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Home , Introduction to genetics

Common Course Outline for: BIOL 1101 Introduction to Human

A. Course Description 1. Number of credits: 4 2. Lecture hours per week: 3 Lab hours per week: Minimum of 3 hours of self-directed lab work 3. Prerequisites: Eligible for READ 1106 4. Co-requisites: None 5. MnTC Goal: 3

A non-majors, general education lab course that explores the basic principles of . Topics include the scientific method, Mendelian genetics, sex determination, karyotyping, , genetic counseling, the Human Project, genetics of immunity and , and genetics. Lecture 3 hours per week. Lab requires a minimum of 3 hours per week of self-directed lab work.

B. Date last revised: August 2019

C. Outline of Major Content Areas Lecture: Subtopics listed under each main topic may vary due to recent developments in the field and current events. 1. Introduction to Genetics a. Identification of the major issues within the field of Genetics b. Identification of the major applications of Genetics and of some of the ethical, legal, and social problems they pose. 2. Structure and a. Components of cells b. c. The cell cycle 3. Human Development a. The life cycle and b. The reproductive system and the formation of gametes c. Prenatal development d. Cloning by nuclear transfer 4. a. Mendel’s principles of , segregation, and independent assortment b. Mendelian inheritance in humans and pedigree analysis c. Chromosomal basis of Mendelian inheritance 5. Extensions of Mendelian inheritance a. Multiple and different dominance relations b. Penetrance, expressivity, and the influence of the environment

c. Epitasis d. Maternal inheritance, mitochondrial and mitochondrial disorders e. Linkage and mapping 6. Sex-linked inheritance a. Sex determination in human beings b. X-linked inheritance and X-linked disorders c. Inactivation of X-linked genes in female mammals 7. Multifactorial traits a. Quantitative traits and continuous variation b. The concept of heritability c. Methods to study multifactorial traits: Twin studies 8. The Structure of DNA a. The chemical composition and structure of nucleic acids b. structure: the nucleosome c. DNA replication and DNA repair d. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and its applications 9. Gene Action a. , splicing, and RNA processing b. and the 10. Gene a. Phenotypic effects of mutation b. Spontaneous and induced c. Different types of mutations 11. Chromosomes a. Prenatal diagnosis and cytological techniques b. Genetic counseling c. Abnormal chromosome number and structure 12. a. DNA fingerprinting b. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium c. Changing allelic frequencies d. and balanced polymorphism 13. Human Origins and a. and molecular clocks 14. The Project (HGP) a. The techniques used by the HGP: DNA cloning and DNA sequencing b. Ethical, legal, and social issues related to the HGP c. Eugenics 15. The Genetics of Immunity a. The immune response b. Abnormal immunity and AIDS 16. The Genetics of Cancer a. Genes that cause cancer: oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes b. Prevention and treatment of cancer 17. Bioengineering a. Transgenic

b. Genetically modified organisms: economic, ecological, and evolutionary concerns 18. a. Somatic and germ-line gene therapy b. The methods of gene therapy 19. Reproductive technologies a. Infertility b. Assisted reproductive technologies

Laboratory: Students will actively participate in lab by engaging in studies related to: 1. Microcopy and Cells 2. and Meiosis 3. Fruit Fly Life Cycle and Dihybrid Cross 4. DNA Extraction 5. Gel Electrophoresis 6. DNA Sequence Analysis 7. Bacterial Transformation 8. Human Genome Project 9. Karyotype Analysis 10. Molecular Clocks 11. Natural Selection 12. Genetic Counseling

D. Course Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: 1. 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) 2. Identify the basic steps of the scientific method by analyzing classic experiments that contributed to our current knowledge of genetics. They will also apply these steps in laboratory and computer exercises. (2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b) 3. Explain the genetic basis of some common medical disorders and the genetic foundation of human diversity. (3a, 3d) 4. Gather information and compare and contrast different points of view surrounding a controversial topic in contemporary genetics and they will be required to articulate, justify and defend their personal point of view by writing papers and by participating in class discussion of news article. (2d, 3a, 3c, 3d) 5. Translate verbal material to mathematical expressions, apply mathematical formulas, and interpret and construct charts and graphs. They will demonstrate these skills by solving problems in written exams and assigned problem sets. (2c, 3b) 6. Communicate their experimental findings through written communication by writing lab reports. (3c)

E. Methods for Assessing Student Learning A variety of evaluation and assessments methods will be used including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Written examinations (multiple choice, true-false, fill-in the blank, matching, short answer, problem solving, and critical thinking essay questions) over lectures, class discussions and reading assignments 2. Short writing assignments 3. Term papers 4. Home study assignments 5. Laboratory reports 6. A final comprehensive exam

F. Special Information The laboratory portion of the course is delivered in the Learning Center (BLC). The BLC is an open lab and has its own set of operating policies and procedures. An instructor will include the most recent version of the Departmental and Biology Learning Center Policies in the course syllabus.

Laboratory procedures require handling, treatment and freezing of fruit flies; there are no exceptions or alternate activities.

Laboratory procedures require genetic modification of ; there are no exceptions or alternate activities.