CCO
December 10, 2007
Common Course Outline
(revised 11/24/07)
II Catalog Description:
BIOL 2205 Genetics 4 CR SPR. Introduction to the major concepts in Mendelian, molecular and population genetics. Course highlights the study of gene expression, recombination, gene mapping, chromosome analysis and population genetics. Laboratory focus on viruses,bacteria, insects, plants and gene sequencing. Lecture 3 hours; lab 3 hours. Prereq: One college biology laboratory course and a grade of “C” or better in either MATH 0670 or MATH 0700, or placement in MATH 1100. MNTC: Goal 3.
III Recommended Entry Skills and Knowledge:
The prerequisites are one college biology laboratory course and MATH 0700.
IV Outline of Major Content Areas:
Subtopics listed under each main topic may vary due to the recent developments in the field of Genetics.
A. Introduction to Genetics
1. Identification of the major issues within the field of Genetics
2. Impact of Genetics in medicine, agriculture, and society.
B. Mendelian Inheritance
1. Mendel’s principles of dominance, segregation, and independent assortment
2. Pedigree analysis
3. Statistical analysis of genetic data
C. Cell Reproduction
1. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
2. Chromosomes and their function
3. The cell cycle, mitosis, and meiosis
D. Chromosomal basis of Mendelism
1. The chromosome theory of inheritance
2. Sex chromosomes and sex determination
3. Sex linkage
4. Dosage compensation of X-linked genes
E. Extensions of Mendelism
1. Multiple alleles and different dominance relations
2. Gene interactions and modified Mendelian ratios
3. The environment and gene expression: penetrance and expressivity
F. Genetic Mapping in Eukaryotes
1. Linkage, recombination, and crossing-over
2. Chromosome mapping: two-and-three-point crosses
G. Genetic Analysis in Bacteria and Bacteriophages
1. Genetic exchange in bacteria: transformation, conjugation, and transduction
2. Genetic mapping in bacteria
3. The genetics of viruses
4. Mapping the bacteriophage genome
H. Variation in Chromosomes Number and Structure
1. Cytological techniques
2. Abnormal chromosome number and structure
I. DNA and the molecular structure of chromosomes
1. Evidence that the genetic information is stored in the DNA
2. The chemical composition and structure of nucleic acids
3. Chromosome structure in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
J. DNA replication
1. Semiconservative DNA replication
2. Molecular model of DNA replication
3. Unique aspects of eukaryotic DNA replication
4. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and its applications
K. Transcription and RNA processing
1. The genetic control of metabolism
2. The central dogma
3. Transcription in prokaryotes
4. Transcription and RNA processing in eukaryotes
L. Translation and the genetic code
1. Protein structure
2. The nature of the genetic code
3. Protein synthesis and protein sorting
M. Regulation of gene expressions
1. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes: The lac and trp operons
2. Levels of control of gene expression in eukaryotes
3. Gene regulation in development and differentiation in eukaryotes
N. DNA mutation and repair
1. Mutation as the source of genetic variability
2. Types of mutations
3. The molecular basis of mutations
4. DNA repair mechanisms
O. The Genetics of Cancer
1. Cancer and the cell cycle
2. Genes and cancer: oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes
3. The multi-step nature of cancer
P. Cloning and manipulation of DNA
1. DNA cloning and DNA recombinant libraries
2. Genomics
3. Production of eukaryotic proteins in bacteria
4. Genetically modified organisms; economic, ecological, and evolutionary concerns
5. Gene therapy
Q. Extranuclear Genetics
1. Organization of extranuclear genomes
2. Rules of extranuclear inheritance
3. The origin and evolution of mitochondria and chloroplast
R. Population Genetics
1. The Hardy-Weinberg priniciple
2. Genetic variation in natural populations
3. Natural selection
V Student Learning Outcomes: (goals and competencies in parentheses)
A. Students should be able to recognize and explain the major concepts and principles of scientific theories of Classic, Molecular and Population Genetics. More important, they should be able to apply those concepts and principles to new situations in written exams. (2a, 3a)
B. Students should be able to recognize, compare, and contrast genetic characteristics of prokaryotes and eukaryotes and recognize the great diversity of structure and function among different types of organisms. (3a)
C. Students should be able to explain and illustrate the role that genetics and its applications play in medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and social issues. (3a, 3d)
D. Students will be able to identify the basic steps of the scientific method. They will analyze classic experiments that contributed to our current knowledge of genetics. They will propose experiments to test hypothesis in written exams. They will apply the scientific method in laboratory and computer exercises. (2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b).
E. By participating in class discussion of news articles and by writing term papers, students will identify, summarize, and critique key debates and arguments about current societal, ethical, and political issues that are relevant to genetics such as human cloning, stem cell research, genetically modified organism, etc. They will also gain appreciation of new discoveries and the current directions of molecular genetics research. (2b, 2d, 3d)
F. Students should be able to translate verbal material to mathematical expressions, apply mathematical formulas, and interpret and construct charts and graphs. They will apply basic principles of probability and statistics to genetics. They will demonstrate these skills by solving problems in written exams and assigned problem sets. (2c, 3b)
G. Students should be able to communicate their experimental findings through written communication by writing lab reports. (3c)
VI Methods for Evaluation of Student Learning:
A variety of evaluation and assessment methods will be used. They may include tests (multiple choice, fill-in the blank, matching, short answer, problem solving, and critical thinking essay questions), home study assignments, problem sets, short writing assignments, term papers, and laboratory reports.
VII Other Information:
Laboratory procedures are outlined in the course syllabus.