Syllabus

Science Prerequisites for Health Professionals

BIOL 1040 Genetics (Fall 2023)

Credits - 4

Description

This course covers important concepts of genetics like the transmission and expression of genes. Both Mendelian and non-Mendelian traits will be examined. One of the important topics covered in this course will focus on the influence of genetic mutations on the development of disease, like cancer. The critical role chromosomes play in genetics will be emphasized through the study of cellular reproduction, gene-mapping on chromosomes, the effect of chromosomal variation on disease, and the study of both the autosomal and sex chromosomes. Students will learn from examples drawn from the scientific literature, which stress modern technological and experimental methodologies used in studying the genetics and genomics of various prokaryotes and eukaryotes as well as bacteriophages. Topic presentations will also reflect the fundamental role genetic mechanisms play in the pathogenesis, treatment, and health maintenance of genetic diseases.

Prerequisite: General Biology I

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Learning Outcomes for Science Prerequisites for Health Professions Program

In lecture courses, students should be able to:

1. Communicate scientific concepts and information clearly.
2. Illustrate fundamental laws, theories, and principles of scientific disciplines.
3. Apply knowledge and critical thinking skills to scientific problems.

In lab courses, students should be able to:

1. Ask a question or define a problem that can be tested.
2. Hypothesize possible result(s).
3. Plan and/or conduct an investigation individually and/or collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence.
4. Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models (i.e. computational, mathematical, graphical, etc.) in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution.
5. Communicate the results by constructing an explanation based on multiple pieces of valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources (including students’ own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
6. Apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence gained from various experiments, as well as other observations and/or research, to provide an explanation of phenomena and solve design problems, taking into account possible unanticipated effects.

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Define the terms associated with cellular reproduction, Mendelian genetics, non-Mendelian genetics, cancer genetics, population/evolutionary genetics, extranuclear inheritance, gene mapping, DNA organization, DNA duplication, gene expression, gene regulation, gene mutation/repair, epigenetics, chromosomal sex determination, and chromosomal variation.

2. Summarize the principles of cellular reproduction, Mendelian genetics, non-Mendelian genetics, cancer genetics, population/evolutionary genetics, extranuclear inheritance, gene mapping, DNA organization, DNA duplication, gene expression, gene regulation, gene mutation/repair, epigenetics, chromosomal sex determination, and chromosomal variation.

3. Interpret the processes of cellular reproduction, Mendelian genetics, non-Mendelian genetics, cancer genetics, population/evolutionary genetics, extranuclear inheritance, gene mapping, DNA organization, DNA duplication, gene expression, gene regulation, gene mutation/repair, epigenetics, chromosomal sex determination, and chromosomal variation.

4. Explain the central dogma of biology in detail with a thorough description of the structure and function of DNA, RNA, and proteins and mechanisms of transcription and translation along with their regulation.

5. Describe the unique features and properties of bacterial and phage genetics.

6. Construct genetic maps for physical locations of loci with respect to one another using data from recombination frequencies, three­-point testcrosses, or molecular markers.

7. Examine how chromosomal changes lead to genetic disease and the interplay between genetics and manifestation of cancer.

8. Synthesize primary literature from the field of genetics.

9. Assess genetic data using the scientific method.

SELF PACED DESIGN

On the course start date, students will have access to orientation. This must be completed to be able to gain access to the first module in the course. Students must complete the first module to gain access to the next one. We recommend that students spend about 15 hours per week to complete a course in 16 weeks. When trying to complete the course in less than 16 weeks, we typically see students do this successfully within 12-14 weeks. Instructors will be timely in grading and feedback, but it will not be instant.

Assignments

Refer to the Grade Breakdown diagram and table below for the percent value of assignments towards your total grade. See the course schedule below for where assignments occur in the course. All assignments should be completed in the order that they appear. Due to the course design, you may be unable to take a proctored exam if you do not complete all assignments that appear prior to that exam.

Discussion Board Posts

Discussion board assignments cover interesting current events or materials related to this course that contribute to a deeper understanding of key concepts and allow you to interact with your classmates and the instructor. Each assignment may require you to conduct internet research, read additional materials (a short journal or magazine article), visit a specific webpage, AND/OR view a short video prior to writing a response following the specific guidelines in the assignment.

To Earn Full Credit: you will need to post an initial response to the discussion topic (200-300 words in length formatted in AMA style for in-text citations and references), respond to the original posts of at least two other students, and then contribute meaningfully to an ongoing discussion. You will need to post your initial response before you will see any posts from your classmates. Please keep in mind that only this first post will be graded as your initial post, so make sure you have followed all of the guidelines and written a complete response prior to submitting the post. Any edits or subsequent posts will not be graded as your initial post. 

For special cases where one or two students are accelerating faster through the course, the instructor will participate in the discussion so that everyone has the opportunity to interact.

Please see Brightspace for a full description and rubric, along with specific guidelines, for each assignment. See the course schedule below for where discussions occur in the course. Discussion board assignments should be completed, along with all other assignments in the course, in the order that they appear. Due to the course design, you may be unable to take a proctored exam if you do not complete all assignments that appear prior to that exam.

Video Presentations

There are 4 video presentation assignments in this course. Refer to the presentation assignments on Brightspace for the full requirements of each presentation and links to resources on how to prepare your presentations. Also, refer to the presentation assignment rubric in Brightspace for grading requirements. Please note you must begin each video presentation by showing yourself full-screen, looking directly into the camera, and clearly stating your full name while holding up a piece of paper on which your full name is printed in large, bold letters, and the date of the presentation.
Video recordings without the required identification will not be accepted.

See the course schedule below for where presentations occur in the course. Presentation assignments should be completed, along with all other assignments in the course, in the order that they appear. Due to the course design, you may be unable to take a proctored exam if you do not complete all assignments that appear prior to that exam.

Case Study

There is one Case Study assignment in the course. Your instructor will provide a list of topics for you to choose from to complete your Case Study assignment. Refer to the Case Study assignment instructions on Brightspace for the full assignment requirements. Also, refer to the case study rubric in Brightspace to help you prepare an effective case study.

Laboratory Assignments

This course uses a combination of at-home lab kits, lab activities using an online lab platform, lab activities using a virtual lab platform, and lab exercises built on Brightspace for active experiential learning of genetic concepts. See the course schedule below for lab assignments.

For Hands on Labs and Labster assignments, you will be completing those assignments as directed using the online platforms provided by the two lab companies. Your instructor will have a course set-up in each for you to complete your work. Once you complete the lab assignments, you will use the text submission field for the assignment in Brightspace to write a message to your instructor. This will serve as an alert to your instructor that your assignment is ready to be reviewed and graded.

Lab Report

There is one lab report assignment. The lab report will be based on the Extraction of DNA Lab completed in Unit 3. Refer to the Lab Report assignment instructions on Brightspace for the full assignment requirements. Also, refer to the Lab Report rubric in Brightspace to help you prepare an effective lab report.

Weekly Quizzes

The weekly quiz will cover the content and learning outcomes assigned for that particular week including lab content. The quizzes are timed and could include multiple-choice, multiple-answers, and matching questions. Refer to each quiz in Brightspace for specific instructions. The quizzes are not proctored.

Proctored Exams

There are two proctored exams. The University of New England has contracted with ProctorU to provide students with the most convenient online exam proctoring system. Upon enrollment into the course, you will register with ProctorU and establish a login name and password. This will give you access to all of ProctorU’s services.

When you’re ready, you will schedule your exam time with ProctorU at least 72 hours prior to taking the exam. Please refer to the full requirements for proctored exams in the Policies section below.

There is a highly recommended Practice Proctored Exam available to all students. The first attempt is free. This exam does not cover course material and is not included in your overall course grade. It prepares test takers for what the testing environment will be like, what forms of identification are needed, and provides a chance to test your external webcam with a live proctor. This is a great way to become familiar with and prepare for your exam!

Midterm Exam: Will cover the content and learning outcomes studied during weeks 1 to 7 (units 1 and 2), including the lab content. The exam is closed book and closed notes

You may use a UNE-authorized whiteboard during the exam. The exam is 60 questions (multiple-choice, matching, multiple answers, and essay) with a 2-hour time limit and two attempts to complete the exam. You cannot go back and change the answer to a question once submitted.

Final Exam: Will cover all the content studied throughout the entire course, including the lab content. The exam will predominantly (80%) cover the content and learning outcomes from weeks 9 to 15 (units 3 and 4). The rest of the exam (20%) will cover the content and learning outcomes covered during the first half of the course (units 1 and 2). The exam is closed book and closed notes. You may use a UNE-authorized whiteboard during the exam. The exam is 80 questions (multiple-choice, matching, multiple answers, and essay) with a 2.5-hour time limit and two attempts to complete the exam. You cannot go back and change the answer to a question once submitted.

You must use a UNE-compliant external webcam to take your proctored examinations. Remember to order your webcam at least three weeks prior to scheduling your first proctored exam.

Grade Breakdown Diagram

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignments	Percent of Total Grade
Lecture Grade Assignments:
Weekly Quizzes	10%
Discussions and Presentations	15%
Case Study	20%
Midterm Exam	25%
Final Exam	30%
Total	100%
Laboratory Grade Assignments:
Lab Activities (HOL, Labster)	80%
Lab Report	10%
Lab Video Assignments	10%
Total	100%
Final Course Grade (Weighted Total):
Lecture Grade	75% of Lecture Grade
Lab Grade	25% of Laboratory Grade
Total Course Grade	100%

Grade Scale

Grade	Points Grade	Point Average (GPA)
A	94 – 100%	4.00
A-	90 – 93%	3.75
B+	87 – 89%	3.50
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.75
C+	77 – 79%	2.50
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.75
D	64 – 69%	1.00
F	00 – 63%	0.00