Course outline Code: SCI212 Title: Genetics Faculty of: Science, Health, Education and Engineering Teaching Session: Semester 2 Year: 2015 Course Coordinator: Wayne Knibb Tel: 5430 2831 Email: wknibb@usc.edu.au Course Moderator: TBA 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description Genetics is integral to biology because organisms are a product of both genetics and their environment. This central tenet is the basis of the course. You learn the foundations of how genes are transmitted and inherited (the rules of inheritance) and how these rules are modified. You apply this knowledge to analyse scenarios using techniques to understand the mode of inheritance and solve genetics problems. This course helps you to better understand areas as diverse as evolution, medical counselling and ethics, the biology of development, the dynamics of populations and molecular biology. 1.2 Course content Techniques to determine modes of inheritance and genetic mapping Mutations their causes, types, effects and uses Genetic variation within populations and its relevance to conservation Genetic determinants of the cell cycle and development of organisms Logical genetic rules of inheritance Genetics and evolution Population, quantitative and developmental genetics 2. Unit value 12 units Version Semester 2 2015 Recfind File Number: F15003
Page 2 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? On successful completion of this course you should be able to: You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: 1. Demonstrate and apply foundational knowledge of: the central role of genetics in biology organisms being a product of their genetics & environment the transmission and inheritance of genes within populations to genetics problems 2. Solve a wide range of problems in genetics concerning different species, by: using techniques to process genetic data from scenarios analysing the data to determine modes of inheritance and genetic mapping predicting phenotypes based on a hypothesis 3. Communicate your solutions to genetics problems to specialist audiences according to conventions Task 1: On line weekly quizzes Task 2: Prac reports Task 3: Final exam Task 1: On line weekly quizzes Task 2: Prac reports Task 3: Final exam Task 2: Prac reports Task 3: Final exam Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: Knowledgeable. Creative and critical thinkers. Empowered. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Undergraduate Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of prerequisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions Nil 4.2 Pre-requisites LFS100 4.3 Co-requisites Nil 4.4 Anti-requisites Nil 4.5 Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (optional) Nil 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Standard High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL) 5.2 Assessment tasks
Task No. Assessment Tasks 1 On line quizzes Individual or Group Page 3 Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it? Individual 30 15 mins Weekly Electronically, to wknibb@usc.edu.au or electronically TBA 2 Prac reports Individual 50 1-2 pages (300 approx depending on the prac) 3 Final examination Weekly Individual 20 2 hours In semester time, during final tutorial period 100% Assessment Task 1: Online weekly quizzes Goal: Product: Format: Criteria Generic skill assessed Problem solving Electronically, to wknibb@usc.edu.au or electronically TBA In semester time, during final tutorial period To learn and revise course content to build foundational knowledge and practice techniques when solving problems Online weekly quizzes Lecturers and tutors will model the problem solving approaches for these open book online quizzes that you do in your own time. These help you to learn and revise and build your confidence for the final exam. They are automatically assessed and the correct answers are provided online after you complete the quiz. The lecturer goes through a review of any quiz on request. 1.demonstrate and apply foundational knowledge of: the central role of genetics in biology organisms being a product of their genetics & environment the transmission and inheritance of genes within populations to genetics problems 2.solve a wide range of problems in genetics concerning different species, by: using techniques to process genetic data from scenarios analysing the data to determine modes of inheritance and genetic mapping predicting phenotypes based on a hypothesis Skill assessment level Introductory
Assessment Task 2: Practical reports Goal: Product: Format: Page 4 To communicate laboratory activities and findings that demonstrates application of foundational knowledge and problem solving skills. Practical reports These reports are about your laboratory-based activities. They include drawings, observations, data analysis, cytology, probabilities, simulations, and virtual laboratories. Depending on the activity, the reports will vary between 1-2 pages. Your lecturer will provide advice on how to present each report in relation to the nature of the particular practical activity. Criteria 1.demonstrate and apply foundational knowledge of: the central role of genetics in biology organisms being a product of their genetics & environment the transmission and inheritance of genes within populations to genetics problems 2.solve a wide range of problems in genetics concerning different species, by: using techniques to process genetic data from scenarios analysing the data to determine modes of inheritance and genetic mapping predicting phenotypes based on a hypothesis 3.communicate your solutions to genetics problems to specialist audiences according to conventions Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Problem solving Introductory Applying technologies Introductory Assessment Task 3: Final exam Goal: To demonstrate and apply foundational genetics knowledge to solve problems and communicate solutions according to conventions. Product: Final exam Format: A combination of multiple choice, short answers, and short essays Criteria 1.demonstrate and apply foundational knowledge of: the central role of genetics in biology organisms being a product of their genetics & environment the transmission and inheritance of genes within populations to genetics problems 2.solve a wide range of problems in genetics concerning different species, by: using techniques to process genetic data from scenarios analysing the data to determine modes of inheritance and genetic mapping predicting phenotypes based on a hypothesis 3.communicate your solutions to genetics problems to specialist audiences according to conventions Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Problem solving Developing
Page 5 5.3 Additional assessment requirements Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment A student s eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) The student has not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct Blackboard As a student enrolled in this course you will have access to course information on the Blackboard site. You are strongly recommended to log onto the course site on a regular basis. All course announcements, course changes, posting of course materials and grades (via My Interim Results) will be accessed through Blackboard. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate internet access (either off campus or oncampus) in order to access Blackboard regularly and to complete required assessment tasks. Safe Assign In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks are submitted electronically via Safe Assign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that Safe Assign has access to. If required, details of how to submit via Safe Assign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course. 5.4 Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: 5% (of the assessment task s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 10% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome. 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours 2 hours per week lecture, 2.5 hours per week pracs 6.2 Teaching semester/session(s) offered Semester 2
Page 6 6.3 Course activities Teaching Week / Module What key concepts/content will I learn? 1 Introduction to the course. Holistic concepts introduced that will assist you to achieve an overview of genetics and the interrelationship of course elements. The scope of genetics will be introduced from classical genetics, to molecular biology, and bioinformatics. 2 Penetrance Expressivity Pleiotropy Polygenic traits, What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Activities Independent Study Activities Lecture: Orientation to Blackboard site Discussion of course assessment and explanation of methods of teaching and learning in this course In the prac room: tutorial reviewing Mendelian genetics Segregation and independent assortment chromosome theory of inheritance (reviewing some concepts from LFS101). Review of mitosis and meiosis. : Also, Introduction to computer based fly lab and exercises relevant to formal lectures this work will be submitted for grading and contribute to your final grade Lecture. Early test: 30 minutes in class. In the prac. room. A tutorial reviewing mitosis and meiosis (reviewing material from LFS101) Ch 1- Introduction to Genetics. You will learn about and practice with the computer software you will use to complete prac tasks, and to guide your developing understandings (software available in the computer lab). Chapter 4- Modifications to Mendelian ratios 3 Linkage and chromosome mapping Also, a set prac using the software fly lab to further understand Mendelian genetics this work will be submitted for grading and contribute to your final grade Lecture. Prac. You will analyse simulated crossing data to deduce rules of gene mapping. 4 Sex determination Lecture: sex determination Prac: understanding probabilities and the binomial expansion 5 Production of monosex populations for agriculture Prac making monosex populations 6 Mitochondrial genetics Lecture: Mitochondrial genetics Prac.: Mitochrondrial genetics Chapter 7 -Linkage and chromosome mapping Chapter 5 Sex determination and sex chromosomes
Teaching Week / Module What key concepts/content will I learn? Page 7 7 Bioinformatics and genetics Lecture: bioinformatics Prac: bioinformatics 8 Developmental Genetics. Lecture. Prac Either understanding probability and chi square test or tutorial reviewing chromosomal mutations as introduced in LFS101. 9 Quantitative Genetics Lecture. Prac : computer simulations 10 Population Genetics. Lecture. Prac. The role genetics plays at the population level -we will estimate the gene frequencies for taste and touch in humans, and simulate genetic drift over generations 11 Microbial genetics Lecture. microbial genetics Prac: either a tutorial reviewing the course or lab exercises in bacterial transformations 12 Evolutionary Genetics Lecture.: evolutionary genetics Prac: either a tutorial reviewing the course or some experiments in generating mutations 13 Tour of labs and final Lecture. tour of labs exam Prac: final exam Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation. 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Activities Independent Study Activities Chapter 20- Developmental Genetics Chapter 21- Quantitative Genetics Chapter 22- Population Genetics; Computer simulations. Chapter 8- Genetic Analysis and mapping in bacteria and bacteriophages; Chapter 23- Evolutionary Genetics; 7.1 Prescribed text(s) Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below: Author Year Title Publisher Klug, W. Cummings, M., Spencer, C. & Palladino, M. 2009 Essentials of Genetics, 7th Edition A computer lab (booked) for week 9 with genup software installed. Pearson Education. 7.2 Required and recommended readings Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for pracs and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course. 7.3 Specific requirements Laboratory coat, safety glasses, closed in footwear
Page 8 7.4 Risk management There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas. 8. How can I obtain help with my studies? In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Student Life and Learning provides additional assistance to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: +61 7 5430 1226 or Email: studentlifeandlearning@usc.edu.au 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching 10. Faculty specific information General enquiries and student support Faculty Student Support Office Tel: +61 7 5430 2869 Fax: +61 7 5456 5010 Email: SHEinfo@usc.edu.au