Genetics

BIO 306A, 1,2

Fall Semester, 2008

4 credit hours. Prerequisites: BIO 111, BIO 112; CHE 101, 102.

Instructor: Dr. Robert Hamilton

Hederman Science Room 205; Phone (601) 925-3872

Office hours:
9:00AM - 10:00AM M, W, F

NOTE: I am available during these posted hours unless otherwise notified. I will be available during these hours without appointment unless I am occupied by a previous appointment. I am usually available at any time during the academic work day (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM). Also feel free to e-mail me with any questions at rhamilto@mc.edu.

Lectures:
BIO 306A Tuesday/Thursday 9:25 AM - 10:40 AM
Hederman Science, Room 100
Laboratories:
BIO 3061 Tuesday 1:30-4:30 PM
BIO 3062 Thursday1:30--4:30 PM
BIO 306C Thursday 6:00-9:00PM
Hederman Science room 201.

IF YOU NEED SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS DUE TO LEARNING, PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, OR OTHER DISABILITIES, PLEASE CONTACT DR. BUDDY WAGNER IN THE COUNSELING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER. HE MAY BE REACHED BY PHONE AT (601) 925-3354 OR BY MAIL AT P.O. BOX 4063, CLINTON, MS 39058.

THE LAST DAY TO DROP A CLASS IS OCTOBER 31. STUDENTS CANNOT WITHDRAW AFTER OCTOBER 31 UNLESS ALL OF THE THREE FOLLOWING CRITERIA ARE MET:

EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES (CLEARLY OUTSIDE THE STUDENT'S CONTROL).

PASSING THE COURSE AT THE TIME OF THE WITHDRAWAL

DOES NOT HAVE EXCESSIVE ABSENCES AT THE TIME OF THE WITHDRAWAL

NO REFUNDS FOR DROPPING A SINGLE CLASS AFTER THE FIRST WEEK

Materials You Need:

Textbook: Optional

Griffith's et al. An Introduction to Genetic Analysis, 9th edition. Freeman.

The text of the materials covered in my lectures can be purchased at the biology offce, Hederman Science Room 104.

Course Description:

A study of the genetic factors in viruses, microorganisms, higher plants and animals. The nature of the gene and its expression is a central theme.

Rationale for course:

Genetics is central to all life. Any understanding of living systems requires a knowledge of genetics. An understanding of living systems sufficient for professional and preprofessional programs in the life sciences requires a rigorous knowledge of basic genetics. Genetics thus fulfills the mission of the college through the concentrated study in specialized fields, in this case, the specialized field of genetics.

Learning objectives:

The principle objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how genes and the genome work. The course will include a focus on basic issues such as some of the reasons why alleles are dominant or recessive. The course will also include a focus on genetic regulation, from the basic operon model to models of eukaryotic gene expression.

Topics to be Covered in Lecture:

We will follow this schedule as closely as possible. It is unlikely that we will be able to follow it exactly. It is certain that this schedule will be revised during the semester. I will announce revisions in class.

Chapter 1: Mendel
Chapter 2: Testing Mendel
Chapter 3: Chromosomes, Mitosis and Meiosis
Chapter 4: Cytogenetics

Midterm 1

Chapter 5: Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Chapter 6: Linkage
Chapter 7: Dominant mutations, Codominance, Incomplete Dominance and Interactions among Genes

Midterm 2

Chapter 8: DNA - Structure, Function, and Replication.
Chapter 9: Chemical Basis of Mutation/DNA Repair
Chapter 10: RNA - Structure, function, replication and basic control of replication in E. coli
Chapter 11: Mutation

Midterm 3

Chapter 12 Eukaryotic RNA
Chapter 13: The Prokaryoic Gene
Chapter 14: The Eukaryotic Gene
Chapter 15: The Prokaryotic and Viral Chromosome
Chapter 16: The Eukaryotic Chromosome

Midterm 4

Developmental Genetics

Topics to be covered in lab:

All laboratory sessions will conclude with a review of questions from the textbook and from lecture notes. Links to gel data will be posted on this site. This course includes numerous questions. Answers to these questions will be given during lab periods ONLY!

Lab 1. HHMI Video. Assignment. Set up fruit fly cultures.

Lab 2. Harvest of Fear Video: Assignment.

Lab 3. Probability and Statistics. M&M's Lab.

Lab 4. GMO Introduction. Second Generation of Fruit flies.

Lab 5. PCR/Electrophoresis of GMO DNA.

Lab 6. PV92 Lab Introduction. Human DNA extraction. GMO Assignment.

Lab 7. Population Genetics. PV92 Assignment. Third Generation of Fruit Flies.

Lab 8. DNA Forensics Assignment.

Lab 9. Quantitative Inheritance.

Lab 10. Final Fruit Fly. Fruit Fly Writeup.

Lab Final Exam

ACAT EXAM

Evaluation:

Lecture Based: 55%

Three midterms, each worth 10% of final grade. Total 30 % of final grade Comprehensive final worth 25% of final grade. A total of 4 midterms examination will be given during the semester. Your top 3 midterm grades will be counted.

Lecture exams will be all multiple choice. Analytical and verbal reasoning skills will be tested more rigorously than in most other courses.

Lab Based: 45%
Five lab assignments, each worth 5% of the final grade. One fruit fly report worth 5% of the final grade. To be turned in at the end of lab periods. Note that lab periods cannot be made up. You need to attend one of the two lab sessions each week.

Five pop quizzes each worth 1% of the final grade. Quizzes will be at the end of lab periods, and cover material only for that lab period.

Lab final exam worth 10% of the final grade.

Reports and assignments are be written independently by each student. Students work in groups to collect data that will be summarized into class data and each student is then expected to write their own report. Plagiarized reports will be awarded grades of ZERO. Plagiarism includes students working together to write a single report and submitting identical or highly similar reports.

Grading will follow the ten point scale, over 90% = A, 80-89.9% = B, 70-79.9% = C, 60-69.9% = D, < 60% = F.

Attendance:

Strict adherence to Mississippi College's class attendance policy will be followed. "Any student whose absences, whether excused or unexcused, exceed 25% of the class will receive an "F" in the course." This means that if you miss more than 8 classes, you get an F.

Academic Integrity:

See The Mississippi College Undergraduate Bulletin for what the university considers to be academically dishonest, the student's responsibility, and the consequences for academic dishonesty.

Missed Tests:

I generally do not allow makeups. I will only alllow makeups if notified IN ADVANCE that a student will miss a test.

My policy on missed tests is due to my desire to return tests as soon as possible. I have observed that students score much more poorly on make ups than they do when they take tests at scheduled times. Returning tests as near as possible to the time the tests were taken greatly aids students in developing an understanding of issues on the test with which have difficulties, and I am unwilling to sacrifice the value of the timely return of tests to the class in general for irresponsibility and/or poor judgment on the part of a few students.

WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO MISS A TEST DUE TO SOME CONFLICT, FOR ANY REASON, BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE CONSIDERED THE REASONS WHY YOU ARE TAKING THE TIME AND MAKING THE EXPENSE REQUIRED TO ATTEND MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE. WHILE THERE ARE LEGITIMATE REASONS FOR MISSING CLASSES (INCLUDING TESTS), YOU PAY A ACADEMIC PRICE FOR EACH CLASS YOU MISS, REGARDLESS!!.