Bio4241 - Advanced Genetics - Winter 2012

Course Syllabus

Instructor:

            Dr. Steve Carr

            Sn-3020 (office), 864-4776

            email: scarr@mun.ca

Course webpage:

            http://www.mun.ca/biology/scarr/Bio4241.html

Part I: Presentation & Analysis of Classic Genetics Experiments:

            In groups of four, present a classic experiment in genetics, using the methods & experimental data from original scientific paper. 
                  One 60 mins @ + 10~15 mins  @ for questions.
            I will demonstrate the approach with a lecture on Luria & Delbruck (1943) in the first lecture.

            1. Consult original paper (provided as PDF).
                           Include historical background & scientific significance.

            2. Consult discussion in Bio2250 textbook as necessary
            3. Prepare a formal, web-based lecture [not PowerPoint] à la Biol2250

                         Methods, Data (Figures & Tables), Results & Conclusions from original.

                         Emphasize logic of experiment;
                         Provide a critical review of the experiment.

            4. Present the paper as a scientific experiment on its own terms
                         Provide necessary technical & mathematical background

Part II: Chapter Presentations from Griffiths et al. ussell 2006 Modern Genetic Analysis 2ndd ed.

       Chapter presentations will be evaluated based on scientific content, webpage organization, and oral presentation.

            10% of the mark for the presentation will be awarded if the web materials are up and all links work,

                                     48 hours ahead of presentation (Part I) or 12 noon Friday the previous week (Part II).

Grading Scheme:

            50% Class presentations

                         15% on Part I

                         35% on Part II
                         [10% of each mark for on-time web, as described above]

            20% Class participation

            10% Midterm (Essay-type)

            20% Final (Essay-type)

            Midterm & Final exams will be essay questions based on the presentations, and assigned as part of the presentations.

                 For the midterm exam, I will select three of these questions at random: you will write 2~3 page essays on any two of these of your choice. 

                 For the final, you will choose three essay topics among four possibilities.

                 I expect that the essays will be prepared ahead of time (you may bring outlines), and that the quality of the presentation will reflect this.

All text material ©2012 by Steven M. Carr