Course aims and objectives:

This course will cover basic mechanisms of inheritance, the genetic basis of human traits and diseases, and introductory genomics, including topics as varied as cloning, gene therapy, stem cell biology, the Human Genome Project, DNA forensics, and personalized medicine.

Specific learning objectives:

• Understand the basic mechanisms of inheritance, and be able to apply basic genetic principles
• Become familiar with a variety of human genetic traits, diseases, and tests
• Understand some of the basic tools used in genetic research
• Consider ethical issues regarding genetic testing, gene therapies, and personalized genomic medicine
• Effectively communicate genetic principles and issues in writing and orally
• Identify and utilize credible sources available to the educated layperson

Format and procedures: Class periods will consist of 50 minute lectures, with questions and discussion highly encouraged. Students will be evaluated on material from assigned readings as well as material presented in class, and are thus expected to attend all classes, take notes during class, and do the assigned reading. Clickers will be used to calculate attendance and to facilitate in ­class participation. Students will be expected to come to class prepared, be actively engaged during class, participate during class by asking and answering questions, and be respectful of others. Weekly homework assignments will be assigned and turned in on Sakai. Cell phone use during class is not permitted.

Course requirements:

• Students are expected to attend all lectures, be actively engaged while in class, and read the assigned readings (preferably before class). Students are also encouraged to participate in class discussion by posting on the course blog, located on the Sakai site. Class attendance and participation will be measured in part by the use of clickers. If you forget your clicker, but are present for class, please see me before or after class to note your attendance. Students are allowed 2 unexcused absences, and are expected to make up any missed material. If you must miss class due to religious reasons, discuss this with me at the start of the semester. Other absences should be discussed with me ahead of time.

Assignments:

• Homework assignments will be distributed and turned in on Sakai, and are due before the start of class each Friday. Written assignments will be subject to assessment of plagiarism using Turnitin software.

• Instead of a final exam, students will complete a final group project, the details of which will be discussed later in the semester.

• Attendance at exams is mandatory. If you must miss an exam for any reason, you must notify me in advance. Failure to do so may result in a zero grade on your exam. Exemptions for religious holidays will be made in accordance with Ithaca College policy and New York State law.

Mental health statement

Diminished mental health, including significant stress, mood changes, excessive worry, or problems with eating and/or sleeping can interfere with optimal academic performance. The source of symptoms might be related to your course work; if so, please speak with me. However, problems with relationships, family worries, loss, or a personal struggle or crisis can also contribute to decreased academic performance. Ithaca College provides cost­ free mental health services through the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to help you manage personal challenges that threaten your personal or academic well­-being. In the event I suspect you need additional support, expect that I will express to you my concerns and the reasons for them. It is not my intent to know the details of what might be troubling you, but simply to let you know I am concerned and that help (e.g., CAPS, Health Center, Chaplains, etc.), if needed, is available. Remember, getting help is a smart and courageous thing to do ­for yourself and for your loved ones.

Tentative schedule (may be subject to change) -- refer Sakai

Lecture #	Date	Topics	Reading	Assignments
1	8/29	Course overview	1: p1-8
2	8/31	Introduction to genetics	1: p9-15	HW due
	No class 9/3	--Labor day-
3	9/5	Cell biology and mitosis	2: p19-36
4	9/7	Meiosis and gametogenesis	3: p44-52	HW due
5	9/10	Sex determination and the sex chromosomes	6: p110-116; 13: p248-250
6	9/12	Basic inheritance and Mendelian genetics	4: p69-75, 84-85
7	9/14	Modes of inheritance: Dominance	4: p75-84	HW due
8	9/17	Modes of inheritance: Sex linkage	6: p116-124
9	9/19	Extensions to Mendelian genetics	5: p89-106
10	9/21	Multifactorial traits	7: p130-136, p144-146	HW due
11	9/24	Genes and behavior	8: p149-160
12	9/26	Exam 1
13	9/28	DNA as the genetic material, and the structure of DNA	9: p164-171	no HW
14	10/1	Chromosome structure and DNA replication	9: p171-176; 13: p235-238
15	10/3	Gene function: Gene structure and transcription	10: p180-185
16	10/5	Gene function: Translation	10: p185-196	HW due
17	10/8	Gene function: Gene expression and epigenetics	11: p199-208, 6:124-127
18	10/10	Gene mutation: Causes and types of mutations	12: 211-223
19	10/12	Gene mutation: Consequences of mutation and DNA repair	12: p224-232	HW due
20	10/15	Aneuploidy and disease	13: p236-248, 250-256
21	10/17	Development, birth defects, and aging	3: p53-62
	No class 10/19	--Fall break-		no HW
22	10/22	Cancer genetics: What is cancer?	18: p348-356
23	10/24	Cancer genetics: Susceptibility genes	18: p356-364
24	10/26	Cancer genetics: Genetic profiling and treatment	18: p364-368	HW due
25	10/29	Exam 2
26	10/31	How do we study genetics?: Biotechniques
27	11/2	How do we study genetics?: DNA modification and genetic engineering	19: p371-379	Final project topics due
28	11/5	How do we study genetics?: Model organisms	19: p379-384
29	11/7	How do we study genetics?: Population genetics and twin studies	7: p137-143
30	11/9	Genetic testing and genetic counseling	20: p388-396	HW due
31	11/12	Gene therapies	20: p396-403
32	11/14	Reproductive technologies	21: p406-419
33	11/16	Forensics and DNA profiling	14: p260-274	Final project outline due
	No class 11/19 -11/23	--Happy Thanksgiving!-
34	11/26	Cloning, stem cell biology, and stem cell therapies	2: p36-40
35	11/28	Genomics: The Human Genome Project 1	22: p423-430
36	11/30	Genomics: The Human Genome Project 2		HW due
37	12/3	Genomics: What makes us human? Comparative genomics and ancestry	22: p430-434, 16: 310-317
38	12/5	Exam 3
39	12/7	Genomics: Personal genomes and personalized medicine	22: p434-437	no HW
40	12/10	Genetics in the media		Final project due
41	12/12	Project showcase day 1		Peer evaluations due
42	12/14	Project showcase day 2		Peer evaluations due