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 technologies.
Outline
Unit 1: An Overview of Human Genetics
Unit 2: Cells and the Individual
Unit 3: Human Reproduction, Development, and Aging
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: Human Ancestry and Evolution
Unit 14: The Genetics of Immunity
Unit 15: Cancer Genetics and Genomics
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.
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1
10%
Assignment 2
15%
First examination
25%
Assignment 3
15%
Assignment 4
10%
Second examination
25%
Total
100%
The midterm and final examinations for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Lewis, Ricki. (2021). Human genetics: Concepts and applications (13th ed). New York: McGraw-Hill. (eText)
The course materials include an online course information and study guide.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you 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 about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
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).
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.