Download MASTER SYLLABUS

MASTER SYLLABUS
Last updated: January 14, 2014
Course Title: Principles of Genetics
Course No.: BIO 2040
BIO 2040 is a general education course in the biological sciences.
No. of Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 1060 and BIO 1060L or BIO 1020 and BIO 1020L or biology placement plus MTH 1000 or MTH 1040 or math
placement
Core Competencies: This course fulfills the scientific reasoning core competency.
Core Learning Areas:
The Core Learning Areas represent a common body of skills and knowledge to which all graduates with associate’s degrees should be
exposed and for which the college may determine certain levels of competency which will be assessed through the general education
curriculum.
The following Core Learning Areas will be emphasized and assessed in BIO 2040.
Scientific Reasoning
Scientific reasoning is the process of solving problems and learning about the world through the quantitative and qualitative analysis
of empirical data.
Competency in this area is measured by the ability to:
20. Conclude whether a given set of data supports a particular hypothesis or theory
This will be assessed using assignments and exam questions in which students conduct chi square analysis of data.
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Quantitative Reasoning
Quantitative reasoning addresses the conceptual understanding of numbers, the correct application of proportional reasoning and, the
proper interpretation of various representations of statistical data.
Competency in this area is measured by the ability to:
21. Solve problems using mathematics that model real-world applications
25. Analyze data using basic descriptive statistics
These will be assessed using assignments and exam questions in which students conduct Punnett squares and chi square analysis of
data.
Course Description:
Students study the principles and molecular basis of inheritance in terms of structure, function, and changes in genetic material in
viruses, bacteria and higher organisms; transmission and expression of genetic material; extra chromosomal inheritance, gene
mapping, genetic control of metabolism and recombinant DNA. Students solve real and simulated problems using principles of
inheritance.
Learning Objectives:
On completion of this course the student will be able to:
explain the role of genetics in biology.
discuss the use of genetics throughout history.
compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis.
perform monohybrid, dihybrid, and trihybrid crosses using Punnett squares and statistical analyses.
compare the Principle of Segregation and the Principle of Independent Assortment.
perform a chi-square goodness of fit test and determine when it should be used.
conclude whether a given set of data supports a particular hypothesis or theory.
analyze pedigrees to understand inheritance.
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compare the concepts of dominance, incomplete dominance, and codominance.
determine how phenotypic ratios are modified by dominance, penetrance, and lethal alleles.
discuss how multiple alleles at a locus influence the variety of genotypes and phenotypes.
explain how genes at multiple loci can determine a single phenotype.
recognize the influence of sex on the inheritance and expression of genes.
describe how environmental factors can influence expression of a genotype.
describe sex determination systems and the structure of sex chromosomes.
describe the different types of chromosome mutations.
recognize sequence variations that occur within eukaryotic chromosomes.
recognize that linked genes do not display independent assortment.
explain how crossing over produces recombination between linked genes.
perform gene mapping to illustrate the order and distances of genes along a chromosome.
compare and contrast DNA and RNA structure.
describe how the structure of DNA was determined.
explain the determination of DNA as genetic material.
explain the semiconservative replication of DNA.
describe the structure of a chromosome in prokaryotic cells.
describe the packaging of DNA into eukaryotic chromosomes.
discuss how the genetic code was deciphered.
describe the processes of transcription and translation.
list the different natural and unnatural factors that may cause mutations.
explain that mutations are responsible for a large number of human diseases.
explain DNA repair mechanisms.
compare and contrast gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
recognize that chromosome variation plays an important role in evolution.
use the Hardy-Weinberg Law to describe allele frequencies in populations.
discuss the factors that alter allele frequencies.
Outline of topics:
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Students successfully completing the course are expected to have a detailed understanding of the following topics:
Introduction to Genetics
Mitosis and Meiosis
Mendelian Genetics
Modification of Mendelian Ratios
Sex Determination and Sex Chromosomes
Chromosome Mutations: Variation in Number and Arrangement
Linkage and Chromosome Mapping in Eukaryotes
DNA Structure and Analysis
DNA Replication and Recombination
Chromosome Structure and DNA Sequence Organization
The Genetic Code and Transcription
Translation and Proteins
Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Transposition
Regulation of Gene Expression
Population and Evolutionary Genetics
Learning activities:
BIO 2040 is a content course requiring extensive reading and study. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions and
complete assignments; to this end, students are expected to read the provided primary literature, scientific reviews, and newspaper articles,
as well as their textbook.
The course objectives may be assessed by multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching, short answer, calculations, or essay questions on
quizzes and exams. Graded discussions and homework assignments may also be used as assessment methods. All assessments will be
administered online.
Instructional Delivery:
This course is only offered online. Internet access and Microsoft Office Software (Word and Power Point) will be used to complete
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the course.
This class consists of fifteen learning modules. Each module consists of: an overview, a list of module-specific learning objectives, an
outline that highlights how the learning objectives will be achieved, a reading assignment from the text, a PowerPoint lecture
presentation that summarizes the main concepts of each learning module in a visual manner, supplemental material which includes
animations and other links to course content, an assignment that emphasizes key concepts, discussion questions, a quiz to assess
student knowledge of the course content, and reflections which summarize the key points of the lecture.
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