PCB 3063 - Genetics

College of Natural Sciences

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2019 (555)

Requisites

(Prerequisite BSC 2010CH with a minimum grade of C or
(Prerequisite BSC 2010 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite BSC 2010L with a minimum grade of C)
) and
Prerequisite CHM 2046 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite CHM 2046L with a minimum grade of C and
Pre- or Co-requisite PCB 3063L with a minimum grade of C

Course Description

This course is designed to teach three major areas of genetics: the organization and transmission of genetic material, the molecular biology of gene expression and regulation, and the modification and evolution of genes and genomes. This course also provides an understanding of the history and process of genetics as an experimental science and to provide the student with a foundation for understanding the current advances and rapid changes in genetic engineering and genomics.NOTE: Credit is not given for both (PCB 3063C) and (PCB 3063/PCB 3063L).

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will evaluate the history of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) research and the current state of genetic engineering and genomics by:
    1. demonstrating the experimental protocol used in the classical experiments to determine that DNA is the heritable material.
    2. describing the work of Watson and Crick to investigate the structure of DNA.
    3. identifying recent techniques used to separate and identify genomic DNA fragments, to map chromosomes, and to isolate and manipulate DNA markers.
    4. examining the advancements and ethical concerns in the field of Biotechnology.
  2. The student will analyze the structure and organization of DNA by:
    1. diagramming the molecular building blocks of DNA.
    2. illustrating the double helix structure of DNA and the atomic interactions that generate its structure.
    3. explaining the antiparallel orientation and complementary base pairing of DNA.
    4. defining the packaging of DNA to form chromosomes.
  3. The student will connect the transmission of genetic material and classical Mendelian genetics by:
    1. describing, comparing and contrasting mitosis and meiosis.
    2. explaining Mendel’s laws of segregation and independent assortment and the experimental protocol used by Mendel to formulate his laws.
    3. examining the relationship between the events of meiosis and Mendelian principles.
  4. The student will analyze non-Mendelian inheritance by:
    1. identifying incomplete dominance, codominance, epistasis, polygenic inheritance, multiple allele inheritance, and the inheritance of linked genes, including sex-linked traits.
    2. evaluating data sets and applying statistical tests to determine the different types of non-Mendelian inheritance.
  5. The student will compare the molecular mechanisms of DNA replication, recombination, gene and protein expression and regulation by:
    1. explaining and illustrating the steps of DNA replication, including initiation, elongation, proofreading and termination.
    2. examining the experimental protocol used by Meselson and Stahl to prove the semi-conservative nature of replication.
    3. describing, comparing, contrasting and evaluating the different models for the molecular mechanisms of recombination.
    4. explaining the molecular biology of gene expression, including transcription, translation, editing and processing of ribonucleic acid (RNA).
    5. describing the genetic code and the significance of contemporary discoveries in molecular genetics including research on the human genome.
    6. describing and illustrating transcriptional regulation in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
    7. comparing post-transcriptional and translational control mechanisms for gene regulation.
  6. The student will consider the role of genetics in controlling development and the cell cycle and its implications by:
    1. outlining the genetic determinants of development.
    2. correlating development with genome activation.
    3. comparing the control mechanisms of the cell cycle and correlating the checkpoints in control with genetics.
    4. detecting the errors in control mechanisms of cancerous cells and relating these to the hereditary nature of some cancers.
    5. inferring the genetics behind some human diseases and performing laboratory exercises relevant to human genetics.
  7. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the inheritance of extranuclear material and its significance by:
    1. listing and describing patterns of extranuclear inheritance.
    2. describing the inheritance, genetic codes and origin of cellular organelles.
    3. explaining the cytoplasmic transmission of symbionts.
    4. performing library and/or internet research and writing term papers and lab reports on student laboratory exercises and current experimental research and advancements in the field of classical, evolutionary or molecular genetics.
    5. reading and interpreting peer reviewed primary research articles that relate to experimental laboratory activities.
    6. performing experiments and analyzing results using current DNA technology such as Restriction Enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA fingerprinting, and transformation.
    7. conducting cutting edge technology experiments such as detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), proteomic and genomic analysis, advanced microscopy and western blots as deemed relevant.
  8. The student will illustrate the mutation process and its consequences by:
    1. comparing the types of mutations, including changes within chromosomes and changes in numbers of chromosomes.
    2. outlining the process by which changes in chromosome number can occur and correlating this with the meiosis.
    3. distinguishing the process by which DNA structure within a chromosome can change.
    4. connecting the consequences of mutation to the fertilization process.
    5. comparing the normal repair process in DNA and factors that may influence it.
    6. differentiating the consequences of mutation at the cellular, organismic and population levels.
    7. identifying the genetic diseases that are a result of chromosomal modifications.
    8. examining current studies of fragile sites in humans and the potential environmental factors that can influence mutation.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will, with a minimum of 75% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I Approval: 05/16/2014, BOT Approval: 10/21/2014, Effective Term: Spring 2015 (495).
C&I Approval: 07/26/2018, BOT Approval: 09/18/2018, Effective Term: Spring 2019 (555)

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