Course Overview

This course focuses on the fundamentals of genetics. These are foundational concepts that students will need in upper level courses and beyond. There are 7 major topics of the course that will be discussed in depth, and are listed below. We will spend 2 weeks on each topic. The exams will have 3 topics on each and the final will be cumulative with the remaining information.
Major Topics:
  • Chromosomes, Cell Division, Meiosis
  • DNA and Chromosome Structure
  • Mendelian Genetics and sex determination and linkage
  • Linkage and Mapping
  • Replication, Transcription, and Translation of Proteins
  • Gene Regulation
  • Genomics, Epigenetics, and quantitative Genetics 

Example Learning Activities 

As a graduate student leading a recitation class, I only have control over a handful of the classroom activities. Here, I have provided a few examples of the learning activities I conduct in my recitation classes. These examples are mainly geared towards exam review; the first example is a trivia game that me and another TA created which requires students to work in groups to identify answers to questions.  This activity aims to promote deep discussion of material which leads to generative processing of the material (deeper understanding). The second example is another exam review activity that involves using retrieval practice in the form of a quiz. In this quiz, I  interleave previous information from the class with current information to try to help long-term retention and to help students see the connections between material.