1 Life Sciences 1b Genetics Genomics and Evolution Daniel L Hartl Maryellen Ruvolo http www courses fas harvard edu 2159 COURSE DESCRIPTION Half course spring term Tu Th 10 11 30 and three hours of laboratory discussion weekly Why is there so much variation among individuals Why are species so different Biological variation reflects differences among genes and genomes how genetic information is transmitted how it functions how it mutates from one form to another how it interacts with the environment and how it changes through time These and related issues are examined in depth with special emphasis on complex traits whose expression is determined by a complex interplay between genes and environment Prerequisite None INSTRUCTORS Faculty Dr Dan Hartl dhartl oeb harvard edu Dr Maryellen Ruvolo ruvolo fas harvard edu Biolabs 2119 Peabody Museum 54B 496 3917 495 3576 Preceptors responsible for labs discussion sections and course administration Dr Evan Lau elau fas harvard edu Dr Brandeis McBratney Owen bmowen fas harvard edu Both preceptors lsci1b fas harvard edu Science Center 407 384 7925 Docent holds office hours responsible for exam review sessions Dr Elena Lozovsky elozovsky oeb harvard edu Office hours for all instructors will be posted on the course website under Teaching Staff Lectures COURSE REQUIREMENTS Tuesday and Thursday 10 07am 11 30pm Sanders Theatre No food or drink allowed Please turn off your cell phones PDF versions of the slides will be posted on the website by 6pm the day before lecture You are encouraged to bring a copy to class for note taking as no additional notes will be provided Lecture attendance is mandatory Students are responsible for material covered in lecture that is not in the textbook as well as for material in the assigned reading that is not covered in lecture 2 Required Materials Genetics Analysis of Genes and Genomes 7th edition 2009 D L Hartl and E W Jones Jones and Bartlett Publishers ISBN 076375868X o Available at the Harvard COOP and Amazon com Life Sciences 1b Lab and Section Manual 2009 o Available at Flash Print at 99 Mt Auburn Street in Harvard Square Electronic Clicker o Loaned to students for the semester Distributed in section o Bring to each lecture for break outs and other questions Sections Laboratory Discussion and Genetic Disorder Project Weekly LS1b sections are mandatory and include both laboratory and discussion components Laboratories provide the opportunity to work with a variety of model organisms yeast Neurospora humans and C elegans to reinforce genetic concepts and to develop analytical skills that are crucial to all scientific investigation Discussions provide the opportunity to review lecture material practice problem solving and learn about human genetic disorders A major feature of the weekly sections is the semester long Genetic Disorder Project GDP where each student will research a specific disorder and write a grant proposal in several stages The GDP culminates in an April symposium where experts on each disorder physicians researchers patients and or family members meet with students for a panel discussion Students must attend the same 3 hour section each week Sections are offered at these times Mondays 2 10pm 5 00pm Tuesdays 2 10pm 5 00pm 7 10pm 10 00pm Wednesdays 2 10pm 5 00pm Thursdays 3 10pm 6 00pm 7 10pm 10 00pm Fridays 1 10pm 4 00pm Electronic sectioning will be open from Thursday January 29 to Monday February 2 During this time students must go to http www section fas harvard edu and give their preferences for section times Students will receive their section assignments by email on or before Thursday February 7 Requests to change section must be addressed to Preceptors Dr Evan Lau and Dr Brandeis McBratney Owen lsci1b fas harvard edu and will only be considered for academic reasons Once sections start the week of February 9 all section assignments are final Section orientation All students must attend one of the following section orientations Tue Feb 3 4 5 30pm in SC Hall D Wed Feb 4 3 4 30pm in SC Hall D Thu Feb 5 3 4 30pm in SC Hall C Fri Feb 6 2 3 30pm in SC Hall D Bring your section manual A brief orientation will be followed by a background survey 3 Background survey At the end of section orientation students will take a brief multiple choice background survey covering highlights of the course material This survey will not affect grades or section placement but it will give the faculty a better understanding of your background It will also give you a preview of what you ll be learning this semester Any student who believes s he is already proficient in the course material is invited to take the survey early Tues Jan 27 or Fri Jan 30 from 3 4pm in SC 407 Exceptional performance 90 or better earns the right to take last year s final exam Passing the final exam earns a letter from the course faculty stating that you are proficient in the material covered in LS1b and should not be required to take the course Students do not earn course credit for passing the final Exams The three midterm exams will be held during class on Thursday February 19 Thursday March 12 and Tuesday April 14 The final exam will be during the final exam period as scheduled by the Exams Office You are responsible for ensuring your attendance at these exams No make up midterm exams will be given Students who miss a midterm must have a documented medical excuse or family emergency The remaining midterms will be 20 each and the final exam will be 30 of the course grade see grading policies below Furthermore if you miss a midterm the resurrection policy will not be able to be applied to your final grade see grading policies below Crib sheets You may bring one sheet of 8 5 x 11 paper with writing and or print on both sides to each midterm exam and two sheets to the final exam Also bring a calculator to all the exams Special Arrangements Any student requiring special arrangements for exams lectures or section should contact Dr Evan Lau or Dr Brandeis McBratney Owen lsci1b fas harvard edu Section Assignments Section assignments will be due at the beginning of section most weeks Section assignments are comprised of problem solving sets laboratory write ups and GDP writing assignments Templates for each section assignment will be available on the course website The contents of each section assignment can be found on page 12 Practice Problems In addition to problem solving sets in section assignments which are worth points students will be