Dr. Sandra Thompson-Jaeger
Associate Professor of Biology
CW114
901.321.3453
Homepage:
http://www.cbu.edu/~sthompso
Genetics (BIOL311)
Course description: A study of the structure
and function of nucleic acids in viruses, prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Basic
concepts, principles and applications of classical, molecular and population
genetics. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in BIOL 112 and CHEM 212. Corequisite:
BIOL 311L. Offered in the Fall semester. One semester, three credits.
Required textbook:
Concepts of Genetics,
9th edition
Klug, Cummings, Spencer,
Palladino
Objectives: to learn and understand
classical, molecular and population genetics; to gain information literacy;
to become aware of recent topics in Genetics.
Grading: Each of the four exams
given during lecture periods will be 100 points. Exams
may include problems; multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer
questions. The fifth exam, given during Finals week, will be cumulative and
worth 150 points.
There
will be one 30-point information literacy assignment.
There
will be four quizzes and three homework (problem) assignments.
Total
points possible are about 690.
Make-up exam/quiz policy: Make-up exams will be given
only for very compelling, documented reasons, which include severe illness
and a death in the immediate family. Make-up exams will likely have a different
format from the regularly scheduled exams. If you know you are going to miss
an exam because of a death in the family, funeral, surgery, etc. you must
come to me BEFOREHAND so we can arrange for the make-up exam. If you are
too ill to come and take an exam, call me or leave a message with Ms. Leah
Allen (administrative assistant in the School of Sciences). If you are ill,
I MUST see a doctor's note when you return to class.
There will be no make-up quizzes, but in the last week I will give a "general
amnesty quiz" which you may take, if you so choose; the grade on this quiz
can replace your lowest grade on any one of the other four quizzes.
Grading scale: 100-90% =
A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; below 60% = F
How to do well in this
course: Make
every attempt to be present for every lecture. (If you are absent, it is
your responsibility to contact a classmate to find out what you missed, which
includes any announcements about quizzes, homework, etc.)
Read
the Chapter Summary for each assigned chapter before and after you read the chapter. Ideally
you will read chapters before they are covered in class. Make careful notes
and be prepared to ask questions on those topics that you did not understand.
This will help us get the most out of lecture time. You will be responsible
for any assigned reading, not just topics covered in class.
Problem
solving is a BIG part of genetics. You should study genetics the same way
that you study for a math course. Indeed, a fellow Prof once said to me "Genetics
is really math masquerading as biology". If you do not do any practice problems
before exams, you may only be able to get through two-thirds of the exam
in the allotted time. You must consider that is not because the test is too
long, but because you did not adequately prepare.
Study
and review the material in small groups.
Please
ask questions about concepts you do not understand. If you do not want to
ask during lecture period, e-mail me or come by my office. If no one asks
questions during lecture periods, I will have to assume you all understand
the material.
Topic
Schedule:
|
Week |
Topics |
Text/assignments |
|
1: August 24-28 |
Newest trends Mitosis, Meiosis |
Ch 1 (Read on your own) Ch 2 |
|
2: August 31- |
Mendel, cont. Probabilities, pedigrees |
Ch 3 Problem set (10) |
|
3: September 9-11 |
Extending Mendelian genetics,
cont. Chromosome mapping |
Ch 4 Problem set (10) Ch 5 |
|
4: September 14-18 |
Genetic analysis in bacteria EXAM I (FRIDAY) |
Ch 6 |
|
5: September 21-25 |
Sex chromosomes Chromosome mutations |
Ch 7 Ch 8 Ch 9 |
|
6: September 28- |
DNA structure/analysis DNA replication |
Ch 10 Ch 11 |
|
7: October 5-9 |
Telomeres, recombination Chromosome organization Recombinant technology |
Ch 11 Ch 12 Ch 13 |
|
8: October 12-16 |
Recomb tech, cont. EXAM II (WED) Genetic code, transcription |
Ch 13 Ch 14 |
|
9: October 19-23 |
REST! Enjoy your fall break |
|
|
10: October 27-31 |
Translation, proteins Mutation, repair Prok gene regulation |
Ch 15 Ch 16 Ch 17 |
|
11: November 2-6 |
Prok gene regulation Euk gene regulation |
Ch 17 Ch 18 QUIZ |
|
12: November 9-13 |
Developmental genetics Cancer/cell cycle EXAM III (Friday) |
Ch 19 Ch 20 |
|
13: November 16-20 |
Human Genome project Transposons, viruses Dissecting gene function |
Ch 21 Ch 22 Ch 23 |
|
14: November 23-25 |
Edible vaccines, GM crops Quantitative genetics |
Ch 24 Ch 25 QUIZ |
|
15: November 30- |
Population genetics |
Ch 27 Problem set (10) |
|
16: December 7-11 |
Genetics and behavior Genetics in the news EXAM IV (Friday) |
Ch 26 |
December 14-18: EXAM V (during Finals week).
The topic schedule shown
above is SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Anyone found cheating may
be given an F for the course.
According to university policy,
eight hours of absence from lecture or lab will result in a failing grade
for the course.
During lecture, please ensure
that all beepers, pagers, cell phones, and laptops are turned off or silenced
(unless you are told otherwise).