BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 329
CLASS
SCHEDULE:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday –
LOCATION: FSA 136
OFFICE: SLB 428
COURSE GOALS: Students will develop:
••• fluency in modern concepts in human molecular genetics,
••• an understanding of the directions of current research, and
••• an appreciation of the bioethical issues related to human genome research.
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING: Course grades will be based on two mid-semester exams (25% each), a final exam (30%), and class participation (20%). The exams will consist of short answer and essay questions, with sample questions distributed prior to the first exam. Graduate students will prepare a short (~5 pages) term paper discussing current research on a specific human genetic condition. The papers will be due at the end to the term, with informal discussion of the chosen topics during the last two weeks of class. For the class participation component (which includes presentation of term paper topics for grad students), students will collect and discuss newspaper and magazine articles on topics related to human genetics. The instructor will distribute copies of selected materials to the class for further study. Final grades will be determined by cumulative point counts.
Students will be expected to attend classes regularly. Because of the current events focus of the course, the textbook provides only basic background information. Exam questions will largely be based on material covered in lecture and handouts. The class website will contain supplementary material and study hints. Exams will be graded and returned within one week, therefore all make-up assignments must be arranged with the instructor and completed before this time.
READING MATERIAL: The textbook for the course is:
Genetics in Medicine, by RL Nussbaum, RR McInnes, and HF Willard. Sixth edition. WB Saunders Co., New York, 2001.
2003 CLASS SCHEDULE – BSC 329
Suggested readings from the textbook and packet are given for each topic. Additional handouts will be provided most weeks. The schedule of topics is subject to change.
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Date |
Topics for the Week Note: |
Reading |
|
1 |
8/18/03 |
Introduction to Human GeneticsReview of DNA structure and function Gene structure and expression |
Chapters 1-3 |
|
2 |
8/25/03 |
Tools of Human Molecular GeneticsCloning, PCR, sequence analysis |
Chapter 4 |
|
3 |
9/1/03 |
Single Gene Inheritance Patterns Analysis of Pedigrees No class Monday, 9/1 |
Chapter 5 |
|
4 |
9/8/03 |
Exceptions to Mendelian GeneticsMosaicism, imprinting, mitochondrial inheritance |
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5 |
9/15/03 |
Genetic Variation in HumansMutations and PolymorphismsExam Monday 9/15/03 |
Chapter 6, 7 |
|
6 |
9/22/03 |
Principles of Molecular Disease Hemoglobinopathies |
Chapter 11 |
|
7 |
9/29/03 |
Molecular/Biochemical Basis for Genetic Disorders Protein defects due to mutations |
Chapter 12 |
|
8 |
10/6/03 |
Genotype to Phenotype Examples of Genetic Disorders |
|
|
9 |
10/13/03 |
Multifactorial Disorders |
Chapter 15 |
|
10 |
10/20/03 |
Gene mapping The Human Genome Project Exam Monday 10/20/03 |
Chapter 8 |
|
11 |
10/27/03 |
Cytogenetics and Chromosomal Disorders Down syndrome, sex determination |
Chapter 9-10 |
|
12 |
11/3/03 |
Diagnosis and Treatment of Genetic Disorders |
Chapter 13, 18 |
|
13 |
11/10/03 |
Cancer GeneticsCancer biology, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genesModels: breast and colon cancer |
Chapter 16 |
|
14 |
11/17/03 |
Bioethical Issues in Human GeneticsClass discussion |
Chapter 20 |
|
15 |
11/24/03 |
No classes |
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|
16 |
12/1/03 |
Class discussion
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17 |
12/8/03 |
Final examGraduate student papers due Monday, 12/8 |
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