BIO 120: Genetics with Lab

Course Description

This course will focus on human genetics. The student will acquire an understanding of the basic concepts in inheritance in order to solve simple genetic problems and recognize common misconceptions regarding human heredity. The student will be able to describe the structure and replication of DNA and its role in protein synthesis in order to understand the chemical basis of genetics and the use of DNA in genetic engineering and biotechnology. (4 credits)

Recommended Prerequisite

  • A high school biology course or a one-semester introductory general biology course for non-majors. Cannot be taken by students who have taken a genetics course at another Institution or BIO 110.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Tests (Weeks 4, 8, 12 & 15)

25%

Discussion Participation

25%

Laboratory Reports

25%

Research Paper (Week 14)

25%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

(Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle)

  • Cummings, Michael. Human Heredity, Principles and Issues. 11th ed. Brooks/Cole Publishing, 2016. ISBN-10: 1305251059 or ISBN-13: 978-1305251052

Additional Required Materials

(Not available through MBS Direct. Order directly from Publisher.)

  • Biology Lab Kit - Students will purchase access to LateNite Labs

Please use the following steps:

  1. Click on the red Sign Up button under Student on www.latenitelabs.com
  2. Click the Student icon.
  3. Enter your email address and desired password.
  4. Click Register. You will receive a confirmation email that you have registered.
  5. You will be brought to the Student Dashboard page.
  6. Enter your first name, last name and section code in their respective fields. The section code for this course is 81628654.
  7. Select Credit Card Purchase for your enrollment type.
  8. Enter the first and last name on your credit card, card number, expiration date (mm/yy), and security code.
  9. Click Enroll. You will receive a confirmation email with your username and password.

Course Schedule

Week

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

Topic: Introduction

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 1 "A Perspective on Human Genetics"
    • Chapter 2 "Cells and Cell Division"
  • Lab:
    • Introduction to Virtual Labs
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Arrange offce hours

2

Topic: Mendelian Genetics

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 3 "Mendelian Genetics"
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Participate in the Discussions

3

Topic: Pedigree Analysis

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 4 "Pedigree Analysis"
  • Lab:
    • Cell Structure & Function
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Lab Assignment
  • Choose topic for term paper

4

Topic: Complex Patterns

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 5 "The Inheritance of Complex Traits"
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Test 1

5

Topic: Cytogenetics

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 6 " Cytogenetics: Karyotypes and Chromosome Aberrations."
  • Lab:
    • Corn Genetics
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Lab Assignment

6

Topic: Sex and Development

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 7 "Development and Sex Determination"
  • Lab:
    • Mitosis and Meiosis
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Lab Assignment
  • Submit Outline for Term Paper

7

Topic: DNA and Chromosomes

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 8 "The Structure, Replication, and Chromosomal Organization of DNA"
    • Chapter 9 "Gene Expression and Gene Regulation"
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions

8

Topic: Proteins and Phenotype

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 10 "From Proteins to Phenotypes"
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Test 2

9

Topic: Mutations

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 11 "Genome Alterations: Mutation and Epigenetics"
  • Lab:
    • DNA
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Lab Assignment

10

Topic: Evolution and Populations

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 19 "Population Genetics and Evolution"
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Participate in the Discussions

11

Topic: Cloning and Recombinant DNA

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 13 "An Introduction to Genetic Technology"
  • Lab:
    • Evolution
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Lab Assignment
  • Submit rough draft of term paper

12

Topic: Biotechnology and Ethics

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 14 "Biotechnology and Society"
    • Chapter 15 "Genome and Genomics"
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Test 3

13

Topic: Gene Therapy

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 16 "Reproductive Technology, Genetic Testing, and Gene Therapy"
  • Lab:
    • PCR
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Lab Assignment

14

Topic: Genes and Immunity and Behavior

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 17 "Genes and the Immune System"
    • Chapter 18 "Genes and Behavior"
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Research Paper

15

Topic: Genes and Cancer

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 12 "Genes and Cancer"
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Test 4
  • Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.