Course Documentation Outline

School of Business, Biosciences and Justice Studies

SECTION I

1. Program (s): Biotechnology; Biofood Technology

2. Course Name: Genetics

3. Course Code: BIOS 2003 Credit Value: 3

5. Course Hours:

Class Lab Field Other Total

42 42

6. Prerequisites/Corequisites/Equivalent Courses

PR/CO/EQ Course Code Title

PR BIOS 1000 Biology 1

7. Faculty: Karen Holder Date: 26 Aug 2008 Effective Date: 2 Sept 2008

8. Dean/Chair’s Approval: Dan Holland Date: August 2008

9. Revision Number: Date: Effective Date:

10: Notes

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Section II

11. Calendar Description:

This one-semester course in genetics is designed to introduce students to the fundamental

principles of modern genetics: mechanisms and modes of inheritance, DNA and RNA (structure,
function, and synthesis), the genetic code, population genetics, evolution and the application of
genetic principles to biotechnology and medicine.

12. Provincial Context:

This course meets the following Ministry of Education and Training requirements:

a). Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course
learning outcomes through previous life and work experiences.

This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s) indicated by *

Challenge Exam Portfolio Interview Other Not Eligible

*

PLAR Contact: Karen Holder

13. Employability Skills emphasized in this course

* communication - written communication - visual communication - oral

* analytical * creative thinking decision making
interpersonal * numeracy * organizational
* problem solving * technological other (specify)

14. Required Texts, Materials, Resources or Technical Materials Required:

th
Lewis, R. 2007. Human Genetics: Concepts and Applications, 7 edition. McGraw Hill, New
th
York, NY. (6 edition is also acceptable)
15. Evaluation Plan
Students will demonstrate learning in the following ways:

Assignment Description Evaluation Methodology Due Date

Assignments Rubrics and answer keys. Marks assigned will Weekly or bi-
vary; total will equal 35% weekly
Answer key. Marks assigned will vary; total will
Problem sets Periodic
equal 10%
Quizzes Answer key; 5% Periodic
Midterm test Answer key; 10% Week 7
Rubric. Marks for preparation (day 1) and Approximately
Peer teaching exercise
delivery (day 2) will total 5% Week 12
Rubric. Marks for timeline, outline, layout and Determined by
Independent research
references will total 10% student
Poster presentation and class Rubric. Marks for presentation and handout will
handout total 10% Week 14

Final term test Answer key; 15% Week 15

Please note that this evaluation schedule is tentative, and subject to change as the need arises.

16. Other

Please consult the Biosciences Handbook for Students (2008-2009) for information and policies on
Course Outlines, Assessment, Evaluation and Grading, Supplemental Exams and Plagiarism and
Academic Dishonesty. Briefly:

♦ The passing grade in this course is 60%.

♦ You must always submit your own work for evaluation. The minimum penalty for plagiarism is a mark
of 0% on the assignment, report, test, etc.
♦ Class assignments and problem sets are due as outlined when the assignment is given. Some
assignments are designed to be completed during class time. If you are absent for the class, you may
not make up the assignment.
♦ Please advise me in advance if you cannot write a test or exam, or meet deadlines for assignments.
However, I reserve the right to refuse to reschedule assessments or accept late assignments. If I
accept a late submission, be aware that a penalty (10-50%) will accrue, depending on the
circumstances.
♦ Missed tests or quizzes cannot be made up, and will receive a mark of zero, unless arrangements are
made prior to the test day.
♦ A supplemental exam is available if you meet the criteria

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Section III

17. Curriculum Delivery, Learning Plan and Learning Outcomes:

Course Components/Content Related Learning Outcomes Learning Activities/Resources

Overview of genetics The student will be able to: Lecture notes and ancillary
Describe levels of organization, materials
from genes to populations and Textbook and published literature
species. Class/peer group discussions

Evaluation is based on quiz and

test.
Transmission genetics The student will be able to: Lecture notes and ancillary
Explain Mendel’s laws, describe materials
modes of inheritance (complete, Textbook and published literature
incomplete and codominance) Case studies and problem sets
and contrast with patterns of
inheritance that violate Mendel’s Evaluation is based on
laws; perform pedigree analyses assignments, problem sets, and
when given patterns of tests.
expression in a Mendelian trait,
and infer mode of inheritance;
apply Punnett squares to predict
genotype and phenotype
frequencies from allele
frequencies, and vice versa.
Genetic linkage The student will be able to: Lecture notes and ancillary
Perform linkage analyses and materials
calculate genetic distances Textbook and published literature
among linked genes based on
observed levels of Evaluation is based on problem
recombination. sets and test.
Multifactorial traits The student will be able to: Lecture notes and ancillary
Differentiate among Mendelian, materials
polygenic and multifactorial traits; Textbook and published literature
use distribution of phenotypes to
estimate number of genes Evaluation is based on
contributing to polygenic traits. assignments, quiz and test.
DNA structure and function The student will be able to: Lecture notes and ancillary
Describe nucleic acid structure materials
and chromosome structure; Textbook and published literature
compare and contrast nuclear
DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and Evaluation is based on
RNA; describe and explain the assignments and test.
processes of replication,
transcription, translation.
Course Components/Content Related Learning Outcomes Learning Activities/Resources

Population genetics The student will be able to: Lecture notes and ancillary
Explain principle of equilibrium, materials
and apply Hardy-Weinberg Law Textbook and published literature
to predict allele and genotype Case studies and problem sets
frequencies in a population; Cooperative study and
explain mechanisms by which peer-teaching
allele frequencies can change, activity
and give realistic examples of
these processes. Evaluation is based on
assignments, problem sets, peer-
teaching exercise, and test.
Genetics of cancer The student will be able to: Lecture notes and ancillary
Distinguish between sporadic materials
and inherited cancers, somatic Textbook and published literature
and germline mutations; relate Case studies and problem sets
characteristics and behaviour of Class/peer group discussions
cancer cells to genetic changes;
explain mechanisms by which Evaluation is based on class
different genes cause cancer. discussions, assignments and
test.
Selected topics in The student will be able to: Independent research on a select
genetic applications and Explain the principles of application in genetics
technologies recombinant DNA technology; Textbook and published literature
describe the role of genetics in Class/peer group discussions
gene therapies; discuss the
objectives and applications of Evaluation is based on
genome projects. Other topics as independent research and poster
time permits. presentation.