Genetics

COURSE SYLLABUS
Fall 2012
August 20 - December 7
Lecture: MWF 2:30-3:20
Lab: T 2:30-4:20
Genetics
Bio 36404
School of Science

Professor:  Dr. Linda Sigismondi
Phone:      740 245-7484
Email:       lindas@rio.edu
Office:      Kidd Hall 100B
Office Hours: M 3:30-4:20, T 1:30-2:20, WThF 12:30-1:20, others by arrangement

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Variation and heredity in living organisms are considered at the whole organism, molecular, and population levels. This course includes an examination of the historical development of genetics from Mendel to modern research on DNA. This course also examines current biotechnology and some of its implications to society.

PREREQUISITES: C- or better in BIO 20303 Ecology (formerly Ecology and Field Biology) and BIO 21303 Microbiology (formerly Cell Biology)

CREDIT HOURS:  4

TEXTBOOK AND OTHER REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Klug, W.S., M.R. Cummings, C. A. Spencer and M. A. Palladino.  2011.  Concepts of Genetics.  10th Edition.  Pearson Education, New Jersey.  ISBN 0321724127 

Sigismondi, L.A.  2012.  Genetics Lab and Activity Manual.

Biology Labs Online. 2011.  Virtual Fly Lab. License available for $7.00 at http://www.biologylabsonline.com/college_subscribe.html

Sigismondi, L.A.  Genetics Class Web Site: http://faculty.rio.edu/lindas/gensyl.html

PROGRAM OUTCOMES--The following outcomes have been adopted for the biology degree program for which this course is required.  The successful student is able to:

• Explain, using appropriate terminology, the basic concepts of cell/molecular biology, ecology, evolution, and genetics.
• Explain the fundamentals of scientific inquiry, interpret the results of scientific investigations, and draw reasonable conclusions from data.
• Complete critical reading of original and secondary source material.
• Communicate, in oral and written form, biological technical information.
• Relate models, theories and concepts to real world phenomena.
• Use standard biological equipment appropriately and safely, and explain the limitations of the equipment.

COURSE OUTCOMES:  The following outcomes have been adopted for this course.  All outcomes listed below have direct relevance to course material.  Upon completion of this course students are expected to:

• Understand the basic principles of transmission genetics.
• Understand the basic principles of cytological genetics.
• Understand the basic principles of molecular genetics.
• Understand the basic principles of population genetics.
• Learn basic lab techniques in genetics.
• Learn about current resources for genetic information.

GRADING POLICIES/TESTING/ASSIGNMENTS/ATTENDANCE/EXPECTATIONS

Grade Calculation:

A = 93-100%, A- = 90-92, B+ = 88-89, B = 83-87%, B- = 80-82
C+ = 78-79, C = 73-77%,, C- = 70-72, D+ = 68-69, D = 63-67%, D- = 60-62
F = below 60%
Grades will be calculated after each exam so you can keep track of your progress.
     
Exams/Final:  Exams will be short essay (explain, diagram, list etc.) and problem solving.  Exams are on material from lecture, lab and readings.  The first 4 exams are 100 points each.  The final is comprehensive and is 150 points.  Study guides and sample exams are on the course website.  Students are expected to take all exams at their regularly scheduled time.

Laboratory Exercises:  Labs are designed to reinforce the lecture material and give hands-on experience in lab technique.  You will need to bring your text, a pencil, eraser and calculator to each lab.  Each lab is worth a maximum of 10 points.  You will be required to turn in a completed lab activity at the end of each lab.   There are 15 labs for a total of 150 points

Class Activities:  During many lecture class times you will be doing problem-solving activities.  Each activity is worth a maximum of 2-3 points (depending on length).  There are 25 numbered activities for a total of 60 points.

Paper/Presentation on Genetic Disease – Each person will select or be assigned a genetic disease to research during the semester.  The research will include the symptoms, type of inheritance, cause (molecular basis), location of the gene on chromosome and population genetics.  The final paper/presentation is due on November 30.  Instructions are in lab manual.

GENERAL ADVICE/HOW TO SUCCEED:

1.  Attend class 100% of the time.  Statistically, students who attend class get better grades.  If you miss class, it is your responsibility to get the notes, handouts, etc.

2.  Be on time.  Students who are late disrupt the class.  Also, missing the introduction and instructions makes it harder for you to understand what is going on.  Points will also be deducted from activities or labs if you are significantly late. 

3.  Pay Attention:  Focus on the material being presented.  Do not be texting on your cell phone, sending emails, doing other work during class or talking to your neighbors (unless you are doing group work for this class).  If you are disturbing the class, you will be asked to leave and will not get the points for that day.

4.  Ask questions in class if you do not understand something.  You can ask questions in class.  You can also stop by my office or email me.  I check my email each morning and often later in the day as well so I should get back to you within 24 hours.

5.  Outlines are provided on the web page for each unit. They list the major terms and concepts that you should know as well as the reading assignments and sample problems in the textbook. Use these to organize your notes after class or to take notes during class.  You can also make index cards with the term on one side and a definition, example or explanation on the other.

6.  Study Guides and Sample Exams are also available on the web page for each unit.  After studying for an exam, take the sample exam.  If you can answer these questions easily, you have studied well.  If you cannot, you need to study more.  Simply memorizing the answers to these questions is NOT a good way to study.  I may ask different questions or word questions differently on the actual exam.  You need to understand the concepts.

7.  Obtaining Extra Credit 

• Do not ask to improve your grade by writing an extra paper.  Your time is better spent on learning the material already in the class to get a better score on the next exam. 
• After each exam, your instructor will give you the opportunity to redo one question you missed for ½ credit.  (For example, if you completely missed a 10-point question and get it completely correct on the redo, you will get 5 points added to your test score.)  You can only redo problems or essays, not matching or labeling questions. 

CLASS POLICIES

PLAGIARISM – Plagiarism refers to copying and passing off another’s work as one’s own.  It includes copying information from published sources such as books, journals and webpages without appropriate citations.  It also includes copying the work of another student.  All students in the class are expected to do their own work.  Plagiarized work will receive a zero on the assignment. 

LATE PAPERS – Students are expected to turn in all activities and assignments on time.  Occasionally, it may be necessary to take a lab or activity home to finish.  That should be turned in the next class day.  Activities and labs not turned in the next class period will lose one point per day.  The research paper is due November 30, 2012.  Late research papers will lose 20% per day.

UNIVERSITY POLICIES

ADA POLICY: If a student wishes to be identified as having a physical, mental, or learning disability, that may or may not require reasonable accommodation(s), he/she must register with the Office of Accessibility.  These registered students should identify themselves to their instructors and provide a written statement from the Accessibility Office that indicates the appropriate accommodations.  The process of a student self-proclaiming the need for accommodation should occur as early in the semester as possible.  The Office of Accessibility is located in Rhodes Hall, Room 116, University of Rio Grande and the phone number is 245-7339.

FERPA:  The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College are committed to fully respecting and protecting the rights of students under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  These rights generally include the right to inspect, review and seek amendment to the student's education records and the right to provide written consent before personally identifiable information from education records is disclosed.  Under FERPA, students have the right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures to comply with FERPA.  Please see the Student Records Confidentiality/Rights Under FERPA section of the Student Handbook for details and more information.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:  Standard university policies, as described in the Student Handbook, apply.

WITHDRAWAL: Refer to Student Handbook

Genetics Calendar Fall 2012