BIOL 2324 - Genetics

Description
This course will study the basic concepts in classical and molecular genetics. Topics include Mendelian inheritance and its variations, linkage, chromosomes, gene mapping, bacterial and viral genetics, extranuclear inheritance, DNA structure and replication, mutation, DNA repair, recombinant DNA technology, genetic code, and gene expression/regulation. Laboratory exercises illustrate principles of inheritance in various biological systems and provide hands-on experience with several recombinant DNA techniques. Three hours lecture/discussion and three hours laboratory per week.

Pre-Requisite
Completion of any biology course greater than or equal to BIOL 1544 and any chemistry course greater than or equal to CHEM 1104 with a grade greater than or equal to a C.

4 Credit Hour(s)

Contact Hours
45 lecture contact hours; 45 lab contact hours

5 Faculty Load Hour(s)

Semesters Offered
Fall

ACTS Equivalent
NONE

Grade Mode
A-F

Learning Outcomes
Students completing this course will:

Develop insight into the transmission of traits on the molecular, cellular, and organismal level.
Develop hypotheses and evaluate them based on relevant facts of heredity and environment.
Explain how a geneticist determines the number of genes involved with a specific trait based on a population data set.
Analyze genetic data to solve simple and complex genetic problems based on relevant facts in a real-world situation.
Describe at the biochemical level expression from gene to phenotype.
Describe relationships between mutations and new alleles.
Explain genetic terminology and genetic probabilities.
Demonstrate major recombinant DNA techniques used in genetics and molecular biology.

General Education Outcomes Supported
Students develop higher order thinking skills.

Standard Practices
Topics list

Mitosis and Meiosis
Mendelian genetics
Sex determination and Sex Chromosomes
Genetic mutations
Extranuclear inheritance
DNA structure, replication, and variation
Gene expression, regulation, and development
Genomics, rDNA tech,
Proteomics, and Bioinformatics
Population genetics

Learning activities

Courses must, at a minimum, cover the core learning outcomes for each topic.
Laboratory exercises should include Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics, genetic crosses, statistical analysis, population genetics, bioinformatics, and molecular techniques.
Course includes a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE)

Assessments

Required forms of assessment include written examinations, formal laboratory journal, and demonstration of understanding of the principles presented in lecture. Also, students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in applying core laboratory skills and practices used in the study of genetics.

Grading guidelines

A minimum of 70% of the grade must be proctored, supervised, or otherwise verified.
Approximately 25% of the grade must come from lab work since the lab and lecture credits for this course are combined.