PLNT3140 Introductory Cytogenetics

2011 COURSE INFORMATION

INSTRUCTORS

Dr. Brian Fristensky
Office: 330 Agriculture Tel: 474-6085

Email: frist@cc.umanitoba.ca
OFFICE HOURS: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Tues. & Thurs.

Lab instructor: Yaping Wang
Office: 342A Agriculture Tel: 474-6278

Email: yawang@cc.umanitoba.ca

COURSE OBJECTIVE

To provide an introduction to the structure of eukaryotic genomes, from the level of the chromosome down to the level of the gene. Basic cytological techniques including the use of the optical microscope will be covered and supported by laboratory exercises. The lecture course will include the application of cytogenetic and molecular techniques in the study of cell division, karyotyping, chromosomal structure, recombination, changes in chromosome number and structure, physical mapping and chromosome evolution.

TEXTBOOKS AND LECTURE NOTES

All required readings are online unless announced otherwise.

WWW SITE

Most course materials can be obtained at our Web site:

http://www.umanitoba.ca/afs/plant_science/courses/PLNT3140/

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Students are reminded that academic dishonesty including plagiarism, cheating and examination impersonation is subject to severe academic penalties as described  the University Policy on Academic Integrity, Section 7 in the General Calendar.

EVALUATION PROCEDURE

Assignments (4 @ 5% each)

20%

Midterm

15%

Laboratory

30%

Final Examination

35%

Grading is according to the Letter Grade System (Undergraduate Calendar section 3) ranging from 0 to 4.5 or F to  A+. Roughly speaking, a C corresponds to understanding of a large portion of the material, the B range encompasses mastery of most of the material, and the A range indicates original thinking and creativity. Put another way:

Grade Point

Percentage

Letter Grade

comments

4.5/5

90%

A+

synthesis, ability to put things together from different parts of the course, original and creative thinking

4.0/5

80%

A

3.5/5

70%

B+

learning concepts or inferring them from the context; working with data eg. Given the results of an experiment, what does it tell you? Given an equation, can you use it correctly?

3.0/5

60%

B

2.5/5

50%

C+

memorization of facts

2.0/5

40%

C

1.5/5

30%

D+

1.0/5

20%

D+

This grading rubric should only be taken as a rough guide for how I construct assignment and exam questions. Not all questions and assignments can be precisely broken down in this fashion.

LATE SUBMISSION POLICY

Due dates for assignments will given for each assignment. Grades on assignments handed in late will be decremented by one point per day late, for a maximum of 5 points. No assignments will be accepted after answers are handed out or discussed in class.

FINAL EXAMINATION TIME AND LOCATION SCHEDULED BY THE UNIVERSITY