Genetics (GEN)

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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Any experimental courses offered by GEN can be found at: registrar.iastate.edu/faculty-staff/courses/explistings/

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Courses

Courses primarily for undergraduates:

(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.

(0.5-0) Cr. 0.5. S.


Eight-week course for external transfer students and internal change of major students. Discussion of university policies and resources, requirements of the major, and career opportunities. Only one of GEN 110 or 112 may count toward graduation.

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.

(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 genetics, 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.

(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.

(Cross-listed with AGRON). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.

Prereq: BIOL 212
Transmission and molecular 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.

(Cross-listed with BCBIO, BIOL). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.

Prereq: BIOL 212
Genome sequencing, assembly, structural and functional annotation, and comparative genomics. Investigating these topics will develop skills in programming and scripting (Perl and/or Python), the use of biological databases, sequence alignment, similarity search, identification of sequence patterns, construction of phylogenetic trees, and comparative genomics.

(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.

(Cross-listed with BIOL). (2-2) Cr. 3. S.

Prereq: GEN 313 or GEN 320
Analysis of genome, RNA, and protein data using computer technology to answer biological questions on topics ranging from microbial diversity to human health. An introduction for students in the life sciences to the fields of genomics, bioinformatics and systems.

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.

(Cross-listed with BCBIO, BIOL, COM S). (4-0) Cr. 4. F.

Prereq: BCBIO 322, basic programming experience (e.g. COM S 127, COM S 227 or permission of instructor). MATH 160 or MATH 165; and STAT 101 or STAT 104; and MATH 166 or STAT 301.
Application of computer science and statistics to molecular biology with a significant problem-solving component, including hands-on programming using Python to solve a variety of biological problems. String algorithms, sequence alignments, homology search, pattern discovery, genotyping, genome assembly, genome annotation, comparative genomics, protein structure.

(Cross-listed with MICRO). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered even-numbered years.

Prereq: MICRO 302, BIOL 313
The fundamental concepts of bacterial and bacteriophage genetics including mutagenesis, mechanisms of vertical and horizontal genetic information transfer and gene regulation are covered, along with genetic and genomic-based approaches to study these and other cellular processes of microorganisms. Review and discussion of research literature to examine experimental design, methodology, and interpretation of both historical and contemporary relevance to microbial genetics and genomics.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.

Prereq: BIOL 313 or GEN 313
Principles of molecular genetics and analysis of gene expression, including elements of the Central Dogma (DNA replication, transcription, and translation) and gene regulation. Utilizing examples from the primary literature to illustrate experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.

Prereq: BIOL 313 or GEN 313
The principles and practice of genetic analysis. Mendelian genetic analysis, mutational, transgenic, and genomic analysis of gene function, linkage and gene mapping, chromosomal aberrations, aneuploidy and polyploidy, extrachromosomal inheritance, analysis of genetic pathways.

(Cross-listed with BIOL). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.

Prereq: BIOL 315
The genetic basis of evolutionary processes in eukaryotic organisms. The role of genetic variation in adaptation, natural selection, adaptive processes, and the influence of random processes on evolutionary change.

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 credits (including Gen 490) toward the total of 120 credits required for graduation.

(1-0) Cr. 1. F.S.

Prereq: BIOL/GEN 313; credit or enrollment in GEN 409 or GEN 410; Junior Classification
Intended to develop career objectives and obtain positions appropriate to the goals of students, in particular juniors, in preparation for position searches in the senior year. Discussion of various career paths in genetics disciplines; identification of experiences to enhance entry to specific careers; exposure to professional practices not covered elsewhere including literature database management, scientific figure preparation for publication, the peer-review journal system, the federal competitive grants system, laboratory budgets and management, authorship and collaborations, etc.; preparation of effective curricula vitae and application letters; and verbal scientific discourse appropriate to interview interactions and other professional settings.

Cr. 1-2. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. F.S.

Prereq: BIOL 212, junior or senior classification, permission of instructor
For students registering to be undergraduate laboratory or classroom assistants. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only. No more than 2 credits of GEN 492 may be applied toward the Genetics advanced course requirement.

(1-0) Cr. 1-3. Repeatable, maximum of 3 credits. F.S.

Prereq: GEN 313; permission of instructor
Content varies from year to year. Genetics students may use no more than 9 credits of university-wide 490-499 credits toward the total of 120 credits required for graduation.

Cr. 1. Repeatable, maximum of 3 credits. F.S.

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. Genetics students may use no more than 9 credits of university-wide 490 - 499 credits toward the total of 120 credits required for graduation.

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.

Cr. 1-5. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. F.S.SS.

Prereq: GEN 313, junior or senior classification, permission of instructor
Independent research in any area of genetics. Genetics students may use no more than 9 credits of university-wide 490-499 credits toward the total of 120 credits required for graduation.

Cr. 1-5. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. F.S.SS.

Prereq: GEN 313, junior or senior classification, permission of instructor
Independent research in any area of genetics; for Honors students only. Genetics students may use no more than 9 credits of university-wide 490-499 credits toward the total of 120 credits required for graduation.