CELL 2050-01 Genetics – Syllabus, Fall 2016
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 2:00 – 3:15 pm
117Richardson Building
Instructor: Stryder Meadows, Ph.D.Email:
Office: 464 ESB (Israel, building #18) Office hours:W, 11:00 – 2:00 PM or by Appt.
Phone: 504-862-8198
TAs: Shantanu Guha()andJenisha Ghimire()
Location: Israel, 4th floor atrium (near Rm, 450) Office hours: Thursday, 4-6 PM
Catalog Description: The principles of genetic analysis and the nature of genes. Discussion of DNA, chromosomes, and molecular mechanism of replication, mutation, expression, and transmission of heritable characteristics
Pre-requisites: Cell 1010
Credit hours: 3
Course Description: This course includes a study of basic principles of genetics, including the relationship between genes and traits, transmission of heritable characteristics, replication, recombination, transcription and translation.
Course Objectives: Students are expected to have a firm grasp on concepts relating to Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance, including the relationship between DNA, RNA and protein in context to heritable traits.
Course learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course,students willbe able to:
- describe Mendelian inheritance
- perform and interpret genetics crosses and mapping
- describe the relationship between genes and traits
- describe DNA synthesis, transcription and protein synthesis
- apply genetic concepts
Required Student Resources: Textbook* and calculator
Textbook:Benjamin Pierce, Genetics: A Conceptual Approach, 5th edition w/ online access
* Note: the package component, Genetics: Conceptual Appr. – 6 MO accesscontains an e-book version of the textbook (an alternative to buying the textbook). See last page for more detail.
Grading: Homework assignments (10%) and quizzes (10%) will consist of 20% of the final grade and will be managed via the publisher’s online system, LaunchPad There are no time limits for homework assignments (called LearningCurve Activity), and they can be saved and resumed at any time before the completion deadline. Full credit is given upon completion of homework assignments submitted prior to their deadline. Quizzes will consist of 10 total questions with students having 22 minutes to complete the quizzes and only one submission.Answers to the quizzes remain posted on LaunchPad after completion. A courtesy email reminder will be sent out one day before the due date; however, it is up to the student to keep up with the due dates for homework assignments and quizzes, and complete them on time.
Exams cover material from assigned readings, homework assignments, quizzes and lectures. Exams are weighted according to the different grading options A and B (see below). Tests will consist of approximately 50 multiple-choice questions and students will be given the full class time to complete the exam (1 hour and 15 minutes). The syllabus, class schedule, reading assignments and posted due dates for homework and quizzes can also be found at the publisher’s site (use the calendar). In addition, the syllabus and lectures will be posted on Canvas are expected to read the assigned chapters. Groups of lectures pertaining to each exam will be posted on LaunchPad and Canvas prior to the beginning of each section.
Option A:Option B: (Drop 1 Exam)
Homework & Quizzes: 20% Homework & Quizzes: 20%
3 Exams: 60% (20% each) 2 Exams: 45% (22.5% each)
Final Cumulative Exam: 20% Final Cumulative Exam: 35%
Final grade: 100% Final grade: 100%
B+ (89.4 - 87.5)C+ (79.4 - 77.5)D+ (69.4 - 67.5)F (< 59.5)
A (> 92.5)B (87.4 - 82.5)C (77.4 - 72.5)D (67.4 - 62.5)
A- (92.4 - 89.5)B- (82.4 - 79.5)C- (72.4 - 69.5)D- (62.4 -59.5)
* Students must email me which grading option they want prior to taking the Final Exam
Tentative Schedule:
Date Topic Reading
August
30 Introduction Chapter 1
September
1 Chromosomes-Mitosis and Meiosis (LC) Chapter 2
6 Basic Principles of Heredity (Quiz) Chapter 3
8 Sex Determination (LC) Chapter 4
13 Extensions and Modifications of Basic Principle (Quiz) Chapter 5
15 Pedigree Analysis, Linkage and Mapping (LC) Chapter 6.1, 7
20 Linkage and Mapping cont. & Review Chapter 7
22 EXAM I
27 Chromosome Variation (Quiz) Chapter 8
29 Bacterial and Viral Systems (LC) Chapter 9
October
4 The Chemical Nature of DNA (LC) Chapter 10
6 Chromosome Structure (Quiz) Chapter 1111 DNA Replication and Recombination (LC) Chapter 12
13 FALL BREAK
18 DNA Replication and Recombination cont. & Review Chapter 1220 EXAM II
25 Transcription (Quiz) Chapter 1327 RNA Molecules and Processing (Quiz) Chapter 14
November
1 NO CLASS
3 The Genetic Code and Translation Chapter 15
8 The Genetic Code and Translation continued (Quiz) Chapter 1510 Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria (LC) Chapter 16 15 Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria cont. & Review Chapter 16
17 EXAM III
22 Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes (Quiz) Chapter 17
24 THANKSGIVING BREAK
29 Epigenetics (LC) & Gene Mutations and Repair Chapter 21,18
December
1 Gene Mutations and Repair cont. (LC) Chapter 18
6 Molecular Genetic Analysis Techniques Chapter 19
9 Review
17 CumulativeFinal Exam (1-3:00 pm, 117Richardson Building)
Attendance policy: Students are expected to attend all classes unless they are ill or prevented from attending by exceptional circumstances.Excessive absences, tardiness and/or early departurewill not be tolerated and may result in a letter grade deduction (E.g. A to A-). Make-up exams are typically not given. Missed exams will automatically place the student into option B grading (see above). Request for make-up exams (for those students already in Option B grading) due to documented emergencies will be given consideration. However requests must be submitted prior to the test and the test format may differ. Make-up homework assignments and quizzes will not be given except under extenuating circumstances. If a student is allowed to make-up a homework or quiz, they will only be given one make-up homework or quiz for the entire semester.
Code of Academic Conduct: This Code applies to all undergraduate students, full-time, and part-time, in Tulane University. The full text is available at: By accepting admission to Tulane University, each student accepts its regulations and acknowledges the right of the university to take disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, for conduct judged unsatisfactory or disruptive. The student has the right to be heard at an Honor Beard hearing and retains the right to appeal a decision of the Honor Board hearing panel.
“Unless explicitly allowed by the instructor, electronic devices (such as cell phones, notebooks, calculators, etc.) are not allowed to be out of backpacks or purses during quizzes and exams. These electronic devices must be packed away and turned off. Any student who is caught with one of these devices out will have his/her test taken and will be charged with the Honor Code violation of cheating.”
The use of cell phones in class will not be tolerated and may result in a letter grade deduction (E.g. A to A-).
Accessibility statement: Any student with disabilities or other special needs is invited to bring these concerns or requests for special accommodations to the Goldman Center for Student Accessibility. Once accommodations are approved by the Goldman Center staff, the student is encouraged to notify the instructor as early in the semester as possible to avoid unnecessarily delaying accommodations. or (504)862-8433.
Inclusive values:Tulane University recognizes the inherent dignity of all individuals and promotes respect for all people. As “One Wave,” Tulane is committed to providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as all forms of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking. If you (or someone you know) has experienced or experiences discrimination, domestic violence, sexual assault or sexual harassment, know that you are not alone. Resources and support are available. Learn more at Any and all of your communications on these matters will be treated as either “Strictly Confidential” or “Mostly Confidential” as explained in the chart below.
Strictly Confidential / Mostly ConfidentialExcept in extreme circumstances, involving imminent danger to one’s self or others, nothing will be shared without your explicit permission. / Conversations are kept as confidential as possible, but information is shared with key staff members so the University can offer resources and accommodations and take action if necessary for safety reasons.
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) | (504) 314-2277 / Coordinator of Violence Prevention | (504) 314-2161
Student Health Center | (504) 865-5255 / Tulane University Police (TUPD) | (504) 865-5911
Sexual Aggression Peer Hotline and Education(SAPHE) | (504) 654-9543 / Office of Institutional Equity | (504) 862-8083
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