A note about Genetics 305: This course and Biology 211 are the final two courses in the Biology core curriculum. While some students are taking 211 concurrently, all students will have taken Biology 111 and Biology 112. I will assume that you have retained a basic knowledge of molecular biology and basic genetics from these courses. Thus, I will not be going over introductory subjects in detail in class. The lecture notes for each class period will outline the pre-reading and indicate which basic information will not be covered in class to help you prepare. The iClicker pre-lecture quiz will be based on some of this basic information. Exams and Grading: Your grade will consist of iClicker points, 4 homework assignments, a Quantitative Genetics Assignment, 4 in-class exams and a final exam. iClicker Questions: iClickers are required. Each class will start with a brief iClicker quiz based on the reading for that day’s class. These quizzes are both to help you gauge whether you are preparing well for class and for me to see how we are progressing with the material. We will also have iClicker questions interspersed throughout each class. To receive credit, you must register your iClicker on-line (www.iclicker.com/registration). You can use it before you register it, and your scores will be saved. But for those scores to be associated with your name -- to get your grade --you need to register. (Registering iClicker for Genetics) Your iClicker grade will be calculated as: (# correct answers)/(1/2 # of questions). In other words, if you get half of the iClicker questions correct your iClicker grade is 100%. Anything greater than that will be counted as extra credit. (For example if I ask 100 questions this semester and you get only 45 correct, your iClicker grade is 45/50 = 90%. If you get 80 of the 100 questions correct your iClicker grade is 80/50 = 160%). Because essentially half of the iClicker questions are extra credit, iClicker questions cannot be made up. Take Home assignments: These are graded problem sets that must be handed in before class begins on the date they are due. Papers handed in after class begins have a 5-point automatic deduction. A further 5 points will be deducted for each day that it is late. These are extended problems that will ask you to apply what you have learned. They are great examples of exam questions. Quantitative Genetics Assignment: We will be doing an extended Qunatitative Trait Loci (QTL) analysis and bioinformatics project for the last quarter of the semester. A write-up of the results of this work will be due on the last day of class. In-class Exams: The four midterm exams are non-cumulative and closed book. The final exam covers the QTL analysis/informatics material and it will have a few questions from previous exams. Exams will test your general knowledge of the material and also ask you to apply the concepts you have learned to longer problems. Learning genetics means that you will be able to look at new problems and situations and be able to apply your knowledge to solve them. Exams consist of multiple choice, short answer questions and written problems. Missing Exams: Students must provide a valid and documented excuse from the Undergraduate Dean’s Office for missing Assignments or Exams. Acceptable excuses include illness, personal tragedy or circumstances beyond the student’s control (This does not include over sleeping on exam day). Anyone who misses an exam or fails to hand in the take home assignments without an acceptable excuse will receive a grade of zero. Course Grade: There is no curve in this class; your grade depends only on your own performance in the class. Grades will be assigned based on the total points you have accumulated. Grade Breakdown: iClicker (10%), 4 exams (50%; 12.5% each), 4 Take Home Assignments (12%), QTL Assignment (13%), 1 Final exam (15%) To calculate your grade, multiply your grade for each exam or assignment times the percent it is worth and add that up. For example, if your exam grades are 56%, 65%, 63%, and 70%, and your take home assignments average 80%, and your QTL assignment was 90%, and your final exam was 75%, and your iClicker grade was 120%, then: Final Grade = (.125 x .56) + (.125 x .65) + (.125 x .63) + (.125 x .70) + (.12 x .80) + (.13 x .90) + (.15 x .75) + (.10 x 1.2) = Grading Scale: A (93.5-100), A- (90-93.49), B+ (88.5-89.9), B (83.5-88.49), B- (80-83.49), C+ (78.5-79.9), C (73.5-78.49), C- (70-73.49), D+ (68.5-69.9), D (63.5-68.49), D- (60-63.49), F (<60) Honor Code and Academic Integrity: Lying, cheating, attempted cheating, and plagiarism are violations of our Honor Code that, when identified, are investigated. Each instance is examined to determine the degree of deception involved. Incidents where I believe that a student’s actions are clearly related more to ignorance, miscommunication, or uncertainty, will be addressed by consultation with me. We will craft a written resolution designed to help prevent future repetition of this error in the future. This resolution, submitted by form and signed by both the student, and me is forwarded to the Dean of Students and remains on file. I will report cases of suspected academic dishonesty directly to the Dean of Students. A student found responsible for academic dishonesty will receive a XF in the course, indicating failure of the course due to academic dishonesty. This grade will appear on the student’s transcript for two years after which the student may petition for the X to be expunged. The student may also be placed on disciplinary probation, suspended (temporary removal) or expelled (permanent removal) from the College by the Honor Board. It is important for students to remember that unauthorized collaboration--working together without permission-- is a form of cheating. Unless I specify that you can work together on an assignment and/or test, no collaboration is permitted. Other forms of cheating include possessing or using an unauthorized study aid (such as a PDA), copying from another’s exam, fabricating data, and giving unauthorized assistance. You can find a complete version of the Honor Code and all related processes in the Student Handbook. Disability Statement: This College abides by section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act that stipulates no student shall be denied access to an education “solely by reason of a handicap.” Disabilities covered by law include, but are not limited to, learning disabilities and hearing, sight or mobility impairments. If you have a documented disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see an administrator at the Center of Disability Services, (843) 953-1431 and me so that such accommodation may be arranged.

Course Policies and Grading

A note about Genetics 305: This course and Biology 211 are the final two courses in the Biology core curriculum. While some students are taking 211 concurrently, all students will have taken Biology 111 and Biology 112. I will assume that you have retained a basic knowledge of molecular biology and basic genetics from these courses. Thus, I will not be going over introductory subjects in detail in class. The lecture notes for each class period will outline the pre-reading and indicate which basic information will not be covered in class to help you prepare. The iClicker pre-lecture quiz will be based on some of this basic information.

Exams and Grading: Your grade will consist of iClicker points, 4 homework assignments, a Quantitative Genetics Assignment, 4 in-class exams and a final exam.

iClicker Questions: iClickers are required. Each class will start with a brief iClicker quiz based on the reading for that day’s class. These quizzes are both to help you gauge whether you are preparing well for class and for me to see how we are progressing with the material. We will also have iClicker questions interspersed throughout each class. To receive credit, you must register your iClicker on-line (www.iclicker.com/registration). You can use it before you register it, and your scores will be saved. But for those scores to be associated with your name -- to get your grade --you need to register. (Registering iClicker for Genetics)

Your iClicker grade will be calculated as: (# correct answers)/(1/2 # of questions). In other words, if you get half of the iClicker questions correct your iClicker grade is 100%. Anything greater than that will be counted as extra credit. (For example if I ask 100 questions this semester and you get only 45 correct, your iClicker grade is 45/50 = 90%. If you get 80 of the 100 questions correct your iClicker grade is 80/50 = 160%). Because essentially half of the iClicker questions are extra credit, iClicker questions cannot be made up.

Take Home assignments: These are graded problem sets that must be handed in before class begins on the date they are due. Papers handed in after class begins have a 5-point automatic deduction. A further 5 points will be deducted for each day that it is late. These are extended problems that will ask you to apply what you have learned. They are great examples of exam questions.

Quantitative Genetics Assignment: We will be doing an extended Qunatitative Trait Loci (QTL) analysis and bioinformatics project for the last quarter of the semester. A write-up of the results of this work will be due on the last day of class.

In-class Exams: The four midterm exams are non-cumulative and closed book. The final exam covers the QTL analysis/informatics material and it will have a few questions from previous exams. Exams will test your general knowledge of the material and also ask you to apply the concepts you have learned to longer problems. Learning genetics means that you will be able to look at new problems and situations and be able to apply your knowledge to solve them. Exams consist of multiple choice, short answer questions and written problems.

Missing Exams: Students must provide a valid and documented excuse from the Undergraduate Dean’s Office for missing Assignments or Exams. Acceptable excuses include illness, personal tragedy or circumstances beyond the student’s control (This does not include over sleeping on exam day). Anyone who misses an exam or fails to hand in the take home assignments without an acceptable excuse will receive a grade of zero.

Course Grade: There is no curve in this class; your grade depends only on your own performance in the class. Grades will be assigned based on the total points you have accumulated.

Grade Breakdown: iClicker (10%), 4 exams (50%; 12.5% each), 4 Take Home Assignments (12%), QTL Assignment (13%), 1 Final exam (15%)

To calculate your grade, multiply your grade for each exam or assignment times the percent it is worth and add that up. For example, if your exam grades are 56%, 65%, 63%, and 70%, and your take home assignments average 80%, and your QTL assignment was 90%, and your final exam was 75%, and your iClicker grade was 120%, then:

Final Grade = (.125 x .56) + (.125 x .65) + (.125 x .63) + (.125 x .70) + (.12 x .80) + (.13 x .90) + (.15 x .75) + (.10 x 1.2) =

Grading Scale: A (93.5-100), A- (90-93.49), B+ (88.5-89.9), B (83.5-88.49), B- (80-83.49), C+ (78.5-79.9), C (73.5-78.49), C- (70-73.49), D+ (68.5-69.9), D (63.5-68.49), D- (60-63.49), F (<60)

Honor Code and Academic Integrity:

Lying, cheating, attempted cheating, and plagiarism are violations of our Honor Code that, when identified, are investigated. Each instance is examined to determine the degree of deception involved. Incidents where I believe that a student’s actions are clearly related more to ignorance, miscommunication, or uncertainty, will be addressed by consultation with me. We will craft a written resolution designed to help prevent future repetition of this error in the future. This resolution, submitted by form and signed by both the student, and me is forwarded to the Dean of Students and remains on file.

I will report cases of suspected academic dishonesty directly to the Dean of Students. A student found responsible for academic dishonesty will receive a XF in the course, indicating failure of the course due to academic dishonesty. This grade will appear on the student’s transcript for two years after which the student may petition for the X to be expunged. The student may also be placed on disciplinary probation, suspended (temporary removal) or expelled (permanent removal) from the College by the Honor Board.

It is important for students to remember that unauthorized collaboration--working together without permission-- is a form of cheating. Unless I specify that you can work together on an assignment and/or test, no collaboration is permitted. Other forms of cheating include possessing or using an unauthorized study aid (such as a PDA), copying from another’s exam, fabricating data, and giving unauthorized assistance.

You can find a complete version of the Honor Code and all related processes in the Student Handbook.

Disability Statement: This College abides by section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act that stipulates no student shall be denied access to an education “solely by reason of a handicap.” Disabilities covered by law include, but are not limited to, learning disabilities and hearing, sight or mobility impairments. If you have a documented disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see an administrator at the Center of Disability Services, (843) 953-1431 and me so that such accommodation may be arranged.