Tentative Schedule (Subject to change!)
| Week | Dates | Topic | Reading Assignment |
| 1 | Aug. 25 Aug. 27 | Sock it to me! CSI: DNA | Ch. 1 & 2 |
| 2 | Sept. 1 Sept. 3 | Gregor's Peas Eugenics: Can the human race be improved? |
Ch. 3, Mendel (1865) Selecting the Perfect Baby |
| 3 | Sept. 8 Sept. 10 | Solving transmission genetics problems Sex and the single gene |
Drögemüller (2008) Ch. 4 |
| 4 | Sept. 15 Sept. 17 | Hypothesis Testing: The genetics of M&Ms Gene mapping |
Ch. 5 |
| 5 | Sept. 22 Sept. 24 | Solving linkage problems Super Models | Snell et al. (1993) |
| 6 | Sept. 29 Oct. 1 | Help Session Note: Exam I moved to Oct. 6 | |
| 7 | Oct. 6 Oct. 8 | Exam I: Chapters 1 to 5 DNA Replication and Recombination | Ch. 6, Meselson & Stahl (1958) |
| 8 | Oct. 13 Oct. 15 | Modeling DNA Replication and Recombination Chromosomes |
Ch. 7, Blackburn (1991) Ahmed & Hodgkin (2000) |
| 9 | Oct. 20 Oct. 22 | Telomeres and Immortality Problem Solving |
|
| 10 | Oct. 27 Oct. 29 | Human Karyotypes Eugenics Part II |
Ch. 8 Siffroi (2008) |
| 11 | Nov. 3 Nov. 5 | Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses Problem Solving | Ch. 9 |
| 12 | Nov. 10 Nov. 12 | Exam II, Chapters 6 to 9 Gene Expression |
Ch. 10 |
| 13 | Nov. 17 Nov. 19 | Problem Solving Gene Regulation |
Ch. 11 |
| 14 | Nov. 24 | Problem Solving | |
| 15 | Dec. 1 Dec. 3 | Genomics Problem Solving | Ch. 12 |
| 16 | Dec. 8 Dec. 10 | Eugenics Part III Exam III, Chapters 10 to 12 | |
| Final | TBA |
Office: 313 Jones Addition, Lab: 308 Jones Addition
Office Hours: 11-12:30, Thursday and by appointment
Course Objectives: In this course, you will develop your problem-solving skills in genetics. This requires you to gain knowledge of the vocabulary, to understand the fundamental concepts of genetics, and to use critical thinking skills. The development of vocabulary and concepts will be gained through assigned readings in the textbook. Problem solving skills will be developed through class activities and homework. Reading and discussing original research publications will develop critical thinking skills.
Text, Supplemental Readings and other material: Hartl, D. L. and Jones, E. W. (2009) Analysis of Genes and Genomes (7th edition). Jones and Bartlett, Sudbury Massachusetts. ISBN 9780793758684. A copy of the supplement problem book, other genetics texts, and old tests are on reserve in the library. Supplemental readings will be provided in class. Powerpoint lectures from previous years are available on the website but are password protected. To access these, you must go to the course website and register http://infohost.nmt.edu/~biology/Genetics311/.
Grading: There will be three preliminary exams, each worth 100 points, and a comprehensive final, also worth 100 points. Your grade will be based on the best of 3 out of these 4 exams (300 pts), homework assignments (100 pts), and class participation, including attendance (50 pts). The exams will consist of problems, which will be similar to homework assignments and recommended problems (see Suggested Problems section). Tests are closed book and closed notes, but you may bring in one sheet of 8x10 inch paper on which you can write anything. You must have written it yourself; no photocopies, no computer generated, and no typed sheets are allowed. The study sheet will be turned in with the exam. Do not copy other student's study sheets. If you are seen copying someone else's sheet, both will be confiscated. Appeals to exam grades must be submitted in writing (with the exam) to the instructor within a week of the return of the exam.
No make-up exams will be given. In extreme cases, exams can be given early. If you anticipate a problem, it is your responsibility to contact me one week BEFORE the exam. Emergencies will be considered on a case by case basis, and documentation will be required. If you have an emergency situation, contact the Dean of Students, Dr. Ricardo Maestes (vpsur@admin.nmt.edu) and his office will contact all of your instructors.
Homework Assignments: There will be graded homework assignments made over the course of the semester. These will be problems designed to prepare you for the tests. A total of 100 points will be devoted to homework assignments. Homework is due in class on the specified date. Late homework will be assessed a 20% per hour late penalty.
Class participation: This includes attendance and participation in classroom and assessment activities, for a total of 50 points.
Biology 389: Optional Recitation Section
T 11-11:50, W 11-11:50, and TBA (To Be Arranged)
The genetics recitation sections will emphasize problem solving. S/U grading will be based on
attendance. To get an "S" attendance at 70% of the classes is required.
Suggested Problems and Internet Resources by Chapter
Chapter 1: 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29
Raelian Cloning Site
Raelian Stem Cell Site
Chapter 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 30
Human SNPs
Forensic DNA
Chapter 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27
Mutation registry for ICF syndrome
Chapter 4: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30
Chapter 5: 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29
French genotyping site
Chapter 6: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 30
Werner's Syndrome information
Breast Cancer Gene BRAC2
Chapter 7: 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 19
Chapter 8: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
Chapter 9: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26
Chapter 10: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 19, 21, 22, 23, 37
Chapter 11: 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29
Chapter 12: 2, 8, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
Microchip simulation
Be sure to check out the web sites listed on the Suggested Problems page.
Web site for the book: GeNETics on the Web