems will be introduced via Blackboard quizzes that will be available the week prior to each lab meeting. Students are required to complete each quiz prior to the lab meeting. Online quizzes serve as practice and review for in-class quizzes and exams. In-class quizzes will be administered at the beginning of each lab meeting and will be similar to the preceding online quiz. In addition the Genetics Problem Set will include problems similar to the online and in-class quizzes. A second major component of genetics laboratory is a research project on a specific genetic disease. Students will carry out a literature search and write a one-page summary that includes at least three references from peer-reviewed journals and/or medical textbooks. References must be cited using CSE format (Chapter 4 in the supplemental