Course Descriptions
GENE 2000 Genetics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course studies heredity and variation in plants and animals, including man, and the relationships of genetics to evolution and breeding practices.
FORMAT:
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
LAB HOURS PER WEEK: 2
GENE 3000 An Introduction to Molecular Genetics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The objective of this course is to provide students with a general foundation in molecular genetics and recombinant DNA technology. Replication, transcription, protein synthesis, recombinant DNA, and the regulation of gene expression in procaryotes and eucaryotes will be studied in detail. Ethical and legal issues related to the production, testing, and ownership of genetically engineered organisms will be discussed. In the laboratory, students will be exposed to a range of molecular genetic techniques, including isolation and restriction site mapping of bacterial plasmids, bacterial transformation, isolation and restriction enzyme digestion of genomic DNA, and PCR amplification. Students completing this course will be able to read original research papers in the molecular genetic literature, and will be prepared for advanced training in molecular biology, plant breeding, or animal breeding.
FORMAT:
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
LAB HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
GENE 2000, preparatory: one course in biochemistry
GENE 4003 Biotechnology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Biotechnology includes the generation of new medicine, generation of biofuel, new chemicals and materials, removal of pollutants, and production of better and safer foods. The objective of this course is to provide students with general information on the theory and technologies that are currently used in biotechnology. Course topics will include gene identification, transformation and expression regulations, tissue culture and cell culture techniques, and other genomics-related agricultural applications. Nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications will be addressed.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
GENE 2000
CROSS-LISTING:
AGRI 5750
GENE 4005 Applied Genomics and Bioinformatics (A)
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Genetics and analysis of quantitative traits in farm animals and crop plants. Detecting, locating and measuring the effects of quantitative trait loci (QTL). Recent developments in QTL mapping and genomic selection. The course is designed to provide students with the depth of knowledge and specialized skills required to apply bioinformatics tools to practical problems in the life sciences. The laboratory sessions include hands on experience in using commonly used software for analyzing data from breeding and genomics experiments. While not required, a course in Animal or Plant Breeding is helpful preparation for this course.
NOTES: Winter semester
FORMAT:
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
LAB HOURS PER WEEK: 2
PREREQUISITES:
GENE 3000 and
STAA 2000
GENE 4006 Advanced Studies in Molecular and -Omics Techniques (A)
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Advanced understanding and application of the most innovative techniques used in the field of molecular biology and -omics (genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics techniques) in agriculture and aquaculture systems. By having an advanced understanding of the biochemistry of DNA, RNA and protein, students will learn how these molecules can be manipulated for research purposes. Students will leave the course with the ability to modify and manipulate target molecules using a wide scope of techniques including: PCR, Rt-qPCR, Rad-Seq, CRISPR, ELISA and other technologies for the purpose of marker assisted selection, measuring gene expression, metagenomics, gene knock outs, gene silencing, protein function and structure analysis in the fields of agriculture and aquaculture. Students will also learn the international standards for publication of each technique to ensure that experiments meet international standards like MIQUE and ENCODE Guidelines. The lecture portion will ensure students have the theoretical knowledge to understand how each technique manipulates molecules so that students can modify these techniques for their own purpose. The laboratory portion will ensure students have hands on experience with the most innovative technology analyzing DNA, RNA and protein in breeding, genomics, transcriptomics and proteomic studies in the fields of agriculture and aquaculture.
FORMAT:
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
LAB HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
GENE 3000.03