SYLLABUS
BIOLOGY 260 - HUMAN GENETICS
Spring, 1999

INSTRUCTORDr. Vicente Lombraña, Jr.
                                 Science Center, Room 144
                                 Phone:  439-3775, 439-3761 (Home:  434-3152)
                                 e-mail:  lombrana@nmsua.nmsu.edu
                                 Home Page:  http://alamo.nmsu.edu/~vlombran

                                 Office Hours:  To Be Announced

COURSEHuman Genetics   3 cr.
                       A one term course in human genetics for science and non science
                       majors.

PREREQUISITEBiology 111G (Natural History of Life)

RATIONALEHuman Genetics is a discussion of basic aspects of human
                               inheritance.  The course is intended for science and health careers majors,
                               and for non science majors who have a serious interest in human genetics.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:   The major goal of this course is to provide students  with a
                                                     general introduction to human genetics and human genetic
                                                     disorders.  Major topics of discussion include cell division,
                                                     chromosomes, chromosome structure, transmission genetics,
                                                     pedigree analysis, single gene effects, sexual differentiation,
                                                     sex linked inheritance, complex traits, cytogenetics, DNA
                                                     structure and replication, gene expression, genetically based
                                                     metabolic disorders, recombinant DNA technology, the
                                                     genetics of cancer, immunogenetics, genetic screening, and
                                                     genetic counseling.

DAY/TIMEPLACE Section 01:  T,Th / 7:20-8:35 PM / SC 114
                                         Section 02:  T,Th / 9:00 - 10:15 AM / TBA

TEXTHuman Heredity:  Principles and Issues by Michael R. Cummings, 4th ed.
               NOTE:  Always bring your text to class.

GRADESThere will be four exams, each worth 100 points.  Exams II - IV will be
                       comprehensive.  Approximately 15% to 25% of the questions on each of these
                       three exams will be based on previously covered material.  The remaining 75%
                       to 85% of each of these three exams will be based on new material.  In addition
                       to the four exams, students will also be expected to complete, and turn in,
                       regularly assigned, internet-based homework assignments.  Collectively, the
                       assignments will be worth the equivalent of one regular exam (i.e., 100 points).
                       In most cases, the assignments will involve accessing human genetics related
                       information through the HGI (Human Genetics on the Internet) home page
                       (http://alamo.nmsu.edu/~vlombran/Genetics.htm/).  The final grade will be based
                       on the total accumulation of exam and assignment scores (expressed as a
                       percentage of a maximum of 500 points).

                      There will be NO MAKEUP FOR MISSED EXAMS.  If you have a
                      written medical excuse or notice of family catastrophe, AND IF YOU
                      HAVE  COMPLETED A NOTICE OF ABSENCE FORM, a missed
                      exam grade may be dropped from calculation of the final grade.  If you know
                      that you must miss an exam, CONTACT THE INSTRUCTOR AS SOON
                      AS POSSIBLE.  Students will be penalized for all late homework assignments.
                      Cheating will result in a zero for the exam and possible dismissal from the class.

GRADING SCALE
90.00-100.00 = A
80.00- 89.99 = B
70.00-79.99 = C
60.00- 69.99 = D
0.00- 59.99 = F

                       The grade of  I (incomplete) will only be given for passable work that could not
                       be completed due to circumstances beyond the student's control.  Examples of
                       appropriate circumstances include documented illness, documented death or
                       crisis in the student's immediate family, and similar circumstances.  Job related
                       circumstances are generally not appropriate grounds for assigning an I grade.
                       In no case is an I grade to be used to avoid the assigning of D, F, U, or RR
                       grades for marginal or failing work.  For more information regarding the NMSU
                       grading system, see page 16 of the 1998-1999 New Mexico State
                       Undergraduate Catalog.

                       STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:  If you have a disability, you may wish
                       to self identify.  You can do so by providing documentation to the Counselor
                       for Special Populations, Mr. Jim Payne (phone:  439-3720).
                       Appropriate accommodations may then be provided for you.

                       If you have a condition which may affect your ability to exit safely from the
                       premises in case of an emergency, or which may cause an emergency during
                       class, you are encouraged to discuss this in confidence with the instructor and/or
                       the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator.  If you have general
                       questions about the ADA, call the ADA Coordinator, Doris Lynch, at
                       439-3716.  All medical information will be held in strict confidence.

ATTENDANCEStudents are expected to attend all lecture sessions. PUNCTUALITY
                                  AND REGULAR ATTENDANCE ARE ESSENTIAL FOR
                                  SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE.  IF YOU
                                  MISS A CLASS, YOU SHOULD COMPLETE A NOTICE OF
                                  ABSENCE FORM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (IF POSSIBLE,
                                  WITHIN 24 TO 48 HOURS OF MISSING THE CLASS).  THE
                                  NOTICE OF ABSENCE FORM CAN BE COMPLETED ANY
                                  TIME DURING MY SCHEDULED OFFICE HOURS.
                                  Students who chronically disrupt class by either arriving to class late or
                                  by leaving class early will not be tolerated.

CLASSROOM RULES(1)  There is no smoking, eating, or drinking in any room
                                                        of the Science Center.

                                                 (2)  PLEASE REFRAIN FROM TALKING WHILE THE
                                                        INSTRUCTOR IS LECTURING.  Excessive and/or
                                                        loud talking is DISTRACTING AND ANNOYING.

                                                 (3)  Once the lecture has started, please make every
                                                        effort to remain in the classroom until the end of class.

                                                 (4)  If you miss a class, see the instructor as soon as
                                                       possible so that you can make arrangements to
                                                       complete a notice of absence form.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTSSpelling counts!  If you are not sure about the correct
                                                             spelling (or meaning) of a term, check the glossary at
                                                             the end of your text.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCYIf someone in your family needs to contact you in an
                                                           emergency, use the following telephone numbers:

                                                           DAYTIME:  439-3720
                                                           EVENING:  439-3751 or 439-3761

                                                           To expedite finding you in the evening, the person calling
                                                           should know the class that you are attending (for
                                                           example, Biology 260-01).
 
 
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 INSTRUCTOR'S HOME PAGE