BIOL 3220K Genetics (4 hours) Summer 2015

Department of Biology
University of North Georgia - Dahlonega
Section A (crn 3498)
Professor:

Lecture: MTWR 0830-1040

Shane A. Webb, Ph.D.

408 Health & Natural Sciences Bldg.
Office Hours: M,W 1405-1505, T,R 1040-1240 & by appt.

Lab: MW 1105-1405
shane.webb@ung.edu
ph: 706-867-2947
fax:
867-2703

Course Description: A study of the principles of inheritance to include transmission,

molecular, and population genetics. Topics include gene action, transfer systems and
mapping, and cytological genetics. With laboratory.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107K (C or better), BIOL 1108K and CHEM 1211/1211L.
Course Objectives: On completion of this course students should be able to:
i.
Describe the fundamental concepts of transmission & molecular genetics.
ii.
Use probability, statistics and other quantitative methods to solve problems in
transmission genetics.
iii.
Articulate how genetics relates to the biology, health & welfare of humans.
iv.
Describe the major machinery and processes of DNA replication and gene
expression.
v.
Discuss recent technology that has impacted the field of genetics, and
understand the ethical implications of these advances.
vi.
Apply the scientific method to the collection, analysis & interpretation of genetic
data.
This course aims to introduce you to the fundamental concepts of genetics while
stressing critical thinking and problem solving skills. Memorization of facts and
methods will be necessary, but not sufficient to master this course. It is hoped that you
leave this class better prepared to think and work in a scientific manner. An
understanding of the principles of inheritance will make you more critical of the ways
society will choose to use the knowledge we are rapidly accumulating in this field.
Methods of Instruction: Course consists of four, 120-minute lecturesandtwo,three
hourlaboratorieseachweek.Lectureswillemphasizebasicconceptsingenetics.
Questionsanddiscussionareencouraged.HomeworkwithinMasteringGeneticswill
begiventostressimportantconceptsandprepareyouforquizzesandexams.
During the course of this term you will be performing laboratory experiments using a
variety of model organisms. The purpose of these experiments is to give you an
opportunity to gain skills that you may use in future research/study, and to deepen your
understanding of basic principles covered in the lecture. You will keep an 8.5 x 11 lab
notebook that I will grade during exams (see Notebook specifications in lab manual).

Evaluation Methods: Your final grade will be based on a 490 point total. You will be
rewarded for your performance alone, not your performance relative to your peers. This
is intended to encourage cooperative learning (e.g. comparing notes & studying). You
are guaranteed the letter grade associated with the following intervals (rounded to the
nearest % point): A (90%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), F (59%). You
canevaluateyourcourseperformancewiththefile<Gradecalculator.xls>.
Point allocation is as follows:
200 pts
Two midterm exams (lecture & lab content; 100 pts each)
100 pts
Cumulative final exam (lecture & lab content; ~half old/new material)
40 pts
Drosophila assessment (40pts; details TBA)
50 pts
Lecture quizzes (five of 10 pts each; drop one; scaled to 50pts)
50 pts
Mastering homework (posted within the site; scaled to 50 pts)
(If you earn >80% 50 pts; >70% 40 pts; > 60% 35 pts)
50 pts
Laboratory notebook (checked during all exams) & participation
0 pts
GCA bonus (10 pts) for top 50% of students (pre + post)
490 pts
General Expectations
Absence/attendance policy: Refer to the NG Student Handbook for attendance policies.
Students that miss 10% of scheduled classes (lecture & lab combined) will be
dropped from the course (W or WF) on the basis of excessive absences. Please note
that for this summer, short-session course, 10% is three class meetings!
Additionally, due to the nature of many of the labs they cannot be repeated at a later
date. Failure to attend will therefore result in forfeiture of associated points. You are
responsible for all assignments and announcements made in lecture, lab or disseminated
online. "I didn't know" is not an acceptable excuse for failure to comply with course
requirements.
Exams and quizzes MUST be taken at the scheduled time. If missed due to illness or
family emergency, it must be documented in detail by a medical doctor. The
availability, scheduling, and format of make-ups are at my discretion.
Classroom participation policy: It is expected that students will participate actively in
lecture and laboratory. This means, among other things, being respectful (of me, your
peers, and the learning environment). If you take notes electronically, no Facebook,
Twitter, YouTube, email, etc. Silence phones!
Required activities outside of class time: As we will be working with living organisms,
some experiments require attention outside of scheduled laboratory sessions.
Individual vs. collaborative work policy: You are encouraged to collaborate with your
partner(s)/classmates while studying and in the discussion of lecture concepts, but NOT
in the collection of research materials, analysis of data, production of graphs or writing
of labs, reports, etc. I reserve the right to use any means necessary to detect cheating
and/or plagiarism. Violating this policy will result in formal referral of the instance of
cheating or plagiarism to the Academic Integrity Council, and may result in a failing
grade in the course. Subsequent violations can result in expulsion from the university.
2

Note:
Note: Students should go to the Supplemental Syllabus (http://ung.edu/academicaffairs/policies-and-guidelines/supplemental-syllabus.php)) for information regarding
Academic Exchange,, Academic Integrity Policy,, Academic Success Plan Program,,
Class Evaluations,, Course Grades and Withdrawal Process,, Disruptive Behavior Policy,,
Inclement Weather,, Smoking Policy, and Students with Disabilities..
Knowledge Base - Required text (you may use any of these three formats):
Klug, W.S., et al. 2012. Concepts of Genetics, 10th edition. Pearson.
Hardcopy with Access Code (ISBN 9780321732330)
Loose Leaf with Access Code (ISBN 9780321792174)
EText with Access Code (ISBN 9780321751010)
Optional: You can purchase access to FlyLab ($7) at http://biologylab.awlonline.com/
Buy Now > Online Subscriptions > FlyLab (click on price)
Supplementary materials: G:AcademicShare>Biology>Webb>Genetics
Supplementary materials: Other texts are on reserve in the library.
Hierarchical Learning Levels (bold levels stressed in this course):
Knowledge is the ability to recall or recognize information.
Comprehension is the ability to understand or use information within a limited context.
Application is the ability to use abstractions in particular situations.
Analysis is the ability to break information into its parts to clarify relationships.
Synthesis is the ability to create new concepts through examination of other information.
Evaluation is the ability to use standards and criteria to make judgments.
Mathematics integral to success in this course include:
Algebraic manipulation and solving for variables, standard curves (linear and nonlinear),
exponents and logarithms, X2 goodness of fit statistical test, descriptive statistics (mean,
standard deviation and variance), probabilities (multiplication rule, addition rule, conditional,
binomial expansion), combinatorial math, serial dilutions, molarity and concentration
calculations (including composite solutions), and using MS Excel to plot graphs.

Note: You will be signing a document during Drop/Add that states you are fully aware of
the contents of the syllabus. This means you need to read every word of this document.
The statement: I (the undersigned) have read the Summer 2015 Genetics syllabus in
its entirety and hereby verify that I understand its contents and am fully aware of my
academic responsibilities in the course. I also understand what will be expected of me
in terms of professional behavior.
Failure to sign & date this form will result in your removal from the course.

Course Schedule (subject to change)

Day
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Date
Jun 24
25
29
30
Jul 1
2
6
7
8
9
13
14
15
16
20
21
22
23

Topic
Chapters
Introduction; Cell divisions & life cycles
2
(contd)
Mendelian genetics
3
Mendelian extensions & sex linkage
4, 7
(contd)
Genetic linkage & mapping
5
(contd)
Non-Mendelian genetics
9
Chromosomal variation
8
(contd)
D/RNA Structure; Replication
10, 12
Replication (contd)
11
Transcription
13
Translation
14
Gene regulation
16-17
Mutation; Repair
15
Quantitative genetics
23
FINAL EXAM Thursday, July 23rd, 0830-1030

Lab (M & W)
1: GCA; Intro Lab

Quizzes
& Exams

Additional
Drop/Add ends

2: Drosophila assess.
& Prob & X2
3: Biochem genetics

Quiz 1

4: Complementation

EXAM 1

Quiz 2

5: Tetrad analysis

Quiz 3

9: Restriction mapping

Quiz 4

Notebook due!
W period ends

6: DNA extraction
EXAM 2

Notebook due!

6 & 7: Quant / PCR

10: Fly assess.; GCA

Quiz 5
Notebook due!