BIOLOGY 343 – GENETICS  14472 Section 001

Spring 2005, See Blackboard site for more details

Professor:  Dr. Greg Hampikian                   Office:  SN-212

Phone:  426-4992 but email is best (greghampikian@boisestate.edu)

Lecture Hours: 12:15-1:30pm Tu, Th, E110  

Office Hours: 10:30am-12:00pm Tu, Th, or by appointment
Email: greghampikian@boisestate.edu

Teaching Assistant: Holli Shultz                   Office and Lab:  SN-248

Office Phone:  283-8773
Problem sessions: Friday 1:00-2:00 PM

Office Hours: M and W 10AM-Noon         Email: hollishultz@lycos.com

Textbook:  iGenetics by  Peter J. Russell, 1^st Edition, 2002.
Prerequisites/Corequisite: CHEM 317 & Prerequisite BIOL 301

You can not pick up the paper today without seeing some reference to genetics: forensic science, medical breakthroughs, cloning, stem cells, arguments over nurture and nature.  And this is just the beginning.  In fact, many have predicted that this century will be the century of genetic science.  The foundation for this bold proclamation was laid by an unrecognized genius, the monk and science teacher, Gregor Mendel.  We will explore the amazing strides made in this field since Mendel first proposed what became the basic laws of genetics.  The course focuses on molecular and transmission genetics, but will address other aspects of this amazing science.

ASESSMENT

3 EXAMS                    200 Points each            600 Points

Human Disease report                                      100 Points

Final EXAM                                                     200 Points

Daily Quizzes, Homework, Class activities        100

                                                                        1000 Course points

Bring your textbook and a RED PEN to each class, and sign up for the Free New York Times @  nyt.com

Discussion: The class meeting is a time of discussion.  Opinions are welcome as long as they are concise, based on sound reasoning, and encourage scrutiny.  The Professor’s job in such discussions is to involve as many as possible.  We will open most meetings with a two minute debate, on any Genetics related issue.

Extra Credit is available* for stumping the professor and researching the answer, and for asking intelligent questions of other students during their presentations.

*awarded at the professor’s discretion

Tentative Lecture Schedule, Spring 2005
Objectives and homework will be posted on Blackboard each week

To score well on assessments:

·        Be able to define and use the chapter vocabulary words in bold

·        Master the homework problems

·        Master the objectives

·        Study all figures and tables pointed out by your professor

·        TALK the talk, verbal learning is essential to subject mastery

Don’t forget, you are required to:

·        Sign up for the New York Times at nyt.com, and look over the science headlines each week

·        Get a red pen for in-class quizzes

Homework is listed on the objectives page on Blackboard. 

For the assigned chapter problems, make sure that you put your name and chapter # at the top of every page, TRY every assigned problem, and staple your work.  Homework problems will be collected at the beginning of each exam.

STUDY Groups have been shown to be the most effective way for students to improve their mastery.  I will assist you in forming a group.