Advanced Genetics PCB 5065 Policies

PCB5065 Advanced Genetics Course Policies

Prerequisite: Introductory (undergraduate) Genetics. We assumue that our students are familiar with basic Mendelian genetics and understand the nature and functions of DNA, RNA and proteins.

Sitting in: We do not allow students to sit in on the course. Our philosophy is that the "no pain no gain" axiom is particularly relevant to genetics.

Reading: There is no required text for the course. An optional paperback book that students might find helpful for the beginning sections of the course: Advanced Genetic Analysis, 1st ed., R.S. Hawley and M.Y. Walker, John Wiley & Sons. Useful general reviews that students might find helpful will also be posted.

Required reading in the form of review and research articles from the primary literature will be provided by instructors in electronic format (or in hard copy if they pre-date electronic format).

Each section of the course concludes with a discussion paper from the current literature. Discussion papers, along with questions for class discussion, will be posted one week prior to the scheduled discussion. Students are expected to read the paper and discussion questions in advance and to actively participate in the class discussions.

Exams: The course is divided into five sections with an exam following the completion of each section (see schedule). Exams are scheduled for evening periods 11 and E1 to allow adequate time for solution of problem-based questions. Students may bring two 8.5 x 11 pages of hand-written notes to each exam. If a student has another exam scheduled for the time of a PCB 5065 exam, or a PCB 5065 exam falls on a religious holiday that a student traditionally observes, an alternate time will be arranged for that student's exam. Please notify the instructor of these conflicts in advance of the exam. Students who cannot take a scheduled exam due to illness or last-minute emergencies should contact the instructor prior to the exam if at all possible!

Grades: Final grades will be based upon the sum of exam scores: 450-500 = A; 425-449 = A–; 400-424 = B+; 350-399 = B; 325-349 points = B–; <325 points = C+ or lower. Class attendance and participation will be considered in assigning grades to students with exam averages falling near a cut-off point.

Academic Honesty: The University of Florida requires all members of its community to be honest in all endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, and other acts diminish the process of learning. When students enroll at UF they commit themselves to honesty and integrity. Your instructor fully expects you to adhere to the academic honesty guidelines you signed when you were admitted to UF. As a result of completing the registration form at the University of Florida, every student has signed the following statement: “I understand the University of Florida expects it students to be honest in all their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University.” Furthermore, on work submitted for credit by UF students, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” It is to be assumed all work will be completed independently unless the assignment is clearly defined as group project, either verbally or in writing by the professor. This policy will be vigorously upheld at all times in this course.

Software Use: All faculty, staff, and students of the University are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.

UF Counseling Services: Students experiencing crisis or personal problems that interfere with their general wellbeing are encouraged to utilize the university’s counseling resources.
1. University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575; personal and career counseling: http://www.counsel.ufl.edu
2. Student Mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 392-1171, personal counseling: http://www.shcc.ufl.edu/smhs/
3. Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development, http://www.crc.ufl.edu/

Services for Students with Disabilities: The Dean of Students Office coordinates the needed accommodations of students with disabilities. This includes the registration of disabilities, academic accommodations within the classroom, accessing special adaptive computer equipment, providing interpretation services, and mediating faulty-student disability related issues. Dean of Students Office, 202 Peabody Hall, 392-7066, http://www.dso.ufl.edu

Instructors: Contact information for all course instructors is provided; Instructors are available to assist students on an individual basis by appointment.