Genetics 308-81 / 508-81 Syllabus –Fall 2004

Instructor:  Dr. Kristy Johnson                                                         Phone:  953-7879

Email:  johnsonk1@citadel.edu                  Office hours:  MW 11AM-1PM, and by appointment 

 

Textbook:  iGenetics, Peter J. Russell, Benjamin Cummings, 2002. [You are responsible for reading each day’s material before coming to class.]

 

Lab Manual:  There is no formal lab manual.  Materials and information appropriate for each lab session will be posted on WebCT prior to each lab session.  It is your responsibility to download this information and bring it with you to each lab session.

 

Attendance Policy:  The attendance policy is that described in the College Handbook.  PLEASE NOTE:  Any student missing more than 20% of the class meetings may be given a grade of "F" at the instructor’s discretion according to college policy. Absence for more than two (2) laboratory periods for any reason will result in a grade of "F".

 

Make-Up Tests:  At any point during the semester (except the final exam), you may opt to take ONE test ONE class period late with no excuse.  This will give you more time to study, but you will be automatically penalized 10 points.  To take advantage of this option, you must notify me at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled test time.  Tests taken late under this option may or may not be the same test given on the scheduled date. 

    Make-up tests due to an excused absence may or may not be the same test given on the scheduled test date; they may be composed largely of essay questions.  If you are unable to take a test at the scheduled time, you must notify me at least 24 hours in advance if possible.  Unless you have documentation of absence due to illness or a family emergency, your test grade will decrease by 10 points each day past the assigned test date until you take the test, up to a maximum of 4 weekdays.  With the appropriate documentation of an excused absence, you may take a test up to 4 weekdays late with no point penalty.  Guard duty does not constitute an excused absence.  Any test not taken within 4 weekdays of the assigned test date, with or without documentation of absence, will be graded as a zero.  No grade will be posted for a make-up test until the proper documentation of absence has been presented.  If you schedule a time to make up a test and do not keep the appointment, you will receive a zero for that test grade.  You may take a test earlier than scheduled with no penalty.

 

Lab Practicals:  There will be two lab practicals given during the semester.  There are NO MAKE-UPS for lab practicals!!!  Anyone who does not take a lab practical at the scheduled time will receive a zero for his or her grade on the practical.

 

508 Project:  During the latter part of the semester, you will view the movie “Gattaca” and generate assignments and discussion questions based on the movie that are appropriate for an undergraduate genetics course.

 

Late Policy:  Any hand-in assignments that are turned in late will be penalized 10% for each day past the scheduled turn-in date. 

 

WebCT:  Lecture outlines and Powerpoint presentations will be posted on WebCT prior to each class period.  Lab materials will be posted on WebCT prior to each lab session.  Grades will be posted on WebCT within one week of the assignment or test. 

 

Course Objectives:  The objectives of this course are to provide the student with an understanding of the fundamentals of genetics and modern applications of genetics to forensics, medicine, and research.

 

 

 

 

308 Grading:  Lecture: 4 tests @ 120 points each - 480 points

                                     cumulative final exam – 120 points

                       Lab: 2 lab practicals @ 150 points each - 300 points

 

308 Grade Scale:  810-900: A

                                    720-809: B

                                    630-719: C

                                    540-629: D

                                    539 or below: F

 

508 Grading:  Lecture: 4 tests @ 120 points each - 480 points

                                     cumulative final exam - 120 points

                       Project: 100 points

                       2 lab practicals @ 150 points each – 300 points

 

508 Grade Scale:  900 –1000:  A

                                    800 – 899:  B

                                    700 – 799:  C

                                    600 – 699:  D

                                    599 or below:  F

 

Your Grades:

Lecture Tests

Lab Practicals

Project (508)

Final Exam

1-

1-

1-

1-

2-

2-

 

 

3-

 

 

 

4-

 

 

 

 

                         Lecture Schedule                                 Lab Schedule

 

Aug. 24                  Introduction / Pre-test                                        Introduction to lab

         26                   Ch. 1 – Genetics: An Introduction                          Restriction Nuclease Digestion              

 

Aug. 31                  Ch. 1 – Genetics: An Introduction                          Gel Electrophoresis, Gel Elution

Sept.  2                   Ch. 2 – DNA: The Genetic Material                DNA Ligation

 

Sept. 7                    Ch. 2 – DNA: The Genetic Material                Bacterial Transformation & Plating

         9                     Ch. 3 – DNA Replication                                  Pick Colonies to Analyze

 

Sept. 14                  Ch. 3 – DNA Replication                                  Plasmid Isolation

         16                   Test 1 (Ch. 1-3)                                                                ---

 

Sept. 21                  Ch. 4 – Gene Control of Proteins                 Restriction Nuclease Digestion

         23                   Ch. 4 – Gene Control of Proteins                 Final Gel Analysis

 

Sept. 28                  Ch. 5 – Gene Expression: Transcription                *Lab Practical #1*

         30                   Ch. 6 – Gene Expression: Translation                Genetics on the Internet

 

Oct. 5                      Ch. 6 – Gene Expression: Translation                DNA Fingerprinting

        7                      Ch. 8 – Recombinant DNA Technology                DNA Fingerprinting - PCR

 

Oct. 12                    Test 2 (Ch. 4-6, 8)                                            ---

        14                    Ch. 10 – Mendelian Genetics                 Fingerprint Gel Electrophoresis

 

Oct. 19                    Ch. 11 – Chromosomal Basis…                  Genetic Fingerprints in Forensics

        21                    Ch. 11 – Chromosomal Basis…                  Eukaryotic Mapping Problems

 

Oct. 26                    Ch. 13 – Gene Mapping in Eukaryotes                Eukaryotic Mapping Problems

        28                    Test 3 (Ch. 10, 11, 13)                                    ---

 

Nov. 2                    Election Day – NO CLASS                  ---

         4                     Ch. 18 – Genetics of Cancer                    GM Food – DNA Isolation & PCR

 

Nov. 9                    Ch. 18 – Genetics of Cancer                    GM Food – Gel Analysis

        11                    Ch. 21 – Chromosomal Mutations                             DNA from bananas

 

Nov. 16                  Ch. 22 – Population Genetics                 *Lab Practical #2*

         18                   Test 4 (Ch. 18, 21, 22)                                    ---

 

Nov. 23                  THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY                             ---

         25                   THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY                             ---

 

Nov. 30                  Review Session / Post-Test                        View “Gattaca”              

Dec.   2                   Optional Final Exam                                             *508 Project Due*

 

Dec. 7                     Final Exam                                                      ---