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This is an archived copy of the 2014-2015 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

Genetics (GEN)

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Courses

Courses primarily for undergraduates:

GEN 110. Genetics Orientation.

(1-0) Cr. 1. F.
This course is intended for first year students and others new to the genetics major. Discussion of university policies and resources, requirements of the major, career opportunities, and other topics related to the first year experience.

GEN 298. Cooperative Education.

Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of department cooperative education coordinator; sophomore classification
Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.

GEN 313. Principles of Genetics.

(Cross-listed with BIOL). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: BIOL 211, BIOL 211L, BIOL 212, and BIOL 212L
Introduction to the principles of transmission and molecular genetics of plants, animals, and bacteria. Recombination, structure and replication of DNA, gene expression, cloning, quantitative and population genetics. Students may receive graduation credit for no more than one of the following: Gen 260, Gen 313 and 313L, Gen 320, Biol 313 and 313L, and Agron 320.

GEN 313L. Genetics Laboratory.

(Cross-listed with BIOL). (0-3) Cr. 1. F.S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in BIOL 313
Laboratory to accompany 313. Students may receive graduation credit for no more than one of the following: Biol 313 and 313L, Gen 260, Gen 313, Gen 320, and Agron 320.

GEN 320. Genetics, Agriculture and Biotechnology.

(Cross-listed with AGRON). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: BIOL 212
Transmission genetics with an emphasis on applications in agriculture, the structure and expression of the gene, how genes behave in populations and how recombinant DNA technology can be used to improve agriculture. Credit for graduation will not be allowed for more than one of the following: Gen 260, 313, 320 and Biol 313 and 313L.

GEN 340. Human Genetics.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: BIOL 313 or GEN 313
Fundamental concepts and current issues of human genetics. Human chromosome analysis, pedigree analysis, gene mapping, the human genome project, sex determination, genetics of the immune system, genetics of cancer, gene therapy, the genetic basis of human diversity, eugenics.

GEN 398. Cooperative Education.

Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of department cooperative education coordinator; junior classification
Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.

GEN 409. Molecular Genetics.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: BIOL 313
The principles of molecular genetics: gene structure and function at the molecular level, including regulation of gene expression, genetic rearrangement, and the organization of genetic information in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

GEN 410. Analytical Genetics.

(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: GEN 409
The principles and practice of genetic analysis. Mendelian genetic analysis, mutational analysis of gene function, linkage and gene mapping, chromosomal aberrations, aneuploidy and polyploidy, extrachromosomal inheritance, analysis of genetic pathways.

GEN 444. Introduction to Bioinformatics.

(Cross-listed with BCB, BCBIO, BIOL, COM S, CPR E). (4-0) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: MATH 165 or STAT 401 or equivalent
Broad overview of bioinformatics with a significant problem-solving component, including hands-on practice using computational tools to solve a variety of biological problems. Topics include: database searching, sequence alignment, gene prediction, RNA and protein structure prediction, construction of phylogenetic trees, comparative and functional genomics, systems biology.

GEN 462. Evolutionary Genetics.

(Cross-listed with BIOL). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: BIOL 315
The genetic basis of evolutionary processes in higher organisms. The role of genetic variation in adaptation, natural selection, adaptive processes, and the influence of random processes on evolutionary change.

GEN 490. Independent Study.

Cr. 1-5. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. Prereq: GEN 313, junior or senior classification, permission of instructor
Independent study in any area of genetics. Students may use no more than 9 credits of university-wide 490 or 499 credits (including Gen 490) toward the total of 120 credits required for graduation.

GEN 490S. Independent Study: Attendance and Critique of Genetics Seminars.

Cr. 1. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. F.S.SS. Prereq: GEN 313, junior or senior classification, permission of instructor
Attendance and critique of departmental seminars in BBMB, GDCB, or EEOB. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only. Students may use no more than 9 credits of university-wide 490 or 499 credits (including Gen 490S) toward the total of 120 credits required for graduation.

GEN 490U. Independent Study: Laboratory teaching experience.

Cr. 1-2. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. F.S.SS. Prereq: GEN 313, junior or senior classification, permission of instructor
For students registering to be undergraduate laboratory assistants. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only. Students may use no more than 9 credits of university wide 490 or 499 credits (including Gen 490U) toward the total of 120 credits required for graduation.

GEN 491. Undergraduate Seminar.

(1-0) Cr. 1. F.S. Prereq: GEN 409
Communication within the discipline based on comprehension, discussion, presentation, and critical evaluation of original research literature; survey of career paths within the genetics disciplines and approaches to obtaining positions; exposure to research publication and grantsmanship processes; ethical issues in genetics research; outcomes assessment activities.

GEN 498. Cooperative Education.

Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of department cooperative education coordinator; senior classification
Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.

GEN 499. Genetics research.

Cr. 1-5. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. Prereq: GEN 313, junior or senior classification, permission of instructor
Independent research in any area of genetics. Students may use no more than 9 credits of university-wide 490 or 499 credits (including Gen 490R) toward the total of 120 credits required for graduation.

GEN 499H. Genetics research for Honors.

Cr. 1-5. Repeatable. F.S.SS. Prereq: GEN 313, junior or senior classification, permission of instructor
Independent research in any area of genetics; for Honors students only. Students may use no more than 9 credits of university-wide 490 or 499 credits (including Gen 490H) toward the total of 120 credits required for graduation.