Biology 305.L01 (Monday), L02 & L03 (Tuesday) and L04 (Wednesday)
Genetics Lab
at the College of Charleston
 


An introduction to the principles of heredity using common experimental organisms.  Recent techniques in molecular genetics are also covered.  Biology 211 and 211D (Biodiversity) is a prerequisite, and Genetics 305 Lecture is a prerequisite or corequisite.  Math 250 (Statistical Methods) is a prerequisite for all 300-level biology classes.

News News, Announcements, and Reminders

R. T. Dillon
SCRA Lab, 645 Meeting Street
953-8087
DillonR@fwgna.org

Explicit Learning Outcome

"It is the business of a University to impart to the rank and file of the men whom it trains the right thought of the world, the thought which it has tested and established, the principles which have stood through the seasons and become at length part of the immemorial wisdom of the race.  The object of education is not merely to draw out the powers of the individual mind: it is rather its right object to draw all minds to a proper adjustment to the physical and social world in which they are to have their life and their development: to enlighten, strengthen and make fit.  The business of the world is not individual success, but its own betterment, strengthening, and growth in spiritual insight-- 'So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom' is its right prayer and aspiration."  Woodrow Wilson, 1896

Course policies

1. The Genetics Laboratory (relocated to SSMB 141 during renovations) will be open essentially all day during regular school hours, although the labs for several other courses are sharing our same space.  So if you need to work in the lab at some time other than assigned for your class, please be respectful.  Dr. Dillon will certainly be present for "office hours" Monday and Wednesday 1 - 2:00 PM, or Tuesday 12:15 - 1:15 PM and many other times as well, but it is always best to make an appointment. 

2.  The Lab Manual is available from the College bookstore.  The nine investigations it contains are listed on your lab schedule (links below).  Please read the introduction and be familiar with each investigation before class.  You will also find it helpful to review the relevant sections of your textbook.

3. Attendance.  You are expected to do your share of the work.  Many of the labs (especially the fruit fly ones) can get tedious, and it's unfair to expect your lab partner to do all the work if you miss a lab.  So if you're sick, please call 953-8087 so arrangements can be made.  Some of the investigations may be impossible to make up, although you can get the data later.

4. Lab reports are variably-formatted.  There will be questions to answer and analyses to perform for each investigation.  You must work closely with your partner to gather the data for most lab reports, but please think independently.  Everyone should submit his own lab report with his own data analysis.  Reports are due on the date noted on the course grading page.  If you are sick, send me your lab report by email or by courier.  Lab reports not submitted promptly at the start of class are late, and will be marked off 50%.  You have a week-long "grace period" in which to submit your report for half credit, but reports will not be accepted thereafter.

5.  Practical quizzes do not consume the entire class period and are not comprehensive.  The same policy pertains as in (3) above - contact Dr. Dillon at 953-8087 ASAP if you must miss a quiz.  Regardless of your excuse, the later the make-up, the harder the test.

6. You will need a calculator for this course.  A smart phone will not suffice.  No smart phones or any other device that may be connected to the internet will be allowed during quizzes.

Course Info:

fly Drosophila Links:

Basic Introduction -  A quick and simple introduction to the biology of Drosophila melanogaster, with links.

Flybase - A huge database of the Drosophila genome, including sequences, information on particular genes, regions of chromosomes, published references, and  a comprehensive bibliography.

The Interactive Fly - a cyberspace guide to Drosophila genes and their roles in development.

The Drosophila Genome Project - Search the genome, download sequence data, and generally mess around with 120,000,000 nucleotides, courtesy of the Berkeley Drosophila Genome Project.  There are some press releases and other sources of vaguely intelligible info at this site as well.