University of Toronto Scarborough - Department of Biological Sciences (UTSC)

BIOC15H3 F
Genetics
Fall 2023 Syllabus

Course Meetings

BIOC15H3 F
Section Date & Time Delivery Mode & Location
LEC01 Wednesday, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM In Person: SW 319

PRA0001 Monday, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM In Person: SW 321

PRA0002 Monday, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM In Person: SW 323

PRA0003 Monday, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM In Person: SW 321

PRA0004 Monday, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM In Person: SW 323

PRA0005 Tuesday, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM In Person: SW 321

PRA0006 Tuesday, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM In Person: SW 323

Course Contacts

Course Website: https://q.utoronto.ca/courses/309450

Instructor: Prof Ina Anreiter

Email: [email protected]
Office Hours and Location: TUE 17:00-18:00 and WED 11:00-12:00 in SW558

Course Overview

Topics for this lecture and laboratory (or project) course include: inheritance and its
chromosomal basis; gene interactions; sources and types of mutations and the relationship of
mutation to genetic disease and evolution; genetic dissection of biological processes; genetic
technologies and genomic approaches.
Genetic variation is the basis for all the wondrous diversity of life. Its study can help us to
answer questions as varied as why siblings look alike, why some people are more prone to a
particular disease, how we have bred modern crops, and what evolution acts upon. This course
is designed to provide foundational knowledge of genes and the principles of inheritance, and
modern genetic laboratory techniques. The lecture content covers the mendelian principles of
inheritance, gene mutations and interactions, chromosomal linkage, and practical approaches to
study these phenomena. The ten laboratory sections provide practical training in state-of-the-art

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genetic techniques, including Drosophila transgenic crosses, DNA extractions, PCR, gel
electrophoresis, restriction enzymes, microscopy, and DNA sequencing.

Course Learning Outcomes

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

• Discuss the significance of Mendel’s laws and how they shaped genetics as we know.
• Summarize the role of genes and chromosomes in inheritance, and explain the
importance of segregation of alleles, independent assortment, sex linkage and linkage.
• Analyze pedigree analysis to predict genetic outcomes.
• Understand how genotypes relate to phenotypes.
• Identify appropriate laboratory techniques to study genetic problems.
• Compare current techniques and technological advances in genetics.

Prerequisites: BIOB11H3 and [PSYB07H3 or STAB22H3]

Corequisites: None
Exclusions: BIO260H, HMB265H
Recommended Preparation: None
Credit Value: 0.5

Course Materials

Textbook (required): Genetics: From Genes to Genomes. Hartwell 7th ed. McGraw Hill.

Marking Scheme

Assessment Percent Details Due Date

Midterm 25% 2023-10-18

Lab presentation 10% Group assignment 2023-11-06,2023-11-
07
Lab report 13% Individual assignment 2023-12-04
Lab notebook 10% 1.25% each for each of labs 1-9 No Specific Date
(maximum 10%), with forgiveness
of one lab.
Lab reviews 2% 0.5% each for each of 4 short lab No Specific Date
review quizzes
Extra credit 2% Complete the introductory survey 2023-09-13,2023-10-
(0.5%) by Sept 13, the midterm 25,2023-11-22
survey by Oct 25 (0.5%), and the
scientist spotlight assignment by
Nov 22 (1%).

Final Exam 40% Final Exam Period

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Late Assessment Submissions Policy

Missed Term Work Policy

Students who will miss an academic obligation during the term (class, assignment deadline,
quiz, test, or midterm) may declare the absence in ACORN using the Absence Declaration (AD)
without any other supporting documentation before or within 48hrs of the assignment deadline.
Students may use the Absence Declaration tool to declare absence once per term for a
maximum of seven consecutive days. When submitting the AD please email a copy to
[email protected]. Please note it is mandatory for you to fill in the notes field within the
self-declaration tool on Acorn to specify what term work you are missing and applicable due
dates to be considered. For some additional instructions on how to declare illness please review
the following resource https://help.acorn.utoronto.ca/blog/ufaqs/how-do-i-declare-an-absence/.
For absences outside the AD, you need to email me ([email protected]) before or within
48hrs of the assignment due date with supporting documentation for reason of absence. Valid
reasons for accommodations outside the AD include illness or injury, important and unavoidable
personal or family commitments or emergencies, bereavement, athletic or artistic obligations
(varsity/provincial/national) or other significant University sponsored activities (such as a field
trip). Accommodation will not be made for absence due to social activities, recreational travel,
technological issues, avoidance of assessments or deadlines. Supporting documentation for
absence is requested for absences outside the AD. This documentation includes but is not
limited to the University approved Verification of Illness (VOI) form, a death certificate, funeral
announcement, or other supporting document for bereavement, a note from a university staff
member (advisor, coach, residence staff, etc.) who can substantiate the student’s claims, sent
directly to by email to [email protected]. Please note that we understand that life
happens, and you may miss term work for valid reasons, and we will help you navigate through
those situations. Please remain in communication with your instructor and/or TA.

Accommodations for Missed Midterm

There will be one make-up midterm date. If a student misses both the midterm and the make-up
midterm for valid reasons, the marks will be transferred to the final exam. If no valid reason is
given for missing both the midterm and the make-up midterm, the student will be given a mark
of 0 for the midterm.

Penalty and Accommodations for Late and Missed Assignments

Late submissions of assignments are subject to a late penalty of 10% per day unless an
extension has been granted by the course instructor before the deadline (or within 48hrs of the
deadline in case of emergencies), with no late assignments allowed after 7 calendar days.
Accommodations for missed assignments due to valid reasons are determined on a case-by-
case basis to best accommodate the student’s needs. Accommodation may include extensions,
make-up assignments, or grade transfer to the final exam.

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Course Schedule

Week Description

Week 1 Lecture 1 - Introduction, Historical Overview, Mendel’s Laws (textbook Ch1 & 2)
Sept 6 Lab - NO LAB

Lecture 2 - Extension of Mendel’s Laws (textbook Ch2)

Week 2
Lab - NO LAB
Sept 13
Assignments - Due: Introductory Survey (extra credit)

Lecture 3 - Extension of Mendel’s Laws, Chromosomes, Mitosis, Meiosis (textbook

Week 3
Ch2 & 3)
Sept 20
Lab - Lab 1

Week 4 Lecture 4 - X-linkage, Exceptions to Mendel’s Laws (textbook Ch3 & 4)

Sept 27 Lab - Lab 2

Week 5 Lecture 5 - Recombination, Mapping Genes, Linkage analysis (textbook Ch5)

Oct 4 Lab - Lab 3

Week 6
Reading Week (no lectures or labs)
Oct 11

Week 7 Lecture - MIDTERM (in class)

Oct 18 Lab - Lab 4

Lecture 6 - Mutations, DNA Damage and Repair (textbook Ch7)

Week 8
Lab - Lab 5
Oct 25
Assignments - Due: Midterm Survey (extra credit)

Week 9 Lecture 7 - Ploidy, Chromosome Rearrangements (textbook Ch14 & 15)

Nov 1 Lab - Lab 6

Lecture 8 - Molecular Biology and Recombinant DNA Technology (textbook Ch7, 8 &
Week 10 10)
Nov 8 Lab - Lab 7
Assignments - Due: Lab presentations (in lab)

Week 11 Lecture 9 - DNA Technology, Genome Sequencing, and Bioinformatics

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Nov 15 Lab - Lab 8

Lecture 10 - Genomic Variation and Molecular Techniques (textbook Ch11 & 12)
Week 12
Lab - Lab 9
Nov 22
Assignments - Due: Scientist Spotlights (extra credit)

Lecture 11 - Manipulating genomes (textbook Ch21)

Week 13
Lab - Lab 10
Nov 22
Assignments - Due: Dec 4 Lab Report

Policies & Statements

Plagiarism Detection Tool

Normally, students will be required to submit their course essays to the University's plagiarism
detection tool for a review of textual similarity and detection of possible plagiarism. In doing so,
students will allow their essays to be included as source documents in the tool's reference
database, where they will be used solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism. The terms that
apply to the University's use of this tool are described on the Centre for Teaching Support &
Innovation web site (https://uoft.me/pdt-faq).

Academic Integrity
The University treats cases of cheating and plagiarism very seriously. The University of
Toronto's Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters
(http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/policies/behaveac.htm) outlines the behaviours that
constitute academic dishonesty and the processes for addressing academic offences.

Potential offences in papers and assignments include using someone else's ideas or words
without appropriate acknowledgement, submitting your own work in more than one course
without the permission of the instructor, making up sources or facts, obtaining or providing
unauthorized assistance on any assignment.

On tests and exams, cheating includes using or possessing unauthorized aids, looking at
someone else's answers during an exam or test, misrepresenting your identity, or falsifying or
altering any documentation required by the University.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Toronto is committed to equity, human rights and respect for diversity. All
members of the learning environment in this course should strive to create an atmosphere of
mutual respect where all members of our community can express themselves, engage with
each other, and respect one another's differences. U of T does not condone discrimination or
harassment against any persons or communities.
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The University of Toronto is a richly diverse community and as such is committed to providing
an environment free of any form of harassment, misconduct, or discrimination. In this course, I
seek to foster a civil, respectful, and open-minded climate in which we can all work together to
develop a better understanding of key questions and debates through meaningful dialogue. As
such, I expect all involved with this course to refrain from actions or behaviours that intimidate,
humiliate, or demean persons or groups or that undermine their security or self-esteem based
on traits related to race, religion, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship,
creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family
status, disability, receipt of public assistance or record of offences.

University Land Acknowledgement

I wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of
years, it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas
of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across
Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.

Accommodations
Students with diverse learning styles and needs are welcome in this course. In particular, if you
have a disability/health consideration that may require accommodations, please feel free to
approach me and/or the AccessAbility Services Office as soon as possible.

AccessAbility Services staff (located in Rm AA142, Arts and Administration Building) are
available by appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals and arrange appropriate
accommodations 416-287-7560 or email [email protected]. The sooner you let us know
your needs the quicker we can assist you in achieving your learning goals in this course.

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools

Students may use artificial intelligence tools, including generative AI, in this course as learning
aids or to help produce assignments. However, students are ultimately accountable for the work
they submit.

Students may not use artificial intelligence tools for taking tests, writing research papers,
creating computer code, or completing major course assignments. However, these tools may be
useful when gathering information from across sources and assimilating it for understanding.

The knowing use of generative artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT and other AI
writing and coding assistants, for the completion of, or to support the completion of, an
examination, term test, assignment, or any other form of academic assessment, may be
considered an academic offense in this course.

Recording of Classroom Material by Students

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Recording or photographing any aspect of a university course - lecture, tutorial, seminar, lab,
studio, practice session, field trip etc. – without prior approval of all involved and with written
approval from the instructor is not permitted.

Marking Concerns with Assignments

Any requests to have an assignment re-graded must be made in writing to your TAs within one
week of the date the marks were posted on Quercus. To be considered, your message must
clearly identify your concern, contain a detailed justification for your concern and make specific
references to the relevant course material. Keep in mind that it is possible for your assignment
grade to go down if the re-graded mark is lower than your original assignment grade.

Health and Wellness

Everyone experiences challenges during their university career, and now more than ever it is
important to seek help if you are struggling. If you or someone you know needs someone to talk
to, here are some resources you can contact: • Your instructors or program coordinators • Your
college registrar and office of residence of student life (ORSL) • MySSP [24/7, talk in 146
languages & text in 35 languages]: available for Apple and Android • Good 2 Talk Student
Helpline [24/7]: 1-866-925-5454 • Gerstein Centre [24/7]: 416-929-5200

English Language Support

The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is available to support you in your writing, math
and stats, and English language needs. It offers online and in-person tutoring and consultations
and has a variety of helpful resources. For more information, please visit CTL’s Student Support
Centre at AC313 or check out https://uoft.me/AcademicLearningSupport. The academic writing
style is unfamiliar to most students at the beginning of their university programs. To help you
master scientific texts, consider taking the free and confidential 20‐minute Academic English
Health Check (AEHC) (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/eld/academic-english-health-check-aehc)
and using the free resources available at the English Language Development Centre to support
your learning (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/eld/english-languagedevelopment- support-
consultations).

Course Communications
There are several ways to get help with this course. The first and best is through the office
hours and talking to your TA in lab. Questions can also be posted to the online discussion
board. Please use your university email address for email communications and avoid asking
content questions via email. Questions posted on the Question board will be given priority over
email, because the answers posted benefit all students. Do not hesitate to post a question on
the question board, someone else might have the same question and be hesitant to ask. Please
allow at least 48 hours for an email response, if you email me at the last minute with a concern,
I might not be able to respond in time. Major announcements will be posted to Quercus. It is
your responsibility to be aware of any announcements made in class and Lab. For help with
Quercus please contact [email protected] or visit
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/projects/quercus/student-help/. Always feel free to ask a question
during lecture, I will build in time to take questions whenever possible. I will monitor this
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discussion board on Quercus regularly, but students are also welcome to respond to threads
and answer questions. Please allow 48 hours for a response from me. I recommend that you
regularly check the discussion board for new content to enhance your studying. Please respect
your fellow students on these discussion boards and maintain a considerate dialogue. I expect
everyone to show respect for the different backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, and values
expressed by any member of this class. There will be no tolerance for behaviour or speech that
violates the Code of Student Conduct (found here: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/edio/policies-
procedures). Find out more about UTSC’s commitment to EDI here:
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/edio/ .

Disclaimer
I reserve the right to modify this syllabus and its contents throughout the semester to better
achieve course goals and/or to enhance the quality of the course in response to unexpected
circumstances or student feedback. I will always endeavor to give students advance notification
of any changes. These notifications will be made in class and on Quercus, with the most up-to-
date version posted to Quercus.

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