This is the main syllabus for Dr. Tiftickjian’s course in Genetics (BIO 328). If this is your first visit, you will probably want to read this page from beginning to end. Some of the links below will take you to sections on this page; others will take you to pages with additional and more detailed information. You can return to this page from any other Genetics page by clicking the “Syllabus” button found at the top and bottom of each page.
To keep up with the latest information on lecture topics, reading assignments, and other announcements, visit the Course Outline page which shows the lecture schedule and provides links to the latest items of interest to students enrolled in the course.
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• Course outline and schedule |
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General course description
Most branches of biology are based to a large degree on the principles of heredity. This is especially true of fields such as taxonomy, evolution, ecology, molecular biology, and development. A basic course in genetics is therefore essential for all students of biology.
Genetics is a very “hot” area of biological research today. Advances in modern genetics have made possible genetic engineering, better understanding of hereditary diseases, development of new varieties of crop plants and animals, and new insights into the mechanisms of evolution. All of these areas are based on the foundations of heredity that go back to the work of Mendel and other classical geneticists.
The main goal of the course is to introduce the three main branches of genetics: classical genetics, sometimes called Mendelian or transmission genetics; molecular genetics, which deals with the chemical action of DNA; and population genetics, which is concerned with how genes influence the dynamics and evolution of populations.
By the time the semester is over, we should all have a good idea about what genes are, how they work, and how the science of heredity relates to biology as a whole.
Course objectives
After completing this course, students should be able to:
- understand that organisms are composed of cells, and that each cell contains a “genetic program” - the hereditary instructions required for the cell to operate.
- appreciate that the gene is the basic unit of heredity.
- interpret some of classic experiments of scientists such as Mendel, Morgan, Avery, Watson, and Crick, and recognize how their conclusions impacted the understanding of heredity.
- describe how genes have different forms (alleles) and that variation among members of a species is due to variation in alleles.
- have a working knowledge of how genes determine phenotypes, including the molecular aspects of how DNA, RNA, and proteins are involved in gene expression.
- understand the connection between genes and chromosomes, and be able to relate the behavior of chromosomes to the basic Mendelian principles of heredity.
- appreciate that genes mutate and that mutations create variation that can be acted upon by natural selection.
- understand that evolution, the most fundamental biological principle, can be explained in the context of genetics and populations.
- make connections between genetics and the other major disciplines of biology, including taxonomy, cell biology, physiology, development, biochemistry, ecology, and evolution.
Expected preparation
It is assumed that you have taken general chemistry and principles of biology. From these courses you should already have a basic understanding of concepts such as: cell structure, mitosis and meiosis, life cycles of plants and animals, and evolution. Although we will review these some of these principles, I will not re-teach things you have already had, but I will be more than happy to help you outside of class if you need catching up on basic concepts. If you have not taken the prerequisites, you must check with me before continuing in the course.
The textbook
For most of the course we follow the textbook closely, so you must have access to a copy. The publisher provides an interactive web site as well as an eBook-the entire text in searchable electronic form. See your textbook for details. Although this is a shorter version of a more comprehensive book by the same author, it still covers more than we can cover in a semester. Watch your reading assignments carefully to make sure you are reading the correct sections in the correct order. Some topics are covered in a different order than the book covers them.
The book is available in the campus bookstore for purchase or rental. There are other sources you might want to check for the best price. Several online book sellers carry the book, both new and used. If you consider buying online, remember to consider shipping costs and how soon the book will get to you. If it takes longer than a couple of days, you may get behind on your reading assignments.
Also available is a solutions and problem-solving guide for the textbook. This book is optional. It provides answers and worked-out solutions to the review questions and problems at the end of each chapter of the text. The textbook itself has answers to selected questions. The only advantage of buying the separate solutions guide is that you will have answers to all the problems. You will have to decide if this is worth the extra cost.
Lecture format
The traditional way of teaching genetics is through problem solving. This seems a reasonable approach because much of genetics (especially classical genetics) is based on events that must be analyzed logically, often using statistical methods. Male A is crossed with female B. Then the offspring are tabulated. What conclusions can you draw from the outcome of the cross? We will depend strongly on this problem solving approach. This may be a little different than some biology courses you have had that were based mainly on description and classification. There will not be long lists of terms to memorize. You will be expected to develop an understanding of principles, not just to memorize facts.
We will begin each class meeting with a discussion of the important principles presented in the textbook. Then we will work on example applications (problems) of those principles. You will also work on assigned problems outside of class, and these will be discussed in later class periods. Occasionally films, computer simulations, etc. will be used to supplement textbook material.
Laboratory format
The scheduled laboratory meetings will be utilized for projects and discussion. Although lab techniques will be learned and practiced during some of the regularly assigned meeting times, much of your lab work will be done as “projects” that will have a flexible time format. You will be able to work on projects at your convenience outside of regular lab meetings. Most lab projects will involve breeding fruit flies. Crosses will be performed with live flies and also simulated using computer software.
Some of the class time designated for laboratory will be used for discussion sessions. Discussion sessions are designed mainly to review homework problems and gain a more practical understanding of material presented in lecture. Come to discussion sessions prepared to ask questions about specific homework assignments that you are having difficulty with.
More details on the structure and grading of lab work will be explained during the first lab meeting.
Course web site
Right now you are reading the home page of the course web site. Here you will find class news, assignments, lecture outlines, study guides, and other information that will be useful. Note that this is not an “online” course, but should be considered “Web-enhanced.” You are only required to use the website to access assignments (mainly homework problems), but it is strongly recommended that you make use of the other materials posted there. You will find some materials here that may not be in the textbook or covered completely in lecture. All the online content is designed to enhance the course and help to improve your grade. You should check the site frequently as it is constantly changing. The most important page is the course outline that shows an up-to-date schedule of lecture and lab topics, reading assignments, and homework assignments.
Assignments and testing
Daily quizzes. [approximately 50 points] There will be short quizzes each day at the beginning of the lecture period. A typical quiz will take about 5 minutes. Material for quizzes will come from the day’s reading assignment, recent lectures, and problems similar to current homework problems.
Homework. [0 points] Homework problems will be assigned regularly throughout the semester. Homework will not be graded but will serve as practice for quizzes and exams. Homework will be reviewed regularly during class discussions, and you should be prepared to discuss your answers when called upon. How well you do on the homework is your single best indicator of how well you understand the material. Due dates for all assigned problems are shown on the course outline. There is also a homework index that links to all problem sets and study guides.
Exams. [300 points] Exams consist of multiple choice questions, short discussion questions and problems. Most of the credit will come from problems. Exam questions will be drawn primarily from topics discussed in class but will sometimes be taken from reading assignments not covered specifically in lecture. Problems on exams will be similar to those on homework problem sets.
Laboratory. [approximately 100 points] The lab grade will come from written reports that will be assigned throughout the semester. You will get detailed instructions on how to do these during lab meetings.
Final exam. [150 points] The final exam is comprehensive. That is, it will cover information taken from the whole semester. However, questions on older material will be more general than on previous exams. This part of the final should not be difficult as long as you have reviewed the major concepts covered throughout the semester. Approximately 2/3 of the final will cover material covered after the 3rd exam. The format of the final is similar to that of the lecture exams, but will of course be a bit longer.
Other assignments. [up to 50 points] There may be some additional assignments depending on how things develop during the semester. Sometimes I have ideas for new things to try which will count toward your grade.
Checking your grades
Throughout the semester, you will be able to check your grade online through a secure web page. You must log in with a unique password so no one but you will be able to see your grades. You will receive your password shortly after the course begins. Note that this web page is independent of the Blackboard system used by Delta State. The login ID and password you might be using for another course through Blackboard will not work for Dr. T's courses
Other course policies
See the course policies page for additional information on attendance, grading policy, dropping the course, etc.
Delta State University > Biological and Physical Sciences > Dr. Tiftickjian > Genetics
