Biology 303 Course Syllabus Molecular Genetics and Heredity Spring 2017 Instructor: Dr. Joshua Corrette-Bennett Office Phone: 724-946-7208 Office: 370 Hoyt Science Center e-mail: [email protected] OFFICE HOURS: M 9:20-10:20am, M 1-2pm, T 11am-12pm, F 1-2pm If I am not in my office during scheduled times I am probably somewhere nearby (another faculty member’s office, a research lab, etc.) and will return momentarily. Please be patient and wait by my office door for 5-10 minutes until I return. If I do not return in a timely manner, please leave a note on my door so I can contact you asap. If I am absent from my office during my office hours, I will leave a note on my door indicating where I have gone. You can always reach me by e-mail (preferable) or leave a message on my answering machine; I do not use text messaging. If it is a medical or family emergency, please leave a message on my office phone and send me an e-mail. REQUIRED: Text: Robert J. Brooker. Genetics: Analysis & Principles. 5th Edition. McGraw-Hill. New York, NY. 2009 (paper, loose-leaf) Laboratory Manual - accessed on the R-drive 9 3/4 in X 7 1/2 inch, composition-style, quad-lined laboratory notebook. (This is the only acceptable lab notebook. Use of any other lab notebook will result in subtraction of 20 pts. from the notebook grade.) COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course serves as a broad introduction to the structure and function of nucleic acids, basic processes that regulate expression of genetic information, biological processes that direct inheritance of genetic information, and the outcome of those processes – inherited traits. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms will serve as model systems for studying topics such as nucleic acid structure, function, replication, damage, repair, and control of gene expression. Additional topics include Mendelian genetics, and epigenetics, and if time permits population genetics, developmental genetics, and molecular evolution. Weekly laboratory exercises are an essential component of this class and will be used to explore various molecular and biochemical techniques for isolating, replicating and analyzing nucleic acids and studying modes of inheritance. Lab will also be used to enhance skills such as scientific information literacy, scientific writing, and presentation. Prerequisite: C- or better in BIO 201. COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course is being taught as an intermediate level biology course and is geared towards sophomores, juniors, and seniors majoring in biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, and biochemistry. Comprehension and recall of concepts covered in BIO 201 are essential for this course and will be assessed throughout the semester. Students who successfully complete this course: 1. will demonstrate initiative, self-assessment, and a mind-set for intellectual achievement; 2. will demonstrate comprehension of the structure, organization and function of nucleic acids and proteins; 3. will demonstrate comprehension of gene expression and control of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; 4. will demonstrate knowledge of basic molecular and biochemical skills and techniques used for the study of nucleic acids, proteins, and cells; 5. will demonstrate the ability to utilize qualitative and quantitative reasoning skills required for scientific inquiry, laboratory investigation, and problem solving; 6. will demonstrate proficiency with basic laboratory skills, scientific observation and notation (lab notebooks), scientific writing (formal lab reports), information literacy, and presentation of scientific information. STRUCTURE: Each week there will be three 1 hour lecture/discussion/group work sections (MWF 10:30am-11:30am; Hoyt 292) and one 3 hour lab/research section (W 2:00 pm-5:00 pm; HSC 343). Unauthorized electronic devices are not allowed to be on during class or lab (cell phones, MP3 devices, etc.). If a cell phone rings or buzzes during class or lab, or a student answers their cell phone or engages in text-messaging during class or lab, they disrupt the learning environment. Points will be deducted from their total course grade for any of these distractions (1 point for the first occurrence; 2 points for the second; 4 points for the third; etc.) If I hear a cell phone vibrate and no one accepts responsibility, then I will deduct 0.5 pts from everyone's grade. I will make an exception to these rules if a student tells me that she/he is waiting for a call prior to that class and it pertains to a personal or medical emergency. Students are more than welcome to bring a laptop to lecture, but it should only be used for accessing the Powerpoint presentations and taking notes. If a student has software or files opened other than what is necessary for class, I will tell the student to close them immediately. A second warning will result in a deduction of Discretionary points. Tobacco products are not permitted in any building. ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT: Westminster College actively strives for the full inclusion of all our students. Students with disabilities who require access solutions for environmental or curricular barriers should contact Faith Craig, Director of Disability Support Services, located in 209 Thompson-Clark Hall. phone: 724-946-7192 e-mail: [email protected]" If you have any type of learning, language or physical disability (documented or un-documented) that might affect your performance, please stop by my office within the first week of classes. ATTENDENCE POLICY: I consider you all to be adults so there is no numerical penalty for missing class lectures, but I have noticed a strong correlation between missed classes and grades earned on exams. I will be taking note of absences. Students are responsible for any material covered if absent from class, regardless of the reason. Notes must be obtained from classmates, not the instructor. Missed handouts or assignments can be obtained from me during office hours, not at the beginning or end of class. I will be more than happy to help clarify material missed during any absence, but it must be during my office hours or another time outside of class that is convenient for both of us and you must come prepared (having read and thought about the material before our meeting). We will be covering significant amounts of material during the class periods so it is important that you miss as few classes as possible. While I do not penalize for missing lectures, unexcused absences will factor into the amount of discretionary points a student can earn. Attendance for exams and labs is required. You must identify any conflicts between these and college sponsored activities or events and report them to me at least 2 days prior to the absence so that alternative plans can be arranged. The only excused absences for exams or labs are the ones stated in the Westminster catalog. Any exams that conflict with other college sponsored activities must be taken prior to the scheduled exam or lab date. Do to the complex preparation and methods for many of the labs, making up a lab at a later time or date is not always possible. If you miss a lab, your lab group members will be left to fill in for you and will be responsible for getting you “up to speed” on the concepts, procedures and goals of the lab. Any medical or personal conflicts with exams must be brought to my attention immediately and passed onto the Dean of Academic Affairs. Absences due to illness must be reported to the health center and require a formal written excuse from the Health Center or your doctor. EXAMS: There will be four exams evenly spaced throughout the semester. The fourth exam will take place during finals week; a portion of the fourth exam will be comprehensive. Exams will cover material presented in lectures and labs. You will also be quizzed and tested on relevant material covered in BIO 201 and any assigned readings, but not necessarily covered in lecture. I will prepare a study guide for the first exam. You will be required to hand in a study guide prior to the second exam. The study guide for the second exam will be graded and count towards 5% of the exam grade. Study guides handed in for a grade cannot be more than eight pages long. Study guides will not be required or provided for the final two exams. LABS, LAB NOTEBOOKS & FORMAL LAB REPORTS: We will begin the semester with a re- introduction to basic tools and techniques used for molecular biology. Familiarity with the metric system will be assumed and incorporated into each lab. Labs will reinforce concepts discussed in lecture, although they may not always coincide with that week's lecture material. Due to the nature of scientific inquiry, many of the labs will require completing steps outside of the designated lab period. You will need to adjust your schedules as needed and according to group member availability. Preparation for labs and maintenance of lab notebooks must follow procedures described in the Lab Notebook Guidelines (on the R-drive). The Introduction section of each lab might contain a few questions that require further research and writing down the answers in your lab notebooks prior to entering the lab. A flow chart/concept map of procedures (methods) must also be prepared prior to the start of each new lab and checked by me prior to the start of the lab. This flowchart should be based on procedures located in the methods section(s) of each lab. If you do not have a flow chart when you come into the lab, you cannot earn points for that section (although you are welcome to write it down after the lab to help organize your thoughts).