Syllabus for
PLSC, BIOL, BOT, ZOO 315 - Genetics/ONLINE
Spring 2008 - 3 credits - North Dakota State University

 

Instructor: Ted C. Helms, Ph.D.
Office: 374B Loftsgard Hall
  Department of Plant Sciences
  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND 58105
Phone: (701) 231-8136
E-mail: ted.helms@ndsu.edu
Office Hours:  Tuesday 3:00 -5:00 and by appointment

        
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.

Computer Requirement:  Access to a computer with internet connection is required.  A high speed connection may be necessary to view the lecture videos.

Web Access: Course information and materials are available via Blackboard (http://bb.ndsu.nodak.edu/).  This online course utilizes videos from two sections of the on-campus Genetics 315 course at North Dakota State University.  Access to these videos is through the Blackboard site or directly at http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/instruct/hammond/genetics/.  A 'User name' and 'Password' will be provided, and RealPlayer is used for viewing.  You need only watch videos for one section, since the same material is presented.  However, we sometimes experience technical difficulties, so the second section is available as a backup.  This syllabus, for the online course, replaces the on-campus syllabus presented in the videos.

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 through the NDSU the Varsity Mart (701-231-7761 or 1-800-428-8309; http://www.ndsuvarsitymart.com/home.aspx).  The ISBN is 0-13-224127-7.  One copy is on reserve at the NDSU library.

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.

Assessment:

Pre-test
-  due prior to watching the second video (taped on January 11), but no later than Jan. 11 at 5:00 p.m.  Be sure to hit the ‘SAVE’ button after taking the test, so your score will be successfully recorded on Blackboard.
-  not graded and worth 5 extra-credit points just for doing it

Exams for Online Students
  Online students can take the exams in Loftsgard Hall.  There will be six different test times available across several days.  If none of those exam times and dates work for you, contact me by e-mail and I will arrange a special time for you.  For example, Exam I will be available to be taken using an opti-scan sheet in Loftsgard Hall from Feb. 22 to Feb. 27.  I will post all online students an e-mail message regarding exam dates and times.  The exams will not be offered online.

Exam 1
-  available from 1:00 p.m. on Feb. 22 through Feb. 27 at 5:00 p.m.
-  50-minute, non comprehensive exam
-  50 multiple-choice questions and worth a total of 100 points

Exam 2
-  available from 1:00 p.m. on March 26 through March 31 at 5:00 p.m.
-  50-minute, non-comprehensive exam
-  50 multiple-choice questions and worth a total of 100 points

Exam 3
-  available from 1:00 p.m. on April 21 through April 25 at 5:00 p.m.
-  50-minute, non-comprehensive exam
-  50 multiple-choice questions and worth a total of 100 points

Post-test
-  due prior to taking the Final Exam
-  not graded and worth 5 extra-credit points just for doing it

Final Exam
   available from 1:00 pm on May 5 through May 9 at 5:00 p.m.
   two-hour exam                                                   
Part 1
-          50 multiple-choice questions and worth a total of 100 points- 
-          not comprehensive

   Part 2
-  optional
-  taken during the same 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 1The pre-test and post-test will be posted on Blackboard for all students.  Students living in the Fargo-Moorhead 'metro' area will take other exams (hourly and finals) on the NDSU campus.  Arrangements will be made prior to each exam.  Other students outside of the local area will access the exams via Blackboard.

Exams will be based on material presented in the lecture videos.  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 the lecture videos during the semester.

Exams must be completed individually and you are not 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 contact 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

Disability Accommodations:
Students that may require disability accommodations for this course are encouraged to contact the instructor and/or the NDSU Disability Services Office (701-231-7671) 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:  "On my honor I have neither given nor received aid in completing this assignment."  Students must affirm this statement on each exam before it will be accepted.  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.



Projected Order of Topics (any changes will be outlined during the lecture videos):
 
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

Exam I

    

Feb. 13

  

Human disorders

Chp. 5

5.3- 5.4

Feb. 15

1

President’s Day

    

Feb. 18

  

Dosage compensation

Chp. 5

5.5 – 5.7

Feb. 20

1

Aneuploidy and chromosome mutations

Chp. 6

6.1 – 6.4

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

Exam II

    

March 14

  

The genetic code

Chp. 12

12.1 – 12.8

March 17

1

Transcription and messenger RNA

Chp. 12

12.9 – 12.11

March 19

1

Break

    

March 21-24

  

Translation and proteins; One-gene one-enzyme

Chp. 13

13.1 – 13.12
13.6

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 2

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

Exam III

    

April 14

  

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Chp. 17

17.4

April 16

1

DNA sequencing

Chp. 17

17.8

April 18

1

DNA Fingerprinting

Chp. 19

19.5

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 Friday

  

1 pm – 3 pm

May 7

  

11 a.m. lecture section Final Monday

  

 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.