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Biology 2581B (Genetics) Winter 2019/2020 Course Outline Summary*

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Biology 2581B (Genetics) Winter 2019/2020 Course Outline Summary* Biology 2581B (Genetics) Winter 2019/2020 Course Outline Summary* Course Description Biology 2581B is a core course in the Biology program designed to help students improve their command of key concepts and theories in molecular and evolutionary genetics. These concepts and theories can be used to understand genetics in everyday life. They also serve as the basic building blocks for understanding more advanced theories and fields in genetics. Educational Outcomes By engaging in this learning environment, students can expect to enhance their ability to demonstrate a broad understanding, application, and analysis of: the origin and detection of various types of mutations (from single base-pair substitutions to large genome rearrangements), and how the study of mutations underlies many fundamental genetic analyses, techniques, and evolutionary theories. modern molecular genetics techniques. basic principles of evolutionary genetics (e.g. natural selection, random genetic drift, and mutation) and their influence on genetic diversity, genomic architecture, and genetic relatedness among organisms. genetic principles that have shaped the Tree of Life, including the central roles of endosymbiosis, lateral gene transfer, and gene duplication. Instructional Team Instructors Prof. Amanda Moehring Prof. Patrick McDonald BGSB 2080 Collip 309 Course Scheduling Lectures: Section 001: Mon and Wed 9:30-10:20 am in Natural Sciences Rm 145 Section 002: Tues and Thurs 1:30-2:20 pm in Natural Sciences Rm 145 Tutorials: There are 4, 2 hr, in-class Tutorials and one online Tutorial. Tutorials provide a smaller, more active, class environment where material complements, but is distinct from, lecture and textbook content. Tutorial resources will be posted the Thursday before the tutorial cycle begins. The online Tutorial must be completed by Jan 12. The first in-class tutorial, Tutorial 1, begins the week of Jan. 13 (Sections 003-021) or Jan. 20 (Sections 022-040). You must attend your registered section to obtain credit. If you miss your registered section, you may attend an alternate section. If you attend an alternate tutorial section to make up for an absence, you will only obtain credit if you are granted formal academic consideration for the absence. If you do not attend an alternate tutorial section to make up for an absence, this weight will be transferred to the Final Exam only if you are granted formal academic consideration for the absence via self-reporting or an academic counsellor. If you wish to review a quiz with a TA, it must be within 2 weeks of the mark being posted. Course Materials 1. Website: https://owl.uwo.ca/. Log in with your UWO username and password. Find course information and policies, get help, post questions, download lecture slides etc. 2. Textbook: Pierce BA. 2017 “Genetics: A Conceptual Approach,” 6th Ed., Macmillan 3. Additional Materials: Optional online access to an eTextbook (with associated self-test questions) is available through the Sapling platform provided with textbook purchase. Assessment The majority of course grade falls on two Term Tests and Final Exam. Course Schedule Component Tutorial 10% Four Tutorials as scheduled by your “Lab Section” plus one online tutorial Term Test 1 + 10% Multiple Choice Test: 10:00 am–11:30, Saturday, January 25 Term Test 2 + 35% Multiple Choice Test: 10:00 am–12:00, Saturday, February 29 Final Exam + 45% Multiple Choice Test: 3 hr. During the April exam period. (Do not pre-book travel during April) +All Term Tests and the Final Exam are cumulative, testing lectures, tutorials and assigned readings. This course uses cheating detection software to identify possible academic misconduct during tests. There will be no MakeUp exam for Term Test 1. If a student has Academic Consideration for missing Term Test 1, it will be reweighted onto Term Test 2. One MakeUp Test opportunity will be offered for all students who have obtained Academic Consideration for missing Term Test 2 and/or the Final Exam. If a student has Academic Consideration for missing Term Test 2 and its MakeUp, it will be reweighted onto the Final Exam. If a student has Academic Consideration for missing the Final Exam and its MakeUp, they will have to take the Final Exam the following course offering. Administration and Academic Considerations In order for the instructional team to respond to the myriad concerns of a large class in a timely manner, we ask that you do not contact instructors directly by email. If you have questions about course administration, please post to the (anonymous to your peers) OWL forum. If your concern requires a personalized response, email [email protected] from your official UWO account. If you have questions about lecture or tutorial content, post to the respective OWL forum. Instructors and TAs will be available for drop-in help during offices hours as posted. If you miss a Test or Tutorial, you will receive a grade of zero unless you are granted Academic Consideration by an academic counsellor associated with the office of your Dean. *See the Policy and Admin tab on OWL for complete details of course academic policies, pre-requisites, accessibility, medical documentation, academic integrity, mental health and other resources etc. B2581B Course Schedule Section 001 (Mon/Wed) classes are repeated for Section 002 (Tues/Thurs). Note that this calendar is a general guide, and the content may change. Week Lec# Lecture Topics Instructor Tut # Tutorial Topics Jan. 6 1 Introduction; Genetic diversity Moehring 2 Where do genomes come from? Moehring Jan. 13 3 Genome structure Moehring 1 Intro to Alzheimer’s 4 Mutation: Cause and consequence McDonald #003-021 Disease Jan. 20 5 Mutation: Cause and consequence McDonald 1 Genes 6 Mutation: Cause and consequence McDonald #022-040 Term Test 1 (January 25) Jan. 27 7 Why are microbes ruling the world? Moehring 2 Alzheimer’s Disease 8 Why (and how) have sex? Moehring #003-021 Gene Feb. 3 9 What sex are you - and why? Moehring 2 Mutations 10 Why are my legs like fly legs? Moehring #022-040 Feb. 10 11 The human genome: Structure and function McDonald 12 The human genome: Structure and function McDonald Feb. 17 Reading Week – No Classes Feb. 24 13 The human genome: Structure and function McDonald 14 The human genome: Structure and function McDonald Term Test 2 (February 29) Mar. 2 15 How do I make my own mutant? Part 1 Moehring 3 Finding Alzheimer’s 16 How do I make my own mutant? Part 2 Moehring #003-021 Disease Mar. 9 17 How do you identify a gene for a trait? Moehring 3 Genes 18 How do genes cause variation in behaviour? Moehring #022-040 Mar. 16 19 Guest Lecture 4 How do Alzheimer’s 20 Guest Lecture #003-021 Disease Mar. 23 21 Epigenetics: Regulation of gene expression McDonald 4 genes work? 22 Epigenetics: Regulation of gene expression McDonald #022-040 Mar. 30 23 Cancer: A genetic disease McDonald 24 Cancer: A genetic disease McDonald Final Exam (TBD) .
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