Genetics course University

This course presents students with the concepts of genetics. Students will examine mitosis and meiosis, chromosomes, DNA structure, gene mutation, and genome dynamics.

This undergraduate-level course is 5 weeks. This course is available to or as part of a degree or certificate program. To enroll, speak with an Enrollment Representative.

Cell Division, Chromosomes, and Patterns of Inheritance

• Analyze similarities and differences between mitosis and meiosis.
• Explain the chromosomal events during mitosis and meiosis that lead to genetic diversity.
• Explain how Mendelian inheritance relates to genes and genetic linkage.
• Explain the role that chromosomes and allelic variation play in heredity.
• Identify the important events occurring in each stage of the cell cycle.

DNA, RNA, and Proteins

• Explain the biological, biochemical, and analytical techniques used to analyze the structure of DNA and RNA.
• Explain the events of DNA replication at the molecular level.
• Illustrate the process of genetic information transfer from DNA to a protein.
• Explain the concept of the genetic code.
• Describe the role of histones and epigenetics in the organization and gene regulation in chromosomal structures.

Gene Regulation, Genetic Mutations, and Genes in Development

• Explain the levels of regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes.
• Analyze genetic mutations.
• Explain the genetic and epigenetic events that lead to cancer.
• Examine variations in chromosome number and arrangement that result in inheritable disorders.
• Explain how the Human Genome Project is used to analyze gene expression.

Gene Development, Behavior, and its Role at the Population Level

• Examine the genetics of behavior using animal models.
• Predict allele frequencies using the Hardy-Weinberg law.
• Identify factors that lead to genetic variations.
• Compare animal models used in developmental genetics research.
• Explain modern genomic concepts.

Biotechnology and Genomics

• Identify various applications of recombinant DNA technology.
• Apply tools of bioinformatics in genomic analysis.
• Evaluate societal and ethical issues in biotechnology.
• Analyze how data from the Human Genome Project is used in pharmacogenomics to optimize personalized medicine therapy.