SCI04320 Molecular Genetics
Instructor: Cheryl H. Kellogg OfficeHours:M,W,F8:30-10T,R2-3
Class Meets: M,W,F,10:00 Office: Wagoner Hall 152
Laboratory: Tues @ 10-12:00p.m. Contact:
Or 765-285-7403
The basic principles of genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics will be taught through readings of the scientific literature, class presentations, group projects and computer lab web-based experiences. Emphasis will be placed upon student participation in the learning process. Some topics covered will be: genomic sequencing, phylogenomics, transcriptomics, high-throughput genetics, chemical genetics, proteomics and protein networks.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of the course students will be able to:
● Identify arguments in the media and critically assess the validity of the conclusions regarding Molecular Biology Concepts.
● Understand the science, politics, and ethics behind current issues in Molecular Genetics and medicine.
● Use information found in the scientific literature to support or critique positions made in the media regarding Molecular Genetics.
● Effectively read, comprehend, and communicate on contemporary issues that relate to genetics and medicine.
● Model relationships between the processes at the molecular level, and genetics and the phenotypic characteristics expressed.
The class will be divided into approximately 6 topics with corresponding lab activities.
TOPIC (Lecture)
1.Intro to Proteins and DNA
2.DNA Structure and Replication
3.Molecular Biology of How Genes Influence Traits
4. Mutations
5. Information (Bioinformatics, GMO’s)
6. Ethics
Textbook and Other Resources:
Karp, G. 2005. Essential Cell Biology: concepts and experiments. Fourth Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. N.Y
We will also be using the book: The Immortal Cells of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot Students will be assigned a copy The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Within this story, students will discover the medical mysteries of cell mutations, bioethics, racial profiling of the 1950's, historical vs. modern laboratory techniques, and Rebecca Skloot's journey to uncover such information. This book has been recommended to help implement reading for the science classroom as indicated by the newly created Core Standards in education for grades 9-12. This non-fiction work has been awarded the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Young Adult Science Book Award and countless others. My Beautiful Genome by Lone Frank, Forever Fix by Ricki Lewis along with Newspaper and journal articles when appropriate will be distributed. The assignments, homework’s or discussion questions that will accompany them will be distributed through Bb therefore Frequently checking your Bb site for announcements made for this class will be imperative!
Class Policies: Please note that if you are more than 5 minutes late for class or lab, you will be counted absent. Late assignments will not be allowed in this class, unless we have extenuating circumstances that I and Dr. Kavars have previously approved.
We will be using the internet frequently, however if I think you may not be on task with your phone or laptop I will give you an unexcused absence. If you are unsure what this entails, please ask me.
While conferring with your colleagues during group work, please stop your conversations if I am calling the class’ attention to a point we all need to be aware of. I won’t talk over you, and I expect the same courtesy.
Assessment
Participation and presentations are a large component of this course. This will be assessed by:
● Active participation in class discussions
● Working within groups during in-class activities and presentations
● Formally presenting material and arguments to the class regarding material explored.
● Lab Exercises and Reports
● Exams/Quizzes
● Homework Exercises
Showing up for class does not make you an Active Participant.
Formal presentations will be graded on both content and style according to a grading rubric that will be distributed to students when the assignment is given.
Writing skills will also be developed in this course through homework assignments. This will be assessed by:
● Original thoughts and logically laid arguments
● Correct grammar and spelling
● Organization: topic sentences, supporting details, well thought transitions, logical flow
A grading rubric for written assignments will be distributed to students when the assignment is given. Testing of content knowledge will be accomplished through short quizzes on assigned readings and class material and through a cumulative final exam at the termination of the course.
Readings:
Approximately 5 times this semester, assigned readings from your texts, books or articles from the primary literature will be assigned. Readings will be discussed in class. Two to three students will be selected randomly to be the leaders in the discussion (participation as a discussion leader will be considered for the final grade). They will be expected to know the contents of the article, give a summary of the article and to direct the class discussion. Participation in the discussion will be considered for fine-tuning of the final grade. A one-page summery of the article will be due prior to the class, by submitting it into Bb.
Class Participation:
A maximum of 50 points will be given for participation. I believe that learning to participate in a meaningful discussion of scientific topics/concepts/data is so important.
At the beginning of (most) classes during the semester, I will select one student and ask him/her one question in reference to the materials covered the previous class.
Students will be selected randomly. Every student will have at least two chances to answer a question and thereby earn the participation points for the day.
Other chances for Class Participation will include Blog Questions see instructions below.
A maximum of 50 points will be given for participation. I believe that learning to participate in a meaningful discussion of scientific data is so important.
Since you can only participate if you have read all assigned papers, please keep up on these assignments and come to class and lab prepared. Active participation by everyone makes for a lively and interesting learning community. Your opinion is important, and you are encouraged to express it.
To accumulate points please participate, in a genuine and respectful way.
Blog Questions (pts each): Everyone will be expected to post 1 question prior to class, after you have read the class assignment. It may include information from an article, technique or topic, on our class blog. This should be one or more questions about what you are unclear or interested hearing more about from the reading that you want to ask in class. *NOTE:
The speaker(s) should read the questions on the blog and be ready to answer them in class, in addition to your presentation. I will surely help you out if you don’t know.
Quizzes:
Quizzes will include 3-4 questions related to the past and present lectures, readings, lab or discussion and will be completed at the beginning of the lecture. Ten minutes will be provided to complete the quiz. These will be unannounced and are unable to be made up in the event of your absence.
NOTE: Please read this paragraph carefully as it represents firm course policy. Anyone who misses one of the in-class exams must take the make-up exam with in 2 days of returning to the Academy or receive a zero for the missed exam grade.
The make-up will substitute for the missed earlier exam. Under no circumstances will missed exams be made up unless I am notified prior to the exam, as a result to an unavoidable situation.
Exam questions will emphasize lecture and lab information, but will also include all the information from the textbook reading assignments and scientific articles assigned. Please come to see me as early in the semester as possible if you are having excessive difficulty in the course. It is usually difficult and often impossible to make corrective adjustments later in the semester.
Guidelines for Unit Presentations
Objective
To assess the students’ ability to analyze, evaluate, and communicate information in the media and primary literature discussing contemporary issues in Molecular Genetics. Note: This assignment is different than the Article Reviews.
Expectations
Students will work in small groups (3-4 per group) and find a recent news article or peer-reviewed journal article (based on the instructor’s direction) related to the unit being discussed. The group will read the article, determine the central scientific theme, and evaluate the validity and impact of the author’s conclusions. The group will then present their analysis to the class in 7-8 minute oral presentation. The presentation should address the following questions:
1. What research or scientific idea is being discussed in the article and how does it relate to the unit you just completed?
2. What are the arguments for and against the scientific idea being discussed?
3. Do you feel the conclusions made in the article are valid? If so, cite any relevant data or citations in the article that support the conclusions. If not, what data would be necessary to provide appropriate support?
4. What are the political, societal, and/or ethical implications of the information in the article?
5. What Molecular Genetics concepts or skills are presented in this article (define)?
Group members may use any style of presentation they choose (PowerPoint, chalk & talk, handouts, etc.), but should cite specific tables, figures and statements that enabled them to answer the above questions. One member of the group must upload the article to Bb at least 24 hours prior to the presentation if using additional resources.
Final exam
The final exam will be cumulative and consist of two parts. The first part will consist of 25 multiple choice or short answer questions that tests scientific concepts covered in the three units. The second part will consist of a written section to assess the student’s ability to analyze and evaluate media articles on scientific discoveries or data. Students will be given three articles that represent each of the three units covered during the course and must choose one article to analyze and critique. Students will be asked to: 1) identify the arguments, biases and conclusions made by the author in the article; 2) explain whether or not the conclusions made in the article are appropriate given the available data and arguments provided; and 3) if the chosen article makes claims with unsupported data, the student must also address what evidence must be presented in the article to substantiate the claim or claims.
Academic Integrity
As a student at Indiana Academy you are expected to understand and follow standards of intellectual and academic integrity. The Academy and myself assume that you will be honest and that you will submit only your own work. The faculty requires that you adhere to the level of honesty as outlined below and refrain from dishonorable or unethical behavior.
A. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is taking another person's work and calling it your own. Plagiarism includes any paraphrasing or summarizing of the works of another person without recognition, including the submitting of another student's work as your own. Plagiarism can involve a failure to reference a source of information in a paper or report the quotation of the paragraphs, sentences, or phrases written by someone else. Any information taken from the Internet without properly referencing the source (i.e., the URL) is considered plagiarism. You are responsible for understanding the rules of use for sources, the appropriate ways to reference sources, and the consequences of plagiarism.
B. Cheating on Exams: Cheating on exams makeup tests or quizzes involves giving or receiving help during the exam. Examples of such help include the use of notes, computer based resources, books, or "crib sheets" during an examination (unless specifically approved by a faculty member), or sharing answers with another student during an exam. Other examples include allowing another student to view your own exam or quiz.
C. Unauthorized Collaboration: Submission for credit of a report or paper as your own work, which has been written in collaboration with another individual is not allowed. It is also a violation of academic honesty knowingly to provide such help. Collaborative work specifically authorized by a faculty member is allowed.
D. Falsification: It is a wrong to misrepresent or falsify data generated in the laboratory portion of the class. You are expected to report the date as it is appears regardless of whether it “fits” into the expected outcomes of the laboratory.
E. Multiple Submissions: It is a violation of academic honesty to submit the same or substantial portions of the same work for credit more than once unless the faculty member(s) to whom the material is submitted for additional credit allows it. In cases in which there is a progression of research in a lab or course, use of prior work may be allowed or required; however the student is responsible for indicating in writing that the new work is cumulative.
Grading
Note: Late assignments will be penalized one letter grade for each day the assignment is late.
The grade for the course is based on total number of points in combined performance on the following assessments.
Three (one-hour) Exams 300 points 92-100 % A
Homework (~5) 75 90-92 % A-
Final Project 100 80-89 % B
Oral Presentation 25 75-79 % C
Class Participation 50 70-74 % C-
Readings/ (5) 100 <70 % D*
Quizzes (~6) 60
Laboratory Write-ups 200
Penalties for failure to adhere to academic policy:
1. Exams or quizzes: For the first offense, the student will receive a zero for the assignment. If a student aids another student during the exam, both parties will receive a zero. For the second offense, the student will receive an F for the course. Please read the Academic Policy in your handbook, to be sure you are familiar with its components.
2. Lab reports or papers: For the first offense, the student will be asked to rewrite the assignment after a meeting with the appropriate faculty member in the course and will receive a “late” penalty of one letter grade. For the second offense, the student will receive a zero for the assignment. For any subsequent offense, the student will receive an D* for the course.
BSU and IA commitment to Diversity:Ball State University aspires to be a university that attracts and retains a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. We are committed to ensuring that all members of the community are welcome, through valuing the various experiences and worldviews represented at Ball State and among those we serve. We promote a culture of respect and civil discourse as expressed in our Beneficence Pledge and through university resources found athttp://cms.bsu.edu/campuslife/multiculturalcenter.