Johnson County Community College

Course Syllabus

Science and Math

Genetics

Biology 205

Spring 2002

Instructor Information:

• Dr. Paul Decelles
• Campus phone: 469-8500 ext. 3395
• E-mail: pdecell@jccc.net
• Web site: www.jccc.net/~pdecell
• Office GEB 153B
• Office hours: GEB 153B M, F 2:00 -4:00, T, R 2:30 - 4:00 or by appointment;

Course Information:

• Credit hours: 3
• Prerequisites: Biology 122, Principles of Biology or equivalent college level biology course.

Course Description:

• This introductory course emphasizes human heredity using concepts from classical and modern genetics. Themes of advancing technologies and bioethical issues are interwoven in the basic background fabric of the course.

Rationale:

• Our understanding of genetics is increasing at a rapid rate and a knowledge of basic genetics is becoming essential not just for specialists in the field but for all areas of human biology from medicine to anthropology and even to education and psychology. New therapies and applications of genetics are also leading us to confront serious ethical problems that until recently were only thought about in an abstract sense. Dealing with these problems as biologists, physicians, counselors and citizens requires a grasp of modern human genetics.

Required Textbooks:

• Cummings, Michael R. Human Heredity. Principles and issues. 5th Edition, Brooks/Cole Pacific Grove, CA, 2000.

Supplies

• None

Caveats:

• Students will be expected to access and use the World Wide Web for completing at least some course assignments. Computer access(Mac and Windows) is available for students who lack computers in the CASE classroom(CLB 112A). Student ID is required.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• Describe important historical developments in genetics, particularly the contributions of Mendel, and Watson & Crick, and important research advances.
• Describe the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in enough detail to understand related genetic concepts.
• Describe mitosis and meiosis.
• Solve a variety of genetic problems using Punnett squares to illustrate Mendelian principles.
• Analyze human pedigree diagrams using examples from autosomal recessive and dominant traits, and sex-linked inheritance; predict the probability of carriers of a gene, and of occurrence of a trait among offspring.
• Describe the male and female reproductive systems, the formation of gametes, and the basic development of the embryo and fetus.
• Describe modern reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination, surrogate mothers, in vitro fertilization, and appreciate related bioethical considerations.
• Describe techniques of prenatal diagnoses such as amniocentesis and chorion villus sampling, and appreciate bioethical considerations related to genetic counseling and potential therapeutic abortion.
• Discuss basic ideas involved in the structure and replication of DNA, and the concepts of protein synthesis in enough detail to understand concepts such as the one gene one polypeptide hypothesis, gene expression, mutations, and genetic engineering.
• Discuss the most important types of chromosomal and gene mutations, their causes, and their important human consequences.
• Discuss the basic concepts of genetic engineering and gene splicing, and appreciate the future consequences of these powerful technologies.
• Integrate the basic concepts of human genetics with the interwoven themes of advancing technologies and bioethical issues to gain awareness of the complex problems facing society, and form a framework for personal values and decisions.

Course Outline and Competencies:

• On the JCCC Web site

Essential Student Goals:

• Gaining factual knowledge (terminology, classifications, methods, trends).
• Learning fundamental principles, generalizations, or theories.
• Discovering the implications of the course material for understanding myself (interests, talents, values, etc.).

Course Requirements:

• You are responsible for all material presented in lecture along with completing all assignments as outlined and responsible for participating in class. The tentative point breakdown is as follows:

• Missed exams must normally be made up in the in the testing center (Third floor student center) within one week of a scheduled exam date. It is your responsibility to contact me as soon as possible if you know you are going to miss an exam as I will not automatically place exams in the testing center. Make-ups will be allowed only for serious family or documented medical problems or for legitimate college activities.
• Late homework/ research projects will not be accepted unless advance arrangements have been made with me.

• Regular lecture exams will be a mixture of short answer, essay and problem sets as appropriate. Exams may have both individual and group evaluation components.

• Homework will consist of problem sets and worksheets designed to develop reasoning and research skills in genetics. Homework may involve library or online research.

• The final will be consist of 50 points over material in the last third of the course with the balance of the points over major concepts from earlier in the course.

• The research project will consist of a formal paper designed to give you exposure to the scientific literature and a chance to do in depth research on a topic in genetics of particular interest to you. The topic must be approved by me and you will be expected to report on your progress to me at regular intervals throughout the semester. Papers should be between 1--15 pages in length and will be graded on your ability to accurately integrate material from the literature, your ability to properly use and cite primary literature sources as well as online databases and to some degree on usage, clarity and editorial skills.

• Anyone caught cheating(including plagiarizing) will be given a zero on the work involved, and referral to college authorities for further disciplinary action.

Evaluation:

• The following scale based on the percentage of the total possible points earned will be used:

Disability Statement:

• Disability Statement: If you are a student with a disability and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact the Student Access Center on the second floor of the Student Center. The Student Access center will recommend any appropriate accommodations to me and to the Academic Director. The Academic Director and I will identify for you which accomodations will be arranged. Students with disability or health related problems which require special attention may file an Individualized Evacuation Statement(IES) through Student Access. Assistance in completing the IES can be obtained in Student Access, room 292 of the Student Center. (913-469-8500 ext. 3521, TTY:469-3885).  

Withdrawal Deadline:

• Withdrawal: The last day to withdraw and not receive a "W" is February 11, 2002. The final day to withdraw from and still receive a "W" is Monday, April 15 2002. 

Tentative Schedule and Course Outline: Final exam is May 16 (Thursday) from 12:00 -1:50

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pgd 08/09/01 revised 02/12/02