Biology 210
An Introduction to GENETICS
Texts (3 books):
1. Daniel T. Hartl and Elizabeth Jones,
"GENETICS:
Principles and Analysis",
(fourth edition, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, Massachusetts,
USA 1998).
2. Richard Dawkins,
River
Out of Eden,
Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, (1995).
3. James
D. Watson, The
Double Helix,
(W.W. Norton & Company, New York, 1980 (first edition was published
in 1968).
General
Objectives of the Course:
This is an introductory Genetics course,
required for all majors. I think the following quote is an excellent summary
of the scope of genetics. It is taken from an introductory chapter of "THE
CODE OF CODES - Scientific and Social Issues in the Human Genome Project"
(Harvard University Press, London, England, 1992; Leroy Hood & Daniel
Kevles, editors. This particular chapter (chapter 2) was written by Horace
Freeland Judson).
"Genetics
- the explanation of how organisms pass on
traits of anatomy, physiology, and behavior to their descendants and of
how each individual expresses those traits in its formation and throughout
its life - is the central problem of biology. Which is to say, as we gain
fuller understanding of the transmission and expression of hereditary characters
we progressively unlock understanding of whole classes of other problems
in biology, as well. Thus, genetics underlies all of the biology of cells,
including developmental biology, or embryology, but also enzymology and
the study of cancers and many other diseases; all of immunology and of
endocrinology; neurobiology generally as well as the many disorders of
the nervous system and the mind; and, ultimately, the process of evolution.
Though no one supposes that genetic analysis will be sufficient to explain
everything we want to know in these vast scientific domains, every biologist
recognises that genetics is necessary to all such explanation. Necessary
in two ways: genetics supplies essential components of the accounts biologists
seek and provides crucial methods of access to the rest."
Policy statement:
The lectures
for this course will meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 10:20
- 11:20 a.m. The course also has a REQUIRED lab on Monday afternoons (2:40
- 5:40 p.m.)
Examinations
are distributed at approximately equal intervals throughout the term. The
Final Examination is cumulative. Make-up exams will only be given in extreme
circumstances, and only with a note from a physician or the Dean's Office.
You are responsible for making an appointment with me to sit for a make-up
exam. Due to set-up requirements, laboratory exercises cannot be made up
and, if excused, will be dropped from your grade calculation. Unexcused
absence from an exam or laboratory assignment will receive no credit (a
zero).
Grading:
Quizzes
& classroom participation 10% of course grade
4 Classroom
examinations - 35% of course grade
Laboratory
Assignments - 35% of course grade
Comprehensive
Final examination - 20% of course grade
Academic
Integrity:
You are expected to
be familiar with and follow the Academic Integrity Code outlined in the
booklet Academic Integrity at Roanoke College. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
to discuss any questions you might have about this policy with me. Please
be aware that I am bound by contract to report any suspected academic dishonesty.
Back to Dave's Roanoke College HOMEPAGE
Last modified on: 22 January, 2000 by Dave Ussery
