| IST 241 | INTRODUCTION TO DNA CLONING | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Class Schedule
Biotech Links: LifeEdu A nice web page with links to MANY other Biotechnology Resources Howard Hughes Medical Institute Biointeractive site has many virtual labs and videos. Bioethics Links Center for Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania Syllabus Course Title and Number: IST 241 Introduction to DNA Cloning Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Murray 241 G BBSC Office: 696-3515 Cell: 617-6198 Office Hours: MWF 10-11 T/Th 9-10 AM Make an appointment to see me at other times.
Course Description: IST 241 Catalog Description Basic Molecular Genetics. Topics include DNA, RNA and Protein Structure and Function, Microbiology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Gene Regulation, Molecular Biology Applications in agriculture, medicine and industry. Hands-on DNA cloning lab. Credit Hours: 4 Prerequisites: None for IST 241 Required Text: DNA Science: A First Course, Second EditionDavid Micklos, Greg A. Freyer, David A. Crotty Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Additional Study Aids: Instructor provided protocols, worksheets and laboratory notes. On-line Internet resources, including biotechnology company websites, technical information, tutorials and simulations will be provided in WebCT Vista. Computer Requirements: Access to a Pentium computer with WebCT, Internet, and current Marshall Microsoft Windows packages. Desired Learner Outcomes/Objectives: Learn the basics of cell biology, cloning and stem cell biology Learn the basics of molecular biology
Learn theory behind methods of Molecular Biology including
Learn practical, hands on methods used in the Molecular Biology Lab:
Learn about Social Legal and Ethical implications of:
Evaluation/Measurement of Learner Outcomes: Grading Policy: • Tests: 50% • Lab 25% • Lab Report 5% • Problem Sets/Reflection papers/Case Studies: 15% • Attendance/Participation 5% Course will be graded by 1000 points. A= ≤ 900 points B= ≤ 800 points C= ≤ 700 points D= ≤ 600 points F= ≤ 500 points Tests: 500 points • Tests and Quizzes: 50% of your grade for a total of 500 points of 1000. • First Tests: 100 Points • Second Test: 125 Points • Third Test 125 Points • Final: 150 Points • All tests are Cumulative. This is a good thing! You can improve your grade by relearning the material you got wrong on earlier tests. • Old tests will be posted on Web CT Vista for review. • Tests will have 50% short answer questions: multiple choice and True/False and if false, why. I almost always have an extra credit question worth about 5%. • I like history, but history isn’t on the tests. Science concepts are easier to understand with a historical explanation, however. I emphasize active learning-learning by doing. This material is difficult and confusing at times. Nature made DNA tricky and it easy to write what seem like trick questions. You will gradually get better at taking the tests. Later tests are worth more points since they include more material and hence reward you for learning more. At the beginning of each set of PowerPoint slides, I will define what I hope you will have taken from the day’s lecture. These important concepts will be material covered on the tests. A tutor should be available for helping students study material. There will be a review session before all tests. I sometimes give a take-home retest for 50% makeup credit if I think some people are missing the point on a given test. I prefer relearning the material to curving. Lab 30% (300 points) • Lab is the most important part of the class! Lab will help you really understand course content. Lab material always shows up on tests. Try not to miss- It can’t be made up. • Lab may last somewhat longer than 10:50 if students aren’t prepared. Prepare by reading lab materials before class. While we won’t TRY to keep you late, don’t plan to walk out and leave a mess or an experiment not completed. • Lab Assignments and Attendance (200 points). Every lab will include short in-lab assignments to analyze data and answer questions about the lab. They can’t be made up. Lab checks include analysis of data generated for the class labs. They may include short problem sets, answering questions in the lab manual, analysis of data generated in the lab and attendance and participation. Each student will be assigned a folder to put in materials and should check for graded materials. • Lab Report (50 points) You will write one formal lab reports based on analyzing the human DNA sequence data we generate in lab. A lab report grading matrix will be posted in WebCT Vista. Lab reports can be rewritten once for an improved grade. • Laboratory management: (35 points). In the first week, students will sign up for a two weeks of “lab prep”- preparing lab materials and getting together equipment and supplies for the lab. The schedule will be posted in WebCT Vista. This is expected to be two additional hours out of class in the week you are assigned to do this. This schedule will be developed during the first class. Students will meet with instructor or TA to schedule this time. If you don’t show up, you lose these points. Students can exchange time slots, but let instructors know. • Safety, Cleanliness (15 points) You will lose these points for eating/drinking in the lab or not cleaning up! Case Studies/Problems 15% (150 points) You will do group case studies on ethical issues in biotechnology. I will assign regular groups for the case studies, so you can get used to working together. You will have some problem sets as well, which will help in reviewing for the exams. You will be asked to write a personal reflection paper several times during the semester on a current news story. Attendance/Participation 5% (50 points) Students will receive full participation points if they come prepared for lab and lecture and discuss topics in class. Notes and PowerPoint slides will be available on WebCT, but equipment and demonstrations will occur in class time. Short response questions in class will be assigned and will become part of participation. You can’t participate if you don’t come to class! To keep track, I will ask you to sign in to an attendance list. Safety Students are expected to work safely and clean up after classes. Safety is a priority- if you have doubts about the safety of what you are doing, stop and ask instructor! Students should work carefully with equipment. Students should read and understand the safety component of each lab. You can’t work safely if you don’t know what you are doing. Do not eat or drink in the lab! Instructor will toss your food or drink. Class Policies: Cell Phone Use Please, as a courtesy to the instructor and others, don’t use your cell phones in class or lab. If you have an emergency call, use the vibrate option and step outside to take the call. Attendance Policy: This class requires faithful attendance, since it is necessary that students perform laboratory skills under the supervision of instructors. Tardiness is also discouraged, but is better than absence. It is the student’s responsibility to meet with instructor to discuss absences due to illness or other reasons WebCT We will use WebCT extensively in class. Grades will be posted in WebCT along with a student assignments and readings, review sheets, copies of slides, old quizzes, and data generated in labs and additional links. Make sure you know how to use this valuable course tool.
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