PLSC, BIOL, BOT, ZOO 315 - Genetics
Spring 2008 - 3 credits - North Dakota State University
   
Instructor: Ted C. Helms, Ph.D.
Office:  374B Loftsgard Hall
Phone:   231-8136
E-mail:    ted.helms@ndsu.edu
Office Hours: 3:00-4:00 Tuesday and by appointment
   
Class Time, Place: Sec. 1 - 9:00-9:50 a.m. MWF, Loftsgard 114
  Sec. 2 - 11:00-11:50 a.m. MWF, Loftsgard 114
   
No class:  
Jan. 21 (Martin Luther King Day)
Feb. 18 (President’s Day)
March  3-7 (Spring break)
March  21-24  (Break)

      


Lecture Syllabus
PLSC 315 (BIO, BOT, ZOO)
Spring, 2008 Semester
Optional Course Text: Essentials of Genetics, 6th Ed. By W.S. Klug, M.R. Cummings and C.R. Spenser.
Text is available in the Main NDSU library on reserve.

Lecture Topic

Book
Chapter

Book
Sections

Date

Number
of  Lectures

Introduction

Chp. 1

all

Jan. 9

1

Mendel’s principles
and some definitions

Chp. 3

3.1- 3.3

Jan. 11

1

Meiosis and mitosis, cell cycle

Chp. 2

all

Jan. 14

1

Meiosis and Mendel’s laws

Chp. 3

3.5

Jan. 16

1

Chromosome structure

Chp. 2

2.2

Jan. 18

1

Martin Luther King Day

    

Jan. 21

  

Probability and Chi-Square

Chp. 3

3.8

Jan. 23

1

Human Pedigrees

Chp. 3

3.9

Jan. 25

1

Modifications of Mendel’s laws;
Branching method

Chp. 4

4.1 – 4.5

Jan. 28

1

Modification of Mendel’s laws;
Epistasis

Chp. 4

4.6 – 4.9

Jan. 30

1

Modification of Mendel’s laws;
Sex limited and sex-influenced

Chp. 4

4.10 - 4.11

Feb. 1

1

Gamete formation in animals and plants

Chp. 2

2.6, 5.1

Feb. 4

1

Penetrance and expressivity

Chp. 4

4.12

Feb. 6

1

Extra-nuclear inheritance

Chp. 4, 1

4.13, 11.2

Feb. 8

1

Sex determination

Chp. 5

5.1 – 5.2

Feb. 11

1

Human disorders

Chp. 5

5.3- 5.4

Feb. 13

1

Dosage compensation

Chp. 5

5.5 – 5.7

Feb. 15

  

President’s Day

    

Feb. 18

  

Aneuploidy and chromosome mutations

Chp. 6

6.1 – 6.4

Feb. 20

1

Exam I

    

Feb. 22

1

Polyploidy

Chp. 6

6.5

Feb. 25

1

Translocations, deletions and inversions

Chp. 6

6.6 – 6.10

Feb. 27

1

DNA structure and analysis

Chp. 9

9.1, 9.6 – 9.10

Feb. 29

1

Spring break

   

March 3-7

  

Restriction enzymes and electrophoresis

Chp. 17

17.1 – 17.7

March 10

1

DNA replication and synthesis

Chp. 10

10.1 – 10.6

March 12

1

The genetic code

Chp. 12

12.1 – 12.8

March 14

  

Transcription and messenger RNA

Chp. 12

12.9 – 12.11

March 17

1

Translation and proteins;
One-gene one-enzyme

Chp. 13

13.1 – 13.12
13.6

March 19

1

Break

    

March 21-24

  

Exam 2

    

March 26

1

Gene mutations

Chp. 14

14.1 – 14.3

March 28

1

Point mutations, mis-sense, non-sense

Chp. 14

14.1

March 31

1

Transposons

Chp. 14

14.8

April 2

1

Trinucleotide repeats and genetic anticipation

Chp. 6

6.11

April 4

1

Chromosome structure and DNA sequence organization

Chp. 11

11.1, 11.5 – 11.6

April 7

1

Linkage and chromosome mapping

Chp. 7

7.1 – 7.4

April 9

1

Recombinant DNA technology

Chp. 17

17.1 – 17.3

April 11

1

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Chp. 17

17.4

April 14

  

DNA sequencing

Chp. 17

17.8

April 16

1

DNA Fingerprinting

Chp. 19

19.5

April 18

1

Exam 3

    

April 21

1

The genetic basis of cancer

Chp. 6

6.1 – 6.4

April 23

1

The genetic basis of cancer

Chp. 6

6.1 – 6.4

April 25

  

Biotechnology and Ethics

Chp. 19

19.1-19.6

April 28

1

Population Genetics

Chp. 21

21.1 – 21.3

April 30

1

Quantitative Genetics

Chp. 22

22.1 – 22.9

May 2

1

Final Exam Week May 5-9

        

9 a.m. lecture section Final Wednesday

  

1 pm – 3 pm

May 7

  

11 a.m. lecture section Final Friday

  

 8 am -10 am

May 9

  

Learning tools:
    A series of quizzes will be posted on Blackboard with answers provided.  These quizzes are for self-study purposes and do not count as part of your grade.  Taking the quizzes is voluntary.  The main concepts and knowledge base will be on these quizzes.

Assessment:

Pre-test
-  due before 5:00 p.m. on Jan. 11
-  will be posted on Blackboard
-  not graded and worth 5 extra-credit points just for doing it

Exam 1
-  February 22
-  50-minute in-class exam
-  50 multiple-choice questions and worth a total of 100 points

Exam 2
-  March 26
-  50-minute in-class exam
-  50 multiple-choice questions and worth a total of 100 points
-  not comprehensive

Exam 3
-  April 21
-  50-minute in-class exam
-  50 multiple-choice questions and worth a total of 100 points
-  not comprehensive

Post-test
-  due before 5:00 pm on May 5
-  will be posted on Blackboard
-  not graded and worth 5 extra-credit points just for doing it

Final Exam
   Section 1: May 7, 1 pm – 3 pm
   Section 2: May 9, 8:00 a.m. – 10 a.m.

   Part 1
-  50 multiple-choice questions and worth a total of 100 points
-  not comprehensive

   Part 2
-  optional
-  taken during the same final exam period as part 1
-  50 multiple-choice questions and worth a total of 100 points
-  comprehensive
-  your score on part 2 will replace one missed exam or one lower exam score, including part 1

Exams will be based on material presented in lecture.  Non-comprehensive exams will cover approximately one quarter of the course material, with coverage beginning where the previous exam left off.  However, the nature of the course requires that earlier material often be used as a basis for expanded coverage.  The comprehensive Final Exam Part 2 (optional) will cover all material presented in lecture during the semester.

Exams must be completed individually and you will not be allowed to access books, notes, electronic devices, or other sources of information unless otherwise instructed.  You will be informed if calculators are allowed on a particular exam.  If allowed, calculators must only be used for basic calculating, i.e., no storage or retrieval of formulas or other information.  Missed exams will count as a zero, but may be replaced by the Final Exam Part 2 (see above).  An additional make-up exam may be allowed due to university-related conflicts or exceptional circumstances, but will not necessarily be multiple-choice.  Please see the instructor for approval and arrangements.

The following point totals are a guide for letter grades.
360-400           A
320-359           B
260-319           C
200-259           D
199 or less       F

Course Description:
We will study the basis of heredity emphasizing Mendelian genetics and DNA structure and function.  The concepts and foundations of human, plant, and animal genetics will be discussed.  A special emphasis will be given to understanding genetic principles through case studies.

Course Objectives:
-  Have a broad background in understanding genetics.
-  Appreciate the interdisciplinary relationship of genetics to biology, chemistry, ethics, economics, mathematics, medicine, etc.
-  Provide a background for increased understanding of current societal topics involving genetics.
-  Be able to assist others in understanding genetics.
-  Provide a base for further study in genetics.

Web Access: Grades and other course materials will be available via Blackboard (http://bb.ndsu.nodak.edu/).  Lectures are videotaped and are available for viewing with RealPlayer.  You can access the lecture videos through the Blackboard site or directly at http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/instruct/hammond/genetics/.  A 'User name' and 'Password' will be provided in class. 

General Education:
This course has been approved for meeting General Education requirements under the following learning outcomes:
-  General Education Outcome #5:  Comprehend concepts and methods of inquiry in science and technology, and their applications for society.  This course meets Outcome #5 because it addresses basic and applied genetic investigation techniques along with the influence of genes and genetic information on individual people, families, and society.
 - General Education Outcome #6:  Integrate knowledge and ideas in a coherent and meaningful manner.  This course meets Outcome #6 because it incorporates the areas of transmission genetics, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, and population genetics into the study of individual genetic problems, investigations, and solutions.

Optional Textbook:  Essentials of Genetics, 6th Edition, by W.S. Klug, M.R. Cummings and C.A. Spencer.
-  This optional book is recommended for students who would like a review of fundamentals, additional background information, a second presentation of material, or expanded coverage of topics.  It is available at the Varsity Mart.  One copy is on reserve at the library.

Cancellations:
Cancellation of a class meeting time automatically delays all scheduled activities, including exams, to the next scheduled meeting time.

Disability Accommodations:
Students that may require disability accommodations for this course are encouraged to speak with the instructor and/or the Disability Services Office (231-7671) as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements.

Dishonesty:
The College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources has an Honor System (http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/colag/honor.htm), which believes that a student has the privilege and responsibility to perform honestly and responsibly.  Exams will include the following pledge which students are required to sign before their exam will be accepted:  "On my honor I have neither given nor received aid in completing this assignment."  An indication of dishonesty will be referred to the Honor Commission made up of students.  The instructor also retains the privilege of deducting points if he deems that the action is warranted.  Information regarding the honor system is available at http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/colag/honor.htm