Genetics Courses
01:146:447 2018 Syllabus
Four modules
- Module 1 – Stem cells, non-neuronal cells in the CNS & Disease
- Instructor: Grumet
- The origin of the central nervous system (CNS)
- Cells: Astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, stem cells
- Myelin diseases of the CNS (multiple sclerosis & GBS)
- Brain tumors and stem cells (glioblastoma & medulloblastoma)
- Delivery of therapies (Stem cells)
- Module 2 – CNS injury
- Instructor: Young
- Spinal cord injury
- The responses of neurons and non-neurons to trauma
- The attempts at repair
- The impediments to repair
- The prospects for the future
- Clinical Trials
- Module 3 –Intracellular mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases
- Instructor: Cai
- Organelle transport for normal neuronal function
- Autophagy-lysosomal regulation in health and diseases
- Mitochondrial dynamics and quality control in health and diseases
- ALS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s diseases
- Module 4 – Neurotrophins & Adhesion Molecules in Regeneration
- Instructor: Schachner
- Repellent and attractive cell adhesion molecules
- Synaptic plasticity
- CNS & PNS Regeneration
- Neurotrophins (Alder)
- Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders (Samuels)
01:447:415 Thesis Writing and Communication in Genetics
- Assists students with their honors project. Emphasis will be on analysis of research data and writing the discussion. Student will be expected to complete their results and discussion sections of their thesis. Students will also prepare both a fifteen minute platform talk and a much longer talk for their thesis defense. Finally, they will prepare a poster that explains their research to the general public.
- Semester Offered: Spring
- Credits: 1.5
Prerequisites
Concurrent registration in 447:409 (or equivalent college-based Honors Program); By special permission number only.
Course Description
Assists students with their honors project. Emphasis will be on analysis of research data and writing the discussion. Student will be expected to complete their results and discussion sections of their thesis. Students will also prepare both a fifteen minute platform talk and a much longer talk for their thesis defense. Finally, they will prepare a poster that explains their research to the general public.
The course is being offered in-person. Although this course will be given in-person, there is always the possibility of a class cancellation because of inclement weather (e.g., snow) or other issues (e.g., COVID outbreak). In this case, lectures and discussions during class will transition to being synchronous and live using Zoom. The recurring “join meeting” Meeting ID, Passcode, and URL for accessing the class on Zoom will be available as an announcement on the course Canvas site and sent to students’ email. It is incumbent on the student to check their email and the Canvas course site announcements before each class to determine if a class will be held via Zoom as an alternative.
Course Satisfies Genetics Departmental Learning Goals
1. Effectively incorporate critiques from peers and faculty in their revision of written and oral communication.
2. Effectively describe their research, using relevant discipline-specific terminology with precision, accuracy & purpose.
3. Accurately and effectively present advanced scientific concepts through oral presentations and poster formats.
Course Satisfies SAS Core Learning Goals:
Writing and Communication, Revision (WCr)
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy
Grades will be based on attendance, participation/presentation, and homework. Since this course requires participation and presentations, attendance is mandatory.
Course Materials
No required textbook
Course Closed?
Registration is by SPN only. This course is only for Genetics majors. Please contact the Genetics Department undergraduate office for an SPN.
Faculty
Dr. Chris Rongo
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.
01:447:414 Thesis Writing and Communication in Genetics
- Assists students with writing their honors thesis in the form of a published research article. Students will review examples of published research articles, and will use them as a guide to write the following sections of their thesis: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods and Literature Cited. The Results and Discussion sections of their thesis will be completed in the next course in the sequence. This is the first part of a two-semester sequence (414-415). For seniors completing Departmental Honors; by Special Permission only.
- Semester Offered: Fall
- Credits: 1.5
Prerequisites
Concurrent registration in 447:408, Honors in Genetics Research. By special permission number only. Please see the Genetics Dept. SPN website for information.
Course Description
Assists students with writing their honors thesis in the form of a published research article. Students will review examples of published research articles, and will use them as a guide to write the following sections of their thesis: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods and Literature Cited. The Results and Discussion sections of their thesis will be completed in the next course in the sequence. This is the first part of a two-semester sequence (414-415). For seniors completing Departmental Honors; by Special Permission only.
Course Syllabus
Learning Goals
This course has been certified as satisfying the following learning goals of the Department of Genetics and the SAS Core Curriculum Goals
- Use genetics information and ideas to critically analyze published research articles in genetics.
- Design an experiment, carry out the research using the appropriate laboratory techniques and analyze and interpret their data.
- Communicate their discoveries through a written article appropriate for publication in a peer-reviewed Genetics journal, and through talks or posters appropriate for scientific meetings.
SAS Core Learning Goals:
This course satisfies the SAS requirement for "Cognitive Skills and Processes: Discipline-Based Writing and Communication [WCd]".
- Communicate effectively in modes appropriate to a discipline or area of inquiry.
- Evaluate and critically assess sources and use the conventions of attribution and citation
correctly. - Analyze and synthesize information and ideas from multiple sources to generate
new insights.
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy
Weekly assignments to read, write, review, and rewrite.
Course Closed?
To request an SPN, please see the Genetics Dept. SPN website for special permission.
Course Materials
Articles from the published literature available from the Library of Science and Medicine website.
No required textbook. Reference book in Library of Science of Medicine: Hofmann, A.H. 2014. Scientific Writing and Communication: Papers, Proposals, and Presentations. 2nd edition. Oxford University Press, NY. Paper. ISBN 978-0-19-994756-0.
Faculty
Dr. David E. Axelrod, Department of Genetics, Nelson Biolabs, Room B341
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.
01:447:410 Research in Genetics -Writing Intensive
- Assists students with their Honors project. Emphasis will be on analysis of research data and writing the discussion. Student will be expected to complete their results and discussion sections of their thesis. Students will also prepare both a fifteen minute platform talk and a much longer talk for their thesis defense. Finally, they will prepare a poster that explains their research to the general public.
- Semester Offered: Spring
- Credits: 1.5
Prerequisites
Concurrent registration in 447:409 (or equivalent college-based Honors Program); By special permission number only.
Course Description
Assists students with their Honors project. Emphasis will be on analysis of research data and writing the discussion. Student will be expected to complete their results and discussion sections of their thesis. Students will also prepare both a fifteen minute platform talk and a much longer talk for their thesis defense. Finally, they will prepare a poster that explains their research to the general public.
Course Syllabi
Course Satisfies Genetics Departmental Learning Goals
- Effectively incorporate critiques from peers and faculty in their revision of written and oral communication.
- Effectively describe their research, using relevant discipline-specific terminology with precision, accuracy & purpose.
- Accurately and effectively present advanced scientific concepts through oral presentations and poster formats.
Course Satisfies SAS Core Learning Goals:
Writing and Communication, Revision (WCr)
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy
Grades will be based on attendance, participation/presentation, and homework. Since this course requires participation and presentations, attendance is mandatory.
Course Materials
No required textbook
Course Closed?
Registration is by SPN only. This course is only for Genetics majors. Please contact
Faculty
Dr. Gary Heiman
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.
01:447:216 Analysis of Scientific Literature
- Two exams (each worth 25% of the final grade) will be given. Exams will be open book. Class attendance/participation contributes 10% to the final grade. Homework assignments and notes kept in a notebook will contribute 40% to the final grade. Notebooks will be collected and graded twice during the semester.
- Semester Offered: Spring
- Credits: 3
- Course URL: Sakai
Prerequisites
General Biology (01:119:115-116-117 or 01:119:101-102) or equivalent. Highly recommended: 01:694:215
Course Description
Two exams (each worth 25% of the final grade) will be given. Exams will be open book. Class attendance/participation contributes 10% to the final grade. Homework assignments and notes kept in a notebook will contribute 40% to the final grade. Notebooks will be collected and graded twice during the semester.
Course Syllabus
Course URL
Sakai
Course Satisfies Departmental Learning Goals
- Knowledge specific goals: Know the terms, concepts and theories in genetics. While reading assigned papers, students will be introduced to terms, concepts and theories in genetics and molecular biology.
- Use genetic information and ideas to critically analyze published research articles in genetics. Students will participate in group discussion on each assigned paper.
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy
Two exams (each worth 25% of the final grade) will be given. Class participation/homework/notebooks will make up 50% of the final grade.
Course Materials
Several papers from primary literature will be chosen at the beginning of the semester.
Course Closed?
If this course is closed, please use the following link to add your name to the course wait list: Wait List Sign Up for Spring 2023 Courses. If you have any questions, please contact the Division of Life Sciences-Office of Undergraduate Instruction at 848-445-2075 or visit our office at Nelson Labs B112, Busch Campus.
Faculty
Dr. D. Glodowski
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.