| Perhaps
no area of biology has changed so dramatically in
the last twenty years or so as has the field of
molecular genetics. While it is true that molecular
biology today involves the study of nucleic acids,
proteins, and organelles from all forms of life,
it is also true that most of the groundwork for
this study was laid by extensive work on the molecular
genetics of bacteria and their viruses. Prokaryotic
systems continue to provide exciting experimental
challenges to investigators throughout the world
today.
Molecular genetics is taught in four upper level
courses at Mount Holyoke: this one, Mr. Woodard's
eukaryotic molecular genetics class (Biology 340),
and Biochemistry 314 and 330. The material in this
course will concentrate on the molecular genetics
of microbial systems (bacteria, viruses, and simple
eukaryotic systems such as yeast), while other eukaryotic
systems will be stressed in Biology 340 and Biochemistry
314 and 330.
It is only natural that one of your first concerns
will be the manner in which your course grade will
be determined. Here's the story:
| Requirement
|
% of Grade |
| Midterm Exams (3) |
40 |
| Laboratory Work |
20 |
| Research Proposal |
20 |
| Oral Defense |
10 |
| Class Discussions |
10 |
| Total |
100 |
The first exam will cover approximately the first
third of the lecture material, and it will be given
in class on Wednesday, February 26. The second will
be given in class on Wednesday, April 2, and it
will cover material presented since the first exam.
The third will be given on Wednesday, April 30.
There will be no comprehensive final examination.
The fun part of the course will be your development
of an original research proposal that you have designed
to answer a particular question that you have determined
to be of interest to you concerning some specific
experimental system in the field. The written proposal
will be due on our last day of classes, Monday,
May 5. You will then have the opportunity to orally
defend your proposal against any questions or criticisms
I might have. We will schedule 30 minute meetings
for this purpose, at your individual convenience,
during the reading and final exam periods.
On most Fridays, we will spend our time together
discussing papers from the primary literature. Twice
during the semester, each student will have the
responsibility of presenting the week's paper and
leading the discussion. I expect these to be informed
and critical discussions, with presenters serving
as the knowledgeable authorities. Evaluation for
this part of the course will depend both on the
quality of your two presentations and your input
to discussions when other students are presenting. |
