Principles of Genetics (BSCI 222), Spring 2006 (http://www.life.umd.edu/classroom/bsci222/fenster/ )

Instructor: Dr. Charles B. Fenster, Biology/Psychology Bldg. Rm. 3210, cfenster@umd.edu=

Office Hours: by appointment, and open “office hours” on Thursdays 4-5 PM, Room: BPS 3210 Teaching Assistants: Silvana Marten-Rodriguez, <= /span>Peter Thompson, Sarah Kingston, Kevin Barry.

Textbook: Genetics, From Genes to Genomes, Hartwell et al., McGraw-Hill, 2^{nd
ed., and Study Guide/Solutions Manual}

Exams: There will be three = 1 hr and 15 minute exams during the semester, each worth 110 points, and a final= 4^th exam during the Final Exam Period, worth 170 points. The final exam will be= 110 points on the lecture material since the third exam and 60 points cumulativ= e. The best exam score of your three 1 hr and 15 minute exams will be multipli= ed by 1.50, the lowest by 0.50. Total Exam Grade: 500 pts.

Discussion: Grade is based on quizzes (Best 7/8, each quiz 20 points =3D 140 points). Homework is assigned for you to learn the material. You are encouraged to w= ork together to understand the homework problems. You will not be graded on the homework assignments, though the tests and quizzes will be similar to the homework. In addition, there will be 3 reports, each < 5 pages (typed, Font =3D 12, double space) paper that discusses 1 or 2 genetics top= ics that is covered by the popular press (e.g., human cloning), and reflects wh= at you have been introduced to in class. Your grade will reflect your ability = to integrate what you have learned in class in terms of your understanding of = the issues/techniques discussed in the article (see example). Your first report will be worth 10 pts, the second 20 pts and the final will be worth 30 poin= ts. Reports are to be turned in to your TA at the beginning of section the week they are due.

Total Discussion Grade =3D 200 pts

Total Points =3D 700 points

You can earn X-tra credit by turning in relevant questions to the exam review sessions (1-3 pts/exam). Questions for the review must be turne= d in by Wednesday noon= prior to the exam. Questions must be typed or hand-printed (clearly), but must be tu= rned in via hard copy, and only placed in my mailbox in Rm: 1210 Biology/Psychology Bldg. Total opportunity for X-tra credit =3D 12 points. Also, rarely, if a question ari= ses in class you can turn in a report addressing that question (with my permission) for approximately 5 pts.

Exams and quizzes will consist of definitions, probl= ems, short answer questions and multiple-choice questions and will come exclusiv= ely from lecture material. Lectures will mirror the textbook.

Assignment of Grading:

670-700 A+

639-669 A

627-638 A-

597-626 B+

567-596 B

539-566 B-

511-538 C+

469-510 C

427-468 C-

400-426 D+

380-399 D

360-379 D-

< 360 is a Failure

Genetic 222, Spring 2006

Date	Subject	Readings	Discussion
January 26	Introduction to Course and Meiosis (1) ***	Chapter 4: 87-94	none
January 31	Mendel’s Principles of Heredity (2)	Chapter 2	Q-1, HW*-1
February 2	Extension of Mendel’s Principles (3)	Chapter 3
February 7	Extension of Mendel’s Principles Continued	Chapter 3	Q-2, HW-2
February 9	The Chromosome Theory of Inheritance (4)	Chapter 4
February 14	Linkage and Recombination (5)	Chapter 5	Q-3, HW-3 (computer lab? 1121 Plt. Sci.)
February 16	Linkage and Recombination Continued	Chapter 5
February 21	Meiosis Exercise and Review Chaps 1-5		Q-4, HW-4
February 23	Transmission Genetics at the Population Level (6)	Chapter 20
February 28	1st EXAM: Chapters 2-5 (through 2/21)		HW-5
March 2	Transmission Genetics at the Population Level	Chapter 20
March 7	Transmission Genetics at the Population Level	Chapter 20	HW-6, Report 1
March 9	Transmission Genetics at the Population Level	Chapter 20
March 14	DNA the Molecule of Heredity (7)	Chapter 6	Q-5 (chap. 20), HW-7
March 16	DNA the Molecule of Heredity Continued
March 28	Understanding Genes Through Mutations (8)	Chapter 7	Q-6, HW-8
March 30	Translation and Transcription (9)	Chapter 8
April 4	2nd EXAM: (Chapters 20 & 6, through 3/16)		HW-9
April 6	Translation and Transcription Continued	Chapter 8
April 11	Several Important Techniques (10)	Chapter 9	HW-10, Report 2
April 13	The Eukaryotic Chromosome (11)	Chapter 12	April 13
April 18	Chromosomal Mutations: Changes in Number and Arrangement (12)	Chapter 13	Q-7 (chaps 7-9), HW-11
April 20	The Prokaryotic Chromosome (13)	Chapter 14
April 25	Uniparental Inheritance (14)	Chapter 15	Q-8 (chaps 12 & 13), HW-12
April 27	Gene Regulation: Prokaryotes (15)	Chapter 16
May 2	3^rd EXAM (Chapters 7, 8, 9, 12, 13)		HW-13
May 4	Gene Regulation: Prokaryotes continued	Chapter 16
May 9	Gene Regulation: Eukaryotes (16)	Chapter 17	HW-14, Report 3
May 11	Gene Regulation: Eukaryotes cont.	Chapter 17
May 18	FINAL EXAM 1:30-3:30= , HJ Patterson 0226 110 pts =3D Chapters 14-17; 60 pts =3D cumulative

*Q=3D Quiz. There will be 8 quizzes given throughout the semester. Quizzes will N= OT be given the week of the exam or the week following the lecture exams. Quiz material will be from the previous week’s lectures and readings, unle= ss otherwise noted.

**HW=3D Home-work assignment. 14 Home-work assignments will be given throughout the semester.
Some important points:

Lectures st= art promptly at 12:30 and continue until 1:45. You should arrive early and stay for the full duration of the lecture. When it = is necessary for you to leave early please sit at the end of a row near a door= and leave quietly. Please be considerate when leaving.

Discussion Sections will not meet the fir= st week of classes. It is your responsibility to arrive on time and stay for t= he full length of the discussion. If you are more than 10 minutes late or leave early this will be counted as an absence and you may forfeit quiz or attendance points. If you miss a discussion section for a valid reason you = may make up the session that week. Details will be given out in discussion. In discussion section we will go over the homework assignm= ent, review key topics for the lectures, address questions by the students, quiz= the students, in that order. We will also try to discuss current events in a genetic context.

Quizzes/Examinations. If you feel we have ma= de a grading error you must submit a written request to the TA on the day= the test is returned to you in Discussion Section. In your request explain why you be= lieve you should receive additional points. Examinations must be taken at the scheduled time. If you miss an exam you need to submit to Dr. Fenster= As Soon As Possible a makeup exam request form with documentation of a = valid excuse, e. g., religious holiday, illness, death in the family, etc. All medically related excuses must= be documented by the campus health center and reflect a serious or extended health problem. Simply being ill the night before the test is generally= not a sufficient condition. Please refer to your course catalogue or the current schedule of classes for a description of the University's policies on excus= ed absences and makeup examinations (also known as assessments). If you will m= iss an exam because of an official University event you must provide appropriate documentation prior to the examination date. It is always better to be proactive and notify us if you cannot take a scheduled exam for valid reaso= ns. We will attempt to provide exams in advance to those students who cannot at= tend exams because of official University events.

HELP. The teaching assistants and I will try to help = you in any way possible. You can meet with Dr. Fenster by scheduling an appoint= ment by emailing (cfenster@umd.edu). Immediately after lecture is a good time to have questions addressed. Dr. Fenster will also have office hours from 4-5 PM on Thursdays in his = office at 3210 in Biology/Psychology Bldg. Your discussion section TA will also have office hours. Their office hours will be announced during the first week of discussion. If you do have questions, it is best to write them down in adva= nce.

Tips for Success: Do as many problems as possible. Concent= rate your efforts on understanding the Key points/concepts that will be stressed. Study groups are a great way to efficiently learn genetics. Genetics is pro= blem and fact oriented. There is no substitute to studying with pencil and paper= and attempting to answering the questions on your own. If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to ask for help!! Genetics requires much more study ti= me than most biology courses. Plan to study at least 4 hours for every hour of lecture. Attend all lectures and discussion sections.

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. The Code of Academic Integrity is laid out in the undergraduate catalog and in the schedule of classes. We encourage students= to work together in most phases of the course BUT WE EXPECT THE QUIZES, EXAMS & PAPERS TO REFLECT ONLY YOUR OWN WORK. Thus, “The Univers= ity of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standa= rds for academic integrity at Mar= yland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code of Acad= emic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit http://www.stud= enthonorcouncil.umd.edu/whatis.html."