Syllabus
Bi 122. Genetics. 9 units (3-0-6); first term. Prerequisites: Bi 8 or Bi 9, or instructor's permission. Lecture and discussion course covering basic principles of genetics. Not open to freshmen. Instructors: Hay, Staff.
Welcome to Bi 122! This course covers a broad range of topics in genetics, from the classic experiments of Mendel to the modern sciences of gene regulation and genomics.
Lectures are usually supplemented with handouts summarizing the material covered. Because a good deal of what is presented in class does not appear in the book, it is worth attending at least a few of the lectures.
Chapters 7–9 should be reviewed, skimmed for terms and general sense, if you have not taken Bi 8. If you are unsure of your mastery of the Bi 8/9 material, or came from another department or school without an equivalent course, read those chapters. For some parts of the course the book does not provide adequate information, or presents it with a slant different from what is covered in class.
Problem sets are released on Friday and due the following Thursday at 11:59 pm.
Sets less than 24 hours late lose 10% of the grade; up to 48 hours late, 20%. In general they should not be handed in later than that. Sets are graded from 0 to 100%, the lowest score is discarded, and the remaining seven count equally toward 60% of the final grade.
If a test turns out much harder than intended, the conversion may be shifted so that a score lower than 91% counts as an A, and so on; any such change is announced. It is never shifted the other way. Under any circumstances a 91% is an A.
Problem sets. You must work completely independently on each problem set for three hours. After that you are free to discuss the problems, and may use visual aids, the digital equivalent of chalkboards, marker boards, or scratch paper.
You may not use another student's answer to any problem when it is in its final form, ready to submit. You must write up your solutions independently of others, and not use any recorded notes of discussion sessions. There is to be no division of effort.
Exams. No collaboration, either verbal or written. Personal calculators are permitted. Each exam counts for a fifth of the final grade.
| Item | Due | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Problem Set 1 | Thu, Oct 8 | 11:59 pm | |
| Problem Set 2 | Thu, Oct 15 | 11:59 pm | |
| Problem Set 3 | Thu, Oct 22 | 11:59 pm | |
| Problem Set 4 | Thu, Oct 29 | 11:59 pm | |
| Midterm Exam | TBD | TBD | In person |
| Problem Set 5 | Thu, Nov 12 | 11:59 pm | |
| Problem Set 6 | Thu, Nov 19 | 11:59 pm | |
| Problem Set 7 | Thu, Nov 26 | 11:59 pm | |
| Problem Set 8 | Thu, Dec 3 | 11:59 pm | |
| Final Exam | Tue, Dec 8 | 3:30–6:30 pm | In person |
Presentation, up to 5%. Choose one topic from the list of paper options, then pick an open class date on the sign up sheet. Professor Hay gives a brief introduction and acts as MC, then you present for 10 to 20 minutes during the last 20 minutes of that class. See presentations for details.
CTLO science nights, 6%. Outreach in collaboration with the CCID (Caltech Center for Inclusion and Diversity), volunteering for a science night organized by Caltech's CTLO, earns 6% extra credit. Sign up ↗
Email a TA or Professor Hay about being unable to take an exam, or about accommodations.
Make up exams and accommodations use the 12:15–3:15 pm block, on any day from Monday, Dec 7, through Friday, Dec 11.