Molecular Genetics (Biol 318),  Spring, 2008

Instructor:        Dr. Reagan

                        NSC 216

                        Phone x3110

Email: mreagan@csbsju.edu  (I would prefer that you use email to contact me, I am much more likely to respond promptly to email.)

Office Hours:  I am no longer having formal office hours.  Any time I am in my office feel free to come in talk to me.  I might not be able to talk to you at that exact minute, but we can set up a time to talk. Otherwise, make an appointment that will fit my schedule and yours.  Look at my homepage for my teaching schedule this semester and lets find a time that works for both of us.

Textbook:         Genetics: From Genes to Genomes  3^rd ed. by Hartwell, Hood, Goldberg, Reynolds, Silver and Veres.

Course website:

http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/mreagan/Bio318.htm

Also be sure to check out the ANNOUNCEMENTS page before readings! 

Learning Objectives:

Facts to be understood and memorized:

�         Understand nucleic acid structure

�         Understand recombinant DNA techniques

�         Understand gene expression and the control of gene expression

�         Understand the cell cycle

�         Understand DNA replication and repair

�         Understand the nature of the cancer cell

�         Understand the techniques of genomics and proteomics

Higher-order skills that cannot be memorized but must be mastered:

�         Be able to interpret experimental results

�         Learn modern lab techniques for manipulating nucleic acids

�         Be able to use nucleic acid and protein databases and computational tools

�         Be able to read and interpret primary literature

Grading

Note that we will have three exams during the semester, plus one comprehensive final exam.  The exams will be taken when scheduled except by prior arrangement or in cases of medical emergency, with a note from a physician.  The breakdown of what each graded portion of the course is worth will be close to the following:

Each of the three semester exams will be approximately 15% of your grade.

The final exam will be worth approximately 22% of your grade.

The lab and homework/assignments will be worth approximately 30% of your grade.

Tentative Grade Cutoffs (%)

93+      A                    

88-92   AB                  73-77   C

83-87   B                     68-72   CD

78-82   BC                   60-67   D

I really want you to be in the habit of turning assignments in on time, so there will be a 10% per day penalty for late assignments including homework, lab reports, and whatever else applies here.

Reading Schedule