General Genetics
Biology 184 — Fall 2006
Instructor: Dr. Tom Peavy
Office: SQU 406
Phone: 278-7276
Office hours: Mon & Wed 3-4:30pm (and by appointment)
Email:
I. Class times
Lecture: Section 1, M/W 8:00 -8:50 PM (SQU-452)
Lab Sections: Instructor Dr. Peavy
Section 2, M/W 9:00 -10:15 AM (HUM-220)
Section 3, M/W 10:30 -11:45 AM (HUM-220)
Instructor Dr. David Waddell
Section 4, M/W 1:30 -2:45 AM (HUM-220)
II. Course Prerequisites:
Microbiology (BIO 139 or equivalent; Chemistry majors are exempt)
Organic Chemistry (CHEM 20 or equivalent)
III. Books
Lecture
Textbook : Genetics Analysis & Principles (2005) Second edition By Robert J. Brooker
Online supplements with the textbook (www.mhhe.com/brooker)
Laboratory
Bio 184 Laboratory Manual (2006) Ballard, R., B. Holland, T. Peavy and M. Loo (2006). Available at the Hornet Bookstore and at the Dr. Holland’s genetics website (http://www.csus.edu/indiv/h/hollandb/genetics/index.htm ).
IV. Course Objectives: The overall course objective is to increase student knowledge, awareness and appreciation of classical and molecular genetics with emphasis on the formation, transmission, function and organization of the genetic material.
Learning Outcomes: Specifically you will be able to...
1. Understand a historical perspective of genetics, identifying breakthroughs of discovery, and
prominent scientists who were involved in these breakthroughs.
2. Use problem-solving skills to predict genetic outcomes.
3. Describe basic inheritance patterns and the chromosomal basis of heredity.
4. Explain mutation as a source of genetic variability.
5. Understand the role of sex chromosomes in sex determination, sexual dimorphism and
chromosomal inactivation.
6. Understand how cells reproduce through DNA and nucleic acids.
7. Describe how DNA transcribes into RNA that ultimately translates into protein.
8. Articulate some of the major issues related to modern biotechnology and genetic manipulation.
9. Develop skills in analysis, problem solving, communication and ethical perspectives as it
applies to genetics.
V. Course Structure:
Lectures will provide the students with the conceptual framework of genetics and develop problem-solving skills. Particular emphasis will be given to understanding the scientific method and science-as-way-of-knowing through hypothesis-driven research. Lecture materials will be available one-day prior to lecture within WebCT (https://online.csus.edu/webct/logonDisplay.dowebct ). Students can access the site either using the above link or going to the CSU Sacramento home website and looking for WebCT under the “Quick Links”. Notify Dr. Peavy () if you don’t have access to the course website within WebCT.
Laboratory will be a combination of learn-by-doing exercises (illustrating central themes of genetics), five lab practical quizzes (testing comprehension of the laboratory exercises) and student presentations on current genetics-related topics (enhancing student appreciation for the complex issues surrounding genetic technologies).
VI. Evaluation:
The combined lecture portion of the course will be worth 70% of the student grade (360 pts) and laboratory will be worth 30% (155 pts).
Lecture
A) Homework/Quizzes (6 @ 10 pts each) 60 pts
B) Examinations (3 @ 100 pts each) 300 pts
Total Lecture points 360 pts
Laboratory
C. Lab Participation 15 pts
D. Lab Practical Quizzes (5 @ 20 pts) 100 pts
E. Student Presentation* 40 pts
Total Laboratory Points 155 pts
*Service-learning option with Project R.I.D.E. (see service-learning handout for details)
Ø Substitutes for Student Presentation points
Final grades will be determined on a percentage basis of the total points possible (360 + 155= 515) according to the following scale:
93 -100 % A 73 – 76 % C
90 - 92 % A- 70 - 72 % C-
87 - 89 % B+ 67 - 69 % D+
83 - 86 % B 63 - 66 % D
80 - 82 % B- 60 – 62 % D-
77 – 79 % C+ < 60 % F
A. Homework/Quizzes:
The homework/quizzes are to be completed and submitted within the WebCT course site by the due dates listed in the lecture schedule below. The instructor will inform the students as to when the homework/quizzes are available. Students are responsible for completing these homework/quizzes on time to receive credit. No make-up quizzes will be permitted.
B. Exams:
There will be three exams worth 100 points each given during class (see syllabus for dates). Each exam will cover the material from lectures and homework. The format will be multiple choice, short answer, and problem-solving questions. A review will be given during the class prior to each exam. Students are expected to come to the review prepared to ask questions. You will have the entire 50 minutes to take the exam. The only resource you may use on any exam or quiz will be your pencil (bring two sharpened pencils with erasers). You can not use calculators, PDA's or cell phones unless told otherwise. The third and final exam will not be cumulative but rather cover the material since the previous exam. A make-up exam will be given to a student only if the circumstances surrounding their absence was beyond their control, as deemed by me. In this case, I will require written documentation to verify the circumstance within one week of the missed exam.
C. Lab Participation
In order to participate, a student must attend the labs. Students that miss more than three laboratory periods will receive a “U” in the course. Points for lab participation will be divided between attendance, effort in lab, and participation in discussions.
D. Lab Practical Quizzes
Lab practical quizzes are designed to test student comprehension of the laboratory exercises. Questions are based on the laboratory exercises leading up to the quiz and therefore are not cumulative. Questions may be presented at laboratory stations where students rotate through the stations. As with lecture exams, make-up exams will only be accommodated for individuals if their circumstances surrounding their absence was beyond their control (e.g. medical emergency). Written documentation will be required.
E. Lab Student Presentations
Students are to perform library research on a current topic in the field of genetics and present their findings orally in a PowerPoint presentation (10-15 minute present; 5 minute question period). Students should include enough background information for their peers to be able to understand the topic. In addition, the student is to hand-in a 1-2 paragraph summary of the topic to the instructor (with a title) that includes their references.
Service-Learning Evaluation
Students who participate in the Service-Learning option will be EXEMPT from the Student Presentation in the laboratory and instead the same 40 points will be assessed through 1) the grading of ten Service-Learning Journal Entries (one journal entry for each week of the Service-Learning experience, 2 points per Journal Entry =20 pts), and 2) your service learning project (20 points). Your service learning project will be to identify something that would enhance the experience of the disabled children and to complete a project that addresses this objective. At the end of the semester you will give a brief (~5 minute) in-class presentation in which you describe your service learning project to the students in your laboratory section and hand in a brief written report discussing your project (~1 page).
VII. Course policies
Cheating and plagiarism are not allowed. Cheating and plagiarism are very serious offences and will be prosecuted accordingly. The Department Chair and Dean of Students will be notified of the event and the student may be dismissed from the course with an “F”. Other possible lesser actions may be the loss of all points for the assignment/quizz/exam and/or reduction of the students final grade. All quizzes and exams are closed book and notes. Plagiarism is defined by the University as “the use of distinctive ideas or works belonging to another person without providing adequate acknowledgement of that person's contribution.” Students should review the University policy on plagiarism provided on the web (http://www.csus.edu/admbus/umanual/UMA00150.htm ).
VIII. Add/Drop Policy
The C.S.U.S. 2006-07 Class Schedule details the University’s add/drop policy. Students should evaluate whether they have the time to devote to the class before adding the class. In order to drop the course after the Census Date, students are required to provide documentation to verify their extenuating circumstances. Forms are available in the Biological Sciences Department office.
IX. Disabilities
Assistance will be provided to all individuals with a disability that affects their ability to succeed in the course. Students with disabilities should contact me as soon as possible (preferably in the first week) to arrange for reasonable accommodations.
X. Common Sense Rules
A. All pagers and phones should be turned off (or set to vibrate) during class time. I
reserve the option of confiscating the phone or pager from a student until the end of class if it becomes a problem.
B. We should be respectful to each other and listen when anyone else is asking questions
or when I am lecturing. Please do not talk or interrupt others.
C. If a student arrives late or needs to leave early, take a seat near the door to avoid
disrupting the class.
D. Students should only be concentrating on Bio I84 during the lecture and therefore
should not have other reading material or assignments on their desk during class time.
Tentative Lecture Schedule*
*Subject to change
LABORATORY SCHEDULE*
DATES /LAB EXERCISE
/ LAB MANUAL9/6 / Course orientation & Lab safety;
9/11
9/13 / Experiment 1, Day One: Introduction to recombinant DNA technology
Experiment 1, Day Two: Transformation of recombinant DNA into host bacteria / 1-7
7-8
9/18
9/20 / Experiment 1, Day Three: Extraction of recombinant plasmids from transformants
Experiment 1, Day Four: Restriction enzyme analysis and electrophoresis / 8-9
9-13
9/25
9/27 / Experiment 1, Day Five: Analysis of agarose gels; Oral Presentation Demonstration by instructor
Experiment 2, Day One: Introduction to human DNA identification;
LAB PRACTICAL QUIZ 1 / 13-15
16-27
10/2
10/4 / Experiment 2, Day Two: Isolation of cheek cell DNA
Experiment 2, Day Three: Set up PCR reactions / 27-29
29-30
10/9
10/11 / Experiment 2, Day Four: Analysis of CGE run and profiling results
Student Oral Presentations Group 1; LAB PRACTICAL QUIZ 2 / 30-34
10/16
10/18 / Experiment 3, Day One: Enzyme induction
Experiment 3, Day Two: Enzyme assay / 35-36
37-40
10/23
10/25 / Experiment 4, Day One: Introduction to light microscope; Mitosis in Allium root tips
Experiment 4, Day Two: Human karyotyping / 41-47
47-51
10/30
11/1 / Experiment 4, Day Three: Abnormal human karyotypes
Student Oral Presentations Group 2; LAB PRACTICAL QUIZ 3 / 52-54
11/6
11/8 / Experiment 5, Day One: Drosophila genetics and recombination
Experiment 5, Day Two: Probability / 55-59
60-62
11/13
11/15 / Experiment 5, Day Three: Chi-Square analysis
Experiment 5, Day Four: Handling Drosophila, identifying mutants, and scoring F2 flies / 62-68
68-72
11/20
11/22 / Experiment 5, Day Five: Finish scoring F2 flies; Create a linkage map
Experiment 5, Day Six: Discussion of result and group problem solving / 72-73
11/27
11/29 / Student Oral Presentations Group 3; LAB PRACTICAL QUIZ 4
Experiment 6, Day One: Introduction to heritability and regression / 74-79
12/4
12/6 / Experiment 6, Day Two: Regression analysis of height data; Room: TBA
Experiment 6, Day Three: Discussion of results and group problem solving / 79-81
81-82
12/11
12/13 / Student Oral Presentations Group 4 and Service-Learning Presentations
LAB PRACTICAL QUIZ 5
*Subject to change