BIOLOGY 411 - ADVANCED GENERAL GENETICS
TENTATIVE SYLLABUS SPRING 2002 | |||
WK | DAY | TOPIC | READING and PROBLEMS |
1 | T | Cytogenetics - changes in structure | Chapter 3: 85-94, Chapter 17: 524-542; Probs: |
R | " " " " " | ||
2 | T* | Cytogenetics - changes in number | Chapter 18: 556-575; Probs: |
R | " " " " " | ||
3 | T* | Mechanisms of Recombination | Chapter 19: 586-596; Probs: |
R | " " " " " | ||
4 | T | Special Mapping Techniques | Chapter 6: 179-184,190-194; Probs: |
R | Exam #1 - 100 points, 30% | ||
5 | T* | Recombinant DNA Technology | Chapter 12: 366-393; Probs: |
R | " " " " " | ||
6 | T* | Applications of Recomb. Technology | Chapter 13: 404-427; Probs: |
R | " " " " " | ||
7 | T | Genomics | Chapter 3: 94-98, Chapter 14: 436-458; Probs: |
R | " " " " " | ||
8 | T&R | SPRING BREAK - NO CLASSES | |
9 | T* | Genomics | Chapter 14: same |
R | Exam #2 - 100 points, 30% | ||
10 | T* | Extra-nuclear Genes | Chapter 21: 624-638; Probs: |
R | " " " " " | ||
11 | T* | Cancer as a Genetic Disease | Chapter 22:648-666; Probs: |
R | " " " " " | ||
12 | T* | Developmental Genetics | Chapter 23: 672-708; Probs |
R | " " " " " | ||
13 | T* | " " " " " | |
R | " " " " " | ||
14 | T* | Population Genetics | Chapter 24: 714-737; Probs: |
R | " " " " " | ||
15 | T | Evolutionary Genetics | Chapter 26: 774-791; Probs: |
R | " " " " " | ||
17 | T | Final Exam- 40%
10:30 AM Tuesday May 14 |
Objectives: The goal of this course is to introduce students to special topics in genetics that cannot be covered in Biology 311 because of time restrictions. All are active areas of research and all are included in introductory genetics textbooks.
Text: This course will always use the same text as the previous semester's Biology 311 course. At present this text is "An Introduction to Genetic Analysis, 7th Edition" by A.J.F. Griffiths et al., published by W.H. Freeman.
Grading: Your grade will be based on your performance on class participation (10%), two midterms (25% each), and a comprehensive (40%). Grades will be assigned according to the following scale.
A = 92.0 | B+ = 88.0 | C+ = 78.0 | D = 69.9 | |
A- = 90.0 | B = 82.0 | C = 72.0 | F = below 60.0 | |
B- = 80.0 | C- = 70.0 |
Policies: Because the material in this course is not part of the Biology Core Curriculum, we can proceed at a relaxed pace and tailor the syllabus to student interests. Students are encouraged to participate in class discussion and, to promote this, each student will bring to class and hand in, on the 10 Tuesdays marked with *, outside material relevant to the biology. These will consist of news clippings, printed web material, and citations of TV and radio programs programs. Completion of this requirement will provide 10% of the course grade.
Late arrival for class is disruptive and students are requested to arrive on time. Make-up exams are not given in this course. Late work is not accepted in this course. If a student must miss an examination, s/he must speak to Dr. Adamkewicz ahead of time and receive permission to pro-rate the missed work.
When the weather is inclement, the class will meet if the university is open. If the university is closed during a class meeting, whatever was due during the closure will be due the next time class meets.
Dr. Adamkewicz is available by e-mail at ladamkew@gmu.edu, by telephone at 703-993-1047 (office) and 703-273-6021 (home), and in person by appointment or during office hours T/R 1:30-2:30 PM in 3033 David King Hall.