Heredity, Evolution, & Society

Bio 309F Heredity, Evolution, & Society Spring, 2007

Instructor: Dr. Bob G. Sanders, 523 Patterson Laboratory, 471-7441 email: [email protected] Office Hours: By appointment (please email me to make appointment)

Teaching Assistant Jelena H. Pantel Email: [email protected] Office Hours: ______

Class Time: TTH 9:30-11:00 AM, Unique # 49790 Place: GEO 2.218

Discussion Sections (Unique #, day, time and place): 49790, M, 9-10, BUR 128 49795, M, 10-11, BUR 128 49800, W, 12-1, RAS 313B 49805, M, 3-4, CBA 4.338 49810, W, 4-5, RLM 6.116 Description: Bio 309F is a lecture course designed for non-biology students. Objectives are to present information in a manner that gives the students an understanding and appreciation of genetic concepts, using human examples. Goals are to provide each student with a basic understanding of genetics, to generate excitement for biological discovery, to permit evaluation of genetic advances that are being reported in the lay literature, and to foster a life-long desire for continued education in this area. Genetics/heredity can be very personal, students will be encouraged to establish pedigrees of genetic traits and genetic disorders, and to evaluate the contributions of environmental factors encountered on a daily basis on the genetic blueprint that make each of us unique human beings. Major genetic concepts covered in the course include: transmission of genes to future generations, nature of the genetic material, alterations to the genetic material, gene expression and regulation, source and consequences of genetic variation, uses and value of recombinant DNA molecular biology technology, insights into the future of genetics, gene involvement in cancer, immunity and behavior, genetic screening and genetic counseling, population genetics and evolution, and impact of genetics on society.

Exciting New Developments in Genetics: Major new genetic discoveries are being reported on a continuous basis. During the semester, selected new developments in genetics and their consequences, as presented in the scientific and lay literature, will be presented in lecture. Thus, the course content will be up-dated to reflect the latest discoveries. Students are encouraged to stay abreast of these new findings, to bring them to the attention of the class, and be prepared to join in the discussion.

Discussion Sections: The five discussion sections provide an opportunity for you to ask questions, work problems, and review information in a setting in which you can receive individual attention. Lecture and text materials will provide the framework for the discussion groups. You may attend any or all of the discussion groups.

Web Site: http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/sanders/bio309 The web site consists of course outline, lecture outlines, old exams, and class hand outs. Bio 309F Heredity, Evolution, & Society page 2 Grading: Exams (1). There will be a total of 4 one hour exams, including the final

Determining your grade Course grade will be determined as follows: Total points from three of the four one hour exam grades (including final; the lowest one hour exam grade will be dropped). (300 points possible)

Method to be used to determine your final course grade

Possible Points Exams (3) 100 X 3 points

Total Points possible 300 points

Grade Distribution A = 270-300 points B = 240-269 points C = 210-239 points D = 180-209 points F = 179 or below Note: Final Grade is based on total points, not an average of three exams.

Additional Information regarding exams. Approximately 70% of the one hour exam material will be from lecture, 30% from the text. The final exam will be comprehensive but will be equivalent in point value to the three other one hour examinations given during the semester.

Old Exams. Exams from 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 are on the web site.

Regrade of Exam : If there is any question or concern regarding how an exam has been graded, the question or concern needs to be put in writing and submitted with the exam within 5 working days following the day graded exams are returned in class.

Exam Makeup Policy : There will be no make up exams for the one hour exams. Individuals missing one of the one-hour exams have the opportunity to drop the O grade on the missed exam and replace that grade with the grade made on the final exam. Bio 309F Heredity, Evolution and Society, page 3 Homework: None Prerequisites: None

Text: Human Heredity: Principles and Issues, 7th. Ed., Michael R. Cummings, Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning Publishing Company, 2006

A schedule of text chapters to be covered is provided below. Students are encouraged to read the text material prior to lecture. Questions, further reading, and internet addresses are given at the end of each chapter, for those interested in pursuing the subject in greater depth. You are encouraged to answer chapter questions prior to looking at the answers that are provided in Appendix B of your text. An introduction to probability is given in Appendix A. The glossary in your text will be helpful to you in understanding genetic terms.

Dates Lecture Topics Readings

January 16 to Overview and objectives February 15 A perspective of human genetics Ch. 1 Cells and cell division Ch. 2 Transmission of genes frm generation to generation Ch. 3 Pedigree analysis in human genetics Ch. 4 Complex patterns of inheritance Ch. 5 Cytogenetics: karyotypes and chromosome aberrations Ch. 6 Development and Sex Determination Ch. 7

February 20 FIRST EXAMINATION

February 22 to DNA Structure and chromosomal Organization Ch. 8 March 27 Gene Expression: from genes to proteins Ch. 9 (Spring Break, From proteins to phenotypes Ch. 10 March 13-15) Mutation: Source of genetic variation Ch. 11 Cloning and recombinant DNA Technology Ch. 13

March 29 SECOND EXAMINATION

April 3 to Biotechnology and Society Ch. 14 April 24 Human Genome Project and genomics Ch. 15 Genes and Cancer Ch. 12 Genes and the immune system Ch. 17

April 26 THIRD EXAMINATION

May 1 Review major concepts, return third exam

May 3 Review for Final (last day of class)

May 12 9:00AM--Noon: FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION