Lecture Instructor: Dr. Karla Fuller
Lab Instructor: Prof. Ashfaq Khan
This is an in-person course. Lectures and labs will be held in-person unless otherwise specified.
Course Overview: This course will provide students with an understanding of the principles and concepts of genetics, including the principles of heredity, including gene transmission, mutation, recombination, and function. The course will also explore ethical issues related to the field of research genetics and the implications of the use of genetics in treating modern disease.
Catalogue Description: This course is recommended for students who wish to pursue a degree in the biological sciences and/or professional school (i.e., medical school, pharmacy school). Students who take this course will gain an understanding of the principles of heredity, including gene transmission, mutation, recombination and function. The course will use current issues in genetics research to explore ethical issues related to the use of genetics in modern medicine.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
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- Use the knowledge of Mendelian and non-Mendelian modes of inheritance to track alleles through generations and categorize and predict genotypes and phenotypes.
- Describe the basic structure and function of DNA and chromosomes and explain how chromosomes move through mitosis and meiosis.
- Use the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium equation to understand populations.
- Describe the molecular processes of DNA replication, transcription and translation as well as the important characteristics of the genetic code.
- Describe the steps in making a genetically modified organism and be able to predict the outcome of making a mistake in the process.
- Articulate the linkages between genetic mutations and evolution.
- Use the genetic codes of organisms to describe relationships between species.
Required Texts: This is a Zero Textbook Cost Course. OER Reading materials will be provided by the instructor and posted online.
Required Materials: All students must have access to Blackboard and reliable internet for work outside of class.
Additional Materials: Students should also have a dedicated notebook and folder for the course. Highlighters, colored pencils/markers/crayons will be helpful, but are not required.
Course Communication: We will be communicating with you regarding grades and assignments via Blackboard and Starfish. Please sign up for alerts in both and check your Guttman email daily.
Contact Technical Support @ [email protected] for issues with email, Blackboard or college laptops.
Course Assignments: Although this course has separate lecture and lab sessions, the work in these two sections is combined for one grade.
Lecture assignments (15%). This category includes any homework assigned in the lecture session, learning activities (group or solo) that occur during the lecture and homework assigned for post-lecture. Students may be asked to revise some assignments to ensure that they are meeting the course learning outcomes
Quizzes (15%). This category includes any quizzes in the lab and lecture sessions. Students should expect one quiz at the beginning of each session.
Module Assessments (20%). There will be an assessment at the end of each module. These assignments may be take home or posted online. They are listed in the course schedule.
Labs (50%). This category includes both lab assignments, lab reports and lab presentations. After each lab session, students will be required to report their work. These reports allow opportunities for feedback and keep students on track to complete their lab projects successfully and in a timely manner.
The fine print (GCC Policies and Procedures)
Attendance Policy: Success in this course is dependent on your active participation. You are expected to arrive to each class session on time. Activities during class are almost always graded and will not be available for make-up due to absence.
Late Work/Make-up Policy: All assignments, quizzes, and exams are due by the posted deadlines. Please plan accordingly, and complete these assignments in advance of their deadlines to ensure any unanticipated circumstances do not result in a missed assignment. User error does not qualify you for any kind of makeup or retake opportunity.
Completing and submitting the assignments or assessments by the due date is the sole responsibility of you. If you receive an incomplete score because of failure to submit in Blackboard by the due date, then your score for that assignment will be recorded as “zero.”
We understand that we are in COVID/Flu/RSV/MonkeyPox season and personal illness may impede your ability to turn in assignments or take exams. Late assignments or exams will be accepted if the following three requirements are met:
- You must provide documentation to explain why you cannot turn the assignment/take the exam on time (ie. Positive covid test results; CUNY COVID testing notice; Travel is not ever an acceptable reason for a late assignment or missed exam).
- You must contact your instructors in advance of the assignment or exams deadline to make arrangements for its completion.
- You must complete assessments within the week following its due date.
Expectations for your Instructors: As learning facilitators, we will, provide an organized, engaging learning environment, answer questions appropriately, be fair and objective in grading, provide timely and useful feedback on assignments and treat each of you with respect.
