Biology 106 - Human Genetics
Spring 2004

Professor Rich Legg
Lewis Hall 210
Phone: 333-6369
Class time: MWF 900-950
Office Hours: MWF 10-12
Email at LeggRichardG@sau.edu
Rich Legg’s WWW home: web.sau.edu/LeggRichardG/

Course Materials

Lewis, Ricki. 2003. Human Genetics: Concepts and Applications, Fifth Edition. McGraw-Hill.

Course Outline

We will be approaching the course material in the same general order as presented in the text. This ordering allows us to separate the two major realms of genetics, classical and molecular genetics (Don't worry! You'll learn all of the chemistry that you'll need in this course.) as well as observe the historical development of genetics. The major findings of classical genetics were confirmed by later developments in molecular genetics and an understanding of both levels will allow us to interpret phenomena with descriptions at these different levels. After acquiring a basic understanding of genetics, we'll turn our attention to modern genetic technology and other specialized topics.

Topic Outline	Chapters
Intro to Transmission Genetics	1-7
Molecular Genetics and Gene Action	9-12
Frontiers of Genetic Technology	18-22
Immunity & Cancer Genetics	16-17
Population Genetics	13-15

Evaluation Protocols

Examinations

There will be four examinations in this course. Three will be given during the semester and be spaced at approximately equal intervals throughout the semester. The fourth examination will be given during final exam week. Specific dates for each examination will be announced well in advance of the date for each exam. The detailed structure of each exam as well as its ground rules will also be described at that time. Typically, exams will involve some problem-solving, case analysis, and testing over basic terms and concepts.  Group work, sometimes on selected questions and take-home questions, as well as group test-taking will be used on some exams.  You may find an example of a previous semester’s exam on the course’s WWW page.  While in-semester examinations will cover directly only that material covered since the preceding exam, you should recognize that the study of genetics is a cumulative one, and that the concepts and knowledge that you acquire early in the course are essential to your mastering later ideas. All examinations will be equally weighted and together will account for 80% of your course grade.

Participation

I view learning as a cooperative process and believe that students play an active role in each other's education as well as my own. I strongly encourage you to participate in class whenever possible and appropriate. I hope that our classroom will be a place where you will feel free to express yourself. Class discussions, both in small groups and whole-class discussions, will occupy a significant amount of class time. You will be graded upon your participation in this course and this grade will contribute 20% toward the determination of your final course grade.

Final grades for the course will be assigned according to the following scale.

Percentage	Grade
90	A
82-89	B+
77-81	B
70-76	C+
65-69	C
55-64	D
<55	F

Attendance Policy

Given my belief in the cooperative nature of education, I believe that it is imperative that you both attend and play an active role in every class period. I recognize, however, that extraordinary circumstances may prevent you from making every class. Class attendance will be recorded and excessive absences will receive a substantial grade penalty. Each student is entitled to three absences from the lecture/discussion periods. There are no excused absences from these periods. Additional absences beyond the allowed three will be penalized at the rate of 1 percentage point being deducted from your overall class average for each additional absence. You must attend each examination and there will be no make-up examinations scheduled during the semester. If you miss an examination, your score on the section of the final comprehensive examination which covers the missed material will serve as a substitute grade.

Office Hours

My office is located in Lewis Hall, Room 210. My office hours for spring '04 are MF from 1000-1200, and Tu 930-1030.  If you need to see me, please feel free to stop in at any time as I am usually on campus every day from no later than 8:00 a.m. until at least 3:00 p.m. My teaching schedule is affixed to my door. There is also a pad for messages or a message may be left by voicemail (x6369) or Email. In desperation, you may leave a message for me on my home phone answering machine.

Students with Disabilities

If you require any accommodations to meet the requirements for this class, please inform me and I will work with you and the Office for Students with Disabilities to ensure that you will be able to perform as well as you can.