COURSE EMPHASIS - GENETICS 384 

Genetics is a problem-solving discipline.  In my day-to-day research I set up experiments and obtain results.  These results may look trivial (e.g. one or two bands on a gel, five or more cell colonies in a petri dish) but when I interpret my experimental results considering my experimental design, the results of control experiments, basic genetic principles and in light of previous research (mine and others), I gain a little more understanding of the complex world of genetics.  I believe that it is important that students understand this approach. This is that they learn science the way I practice science.

Unfortunately, I do not have time to set up experiments in introductory genetics.  I can, however, teach the course from an experimental perspective.  I will present the design and results of important experiments and show how those experiments lead to our current understanding of genetics.  I will generally assign some classic papers in genetics.  You will work in groups and present your understanding of those papers to the class.  That is, you will lead the class discussions.  I may assign weekly homework problems for the students to solve. Such problems can be viewed as data analysis.  The problems may be discussed in class. In recitation, students are presented with complex problems and data sets. The students work in ad hoc groups to solve these research problems.

The lectures are used to present important experiments and ideas.  In the lectures, I present  a set of analytical tools that students can apply to the homework problems and ultimately to their own research.  Each lecture builds on the previous lectures.  It is absolutely essential that students keep up with the work.   My goal is that students begin the process of becoming a genetics expert.  Being an expert requires that students have a great deal of content knowledge that is organized in ways that reflect a deep understanding of their subject matter." (Bransford et al, 2000).  See Goals

Finally, there is an emphasis on current applications of genetics.  The material that students learn in class have immediate personal and societal implications.