Courses - Biology 223 Genetics and Evolution
Professor Fred Allendorf
COURSE OVERVIEW Spring 2008
INSTRUCTORS:
Dr. Fred Allendorf,
fred.allendorf@umontana.edu,
BRB007,
243-5503
Office hours: MWF, 9-11 a.m.
Dr. Megan McPhee,
megan.mcphee@umontana.edu,
(406) 982-3301 X244
Note: Dr. McPhee is a faculty member based at the Flathead Lake Biological Station in Yellow Bay. She will be lecturing 10-21 March while Dr. Allendorf is at two scientific meetings. She will be using Dr. Allendorf’s office during those weeks.
TA's:
Mike Machura,
mike.machura@mso.umt.edu,
HS411,
no phone available
Ruth Short Bull,
ruth.shortbull@umontana.edu,
BRB011,
243-6749
Dan Atwater,
daniel.atwater@mso.umt.edu,
BOT1 106B (NS annex),
243-5935
LECTURES:
MWF, 8:10 a.m., NULH101
TEXTBOOKS:
Genetics: Analysis & Principles, Chs 1-8, R.M. Booker, 2nd ed., 2005
Evolutionary Analysis, S. Freeman & J.C. Herron, 4th edition, 2007
Clicker: i>clicker (ISBN: 0-7167-7939-0) http://iclicker.com/
INTRODUCTION
The first part of this course is concerned with the basic principles of genetics. We will begin with the classic work of Mendel and will continue through the discoveries of modern genomics. The second part of the course deals with evolution. Evolution is a broad and exciting science. The study of evolution provides a view of the universe and of our place in the scheme of things. Evolutionary biology draws upon an incredibly vast number of scientific disciplines - astronomy, geology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, anthropology, botany, zoology - in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of the development of life on Earth.
These two topics - genetics and evolution - are treated as a single integrated field of scientific investigation. Genetic change is the basis of evolution. Our understanding of evolution, therefore, requires a basic understanding of genetics. The converse is true as well. The sequence of the entire human genome was published in 2001 (Venter et al., 2001, Science 291:1304-1351). Most of the 48 pages in this paper were devoted to applying the principles of evolution to understand this sequence and the functional basis of differences among individuals. The entire chimp genome was published in 2005 (Nature 437:69-87). The comparison of the genomes of these two closely related species has provided some exciting surprises about genetics and molecular evolution.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
This course will emphasize biological principles, scientific concepts, and the synthesis of information. Expected outcomes are to understand the fundamental mechanisms of inheritance, to understand the mechanisms of evolution, and to have a basic knowledge of the history of life on Earth. Exams will be designed to encourage synthesis of subject matter and not to simply test your ability to recall details.
LECTURES
Attendance at lectures is an important part of this course, and all students are expected to attend lectures regularly. Points will be included in your grade from participating in iClicker questions during lecture. Videos will also be used during some lectures; examples presented in these videos will sometimes be used as a basis for exam questions.
DISCUSSION GROUPS
The topic in these groups will vary from week to week, as shown on the discussion group schedule. Prior arrangements should be made with your teaching assistant if a discussion period will be missed. Your grade in the discussion group will be based on homework assignments, attendance, and participation in class discussions. Homework assignments will be available on Monday mornings in class and on the class web page; these assignments must be returned in lecture one week later on the following Monday. Answers to the homework assignments will be available by noon on Monday on the course web page so late assignments will not be accepted.
REVIEW SESSIONS
Optional weekly review sessions will meet on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. in NULH101. These provide an opportunity to ask Drs. Allendorf or McPhee questions on the lectures, readings, and problems.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Accommodations to ensure accessibility of students with disabilities will be gladly made, but to qualify you must be registered with Disability Services for Students (DSS). Arrangements for accommodations on exams must be through DSS.
Academic misconduct will be reported and handled as described in the University of Montana Student Conduct Code. All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University. All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code.
http://ordway.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/index.cfm/name/StudentConductCode
Dropping course or changing grading status will strictly follow the University policies and procedures, which are described in the catalog. Students should note that they cannot change to an audit after the 15th day of instruction. In addition, dropping the course or changing the grading status (to CR/NCR) are not automatically approved after the 30th day of the semester; these may be requested by petition, but the petition must be accompanied by documentation of extenuating circumstances. Requests to drop the course or change the grading status to benefit a student's grade point average will not be approved.
GRADES
Make-up exams in case of emergency or illness will only be given if arrangements are made prior to the exam. You must contact Dr. Allendorf at least one week before an exam if you need to make other arrangements to take an exam because you will be off campus because of other University activities (track, ROTC, etc.)
Grades will be based on the following 650 points:
(1) Two mid-term exams (100 points each; 200 points total)
(2) Discussion groups (125 points). Twelve sets of homework problems worth 10 points each will be assigned throughout the semester. A possible 100 points of your discussion grade will come from your ten highest homework scores. The remaining 50 points will be based on attendance and participation in discussions. Please tell your TA before class if you are not able to attend a meeting; five points will be subtracted from your grade for each discussion meeting you miss without informing the TA before the section meets.
(3) Highest two of three take home questions (25 points each; 50 points total).
(4) iClicker points (75 points)
( 5) Comprehensive final exam (200 points). One-half of this exam will focus on the material covered in the last third of the course, and the other half of the exam will test material covered throughout the semester.
The top 10 to 20 percentile of students in the class will receive a grade of A or A–.
The median score of the class will approximately define the partition between grades of B and C.
A total score of 325 points (50%) or less will be failing (grade of F).
Pluses (+) and minuses (–) will be used (A, A–, B+, B, B–, C+, C, C–, D+, D, and D–).
