Course syllabus

GENETICS -- BIOLOGY 201 – BLOCK 7, 2001 (March 12 – April 4)

A study of transmission, population and molecular genetics and DNA technology.
Laboratory experiments constitute a significant portion of this course. Prerequisites:
BIOL 101 and 102 and permission of the instructor. Offered every year. 4 credits.
9:00 - 12:00 AM Monday through Friday and 1:30 – 4:00 PM Tuesday through Thursday

INSTRUCTOR: Name: Ian VanLare

Lecture Room and Laboratory: 24 Tredway Science Hall
Office: 26 Tredway Science Hall
Office Phone: (423) 636-7300 ext. 266
Home Phone: (423) 639-7250
Email: ivanlare@tusculum.edu
Web Site: http://faculty.tusculum.edu/~ivanlare/genetics/201genetics.html
Office Hours: Students are welcome to come in at any time;
appointments may be made, but are not necessary.
COURSE: Lecture Text: Essentials of Genetics (available at the college bookstore)
by Klug and Cummings, 1999, Prentice Hall, is the recommended text.
Laboratory Manual: You will need a three-ring binder for the laboratory
assignments provided by the instructor
Overview: The field of genetics is currently being revolutionized and has
been brought to the forefront of biology. The many new tools and
techniques developed along with recent findings is having a profound
moral, political, and socio-economic impact around the world. This course
is designed to provide you with an understanding of genetics such that it
will allow you to have a clear understanding of these complex issues.
Objectives: At the end of this course students should be able to
demonstrate a clear understanding of the facts and basic concepts
covered in lecture and laboratory, including;
a. The structure and form of DNA
b. DNA replication and partitioning
c. The central dogma of molecular biology
d. Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance
e. Genetics of cancer
f. Genetics of antibody diversity
g. DNA fingerprinting
h. Genetic analysis, screening, and therapy
i. The genetics of cloning
j. Population genetics and evolution

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ADMINSTRATION: Conduct: Students should adhere to high standards of ethical behavior.
Specifically, it is expected that students:
a. neither give nor receive assistance on tests or quizzes;
b. deal forthrightly and honestly with the instructor in consultations on
determination of legitimacy of absences;
c. avoid plagiarism (refer to the section on academic misconduct in the
college catalog – page 17 and 18); and
d. conduct themselves in a manner that is conducive to learning.
Attendance: Assignments missed because of legitimate absences must
be made up at a time specified by the instructor or a grade of zero is
recorded. Assignments missed for absences not considered legitimate are
recorded as zero. Only the first three legitimate absences will be allowed to
be made up. You must contact me before missing an exam or no makeup
will be allowed!
The instructor in consultation with the student determines the legitimacy of
an absence. Legitimate absences include illnesses requiring professional
attention, family emergencies, and job or school interviews. It is the
responsibility of the student to initiate this consultation in a timely fashion
(with in 2 class periods) and to present verifiable written documentation. It
is the responsibility of the student to keep a record of their absences and of
work that must be made up.

Grade scale: 93 - 100 = A = Excellent 73 - 76 = C = Satisfactory

90 - 92 = A- 70 - 72 = C-
87 - 89 = B+ 67 - 69 = D+
83 - 86 = B = Good 63 - 66 = D = Poor
80 - 82 = B- 0 - 62 = F = Failing
77 - 79 = C+
Grade determination:
Quizzes1 25%
Activities2 37%
Tests3 38%
1
Quizzes will generally be announced at administered at the beginning of
the class period. Tardiness may result in a lowered grade or a zero.
2
Activities will include laboratory reports, homework, and movie quizzes.
3
Tests will be of multiple formats, including multiple-choice, fill-in-the-
blanks, short answers, and problem solving.

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DEVELOPING There will be opportunities to improve skills needed to for following
COMPETENCY competencies.
SKILLS:
Writing: Students must prepare clear and accurate written responses
to questions posed on tests and assignments.

Analytical Reading: In order to comprehend new scientific terms and

concepts found in the various assignments, students must read
thoroughly and methodically. Students often must use newly acquired
scientific understanding in order to grasp more complex material.

Mathematics: Students will utilize basic algebra and probability in

determining the heritability of Mendelian traits.

Critical Analysis: Students must understand and be able to apply the

scientific method when designing experiments and when evaluating
claims made in popular and scientific literature.

Ethics and Social Responsibility: Students will write opinion papers

over ethical issues concerning genetic engineering, patenting, and
genetic tests.

CAREERS IN Animal or Plant Breeding Genetic Laboratory Technician

GENETICS: Anthropological Genetics Hospital Lab Technician
Behavioral Genetics Immunogenetics
Biochemical Genetics Medical Geneticist
Clinical Genetics Molecular Genetics
Cytogenetics Oncological Genetics
Developmental Genetics Pharmacogenetics
DNA Diagnostics Lab Director Prenatal Diagnosis
Dysmorphology Research Lab Technician
Epidemiology Research Scientist
Gene Mapping Somatic Cell Genetics
Genetic Counselor Teratology
University Professor

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WHAT DO Genetics is often divided into several branches; Geneticists employ a wide
GENETICISTS variety of different techniques, depending on the area that they study. The
DO? following brief list describes some important branches and the principle
techniques employed in each.

Molecular Genetics: This area involves investigation of the molecular

basis of gene transmission, mutation, and activity. The discipline employs
the techniques of high resolution genetic analysis in conjunction with
analytical methods of biochemistry. Techniques of molecular genetics have
found their way into investigations throughout biology.

Developmental Genetics: This discipline applies the methods of

molecular genetics, as well as those more commonly used to study
development, such as experimental microsurgery and microscopy, to
probe one of the most fascinating of all questions: How does the complex
adult arise from a single fertilized egg cell?

Cytogenetics: Cytogenetics is the discipline which seeks to describe and

explain the structure and behavior of chromosomes. In the days before
DNA was known to be the genetic material, the emphasis was on the
morphology and movement of chromosomes. Nowadays, the emphasis is
on chemical organization, molecular function, and the cause of
abnormalities within these very complex organelles.

Population Genetics: This area is concerned with the dynamics of

inheritance within whole populations of organisms. It seeks to explain the
origin and nature of natural variation, the relationship of such variants to
their environment, and ultimately, the process of evolution. The activities
of population geneticists range from field biology through intensive
laboratory investigation, to mathematical model-building and computer
simulation. Population genetics has recently become very important in
mapping genes using new techniques.

Applied Genetics: "Applied" genetics is sometimes taken to mean the

use of genetic knowledge for agricultural and industrial purposes,
particularly for the improvement of domesticated species. In a broader
sense, the applications of genetics include major areas in medical
practice. It is widely forecast that there will be a steady increase in the
practical applications of genetics, and particularly molecular genetics, in
the near future.

Human Genetics: The study of how genes are inherited in humans and
how their function and dysfunction can affect our well being.

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READINGS: DNA Form and Properties
Structure of Nucleic Acids (pages 193 - 203)
Chemical and Physical Properties of DNA (pages 203 - 205)
Chromosomes and Chromosomal Folding (pages 233 - 241)
The Nucleus (pages 17 - 22 and 158 - 160)

DNA Replication and Partitioning

DNA Replication (chapter 10)
Chromosome Anatomy (pages 241 - 247)
Mitosis (pages 22 - 28)

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

Protein Structure (pages 310 - 316)
Macromolecule Interactions
Transcription (pages 250 - 262)
RNA Processing (pages 262 - 267)
Prokaryotic Transcriptional Regulation (pages 280 - 289)
Eukaryotic Transcriptional Regulation (pages 289 - 297)
Protein Synthesis -- Translation (pages 267 - 276)
Viruses (pages 360 - 364)

Biotechnology
DNA Fingerprinting (pages 406 - 408)
Genetic Analysis (pages 397 - 404)
Genetic Screening and Therapy (pages 404 - 406)
The Genetics of Cloning (chapter 17)

Inheritance
Meiosis (pages 28 - 37)
Patterns of Gene Inheritance (chapter 3)
Non-Mendelian Inheritance (chapters 4, 5, and 7)
Chromosome Inheritance Aberrations (chapter 8)

Selected Topics
Mutations (pages 321 - 333)
Mutational Repair (pages 333 - 344)
Cancer (pages 423 - 432)
Antibody Diversity (pages 432 - 439)

Evolution
Population Genetics (chapter 21)
Microevolution (chapter 22)

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TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE:
Monday – M12 Tuesday – M13 Wednesday – Thursday – M15 Friday – M16
M14
9 - 12 Class introduction Chem. and physical The nucleus / DNA Chromosome Protein structure /
and advising properties of DNA / replication anatomy / Mitosis Macromolecule
Chromosomal (end test 1 interactions
folding material)
1:30 - 4 Structure of nucleic
acids

Monday – M19 Tuesday – M20 Wednesday – Thursday – M22 Friday – M23

M21
9 - 12 TEST 1 Prokaryotic and Translation / Viruses DNA fingerprinting TEST 2
Transcription / RNA eukaryotic (end test 2 Genetic analysis
processing transcriptional material)
regulation
1:30 - 4

Monday – M26 Tuesday – M27 Wednesday – Thursday – M29 Friday – M30

M28
9 - 12 Genetic screening Meiosis / Non-Mendelian Mutations / TEST 3
and therapy / Patterns of gene inheritance / Mutational repair Cancer
Genetics of cloning inheritance Chromosomal
aberrations (end test
3 material)
1:30 - 4

Monday – A3 Tuesday – A4 Wednesday – A5

9 - 12 Antibody diversity Population genetics / TEST 4
Microevolution

NOTE: This syllabus may be changed, without notice, if the instructor deems it necessary.

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BIOL 201 -- STUDENT INFORMATION FORM -- BLOCK 7, 2001

Full Name:

Name by which you prefer to be called:

(including nicknames)

Hometown and State:

Local Address:

Local Telephone Number:

Other Telephone Number:

Email Address:

Class (circle): Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior

Major:

Advisor:

Extracurricular activities:

Area of interest (medical, ecology, research

pharmacy, epidemiology, etc.)

**********************

I have received a copy of the Syllabus and the expectations of the course have been
explained to me.

Student Signature

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Biology 201 -- Course Syllabus Block 7, 2001