BIO 40 syllabus University of the Philippines London Campus

Module 1: Introduction to Genetics

 Week 1: Overview of Genetics

o Definition and scope of genetics
o Historical perspectives and key discoveries
o Basic concepts: genes, alleles, chromosomes, DNA

Module 2: Mendelian Genetics

 Week 2: Mendelian Inheritance

o Mendel's experiments and laws of inheritance
o Monohybrid and dihybrid crosses
o Punnett squares and probability
 Week 3: Extensions of Mendelian Genetics
o Incomplete dominance and codominance
o Multiple alleles and polygenic inheritance
o Epistasis and pleiotropy

Module 3: Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance

 Week 4: Chromosomes and Cell Division

o Structure and function of chromosomes
o Mitosis and meiosis
o Linkage and genetic mapping
 Week 5: Chromosomal Abnormalities
o Nondisjunction and aneuploidy
o Structural abnormalities (deletions, duplications, inversions, translocations)
o Consequences and examples of chromosomal disorders

Module 4: Molecular Genetics

 Week 6: DNA Structure and Replication

o Structure of DNA and RNA
o DNA replication mechanisms
o Enzymes involved in DNA replication
 Week 7: Gene Expression: Transcription and Translation
o Transcription process
o RNA processing and modification
o Translation process and the genetic code

Module 5: Regulation of Gene Expression

  Week 8: Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes
o Operon model (lac and trp operons)
o Regulatory elements and mechanisms
o Environmental influence on gene expression
 Week 9: Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes
o Transcription factors and enhancers
o Epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone modification)
o Post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation

Module 6: Genetic Technologies and Applications

 Week 10: Recombinant DNA Technology

o Cloning and vectors
o Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
o Gel electrophoresis and DNA sequencing
 Week 11: Genomics and Biotechnology
o Genome mapping and sequencing projects
o CRISPR and gene editing technologies
o Applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry

Module 7: Population Genetics and Evolution

 Week 12: Population Genetics

o Gene pools and allele frequencies
o Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
o Factors affecting genetic variation (mutation, selection, genetic drift, gene flow)
 Week 13: Evolutionary Genetics
o Speciation and evolutionary processes
o Molecular evolution
o Phylogenetics and evolutionary trees

Module 8: Human Genetics and Ethical Issues

 Week 14: Human Genetics

o Pedigree analysis
o Genetic disorders and inheritance patterns
o Genetic testing and counseling
 Week 15: Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues
o Ethical considerations in genetic research and testing
o Privacy and genetic data
o Implications of genetic modifications

Assessments and Reviews

 Week 16: Review and Midterm Exam

o Review sessions for Modules 1-4
 o Midterm exam covering Modules 1-4
 Week 17: Review and Final Exam
o Review sessions for Modules 5-8
o Final exam covering Modules 5-8

Additional Resources

 Textbook Recommendations
o "Genetics: From Genes to Genomes" by Hartwell et al.
o "Principles of Genetics" by Snustad and Simmons
 Online Resources
o National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
o Genetics Home Reference by the U.S. National Library of Medicine
o Online lectures and tutorials (e.g., Khan Academy, Coursera)