Biology (BIOL) 341
Human Genetics (Revision 13)

Revision 13 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 BIOL207 or the equivalent.
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
Registration in this course includes an electronic textbook. For more information on electronic textbooks, please refer to our eText Initiative site.
Lewis, Ricki. (2015). Human genetics: Concepts and applications (11th ed). New York: McGraw-Hill.
A print version of the eText may be available for purchase from the publisher through a direct-to-student link provided on the course website; you can also acquire the textbook on your own if you wish.
Other Resources
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 13, May 8, 2015.
View previous syllabus