BiologyDept. |
BIO 105Human GeneticsLecture-MTWTh, 11am Olin 135 Instructor: Chet Fornari |
|
BiologyDept. |
BIO 105Human GeneticsLecture-MTWTh, 11am Olin 135 Instructor: Chet Fornari |
|
Text: Human Heredity: Principles and Issues, by Michael R. Cummings. West/Wadsworth Publishing Co. Cummings: Human Heredity Principles and Issues, 4/E |
Outline of Course Contents:
I. The Scientific Method
Handouts: Notes on the Scientfic Method Just What is Science? (source: a Beginner's Guide to Scientific Method. 1998. S.S.Carey) |
II.
Molecular GeneticsChap. |
Reading assignment |
Questions & Problems |
8 |
DNA structure: p.202-208 |
7-23 |
9 |
Biochemical Pathways: p.217-219 |
1,2,4,5,7-9,13,22 |
11 |
Mutation at the molecular level:
p.274-277 |
1,4-6,9-11,14 |
III. Transmission Genetics
Chap. |
Reading Assignment |
Questions & Problems |
2 |
(Cell Structure: p.14-21) |
(1-8) 10, 12-14 17, 20, 26 |
3 |
Principle of Segregation: 50-57 |
1-5, 7, 8, 10, 18, 20, 26 |
4 |
Autosomal dominant & recessive
inheritance: 75-88 |
1-12, 16-19 |
IV. Mutated Genes & Chromosomes
Chap. |
Reading Assignment |
Questions & Problems |
6 |
Chromosomes and Karyotypes: 137-139 |
1,3,4,6,13-16,20,21 |
10 |
The Biochemical pathway: p.238-240 |
1-5,8,10,12-17,19-21 |
V. Genetic Engineering & Recombinant DNA technology
Chap. |
Reading Assignment |
Questions & Problems |
12 |
Clones & Cloning: p.288-296 |
1-10,15 |
13 |
RFLP's, VNTR's and DNA fingerprinting:
p.309-315 |
1,2,4,7,8,11,12 |
VI
. Behavioral GeneticsChap. |
Reading Assignment |
Questions & Problems |
5 |
Polygenic traits and
inheritance:109-116 |
1,2,3,6 7-18 |
16 |
VII. Critical Readings in Genetics
Author: |
Title: |
| Paul, Diane B | The Politics of Heredity. 1998 |
| Rifkin, Jeremy | The Biotech Century: Harnessing the gene and remaking the world. 1998 |
| Steinberg, Deborah L | Bodies in Glass: Genetics, Eugenics, Embryo Ethics. 1998 |
| Sunstein, C.R., and Nussbaum, M.C., eds. | Clones and Clones: Facts and Fantasies about Human Cloning. 1998 |
| Appleyard, Bryan. | Brave New Worlds: Staying Human in the Genetic Future. 1998 |
| Kass, L.R. & Wilson, J.Q. | The Ethics of Human Cloning. 1998 |
| Plomin, R. | Nature and Nurture: An Introduction to Human Behavioral Genetics. 1990 |
| Plomin, R. (editor) | Behavioral Genetics. 1997 |
| Steen, R. Grant | DNA and Destiny Nature and Nurture in Human Behavior. 1999 |
| Wright, William | Born That Way Genes, Behavior, Personality. 1998 |
| Carson, Ronald A. | Behavioral Genetics: The Clash of Culture and Biology. 1999 |
| Krause, Carol | How Healthy Is Your Family Tree: A Complete Guide to Tracing Your Family's Medical and Behavioral Tree. 1998 |
Bios 105 focuses on the role of genes in human biology and society. Selected areas of emphasis range from gene structure and identification, to inheritance mechanisms (how genes are passed from parent to offspring), and how genes work within the cellular environment, to what can go wrong with genes (mutations) and the consequences of these malfunctions (genetic diseases), to the genetic structure of whole populations, and finally to ethical, legal and social issues surrounding the application of the new genetic engineering and reproductive technologies. We will cover the three basic areas of modern genetics (molecular genetics, transmission genetics, population genetics) but focus primarily on humans.
Another important goal of the course is to not only achieve an understanding of the Scientific Method, but also to apply it throughout the semester. An effective way to understand and appreciate the meaning of the Scientific Method, as well as its limitations, is to use it. An important component of the course is to not only "think scientifically" in its narrowest sense (e.g., a scientist working in the lab on a very specific problem), but also to think critically and analytically about all assertions and claims made by any author/speaker (e.g., a policy decision about genetic testing made by a government agency). Of special concern in this course will be claims and assertions about interpretations of genetic data and information, especially as it applies to human society and future policies of social engineering. Thinking, speaking, and writing in a critical, analytical, scientifically informed manner is one of the highest priorities of the course.
You will accomplish these goals by:
Genetic Diseases in Humans
As part of class activities and discussions, we will keep a record of each disease discussed in the text (from your reading assignments). I will list these diseases on the Genetic Diseases in Humans page, along with other relevant information or web-sites. One outstanding web-site for genetic diseases in humans is OMIM. Of course other informative sites exist, but all such sites seem to lead back to OMIM in one way or another. Any of the diseases on the growing list are possible sources for questions on the exams.
Grade categories, distributions, and Exam dates:
(80%): 3 Exams (based on the assigned readings, lecture/discussion material/problem sets)
Exam #1: March 2nd; Exam #2:
April 6th; Exam #3: May 4th; Final Exam: May 17th, 9:00am
(20%): reports and class presentations; Internet HTML Project or Research Position Paper
(and all writing assignments)
Links to Web Sites
top of page
