Calumet College of St.
Joseph
SYLLABUS FOR GENETICS
Term: Spring, 2002
(Jan. 11 – April 20)
Course Number: Biol. 385--Genetics, directed study for Shayla Dowell
Instructor:
Dr. Stephen Vogel
Office
Phone: (312) 355-0252
E-mail: vogel@uic.edu
Home
Phone: (219) 763-6884
Office
Hours: (N/A)
Instructor
Background: B.S., Cornell University (1972); Ph.D. in
Physiology, University of Virginia (1980); current position is Assistant Prof.
of Pharmacology at University of Illinois College of Medicine (Chicago).
Course
Time: 9:00 pm, Friday evenings
Course Description: This
course surveys the principles of genetics and biotechnology, and its
relationship to living cells and to medicine. Bio-ethical issues and
application concepts to daily activities and dilemmas are addressed and
discussed between student and Instructor. Through these activities, it is the
goal of this course that the student leave with a basic understanding of how
genetics and biotechnology impact human biology and health. We are often called
upon to be responsible for making decisions related to our own bodies’ health
and the health of the environment that we live in. It is our responsibility to
take responsibility for our health, education and careers.
Learning
Outcomes/ Competencies:
Students in this course will:
·
design a
test of a scientific hypothesis
·
critically
evaluate scientific data
·
thoroughly
understand and use the scientific method
·
learn basic
concepts in genetics and their relationship to human medicine
·
learn the
critical concepts underlying the modern methods in biotechnology
·
develop a
hypothetical laboratory strategy for
gene transfection
·
debate
important bioethical issues on an informed basis
Textbooks:
Lewis, Ricki, Human
Genetics, Concepts and Applications, 4th Edition (McGraw-Hill).
Learning
Strategies: (Group Discussions, Team Projects, Collaborative Learning,
Lecturing…etc.)
The learning
strategy is (1) in-class discussions; (2) oral presentation; (3) a
term-essay. Text material must be
mastered prior to lectures.
Assessment: Assessment is based on
evaluation of 4 oral presentations and the term essay. The topic chosen for term-essay must be
approved by the instructor.
Exams (Midterm, Final, Quizzes) _______%
of grade
Class participation/collaboration/attendance/assignments
_______% of grade
Class presentation and assessment instruments _______% of grade
Class
Policy for Assignments: Term
essay can be handed in at any time up to and including the last day of class.
Grading
Scale:
A: 92-100 A-: 90-91 B+: 88-89 B: 82-87 B-:
80-81 C+: 78-79
C: 72-77
C-: 70-71 D+: 68-69
D: 62-67 D-: 60-61
F: 59 & below
Class
Policy on Attendance: Three unexcused absences will result in a
student being dropped from this course.
Excused absences are strictly emergency situations of which I should be
informed in advance (if possible) and will require a signed and verifiable
excuse from physician, employer, etc., as the case may be.
Class
Policy on Electronic Devices: (Optional)(Cell phones, Beeper, Pagers…etc.)
Observe common
courtesy to avoid disruption of the class.
Course
Outline:
1.
Introduction: an overview of genetics
2.
“Transmission genetics” deals with the Mendelian
principles.
3.
“DNA and chromosomes” section covers: DNA structure
and replication, gene action, genetic mutations, and characteristics of
chromosomes during cell cycle.
4.
“Population genetics” will consider the statistics
of constant and changing allele frequencies in large groups and natural selection
as basis for human evolution.
5.
“Biomedical applications” of genetic principles
will encompass the genetics of cancer, genetic engineering, gene therapy,
agricultural biotechnology and reproductive technologies.
6.
Class sections will also include discussions of
timely bioethical issues such as cloning of organisms, and the serious risks
attendant upon clinical use of gene therapy.
Class
Dates: Fridays
evenings through April 20, 2002.
Topics/Assignments: Term essay: assignment to
be detailed in class.
Class
Participation: My
courses depend heavily on class participation, as I employ the Socratic
teaching method deigned to engage students in thought-provoking discussions of
the material. The important elements of
class participation are to complete assigned readings and to participate
(i.e., by speaking and listening) in
class discussions.
Center
for Academic Excellence:
Tutoring
assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the
Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The
Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help
students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to
do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.
Statement
of Plagiarism:
If an instructor or other Calumet College of St.
Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in
another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may
elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any
form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for
judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses
student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)
Citation
Guidelines:
Calumet College
of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular
discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.). All of these guidelines are available in the
Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore. These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of
sources, including electronic media.
Withdrawal
from Classes Policy:
After the last
day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw
from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty
member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the
withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal
must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final
examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to
the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to
make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is
forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or
deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive
notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate
why the withdrawal is disallowed.
An official
withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript.
Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an
"F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).