Course Description:

Genetics is the study of inherited variation and traits. Although genetics is often associated with disease, our genes provide a great variety of characteristics that create much of our individuality, from our hair and eye color, to the shapes of our body parts, to our talents and personality traits. In February of 2001, the sequence of the human genome was completed. It will take much of the 21^st century to understand our genetic selves. The potential impact of this new understanding is immense and raises many issues. Genetics affects our lives so intimately! Genetic tests can establish identity and diagnose disease. Do we want to know how and when we are likely to die or the predicted life expectancy of the baby we carry? Principles of genetics also touch history, politics and economics. For instance, genetic manipulations can provide new agricultural variants. Are these genetically modified plants safe to eat? Are they safe for the environment?

As young adults, citizens and voters, or simply parents, you will have to face during your lifetime many of these issues. The objective of this course is to provide you with a basic understanding of genetics, and especially human genetics, so that you can:

• share the extraordinarily contagious enthusiasm of geneticists as they explore the underpinnings of life and disease
• understand the new biotechnology that are currently used or that will be available in the near future
• evaluate the policies proposed/implemented by the government of the country where you reside.

Course goals

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

1. Understand the basic mechanisms of human inheritance and use this information to infer more complex concepts and solve basic genetics problems.
2. Recognize several ways in which genetics influences daily life at the level of the individual and in society.
3. Understand some of the basic tools used in genetic research and gain an appreciation for where our current understanding of genetics comes from.
4. Demonstrate self-directed learning in genetics by identifying and utilizing credible resources available to the educated layperson.
5. Effectively communicate genetics principles and issues in both written and oral forms.

Assessment

            The following are designed to test and ensure consistent progress on all five of the stated learning goals.

1. Exams (60% total, 20% for each of the 3 in-class exams). Combination of multiple-choice and short answers. Assesses learning outcomes 1,3 and 5
2. Homework assignments (15%). Throughout the semester, written assignments (in-class or not) will be graded. Assesses learning outcomes 1,2, 4, 5
3. Final project (15%). Instead of an in-class final, you will be assigned a final paper and oral presentation on a genetics topic. This will be a group project. Further details will be provided later Assesses learning outcomes 4,5
4. Class participation and attendance (10%).We will be using a clicker system on a daily basis (starting on September 7) which helps me to assess your understanding of the material, and to keep a record of attendance. Assesses learning outcomes 1,3
   

Grading scale:            

Lecture PowerPoint presentations

I will post the PowerPoint presentations presented in lecture 24 h before the actual lecture. Note that these lectures notes are not complete, and are not intended to serve as a substitute to coming to class! I encourage you to print them before class, using for instances the many computer classrooms available to you on campus. This will greatly facilitate taking notes for this class.

Attendance policy

Students at Ithaca College are expected to attend all classes, and they are responsible for work missed during any absence from class. Students should notify their instructors as soon as possible of any anticipated absences, especially for examinations. Written documentation that indicates the reason for being absent may be required.

In accordance with New York State law, students who miss class due to their religious beliefs shall be excused from class or examinations on that day. Such students must notify their course instructors before any anticipated absence so that proper arrangements may be made to make up any missed work or examination without penalty.

Any student who misses class due to a verifiable family or individual health emergency or to a required appearance in a court of law shall be excused. The student or a family member/legal guardian may report the absence to the Office of Student Affairs and Campus Life, which will notify the student's dean's office, as well as residential life if the student lives on campus. The dean's office will disseminate the information to the appropriate faculty. Follow-up by the student with his or her professors is imperative. Students may need to consider a leave of absence, medical leave of absence, selected course withdrawals, etc., if they have missed a significant portion of classwork.

A student may be excused for participation in College-authorized cocurricular and extracurricular activities such as athletic events, musical and theatrical performances, and professional conferences.

Academic honesty

All work that you submit must be your own. Please familiarize yourself with the definition of plagiarism.

Academic dishonesty can lead to a zero grade on that assignment, a failing grade in the course, academic code probation, or suspension/expulsion from the college depending on the gravity of the violation and the decision of the judicial board.

In a collaborative project, all students in a group may be held responsible for academic misconduct if they engage in plagiarism or are aware of plagiarism by others in their group and fail to report it. Students who participate in a collaborative project in which plagiarism has occurred will not be held accountable if they were not knowledgeable of the plagiarism.

Course evaluations

Student input is highly valued and is important to maintain high quality instruction. Course evaluations are mandatory and must be completed by the indicated date (TBA). An incomplete will appear on your transcript if it is not submitted by that time. The evaluation will be submitted by the department Assistant. She will verify that you have submitted the form. Once that has been checked, your identification will be removed and will not be printed with the comments.

Students with disabilities

In compliance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodation will be provided to students with documented disabilities on a case by case basis. Students must register with the Office of Academic Support Services (607-274-1005, TDD 607-274-7319, acssd@ithaca.edu) and schedule an appointment with their instructors as soon as possible to discuss their needs.

Extra help and Support

Tentative schedule (may be subject to change)