Biology (BIOL) 341
Human Genetics (Revision 12)

Revision 12 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version
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Delivery Mode: Individualized study online
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Science
Prerequisite: BIOL 204 and BIOL 205 or equivalent undergraduate courses taken at a recognized post-secondary institution.
Faculty: Faculty of Science & Technology
BIOL 341 has a Challenge for Credit option.Overview
This course introduces you to the laws of heredity as they apply to humans and to the study of inherited traits. The course covers a number of other related topics, including sex determination, the composition and function of genes, the causes and effects of mutation, population genetics, the genetics of immunity and cancer, the contribution of heredity to behaviour and intelligence, genetic counselling, and genetic engineering.
Outline
- Unit 1: An Overview of Human Genetics
- Unit 2: Cells and the Individual
- Unit 3: Human Reproduction, Meiosis, and Development
- Unit 4: Chromosomes
- Unit 5: The Laws of Heredity
- Unit 6: Beyond Mendel’s Laws
- Unit 7: Matters of Sex
- Unit 8: Multifactorial and Behavioural Traits
- Unit 9: DNA Structure and Replication
- Unit 10: Gene Expression
- Unit 11: Mutation and Repair
- Unit 12: Population Genetics
- Unit 13: Evolution
- Unit 14: The Genetics of Immunity
- Unit 15: The Genetics of Cancer
- Unit 16: Genetic Technologies and Applications
Evaluation
To receive credit for BIOL 341, students must achieve a course composite grade of at least “D” (50 percent) and a grade of at least 50 percent on each of the assignments and each of the examinations.
Assignment 1 | 10% |
Assignment 2 | 15% |
First examination | 25% |
Assignment 3 | 15% |
Assignment 4 | 10% |
Second examination | 25% |
Total | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
Lewis, Ricki. (2008). Human genetics: Concepts and applications (8th ed). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Other Materials
The course materials include a course manual, study guide, and assignment manual, which can be found on the Moodle course website.
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.
Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the BIOL 341 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on the examination.
Paper Exam
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 12, October 9, 2013.
View previous syllabus