Fall 2008

ANS 378 Animal Genetics

CRN 11679

Department of Animal Sciences

Oregon State University
** Revised Nov. 7, 2008


Instructor: Thomas F. Savage, Ph.D.
114 Withycombe Hall
Telephone: 737-5066
email:
Thomas.Savage@oregonstate.edu If you plan to email questions, comments, etc. please review my policy)

Office Hours: By appointment or "when the office light is on."

Course Prerequisite: ANS 121, (1 year of Biology, and 1 term of Statistics is highly recommended) or Instructor's Approval

Teaching Assistant: Sarah-Cate Antoine, With 56, Office Hrs by appointment, email: antoinsa@onid.orst.edu

Primary Text*: Genetics, A Conceptual Approach, 3rd ed, 2008 by Benjamin Pierce, W.H. Freeman Publ.	
Hard copy (View) or E-book version, both available at the OSU Bookstore
Course Web Sites:    http://www.orst.edu/instruct/ans378f/ANS378.html
(This is not a Blackboard site)
Supplemental:
http://whfreeman.com/pierce3e
Other Supplemental References

Class Meetings: M-W-R-F
1:00-1:50 PM
Withycombe Hall 109


Course Objectives:

For you to develop an appreciation of the PRINCIPLES of genetics as applied to animals and their improvement. You will become acquainted with the inheritance of traits significant in domestic species, natural populations, and humans.

By the conclusion of the course you should have developed an understanding/appreciation of:
1. The basis of inheritance and an awareness of the contributors to this science;
2. Mendelian inheritance and types of intra- and inter-allelic interactions
3. The chemistry of DNA, RNA, DNA replication, and gene expression,
4. The differences between qualitative and quantitative traits; population gene and genotype frequencies,
5. The role of reproductive efficiency in determining potential rates of genetic improvement;
6. The concepts of heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations;
7. The principles of selection-their effects on gene, genotypic and phenotypic frequencies; breeding programs to
achieve specific objectives and rates of genetic response;
8. Inbreeding and its effect on gene and genotypic frequency;
9. The effects of crossbreeding on improving animal performance;
10. An appreciation for 'genetic engineering' and the role of gene conservation in maintaining animal diversity.

Additional resource materials will be incorporated where appropriate using the Internet and the Pierce 3rd Ed. site (http://whfreeman.com/pierce3e). There will be a reliance upon the Web to supplement the course lectures. The ANS student computer Lab located in Withycombe 300C is available for your use. Read the suggested text assignments prior to lecture!

This course has four additional objectives:
1. Enhance your writing skills utilizing the animal genetics literature,
2. Improve your ability to think and reason for yourself while developing an appreciation of genetics and life,
3. Become aware of the scientific journals pertinent to your area of interest, the current limits of genetic information
  pertinent to your animal of interest, and an appreciation for your genetics text.
4. Familiarity with supplemental information resources for animal genetics.

Notes:

Class attendance is not required but you are responsible for the subject matter, completing journal reports, and assignments that may be posted within the hyperlinked lecture dates below. If changes are implemented,they will be listed in the appropriate Lecture Notes link for Web posted announcements, a revised posting date will be noted (e.g. rev date & time, in red). 

If you do not intend to actively participate in this course (e.g. asking questions, reading the assigned materials prior to class, etc) do not enroll.


-Special announcements, reminders, supplemental materials, relevant questions pertaining to the lecture, etc. will be posted by Date

Date
Lecture No.
Topic*
Pierce,
Genetics, A Conceptual Approach, 3rd Ed
Sept 29
1
Introduction

'When a Gene Makes You Smell Like A Fish'

1:1-13
Oct 1
2
Mitosis and Meiosis

"Blind Man's Riddle"

2:16-35
2
3
Gregor Mendel and His Peas
3:43-51
3*
4
DNA Chemistry

'Neanderthal's DNA'
10
6
5
DNA, It's Replication
'Preventing Train Wrecks'
12
8
6
Transcription and RNA
13 & 14
9
7
Translation and the Genetic Code
'Diptheria Toxin'
15
10
8
Structure of the Chromosome

'How Much DNA Makes an Organism?'

11:285-96
13 
9
Mendelian Genetics in Animals-Dominance/Recessive

'Peas to Animals'

3:43-56
15

15a

10
Probability

Tests of a Genetic Hypothesis

'Am I Correct ?'

3:51-4; 62-4
16
11
Two or More Pairs of Genes

'Segregation Behavior'

3:57-62
17
12
Penetrance, Expressivity, and Multiple Alleles

'More About the Phenotype'
5:102-04
20
13
Exam # 1

22
14
Sex-linked Inheritance

'X,Y,Z, and W'

4:73-91
23
15
Sex-limited and -influenced Traits, Dosage Effects

'Eggs and Rooster'

5:114-21
24
16
Epistasis and Modifying Genes

'Yellow Labrador Retrievers'

5:105-14
27
17
Epistasis and Modifying Genes cont'd,

'The Rat Tail Syndrome'

29
18
Lethal Genes and Their Detection

'Cuenot's Odd Yellow Mice'

5:99, 103
30
19
Linkage

'Fruit Flies With White Eyes'

7:160-89
31
20
Chromosome Aberrations

'Once In A Blue Moon'

9:237-60
Nov 3
** Nov 7**
21
A Case Study
** Peer Review Instructions**

 

5

6

22-23
Gene Frequency and the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

'Counting Alleles'

25:679-96
* 7  10
24

Exam #2

10
25
Quantitative Inheritance

'Porkier Pigs'

24:645-66
12
26
Genetic Selection,

'Which Way ?'

24:666-9
13
27
Genetic Selection,cont'd

14
28
Selection Methods

'Does It Work?'

17
29
Responses to Selection

'How Long Can We Continue'
24:669
19
30
Genetic Correlations
24:654-8
20
 

31

Inbreeding
'Relatives'
25:687-9
21
32
Heterosis & GxE Interaction
24:669
24

 

33
Breeding Objectives and Plans

'How To'

26
34
Molecular Genetics
'Jumping Genes'
11:297-309
Dec 1
35
Molecular Genetics
'The Search for QTL's'
19-21
3
36
Molecular Genetics

4
37
Breeding for Disease Resistance

'A Strategy'

23
5
38
Gene Conservation

'Why Save?'

9
39
Comprehensive Final Exam

9:30 AM

*The schedule of topics is subject to change / substitution - revised Oct 31


Writing Assignments


Genetics Web Links Relevant to ANS 378

Examinations/Quizzes

Your understanding of the course materials will be evaluated during two 50-minute exams (each 100 points),5 weekly quizzes (each 25 points - see note below), and a comprehensive final exam (100 points). The hour exams and quizzes will be scheduled for Fridays when possible.

Quizzes will be given during the latter part of the lecture period.

The quizzes will have two purposes:

1. assist and reinforce understanding the course material,
2. prepare you for the exams.

The quizzes will be composed of questions/problems some of which may be from the comprehension, application, and challenge questions at the ends of the chapters in Pierce, and the Pierce web site, etc. Your 4 highest quiz scores will contribute to the determination of the final grade - missed quizzes will not be "made up" except in unusual circumstances (the first quiz missed will be regarded as your lowest score).

In fairness to all students in this class, missed exams can only be made up if you scheduled in advance or contact me as soon as possible in case of illness or legitimate emergency (e.g. 'My dog ate the course notes I was using to prepare for the exam' , 'My alarm clock malfunctioned' or 'I had another or more important exam on the same day' - unacceptable).

I am willing to discuss any concerns you may have regarding the grading of exams or quizzes. If you believe that your answer to a particular question deserves more credit than you were awarded, carefully consider your case and schedule a meeting to discuss your concern. Concerns regarding an exam or quiz score must be registered with the instructor no later than 3 school days from the date the exam/quiz is returned in class.

There will be some study problems to solve, out-of-class readings, and possibly short library-type Web activities posted in the Lecture Notes section (Dates) to assist you in your study of genetics. Materials from these assignments will be incorporated into the exams.

Instruction Style and Class Participation:


The final letter grading will be as follows--please take note.

Letter Grade
Grade Points
A
93-100
A-
90-92
B+
87-89
B
83-86
B-
80-82
C+
77-79
C
73-76
C-
70-72
D
65-69
F
64.9 and <
The final course grade will be derived in the following manner:
 
20% 1st Exam (M, Oct. 20)
20% 2nd Exam (F, Nov. 7)
20% Comprehensive Final Exam* (T, Dec. 9 @ 9:30 AM)
20% Best 4 (of 5) Weekly quizzes
20% Journal Report Collection (Due F, Dec 5 @ 5 PM)

* Since the final exam is all inclusive (comprehensive), if your final exam score is higher than  both preceding hourly exams, the final exam score will replace the lowest earlier exam grade when calculating the final course grade.

The final course letter grade of A = 93 points or more. All concerns regarding course points earned prior to the final examination must be communicated to the course instructor no later than 5 PM on the day of the last lecture. You are responsible for your grade.

There is NO scaling of grades.

 

"Cherish your exceptions"

 

 

 


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