General Genetics BioSc231 Syllabus Instructor Dr Dave Westenberg Department of Biological Sciences Office 105A Schrenk Hall 3414798 Lab G 6 Schrenk Hall 341 6586 djwesten umr edu Office Hours MWF 9 00 9 50 or by appointment Course Description This course will cover the principles of heredity and reasons for variation in all living organisms After completing this course you should be familiar with several phenomena principles rules and laws of genetics including Mendel s Law of segregation and independent assortment meiosis and mitosis origins of specific phenotypic and genotypic ratios mechanisms of sex determination sex linkage gene mapping complementation DNA structure and function cytoplasmic inheritance chromosomal aberrations mutations Class Meeting MWF 10 00 to 11 00 231 UCE Textbook An Introduction to Genetic Analysis by Griffiths et al Eighth edition You will be expected to have read the assigned chapter and related questions before the corresponding class period The end of chapter Review the Basics questions and assigned questions will serve as the basis for classroom discussion Make sure that you are familiar with all key terms at the end of each assigned chapter Reserve material Old exams and links to websites relevant to General Genetics can be accessed through the course HomePage http www umr edu microbio Bio231 html If you have any comments or concerns regarding this course or the instructor good or bad please feel free to discuss them with me If you are not satisfied with my response or prefer to speak with someone else you may contact the Chair of the Biology Department Dr Robert Aronstam aronstam umr edu 341 4831 or the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr Paula Lutz plutz umr edu 341 4131 Course Objectives After completion of this course you should be able to Use the principles of Mendelian genetics to predict the progeny of crosses of known genotypes Deduce parental genotypes based upon progeny ratios Use a pedigree and the laws of inheritance to calculate the risk of affected children in a specific mating Predict the outcomes of crosses involving sex linked genes Diagram and explain the processes of mitosis and meiosis Deduce gene order and map distances on a chromosome Explain the processes of replication transcription and translation Draw a diagram illustrating a short stretch of DNA RNA or protein and label the significant features of each Grading and Exams Your grade will be based on your scores on five exams four midterm exams and one final 60 points each 10 quizzes and homework assignments 10 points each a written report on an inherited genetic disorder 60 points and participation 40 points for a total of 500 points Participation includes asking and answering questions bringing to class relevant information from you own research etc Your participation grade will depend on attendance 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 the scheduled final you may have the opportunity to take a comprehensive make up exam The exam dates are scheduled as follows Exam Exam Exam Exam Exam 1 2 3 4 5 Monday 9 12 Monday 10 3 Wednesday 10 26 Wednesday 11 16 Wednesday December 14 4 00 6 00 All exams will take place in the regular lecture room 213 UCE unless notified otherwise Depending on interest I will be offering review sessions before each exam and the time and date will be arranged during class This is intended to be an opportunity for you to ask questions and request clarification of specific topics so come prepared Written Reports Before the first exam 9 12 each student will select an inherited human genetic disorder upon which they will prepare a 3 to 4 page written report The final report will be due Friday Dec 2 The paper will describe the characteristics the mode of inheritance and physiological explanation of the disorder if known Prior to exams 2 3 and 4 specific tasks related to your chosen genetic disorder will be required Prior to exam 2 you will turn in a sample pedigree illustrating the inheritance of the genetic disorder Prior to exam 3 you will turn in a description of the location of the gene s associated with the disorder on the human genetic map Prior to exam 4 you will turn in an outline of your report The total project will be worth 60 points 10 points for each pre assignment and 30 points for the final report I have a list of inherited human genetic disorders that you may choose or you are welcome to select one of your own Lecture Topics Topic Introduction to Genetics an overview Mendelian Genetics Chromosomal Basis of Heredity Exam 1 Monday 9 12 Gene Interaction Gene Mapping Specialized Mapping Exam 2 Monday 10 3 The Structure and Replication of DNA Genetics of DNA Function The Molecular Biology of Gene Function Exam 3 Wednesday 10 26 Mutations Mechanisms of Gene Mutation Chromosomal Mutations Structure Chromosomal Mutations Number Exam 4 Wednesday 11 16 Recombinant DNA Applications of Recombinant DNA Cancer as a Genetic Disease Population Genetics Final Exam Wednesday 12 14 Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 15 16 17 18 12 13 22 24