Biology 4582
Investigative Techniques in Genetics 2009-2010
Prof. Shiva M. Singh, WSC 313, x83135, ssingh@uwo.ca
Rapid progress in the genetic science and its potential applications has spurred observers to predict that biology will be the foremost science of the 21st Century. The genetic and genomic research already had a major impact on research across ALL life sciences as a unifying force in biology. It has offered novel insights in the biological world and changed the way things are done in agriculture to environment, medicine to pharmaceuticals and reproduction to biotechnology. The scope of biotechnology industry doubles every five years. All of it is driven by discovery of the principles based on genetic technologies. They could be used for variety of applications, which will form the focus of this course.
Prerequisite: Enrolment in honors genetics program OR Special permission from the department
Course format: Lecture 1 hour/wk - Thurs 2.30-3.30pm in WSC 240 (fall term) and KB K203 (winter term). Labs are 3 hours/week (in the lab).
Lab time: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 2.30 to 5.30
(Students will attend their own section, one day per week)
Lab location: B&GS 3065
Methods of Evaluation
Category |
Term |
Marks |
Lab performance and participation |
Fall |
5% |
|
Winter |
5% |
Lab assignments (due at end of designated |
Fall |
5% |
labs) |
Winter |
5% |
Lab book |
Fall |
5% |
|
Winter |
5% |
Lab report |
Fall |
15% |
|
Winter |
15% |
First term exam |
|
10% |
Final exam |
|
30% |
Lab performance and participation (10%)
Your participation mark is based on your punctuality/presence in class, pre-lab preparation for the lab exercises, interpersonal skills, polite & courteous behavior towards others (teaching assistants and class mates), and contributions to class discussions and compliance with WHMIS.
Lab assignments (10%)
Throughout the year you will be given 4 lab assignments to complete and hand in at the end of appropriate lab exercise. These assignments will test how you are able to follow the lab protocols, background theory and the application of these techniques in solving genetic problems.
Lab books (10%)
A detailed record of your theory lectures and lab experiments will be documented in a bound book. A lab book serves as a single most valuable resource and reference for all activity during the course. A properly maintained lab book helps recall important information that would otherwise be lost.
Your lab book will
- Be up-to-date and neat, but NOT rewritten prior to submission
- Have numbered pages
- Have a table of contents at the beginning of the book
- Have all techniques clearly outlined prior to your arrival to the lab
- Outline the weekly purpose of the lab, results, interpretation and discussion
- Formulae, graphs, pictures etc. should be included in the appropriate week’s lab. Any references that were used should also be noted.
The lab books will be evaluated at the end of each term (date will be announced later). Your lab book may be checked during your lab to ensure that it is up-to-date.
Lab report (30%)
You need to prepare two lab reports one at the end of each term. The report will be written in the form of a research article containing abstract, introduction, result, procedure, discussion, conclusion and reference and will be based on your work in the labs. This exercise will train you how to present your own research work to the scientific community, better understand the genetic concept and how to better apply the genetic techniques learned throughout the course to solve real-life biological problems.
First term exam (10%)
This exam will be held at the end of the first term. Material covered in the lecture and labs will be tested.
Final exam (30%)
A three hour written final exam will be scheduled during the April 2010 exam period. Material from the theory lectures and lab experiments will be tested using short answer, definitions, multiple choice, etc.
Absence from lab (prior knowledge or sudden event): Prior to missed lab, student is to immediately inform Prof. Singh or Raihan Uddin by email of absence and schedule into another lab section in the same week. Due to the nature of the lab experiments and time constraint a lab can not be repeated after the designated week is over . Missed labs will be reflected on your participation and assignment marks.
Absence from mid-term and final exam (prior knowledge or sudden event): Prior to exam, student is to inform Prof Singh by email of absence, then immediately go to the Dean’s office with appropriate documentation. Note, 1) a makeup exam is scheduled as close to the original exam as possible, 2) a makeup exam is exempt from “three exams in 24 hours” conflicts.
Absence from lab, assignment or exams due to medical illness will be dealt with according to the University policy (https://studentservices.uwo.ca/secure/medical_accommodations_link_ for_OOR.pdf). Absence or late submission for labs, assignment or exams due to non-medical issue will be dealt with on individual basis that may include a grade of zero.
It is imperative that you approach each lab fully prepared. Each week’s results are dependent on the previous week’s result, so it is necessary that you complete all your lab work in the lab in order to move on to the next logical step. The course may occasionally require that you perform some procedures outside of your designated lab time to maintain the continuity of the experimental process. “Behind the scenes prep work” will be kept to a minimum so you can follow the experiment from start to finish.
