Lewis, Ricki.  Human Genetic: Concepts and Applications, 2nd ed.  Wm. C. Brown Publishers:  Dubuque, IA, 1997.

Program Goals:

DNA Science II emphasizes the biological basis of human inheritance and the human genome project, including its technological challenges and its implications for biology, ethics, law, and society.  Students utilize and reinforce lab skills learned from DNA Science I.  Over the course of the semester, the students develop a working understanding of the following:

(1) molecular basis of human somatic and gamete cell production and embryonic development;
(2) Mendelian genetics and non-Mendelian mechanisms of inheritance;
(3) the genetics of Drosophila and other organisms related to human inheritance;
(4) gene mutations and genetic disease;
(5) cytogenetics:  the portrait of a chromosome;
(6) population genetics;
(7) immune system and the genetics of cancer;
(8) genetic engineering and gene therapy;
(9) reproductive technologies;
(10) the Human Genome Project; and
(11) bioethics.

Requirements:

Each student is expected to fulfill a number of requirements.  The grade earned for a particular assignment is based on the accuracy, thoroughness, and quality of the student's work.  The following are the major categories of assignments that are given during the course of the semester:

(1) Laboratory Reports:  All lab reports must be typed (single-spaced).  The laboratory investigations performed during the program are as follows:

Genetics of Albino Tobacco Plants
Genetics of Hybrid Corn
Human Traits
Genetics of Drosophila:  A Study Involving Three Autosomal Traits
Study of Normal Human Chromosome and Hela Cells
Study of Animal Tissue Culture of Human and Mouse Fibroblasts
Human Karyotype
Cancer Biology:  A Study of the p53 Gene
Sickle-Cell Anemia:  A Study Using Southern Blotting
Population Genetics
Detection of an Alu Insertion Polymorphism by Polymerase Chain Reaction

(2) DNA Science News:  It is necessary for each student to read one current scientific journal article.  The student is required to submit the article for approval prior to reading.  In addition, using the APA writing style, a typed (single-spaced) 250-critical word summary of the DNA news with the title, source of information, author(s), and date must be submitted in the correct bibliographical format.  The focus of the article must be on the nature of a specific genetic disease and/or some current topic associated with the Human Genome Project.  The article must be from January 1999 to the present.  In the article summary, the most salient theme that was learned should be presented.  Each student is required to give a five-minute presentation of the article.

(3) Book Report:  A group -- consisting of two to three students -- book report from a nonfiction novel related to some aspect of human inheritance is required.  The novel must be approved by the teacher.  The final report shall be composed of five typed pages (double-spaced) consisting of the following:

a) bibliographical citation on top of page;
b) summary (1.5 pages);
c) issues related to human inheritance and bioethics (1.5);
d) personal opinion (1.5); and
e) recommendation of book, with reasoning (0.5).

Good literary style and grammar are greatly appreciated!  A 10- to 15-minute dramatization or skit of the book that portrays the most salient details of the novel is required.  This portion of the book report is graded by peers for originality and clarity.

(4) Human Genome Project:  A group presentation that consists of a 40-minute multimedia presentation on the nature of a specific genetic disease is required.  Detailed information regarding this group assignment is given during the first week of the course.

(5) Final Project:  The goal of this assignment is to allow students to confront some of the most troubling/controversial issues centered around the profusion of new discoveries and technologies associated with human inheritance.  This bioethical group debate/form is in lieu of a final exam.

(6) Chapter Tests and Quizzes:  All tests and quizzes are in essay format.

Grading:

The grading system follows the Fairfax County Public Schools grading system, as stated in the TJHSST Student Handbook.  The teacher uses a point-system to determine the semester grade.  The quarter grade serves only as an interim score to the final semester grade.  The final semester grade is a cumulative point value that encompasses all assignments from the entire semester; total points earned divided by total points possible equals grade percentage.

Attendance:

A good attendance record must be kept to guarantee success in the program.