Principles of Genetics

Teaching and learning methods and activities includes, i.a.

lectures with a multimedia presentations, discussions and problem-based learning.

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Principles of Genetics is an upper level survey course in the field of modern genetics. The course will cover a broad range of topics including Mendelian inheritance, linkage, mapping, DNA and chromosome structure and function, gene expression and regulation, population genetics, polygenic inheritance and biotechnology. We will study basic genetics principles in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, and in crosses between specific individuals as well as genetics of populations.

The course covers, among others, the following issues:

- Model Organisms, Mitosis and Meiosis, Transmission Genetics, Chi-square analysis;

- Sex Determination, Sex Linkage, Pedigree Analysis, Genetic Testing, Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance, Sex Limited Traits, Sex Influenced Traits, Cytoplasmic Inheritance and Maternal Effect, Epistasis;

- Linkage and Chromosome Mapping (including Two and Three point Mapping and Reverse Mapping), Variations in Chromosome Number and Structure: Chromosome Aberrations, Aneuploidy and Polyploidy;

- Bacterial Genetics and Gene Transfer and Mapping in Bacteria; Prokaryotic Gene Regulation, Eukaryotic Gene Regulation, Epigenetics, Genetics of the Immune System, Developmental Genetics

- DNA as the Genetic Material, Important Genetics Experiments/Researchers

DNA Structure, Chromosome Structure, Transposable Elements;

- Replication, Transcription, RNA Types and RNA Processing, The Genetic Code and Translation, Problems involving Transcription and Translation;

- Biochemical Pathways, Mutation, Mutagens and Repair Mechanisms, Quantitative Genetics and Cancer Genetics;

- Evolutionary Genetics and Phylogeny, Population Genetics, Biotechnology

Required Text: Genetics: A conceptual Approach, 6th ed., by Benjamin Pierce, 2017 (ISBN: 978-1-319-05096-2)

Lecture Slides: Lecture slides will be posted online prior to class.

On successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:

1) Define the basic principles of genetics gained in classroom lectures, textbook readings, and homework exercises;

2) Explain the scientific process and how genetic principles have emerged from many scientists’ work by the integration of observational and experimental evidence with logical analysis;

3) Use critical-thinking skills and problem-solving skills gained in this study of genetics;

4) Analyze the crucial role that genetics plays in different areas of biology and integrate a strong foundation in genetics with subsequent coursework in biology and

5) Apply knowledge of genetics to problem solving in areas such as agriculture, medicine and society.

The final grade is the result of the sum of the points scored by the student for five tests (each for 100 points, a maximum) and fifteen homework (each for 10 points, maximum). In total, there are 650 points to get. Then, the points earned are converted into grades according to the following ranges:

Unsatisfactory (niedostateczny, ndst; 2.0) - Bellow 331.5 pts; Satisfactory (dostateczny, dst, 3.0) - 331.5 - <396.5 pts; Satisfactory plus (dostateczny plus, dst +; 3.5) - 396.5 - <461.5 pts; Good (dobry, db; 4.0) - 461,50 - <526.5 pts; Good plus (dobry plus, db +; 4.5) - 526.5 - <585 pts; Very good (bardzo dobry, bdb; 5.0) - 585 - 650 pts.