Genetics

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course code
BIOL 2320
Descriptive
Genetics
Department
Biology
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
5.00
Start date
End term
201330
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
27
Contact hours
Lecture/Tutorial 4 hours per week Laboratory 3 hours per week
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Tutorial
Learning activities

This course involves four hours per week of classroom instruction and three hours per week of laboratory activity.  Classroom work will include lectures and tutorials, and is integrated with textbook, scientific journal readings and problem assignments.  The laboratory work is designed to complement the theory content of the course.

Course description
This course is a study of the principles of genetics. Topics covered include the physical and chemical basis of heredity, genetic analysis in eukaryotes, prokaryotes and viruses, mutation, population genetics and evolution.
Course content

The major topics in the course include the following:

 

1.         Mechanics of Inheritance, including:

            -      mitosis

            -      meiosis

            -      life cycles

            -      crossing-over

 

2.         Mendelian Inheritance, including:

            -      monohybrid inheritance

            -      dihybrid inheritance

            -      allelic relationships

 

3.         Probability and Statistics (including Chi Square test)

 

4.         Non-Mendelian Inheritance, including:

            -      linkage

            -      sex-linked inheritance

            -      sex-influenced inheritance

            -      sex-limited inheritance

            -      holandric inheritance

            -      multiple allelism

            -      multigenic inheritance

            -      extra-chromosomal inheritance

 

5.         Chromosome mapping

 

6.         Sex determination and sex differentiation

 

7.         Mutation and mutagenesis

  

8.         Nucleic acid structure and replication

 

9.         Protein Synthesis

 

10.       Genetic control mechanisms

 

11.       Microbial genetics

 

12.       Viral genetics

 

13.       Population genetics

 

14.       Evolution

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of classical and modern genetics, including being able to:

 

1.        Describe the physical basis of heredity.

2.        Describe the experimental basis of Mendelian inheritance.

3.        Describe sex determining mechanisms in a wide variety of organisms.

4.        Describe non-Mendelian inheritance, including linkage, sex-linkage, sex-influenced inheritance, sex-limited inheritance, holandric inheritance, multiple allelism, multigenic inheritance, and extra-chromosomal inheritance.

5.        Interpret pedigrees to determine modes of inheritance of genetic anomalies in humans.

6.        Derive chromosome maps by a variety of techniques, including the analysis of:

            -       testcross data in higher organisms

            -       tetrad analysis in fungi

            -       conjugation experiments in bacteria

7.        Describe the cytological and biochemical basis of mutation and mutagenesis.

8.        Describe the structure, replication, and functions of nucleic acids.

9.        Describe the process of protein synthesis and the control of protein synthesis in bacteria and higher organisms.

10.      Describe the genetic control of metabolism.

11.      Describe the genetics of populations, including Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, genetic drift, the effects of selection on allele frequencies and the evolutionary implications of population genetics.

12.      Perform and interpret genetic experiments with a variety of organisms.

13.      Describe the genetic basis of evolutionary theory

14.      Use general principles of genetics to discuss current issues.

Means of assessment

TYPE OF EVALUATION                                                  POINTS

 

Class tests & assignments                                                  10-20

Mid Term Exam                                                                  15-35

Final comprehensive Exam                                               35

Essay                                                                                       5-10

Lab reports (6)                                                                     10-15

 

                                                                TOTAL                  100

 

 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grades:  A+  95-100            A   90-94               A-   85-89              B+   80-84             B   75-79          B-   70-74

            C+   65-69             C   60-64               C-   55-59              P     50-54              F     0-49

Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

Snustad, P.D., and Simmons, M.J., 2000.  Principles of Genetics (2nd Edition).

                New York:  John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Prerequisites

BIOL 1210 with C- or better grade or permission of instructor