BICD 101: Eukaryotic Genetics Lab

Biology Academy 2017

Welcome to BICD 101 Eukaryotics Genetics Lab!

Course website

https://tritoned.ucsd.edu (syllabus and many other resources available there to registered students)

Schedule:

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 12:30 - 5:30pm beginning each day in York 3010

Instructor

Laurie Smith

Teaching Assistants

Susanne Matschi (postdoc in Smith lab) smatschi@ucsd.edu

Belinda Hui (UCSD masters student) behui@ucsd.edu

Albert Nguyen (recent UCSD graduate) amn026@ucsd.edu

Amanda Calimlim (UCSD undergraduate) arcaliml@ucsd.edu

Mentors

Albert Nguyen (recent UCSD graduate) amn026@ucsd.edu

Amanda Calimlim (UCSD undergraduate) arcaliml@ucsd.edu

Course description (from UCSD General Catalog)

Course implements key concepts in genetics and genomics such as performing and interpreting results of genetic crosses, analyzing mutations and their phenotypic consequences, analyzing the genetic basis of quantitative traits, and analyzing genome sequences in relation to phenotypic variation. Prerequisite: BILD1.

Learning in this course

Students in this class will apply genetics concepts they are also learning in BICD 100 while contributing to an original research project funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation entitled Genomic Analysis of Leaf Cuticle Development and Functional Diversity in Maize. A key goal of this project is to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genes controlling plant cuticle function as a barrier against water loss, a trait related to drought tolerance. Students will measure rates of evaporation across the cuticle for leaves from genetically diverse lines of maize. This phenotypic data will be analyzed in relation to existing genotypic information to scan the genome for loci influencing the cuticular evaporation phenotype. Candidate cuticular evaporation genes will be identified and discussed. The methodology to be employed is widely used in the biomedical field to identify genes contributing to complex human traits such as schizophrenia, autism, and obesity and these applications will also be discussed. Students will develop research skills while developing their understanding of quantitative genetics and contemporary genome analysis methodologies. Students will also develop skills in data analysis using Excel and other software, and in use of statistical methods.

Textbook and other course materials

There is no textbook or lab manual. All reading materials, supplies, and equipment needed by students will be provided free of charge.

Course requirements and grading

Grades will be based on class participation, quizzes and lab reports. See syllabus at course website for details.

Academic integrity

https://students.ucsd.edu/academics/academic-integrity/index.html

Integrity of scholarship is essential for an academic community. The University expects that both students and faculty will honor this principle and in so doing protect the validity of University intellectual work. For students, this means that all academic work will be done by the individual(s) to whom it is assigned, without unauthorized aid of any kind.

In our course, we need to establish a set of shared values. Following are values adopted from the International Center for Academic Integrity, which are open to discussion and possible alteration. Each team should adopt these values and must articulate the expectations for how they are made manifest within the team’s work together.

Honesty: We will honestly demonstrate our knowledge and abilities according to standards and expectations. We will also communicate openly and without deception, including citing appropriate sources.

Responsibility: We will complete our work on time and participate fully (both mentally and physically) in class and in the laboratory. We will also contribute to work done in teams.

Respect: We will speak openly with one another while respecting diverse viewpoints and perspectives. We will also provide sufficient space for others to voice their ideas.

Fairness: We will contribute equally to laboratory work, papers, project, and team learning, so that we are not “freeloading” off of others on our teams. We will also not seek unfair advantages over others.

Trustworthiness: We will not engage in personal affairs while on class time, and we will be open and transparent about what we are doing in class. We will also not distribute course materials to others

Accessibility and inclusion

http://disabilities.ucsd.edu | osd@ucsd.edu | 858-534-4382

Any student with a disability is welcome to contact the instructor early in the quarter to work out reasonable accommodations to support their success in this course. Students requesting accommodations for this course due to a disability must provide a current Authorization for Accommodation (AFA) letter issued by the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). Students are required to present their AFA letters to faculty and to the OSD Liaison in the Division of Biological Sciences in advance so that accommodations may be arranged.