2003 - 2004 Course Schedule



Summer 2003



Genetics 371 : Introductory Genetics
Instructor: Sandra Pennington
TA: Michele Hastings

Course Description:
Explores gene transmission, chromosome mapping, quantitative traits, population genetics, genetic analysis of biological processes. Emphasizes formal genetic mechanisms but includes some molecular techniques, such as restriction mapping, cloning, RFLP analysis. For biological sciences majors. Prerequisite: either BIOL 200 or BIOL 201.



Summer Courses for Educators:

  • GENOME 503: An Inquiry Approach to Teaching Genetics at the Introductory High School Level
  • GENOME 504: StarNet: Research Experiences for Students and Teachers
  • GENOME 505: StarNet: Teacher Research Experience
  • GENOME 506: The Science Education Partnership

Please contact Genome Sciences Education Outreach for more information.


Autumn 2003



Genome 371: Introductory Genetics
Instructors: Celeste Berg, Bonny Brewer, Anne Paul
TAs: Kristen Greenland, Caroline Josephson, Elizabeth Lester

Lecture: MWF, 9:30 - 11:20, Johnson 101
Quiz Sections: T, various times, Hitchcock 343

Course Description:
Explores gene transmission, chromosome mapping, quantitative traits, population genetics, genetic analysis of biological processes. Emphasizes formal genetic mechanisms but includes some molecular techniques, such as restriction mapping, cloning, RFLP analysis. For biological sciences majors. Prerequisite: either BIOL 200 or BIOL 201.



Genome 490: Undergraduate Seminar
Instructor: Breck Byers

Meeting: T, 2:30 - 4:20, Health Sciences J-112

Course Description:
Seminar for advanced undergraduate students engaged in individual research projects or those who wish to gain an understanding of genetic research by analysis of the primary literature. Assignments emphasize the rationale for research projects and the presentation and interpretation of research findings.



Genome 550: Methods and Logic in Genetics
Instructors: Colin Manoil, Ray Monnat, Leo Pallanck

Meeting: M, 10:30 - 1:30, Health Sciences K-121

Course Description:
Critical reading and detailed discussion of genetics-related scientific research papers. Material emphasizes methodological and logical themes of importance in modern genetics, for example: origin of mutants, genetic epistasis, pulse labelling, and in vivo gene function. Prerequisite: first year Genome Sciences graduate students only.



Genome 551: Fundamentals of Molecular Biology / Gene Regulation
Instructor: Bob Braun

Meeting: TTh, 10:30 - 11:50, Health Sciences K-350
course meets second 5 weeks of quarter only

Course Description:
Will compare principals of gene regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, including: how primary DNA sequence and chromatin structure affect gene expression, genetic and biochemical methods for studying gene regulation, constitutive vs inducible gene expression, different types of DNA and RNA binding proteins, combinatorial networks of gene regulation, mechanisms of posttranscriptional regulation.



Genome 552: Genomics
Instructor: Debbie Nickerson

Meeting: TTh, 10:30 - 11:50, Health Sciences K-350
course meets first 5 weeks of quarter only

Course Description:
Introduces students to the nature of genomes, the structure of chromosomes, the organization of sequences, and the diversity of these features in different species. Discusses current and newly emerging technologies for mapping and sequencing genomes, determining linkage of simple and complex disorders, and identifying variations in DNA. Formerly called MBT 510.



Genome 590: Population Genetics Seminar
Instructor: Joe Felsenstein

Meeting: T, 12:30 - 1:20, Health Sciences J-182

Course Description:
Weekly presentation by participants of current literature and ongoing research in evolution, molecular evolution, evolutionary genetics of natural populations, human population genetics, and quantitative genetics applied to animal and plant breeding. Credit/no credit only. Prerequisite: GENOME 562 or permission of instructor.



Genome 599: Special Topics - Fundamentals of Biology Tutorial
Instructor: Carol Sibley

meetings to be arranged





Winter 2004



Genome 351: Human Genetics - The Individual and Society
Instructor: Amanda Schivell
TA: Monika Tzoneva

Course Description:
Principles of Mendelian inheritance as illustrated by human traits and diseases; chromosomes and sex determination; distribution of genes in populations; natural selection and evolution; counseling and genetic engineering; ethical issues. Appropriate for non-science majors.



Genome 371: Introductory Genetics
Instructor: M.K. Raghuraman
TAs: Kiran Dhillon, Iyarit Thaipisuttikul, Steve Voght

Course Description:
Explores gene transmission, chromosome mapping, quantitative traits, population genetics, genetic analysis of biological processes. Emphasizes formal genetic mechanisms but includes some molecular techniques, such as restriction mapping, cloning, RFLP analysis. For biological sciences majors. Prerequisite: either BIOL 200 or BIOL 201.



Genome 372: Gene Structure and Function
Instructor: Janet Kurjan
TAs: Elizabeth Lester, Joe Ross

Course Description:
Explores the structure of genes and chromosomes, the mechanisms and control of transcription and translation, and the molecular mechanisms of mutation, recombination, transposition, and development. Intended for majors in biological sciences. Prerequisite: GENOME 371.



Genome 411: Gene Action
Instructor: Colin Manoil
TA: Jon Ulmer

Course Description:
Molecular genetics: description of fundamental genetics processes such as mutation, repair, genetic exchange, recombination, and gene expression. Use of genetic strategies to analyze complex biological processes. Focus is on prokaryotic organisms. Prerequisite: BIOL 201; either CHEM 223, CHEM 237, or CHEM 335. Offered: jointly with MICROM 411



Genome 453: Genetics of the Evolutionary Process
Instructor: Joe Felsenstein

Course Description:
Contributions of genetics to the understanding of evolution. Processes of mutation, selection, and random genetic events as they affect the genetic architecture of natural populations and the process of speciation. Emphasis on experimental data and observation, rather than mathematical theory. Prerequisite: either GENOME 371 or GENOME 372.



Genome 465 / 565: Advanced Human Genetics
Instructors: Mary-Claire King, Maynard Olson
TA: Rachel Mackelprang

Course Description:
Explores genetic analysis of naturally occurring variation in humans; origins and consequences of mutation, as mediated by selection, migration, population structure and drift; approaches to finding human disease genes and characterizing them at the molecular level; relevance of to other species to analysis of human genes. Prerequisite: GENOME 371; either GENOME 372 or BIOC 440.



Genome 475: Debates in Genetics
Instructors: Carol Sibley, Jessica Golby
TA: Kerry Bubb

Course Description:
The course will use the original scientific literature as the basis for discussion of a range of genetic issues that impact society. Discussions will be student-led; evaluation will be based both on participation in class and on a research paper.



Genome 490: Undergraduate Seminar
Instructor: Breck Byers

Course Description:
Seminar for advanced undergraduate students engaged in individual research projects or those who wish to gain an understanding of genetic research by analysis of the primary literature. Assignments emphasize the rationale for research projects and the presentation and interpretation of research findings.



Genome 540: Intro to Computational Molecular Biology
Instructor: Phil Green
TA: Chris Saunders

Course Description:
Algorithmic and probabilistic methods for analysis of DNA and protein analysis. Students must be able to write computer programs for data analysis. Prior coursework in biology and probability highly desirable. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.



Genome 549: Molecular Basis of Neurogenerative Disease
Instructor: Leo Pallanck

Course Description:
This elective, seminar-style course will introduce the student to a broad range of neurodegenerative diseases, focusing upon the approaches that have led to recent discoveries and emphasizing the elucidation of mechanisms and pathways of disease pathogenesis.

Original papers will be selected and disseminated to students at least 1 week prior to class. Students will be expected to discuss the distributed papers and ask relevant questions as to the technical soundness of the work and its significance. Students will be judged based upon the written questions that they turn in at each meeting; attendance; and the quality of their participation at each weekly meeting of the course. Topic areas will include: Alzheimers's disease; prion diseases; polyglutamine diseases; fragile X syndrome/mental retardation; Parkinson's disease; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.



Genome 553: Genetic Analysis
Instructor: Celeste Berg

Course Description:
Discusses methods for selectively removing, adding, or altering specific proteins, to identify and order genes in a pathway, define protein function, determine tissue and temporal requirements for gene function, and distinguish among competing hypotheses to explain biological phenomena. Formerly called GENET 551. Prerequisite: GENOME 371, GENOME 551 or equivalent.

5 week course - first half of quarter



Genome 554: Genomic Informatics
Instructor: Jim Thomas

Course Description:
Introuduces students to the major methods for generating sequence alignments, practical use of web-based tools for identifying and analyzing sequences, the relationships between 3-dimensional protein structure and sequence divergence, and the meaning and interpretation of evolutionary trees in defining protein families and super-families. Prerequisite: GENOME 559 or equivalent.

5 week course - second half of quarter



Genome 559: Introduction to Statistical and Computational Biology
Instructors: Bill Noble, Mark Rieder

Course Description:
Rudiments of statistical and computational genomics. Emphasis on basic probability and statistics, introduction to computer programming and relevant web databases. This course is intended to introduce students with non-computer science backgrounds to the major concepts of programming and statistics. Prerequisite: substantial background in molecular and cellular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or related disciplines.

5 week course - first half of quarter



Genome 465 / 565: Advanced Human Genetics
Instructors: Mary-Claire King, Maynard Olson,
TA: Rachel Mackelprang

Course Description:
Explores genetic analysis of naturally occurring variation in humans; origins and consequences of mutation, as mediated by selection, migration, population structure and drift; approaches to finding human disease genes and characterizing them at the molecular level; relevance of to other species to analysis of human genes. Prerequisite: GENOME 371; either GENOME 372 or BIOC 440.





Spring 2004



Genome 261: Genomes and Society
Instructor: Mandy Schivell
TAs: Brad Bavaro, Nicole Benkers

Course Description:
Explores current technological advances in genome research and how these advances are impacting society. Topics include sequencing of the human genome, stem cell research, cloning, genetically modified foods, immunizations/public health, and genetic therapy. Appropriate for non-science majors.



Genome 371: Introductory Genetics
Instructors: Leo Pallanck, Bob Braun
TAs: Karen Chisholm, Chul Joo Kang, Tiffany Malek, Monika Tzoneva

Course Description:
Explores gene transmission, chromosome mapping, quantitative traits, population genetics, genetic analysis of biological processes. Emphasizes formal genetic mechanisms but includes some molecular techniques, such as restriction mapping, cloning, RFLP analysis. For biological sciences majors. Prerequisite: either BIOL 200 or BIOL 201.



Genome 373: Genomic Informatics
Instructors: Bill Noble, Jim Thomas
TA: Kerry Bubb

Course Description:
Focuses on methods for analyzing large genetic data sets and their application to biological problems, including sequence alignment and search methods, gene prediction, phylogenetic trees, and microarray analysis. Basic programming skills are required.



Genome 466: Cancer Genetics
Instructor: Jessica Golby
TAs: Courtney Bello, Melissa Conerly

Course Description:
Focuses on three types of cancer-related genetics. DNA repair, mitotic recombination, chromosome loss and imbalance, and other aspects of genomic instability. Metastatic cancer as an example of natural selection and evolution. Yeast and nematodes as models for the study of cancer genetics. Prerequisite: either GENOME 371 or GENOME 372.

MWF 10:30 - 11:20, J-280



Genome 490: Undergraduate Seminar
Instructor: Jon Gallant

Course Description:
Seminar for advanced undergraduate students engaged in individual research projects or those who wish to gain an understanding of genetic research by analysis of the primary literature. Assignments emphasize the rationale for research projects and the presentation and interpretation of research findings.



Genome 531: Genetics of Human Disease
Instructor: Peter Byers

Course Description:
Modern approaches to the identification of human disease genes permitted by their isolation. Functional conservation of proteins throughout eukaryotic evolution as an approach to their function in model systems such as somatic cell culture, transgenic mice, nematodes, Drosophila, and yeast. Prerequisite: second-year graduate student or instructor permission.



Genome 541: Intro to Computational Molecular Biology II
Instructors: Joe Felsenstein & Bill Noble

Course Description:
Computational methods for studying molecular evolution. Students must be able to write computer programs for data analysis. Prior coursework in biology and probability highly desirable Prerequisite: GENOME 540 or permission of instructor.

Textbooks: (not available at UW Bookstore)

Fundamental Concepts of Bioinformatics by Dan E. Krane, Michael L. Raymer; Benjamin Cummings 2002

Statistical Methods in Bioinformatics : An Introduction by Warren J. Ewens, Gregory R. Grant; Springer, 2001.



Genome 555: Proteomics
Instructor: Stan Fields

Course Description:
The course will focus on current and emerging technologies and approaches for analyzing protein structure and function, protein:protein interactions, and whole-cell protein functions ("the proteome"). We will emphasize the application of these technologies in biology, biotechnology and medicine. Prerequisite: BIOC 440, GENOME 551 or equivalent, GENOME 553, GENOME 554.

5 week course - first half of quarter



Genome 561: Molecular Population Genetics and Evolution
Instructor: Willie Swanson

Course Description:
This course will survey recent literature in order to gain an understanding of the basic principles of molecular populaton genetics and evolution as applied to analysis of genome data. Some computer analysis of genome data will be performed.

5 week course - second half of quarter



Genome 570: Phylogenetic Inference
Instructor: Joe Felsenstein

Course Description:
Methods for inferring phylogenies (evolutionary trees) -- biological assumptions, statistical foundations, and computational methods. A comprehensive introduction for graduate students in the biological sciences to phylogenetic methods using data from molecular sequences, continuous and discrete characters, and gene frequencies. Prerequisite: introductory courses in evolution and in statistics.