BIO 375 - Genetics and Molecular Biology
Course Overview
3 Credits
In this course, we will investigate the transmission of heritable material in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. We will cover topics in classical genetics (including patterns of inheritance, linkage, and chromosome mapping), molecular biology (including DNA structure and function, gene expression, biotechnology), and population genetics.
Course Outcomes
The primary outcome of this course is to gain an understanding of basic genetics principles. To achieve this outcome, we will focus on the following general topics:
- the inheritance patterns that describe how traits are transmitted from parents to their offspring
- the structure of DNA and chromosomes
- the processes by which the information stored in the genetic material is converted into an observable trait
- the laboratory methods used by scientists to examine the function of the genetic material.
In addition, you will learn to critically analyze scientific information, develop problem-solving skills,and apply genetics principles to real-life laboratory and clinical problems.
Course Materials
Required Materials
The following textbook is optional:
Brooker, Robert J. (2015). Genetics: Analysis and Principles, 5th edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-352534-1
You can compare prices for your textbooks through the BYU-Idaho University Store price comparison site. They will show you all of the options from the University Store plus several online options to help you find the best prices.
Technology
- Computer with high speed internet access
- Web camera and microphone
- Google Chrome web browser
- Proctorio Chrome Extension
You will need to obtain our own computer of have consistent access to a computer. You need to have the appropriate permissions on your computer to download lesson content, access websites, and update or dowload software as needed along with consistent, reliable access to an internet connection. Visit the Orientation to Online Learning page in the first lesson of our course to verify that you have you computer set properly.
You will use Microsoft Office products in this course. If you do not yet have the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) on your computer, you may use this free download to obatin the software (note: the free download is available only for BYU-Idaho students who have a current login.)
Keys to Success
BYU-Idaho Learning Model
All courses, including online courses at BYU-Idaho, follow a pattern of learning that enables students to take more responsibility for your learning and for healping to teach one another. This pattern is called the Learning Model. Here are two pages to help you better understand the Learning Model:
- Take Charge of your education by applying the Learning Model
- Learning Model interactive tutorial
Tips for Success in this Course
For a three-credit course, you should expect to spend around 9-12 hours per week (3-4 hours per credit-hour) completing course activities and assessments. Wisely plan your weekly schedule to set aside adequate study time that will allow you to work at a healthy, steady pace throughout the course.
Read the announcements your instructor will post on the course landing page each week before beginning the lesson. Your instructor will provide timely information about changes, expectations, and other imporatnt information as you begin the lesson
How to Navigate this Course
Lesson Activites
Prepare
PowerPoint slides and notes. Slides and instructor notes are included as part of your weekly preparation materials. The PowerPoint slides include key figures from the optional text and other outside materials, which are intended to be used alongside the instructor notes. The notes and slides also serve as the study guides for the course. These materials will prepare you for the other activities in the course.
Supplementary Videos. The videos included in the weekly preparation materials will provide clarification and support to the lesson topic(s) for each week. Use these videos as a helpful resource as you study the course material and work on your weekly assignments.
Practice Problems. Each week you will study the prepared materials under the “Readings and Videos” section and then complete the Practice Problems worksheet. This worksheet is due Wednesday evening each week.
Teach One Another
Group Collaborations. Each week you will collaborate with your group to solve a series of questions (similar to the Practice Problems assignment) about that week’s lesson. You and your group will and then create a YouTube video tutorial explaining how to solve these problems.
Ponder/Prove
Quiz. At the end of each week, you will take a ten question quiz that covers the course material learned that week. These quizzes are low---stakes (you receive partial credit for incorrect answers) assessments to help you gauge your understanding of the material and prepare for the exams. Quizzes are closed---book/note/neighbor, timed (20 mins) assessments
Exams
Exams. There are four exams covering the course content spaced throughout the semester. There is no comprehensive final for this class. Course exams are remotely proctored using a service called Proctorio. This requires you to download a software extension on the device you use for exams. Instructions for completing the download and accessing the exams are included in the course. In Week 03 of the semester (one week before the first proctored exam), you are required to take a practice proctored exam. This allows you to test your technical setup and seek support if necessary.
| Lesson 01 | Overview and Review of Basic Genetics Principles | Lesson 08 | Changes in Chromosome Number and Structure |
| Lesson 02 | Beyond Basic Mendelian Inheritance | Lesson 09 | DNA Replication |
| Lesson 03 | The Influence of Sex on Inheritance and Epigenetics | Lesson 10 | Transcription and RNA Modification |
| Lesson 04 | Analyzing Inheritance | Lesson 11 | Translation |
| Lesson 05 | Linkage and Chromosome Mapping | Lesson 12 | The lac operon |
| Lesson 06 | Population Genetics | Lesson 13 | Molecular Biology Techniques |
| Lesson 07 | DNA and Chromosomes | Lesson 14 | Course Conclusion |
Grading
Grading Scale
| A | 93---100% | C | 73---76% |
| A- | 90---92% | C- | 70---72% |
| B+ | 87---89% | D+ | 67---69% |
| B | 83---86% | D | 63---66% |
| B- | 80---82% | D- | 60---62% |
| C+ | 77---79% | F | Below 60% |
Due Dates
Please refer to the course schedule for specific due dates for each assignment. Late assignments will not be accpeted. If you have an extenuating circumstance,discuss it with the instructor in advance or as soon as possible; the instructor may make an exception to this policy at his or her deiscretion.
Setting your correct time zone is especially important when you are taking an online class away from campus. Due dates in I-Learn 2.0 allowed assignmetns to be turned in at you rlovcal time, but I-Learn 3.0 does not have this capability. All assignments are due at Mountain Time. Follow this tutorial to set you rtime zone, which will automatically adjust all I-Learn due dates to the time zone in which you live.
Help
Tutoring
Tutoring options for online students are available through the Acedemic Support Centers. There may be course-specific tutoring available. Check the details in the link provided.
Online Support Centers
The Online Support Center (OSC) is available to help students with problems in online courses. If you have questions about this course, the instructor, technical difficullties, or your online learning experience, please contact the OSC.
OSC Contact Information
Phone: (208) 496-1411
Email: onlinelearning@byui.edu
Live Chat: To access the chat feature, please visit the OSC website
Website: https://www.byui.edu/online/help
Policies
Course Questions
Post questions about the course to the Questions and Conversations discussion forum linked to each lesson. Your instructor will answer these questions promptly. Questions or concerns of a personal nature should be emailed directly to the instructor.
University Policies
BYU-Idaho students are responsible for abiding by all established university policies and standards,which include, but are not limited to,the Honor Code, Academic Honesty, Dress and Grooming Standards,and Sexual Harassment. All students are strongly encouraged to read,become familiar with, and strive to live these policies, which can be accessed through the University Policies page located within the Course folder. See information on this course page: Welcome > University Policies.
Academic Honesty
As followers of Christ, all BYU-Idaho students, staff, and faculty are expected to be honest in all their dealings. This honesty also applies and extends to behavior and actions related to academic work. It is critical for you to understand the seriousness of academic dishonesty and misconduct, which are not tolerated by the university, and strive to produce and submit only the results of their own effort and original work.
Remember: there is never an acceptable excuse for plagiarism or cheating.
Do not place quiz and test questions online. You are welcome to use websites that generate flashcards and such (Quizlet, etc.); they can be powerful study tools. However, placing quiz and test questions on these sites or any other accessible place is a violation of the honor code and a violation of copyright laws. It is also a violation to use any material that may have been posted by someone else. Any violations of this sort will be reported directly to the honor code office.
Penalties for Academic Dishonesty
Although the Academic Honesty section of the University Policies explains what constitutes each of the many forms of academic dishonesty as well as procedures and guidelines for handling such incidents,the specific application of consequences is left up to each instructor.
In this course, instructors will be responsible for creating and applying their own policy regarding penalties for academic dishonesty,which may vary from point deductions up to the score of a zero on the entire assignment, and clearly communicating that policy to students at the beginning of the semester. Cases will be analyzed on an individual basis and penalties applied according to the severity of the misconduct.
Disclaimer
This syllabus and the course schedule may be changed at any time before or during the semester as the need arises, based on circumstances. Any changes will be available to view on the course documents.