Department of Biology & Marine Biology

Genetics Joke-O-The Moment!

Course Description:

      Bio 335 is designed as an introduction to genetics.  We will cover the basics of Mendelian, molecular, and population genetics as illustrated in this general outline:

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Tentative Schedule of Topics:

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Tests and exams

    There will be four one-hour tests (each worth 100 points) during the semester plus a cumulative final exam (worth 150 points). 
FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE:  Sections 001/002 (MWF 11:00)  -- Wednesday, 12/9/09; 11:30 – 2:30
                                                Sections 003/004 (MWF 12:00)  -- Friday, 12/4/09; 11:30 – 2:30
                                                (Go to http://www.uncw.edu/reg/exams-fall09.htm) 

You must take your tests and exam with your section unless prior arrangements have been made with me. 

   Make-up tests will not be given.  I will drop your lowest test score (not the final exam) in calculating your final grade. If you miss a test, that score will be the dropped score.   You must take the final exam.  If you have a valid reason for missing a second test, your score will be determined by averaging the score from the other tests and the properly weighted score from the exam. If you miss a test, or anticipate missing a test, see me as soon as possible.  If you do not consult with me about a missed test, that will automatically be considered an unexcused absence and will result in a score of 0 for that test.  

    I am  happy to make accommodations to those students with disabilities. Students with diagnosed disabilities should first contact the Office of Disability Services in Westside Hall (x23476). Please give me a copy of the letter you receive from Office of Disability Services detailing class accommodations you may need.  If you require accommodation for test-taking please make sure I have the referral letter no less than three days before the test.

Grading

     Grades will be based on the total number of points accumulated at the end of the semester (450 possible.)  Individual test grades will not be averaged.  Grades are based on a standard 10% scale:

                        405 – 450 points (90% and above) = A  
                                    360 – 404 points (80 – 89%)          = B
                                    315 – 359 points (70 – 79%)          = C
                                    270 – 314 points (60 – 69%)          = D
                                    Below 269 points (<60%)               = F        

I will not be using the +/- system.

Texts

    Genetics:  Analysis & Principles, 3rd ed. by Robert Brooker
    Schaum's Guides (optional but very helpful)
 
 
 Text website

    The publisher of the main text also maintains a website with many references, access to tutorials, simulations and other links.  The address is:  

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/classware/infoCenter.do?isbn=0072992786top of page

Honor Code and Classroom Behavior

    All members of UNCW’s community are expected to follow the academic Honor Code. Please read the UNCW Honor Code carefully (as covered in the UNCW Student Handbook or here: http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/doso/).  Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated in this class.
    Please be especially familiar with UNCW’s position on plagiarism as outlined on in the UNCW Student Handbook.  Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty in which you take someone else’s ideas and represent them as your own.   Here are some examples of plagiarism:
a.  You write about someone else’s work in your paper and do not give them credit for it by referencing them.
b.  You give a presentation and use someone else’s ideas and do not state that the ideas are the other persons.
c.  You get facts from your textbook or some other reference material and do not reference that material.

Attendance

      Attendance at each lecture is expected.  I consider this your responsibility;  I will not be tracking attendance.  If you miss a class, get the lecture notes from someone you trust and see me as soon as possible.  I will be happy to answer specific questions about a lecture; I cannot repeat the entire lecture. 

Cell phones, iPods, etc.

    Turn off and put away all electronic equipment!  Your ears are mine for 50 minutes; no earphones, earbuds, Bluetooths, etc. Do I really even have to tell you this?   Laptops are acceptable for taking notes only.  No electronic devices, excluding calculators, are allowed to be on during a test or exam.  TURN YOUR PHONES OFF, not on silent, during all tests or exams.  If your electronic device disturbs the class during a test or exam, you will receive a grade of zero for that test.

Other Important Information

       At UNCW, most courses are designed with the assumption that the "typical" student will spend approximately 2-3 hours per week studying outside the classroom for every hour in class.  Thus, you plan on approximately 6-9 hours per week outside of class time for each of your courses.  Being a student really is a full time job.  In choosing UNCW, you have become part of our community of scholars.  We recognize that the UNCW learning experience is challenging and requires hard work.  It also requires a commitment to make time available to do that hard work.  The University expects you to make academics your highest priority by dedication your time and energy to training your mind and acquiring knowledge.  Academic success in critical thinking and problem solving prepare you for the challenges you will encounter in the future.  Our faculty and academic support resources are readily available as partners in this effort, but the primary responsibility for learning is yours.

This campus is a pedestrian right-of-way campus.  Pedestrians have the right-of-way at all crosswalks.  Bicyclists are not pedestrians. Neither are skateboarders.  Really.

Please recycle your bottles/cans/papers!

Some important dates for the Fall 2009 Semester:

   
Study Aids

   Copies of previous semesters’ tests and exams are available on the web for your use.  I do not recommend depending on them as your sole study method, but they will give you an idea of the types of questions I am likely to ask on tests and exams. 

   I am always happy to meet with students in small groups or one-on-one.  If my office hours do not accommodate your schedule, call or email to set up an appointment.  If there is sufficient interest, I will try to facilitate starting small study groups. One-on-one tutoring is now only available through private tutors.  I know of several good ones if you're interested.  Just let me know.

Writing Proficiency

    The Department of Biological Sciences recognizes that correct English usage is a fundamental element of education and expects students enrolled in biology courses to demonstrate an appropriate level of grammar, spelling and composition.  Where appropriate, students will be graded on these components as well as factual content.  Yes, of course spelling counts now, as it will for the rest of your life!

Objectives

    The primary objectives of the course are to understand the basic principles and concepts of genetics and to practice applying these concepts to new situations in a synthetic manner.  The study of any biological phenomena requires a thorough understanding of genetics. The way organisms respond to, and interact with, each other and their environments is ultimately due to genetics.  No matter what area of biology you are interested in, a firm foundation in basic genetics will be an asset.  If you need a more utilitarian motivation, a thorough understanding of basic genetics will also be invaluable if you plan to take the GRE or MCAT.

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Philosophy

    The pre-requisites for BIO 335 are BIO 201 & 202.  This is designed to be a sophomore level course.  We will be dealing only with the most basic concepts leaving many of the details for more advanced courses. (If you have already taken some of the more advanced courses, then look at this as a chance to reinforce “the big picture.”)  We will, however, be covering a vast amount of material.  Each major subdivision of this course, Mendelian genetics, molecular genetics, and population genetics, could easily fill an entire semester in itself.  So, basic is not synonymous with easy.

   Besides the sheer amount of material, another reason many students find genetics harder than some other courses is the abstract and dynamic nature of the material.  If you are a “hands-on” learner, this poses special problems.  We cannot examine genes the way we examine a plant or animal specimen.   We cannot directly observe the processes of DNA transcription and translation.   This does not necessarily mean the material is harder to learn.  But you must use a different approach than you may be used to.   You must study how things work rather than just what things are.  If you keep this approach in mind, you will find genetics easier than it is reputed to be.

   The course is not designed to be unnecessarily hard.  I am not interested in intentionally “filtering out” poor students.    I get no enjoyment from seeing students fail and will do everything I can to help any student interested in acquiring the skills and information necessary to successfully compete for graduate school, medical school and employment.  It is your responsibility to take advantage of these opportunities and to do your part in learning the material.  Learning is not a passive activity.  I cannot “program” you with the information. Learning requires much time and effort on your part.  If you are serious about learning genetics, I will do anything in my power to help you.  But remember I have no way of knowing you need or want help unless you ask.

    Not all of you who may need help want it.  If you don’t share my philosophy of what an education is and simply want to get through this with a passing grade and as little effort as possible, that’s your decision and it’s fine with me.   This is not a goal that I can help you attain, however.  I do not know how to show you "just enough."

     Finally, to paraphrase Confucius:   

A teacher can only provide the key to the door of knowledge.  It is up to the student to unlock the door and walk through.

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