Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Genetics (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 3060-01

Course: BIOL 3060-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: BIOL
CRN: 30872

Course Description

Transmission and expression of genetic information, organisms, and populations. Topics include basic transmission and molecular genetics, regulation of gene expression, developmental genetics, genetics of cancer, the immune response and behavior, and population genetics and evolution. Three (3) hours of lecture per week. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0) or above must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): BIOL 3065 Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1610 and BIOL 1615 and BIOL 1620 and BIOL 1625 and [(CHEM 1110 and CHEM 1115) or (CHEM 1210 and CHEM 1215)] - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Instructor Information

Background:
I earned my Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Back then, my research was focused on Developmental Biology, Genetics, and Cell Signaling, which I approached using the nematode C. elegans. More specifically, I studied how cells communicate with each other during development and in diseases such as cancer. Additionally, I also examined mechanisms by which closely related species evolve distinct responses to similar developmental processes. While I still have an interest in Developmental Biology, my current research focuses on Conservation Biology and Bioinformatics.

Communication policy:
I will do my best to respond to messages within 24 hours during weekdays. I will not typically respond to messages during evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

Office hours:
SCA 202 | MTWRF 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Dr. Marcos Corchado-Sonera | BIOL 3060 – Genetics | Fall 2025

Email:
marcoscorchadosonera@suu.edu

Required Texts

Concepts of Genetics by Brooker, 4th edition with McGraw-Hill Connect (contains required assignments and additional resources)

Course Requirements

Prerequisites:
BIOL 1610 and BIOL 1615 and BIOL 1620 and BIOL 1625 and [(CHEM 1110 and CHEM 1115) or (CHEM 1210 and CHEM 1215)] - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Co-requisites:
BIOL 3065

Required Text:
Concepts of Genetics by Brooker 4th edition, with McGraw-Hill Connect (contains required assignments and additional resources). 

Required Technologies and Resources:
iClicker Student app (https://www.iclicker.com/) for attendance-tracking (free subscription). 

Learning Outcomes

There are many things I hope you will take away from this course in terms of learning. Some of my objectives pertain specifically to biology, while others are more general in application and may be considered “life-long” learning attributes. After the completion of this lecture/lab course, successful students will:

1. Make inferences about heredity by analyzing phenotypic and genotypic data. 
2. Extract information about genes, alleles, and gene functions from genetic crosses and pedigrees. 
3. Describe the molecular anatomy of nucleic acids and proteins, and their relation to their function. 
4. Predict how linkage and recombination will affect inheritance based on an understanding of their mechanisms. 
5. Compare and contrast different types of mutations and describe how each can affect genes, mRNA, and proteins. 
6. Describe techniques used to make changes to genomes. 
7. Assess opinions on genetic manipulation with evidence and argument. 
8. Evaluate the relationship between mutations, diseases, and phenotypic traits. 
9. Describe the processes that can influence the frequency of alleles in a population. 

Assessments

Assignments:
Your grades and assignment information will be found on Canvas. Some assignments will be turned in on Canvas, so please meet with me if you're unsure how to submit your work through Canvas. The total points available will be based on the following course assignments. The number of assignments may vary slightly.

McGraw-Hill Connect Quizzes:
Quizzes can be found in the McGraw-Hill Connect link in Canvas. Quizzes are based on individual chapters and are due 1 week after we finish covering a chapter in class. Students have two (2) attempts per quiz and are allowed to check their answers after their first attempt.

Exams:
Exams will be taken at the Student Testing Center. Students will have two (2) days to take the exam. There are no time limits for exams. 

Assignment Type | Points Available | Percent of Course Grade
Exams | 4 exams x 100 points = 400 | 65.6%
McGraw-Hill Quizzes | 16 quizzes x 10 points = 160 | 26.2%
Tentative Class Project | 50 | 8.2% 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late/Makeup Work: 
All assignments are due on the assigned date/time. Assignments turned in late will not be graded. If you need to turn in an assignment late due to extenuating circumstances (i.e., university-sponsored travel, illness, ADA accommodation, etc.), please get in touch with me at least three (3) days before the due date to discuss the issue and work together to find a solution (obviously, some things like hospitalizations might prevent this). Please note that I do not guarantee that I will be able to provide an accommodation for every assignment.

Grading

Policy:
You must earn a minimum grade of “C” (2.0 or above) in this course for it to be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. See the percentage/letter grade scale below.

Number grade  | Letter grade  | Minimum percent
4.0  | A  | 93.0
3.7  | A-  | 90.0
3.3  | B+  | 86.0
3.0  | B  | 83.0
2.7  | B-  | 80.0
2.3  | C+  | 76.0
2.0  | C  | 73.0
1.7  | C-  | 70.0
1.3  | D+  | 66.0
1.0  | D  | 63.0
0.7  | D-  | 60.0
0.0  | F  | 0.0

Attendance Policy

Attendance:
Attendance in this course is taken seriously. Please read the following statement carefully to avoid setbacks. Timely arrival is important; showing up late is disrespectful to your fellow students and me. If you know you are going to be late frequently, please get in touch with me so we can discuss options for full participation. 

iClicker:
The iClicker student app is used to take attendance in this course. This means that students need to check into iClicker each class (this can be done through your phone). If you can’t log into iClicker, you will need to notify me before class ends. Any notifications made after class will not be considered, and the student will be marked absent for that day. 

Absences:
Excused absences include, but are not limited to, the examples shown in the table below. Please note that it is the responsibility of the student to be proactive and notify me of their absence before the date of their absence. Notifications made after the date of absence will NOT be considered unless the absence was due to an emergency or accident. Evidence has to be provided for an excused absence. Family trips, personal trips, and vacations are NOT excused absences.

Examples of excused absences:
● Covid-19-related absences ● Medical emergencies ● Accidents ● Inclement weather (snow storms, floods, etc.) ● Interviews for jobs, internships, med school, etc. ● Conferences related to academia ● University-sponsored absences for student athletes ● Military leave ● Jury duty

Examples of unexcused absences:
● Family/personal trips and vacations ● Job shifts ● Attending another professor’s lecture or office hours ● Sleeping in/forgetting about class 

Course Outline

Week | Date | Day | Course Topic | Exam Dates

1 | Aug 27 | W | Course Introduction |

1 | Aug 29 | F | Ch2: Reproduction and Chromosome Transmission |

2 | Sep 1 | M | No Classes (Labor Day) |

2 | Sep 3 | W | Ch2: Reproduction and Chromosome Transmission |

2 | Sep 5 | F | Ch2: Reproduction and Chromosome Transmission |

3 | Sep 8 | M | Ch3: Mendelian Inheritance |

3 | Sep 10 | W | Ch3: Mendelian Inheritance |

3 | Sep 12 | F | Ch3: Mendelian Inheritance |

4 | Sep 15 | M | Ch4: Sex Determination and Sex Chromosomes |

4 | Sep 17 | W | Ch4: Sex Determination and Sex Chromosomes |

4 | Sep 19 | F | Ch5: Extensions of Mendelian Inheritance |

5 | Sep 22 | M | Ch6: Extranuclear Inheritance, Imprinting, and Maternal Effect |

5 | Sep 24 | W | Ch6: Extranuclear Inheritance, Imprinting, and Maternal Effect |

5 | Sep 26 | F | Ch7: Genetic Linkage and Mapping in Eukaryotes | Exam 1 (2, 3, 4 & 5) Sep 25th - Sep 26th

6 | Sep 29 | M | Ch7: Genetic Linkage and Mapping in Eukaryotes |

6 | Oct 1 | W | Ch11: Molecular Structure of DNA and RNA |

6 | Oct 3 | F | Ch12: Molecular Structure of Chromosomes and Transposition |

7 | Oct 6 | M | Ch12: Molecular Structure of Chromosomes and Transposition |

7 | Oct 8 | W | Ch12: Molecular Structure of Chromosomes and Transposition |

7 | Oct 10 | F | Ch13: DNA Replication and Recombination |

8 | Oct  13 | M | No Classes (Fall Break) |

8 | Oct 15 | W | Ch13: DNA Replication and Recombination |

8 | Oct 17 | F | Ch13: DNA Replication and Recombination | Exam 2 (6, 7, 11 & 12) Oct 16th - Oct 17th

9 | Oct 20 | M | Ch14: Gene Transcription and RNA Modification |

9 | Oct 22 | W | Ch14: Gene Transcription and RNA Modification |

9 | Oct 24 | F | No Classes |

10 | Oct 27 | M | Ch14: Gene Transcription and RNA Modification |

10 | Oct 29 | W | Ch15: Translation of mRNA |

10 | Oct 31 | F | Ch15: Translation of mRNA |

11 | Nov 3 | M | Ch16: Gene Regulation in Bacteria |

11 | Nov 5 | W | Ch16: Gene Regulation in Bacteria |

11 | Nov 7 | F | Ch17: Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes |

12 | Nov 10 | M | Ch17: Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes |

12 | Nov 12 | W | Ch19: Gene Mutation and DNA Repair |

12 | Nov 14 | F | Ch20: Molecular Technologies | Exam 3 (13, 14, 15 & 16) Nov 13th - Nov 14th

13 | Nov 17 | M | Ch21: Genomics |

13 | Nov 19 | W | Ch22: Medical Genetics and Cancer |

13 | Nov 21 | F | Ch22: Medical Genetics and Cancer |

14 | Nov 24 | M | No Classes (Thanksgiving Break)  |

14 | Nov 26 | W | No Classes (Thanksgiving Break)  |

14 | Nov 28 | F | No Classes (Thanksgiving Break)  |

15 | Dec 1 | M | Ch23: Population Genetics |

15 | Dec 3 | W | Ch23: Population Genetics |

15 | Dec 5 | F | Ch23: Population Genetics |

16 | Dec 8 - Dec 11 | Monday - Thursday | No Class (Final Exams Week) | Final Exam (17, 20, 21, 22 and 23) Dec 8th - Dec 11th

Course Fees

No additional course fees are required for this course.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.