Home page for Genetics 320, Fall of 2005

• A Scots-led medical research team has identified a new gene linked to major mental illness that links back to a previously discovered gene known to increase the risk of schizophrenia and depression. Scientists from the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, together with scientists from the pharmaceutical company Merck, Sharp & Dohme Limited, report the discovery of the second gene, phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) in the prestigious journal Science today (17 November). Their discoveries could lead to the eventual development of new drugs to treat mental health problems.article

• MIA PETERSON is not a fan of tests. Because she has Down syndrome, she says, she cannot always think as fast as she would like to and tests end up making her feel judged. A recent driving test, for instance, ended in frustration. Ms. Peterson, 31, the chief of self-advocacy for the National Down Syndrome Society, prefers public speaking and travel. And her test aversion extends to the latest one designed to detect Down in a fetus. "I don't want to think like we're being judged against," Ms. Peterson said. "Not meeting their expectations." article

• Like most anonymous sperm donors, Donor 150 of the California Cryobank will probably never meet any of the offspring he fathered through sperm bank donations. There are at least four, according to the bank's records, and perhaps many more, since the dozens of women who have bought Donor 150's sperm are not required to report when they have a baby. article

• Did Jewish intelligence evolve in tandem with Jewish diseases as a result of discrimination in the ghettos of medieval Europe? That's the premise of a controversial new study that has some preening and others plotzing. What genetic science can tell us--and what it can't.article

• Deactivating a specific gene transforms meek mice into daredevils, researchers have found. The team believe the research might one day enable people suffering from fear -- in the form of phobias or anxiety disorders, for example -- to be clinically treated. article

• In a finding that is likely to sharpen discussion about the merits of race-based medicine, an Icelandic company says it has detected a version of a gene that raises the risk of heart attack in African-Americans by more than 250 percent. article

• This book review of "Race to the Finish: Identity and Governance in an Age of Genomics" lays out some interesting historical facts on the role of race in genetics. article

• This is a long, but very interesting, article about genetic medicine and the Amish.
• Dr. D. Holmes Morton stood at the front of the red-and-white-striped tent set up in a farm pasture in Lancaster County, Pa. Behind him were a horse and a buggy - his host's main mode of transportation - and a whitewashed barn and silo. To his left was a sunken barbecue pit, with 60 chickens cooking inside a homemade wire-mesh spit. Before him were seven families, upward of 50 people. The women wore bonnets and aprons, the men, long pants and long sleeves, in keeping with their Mennonite ways. Many of the youngest were in wheelchairs. One teenage girl had her left heel in her mouth. A boy was chewing on the handout Morton had distributed. It was two pages long and titled "Pretzel Syndrome." full article (11 pages, pdf)

Study Groups

List of persons interested in study groups.

Problem Sets

Unless otherwise stated, problem sets are due by 11 am on Friday. NO LATE PROBLEM SETS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

1. Problem set 1 (due MONDAY 29 August)
   • pdf file
   • Solutions pdf file
   • Mean = 7.7, SD = 2.3, medium = 8, range = 0 - 10, distribution

2. Problem set 2 (due Friday 2 Sept.)
   • pdf file
   • Solutions pdf file
   • Mean = 8.5, SD = 1.7, medium = 9, range = 0 - 10, distribution

3. Problem set 3 (due MONDAY 12 Sept.)
   • pdf file
   • Solutions pdf file
   • Mean = 7.6, SD = 2.2, medium = 8, range = 1 - 10, distribution

4. Problem set 4 (due Friday 16 Sept.)
   • pdf file
   • Solutions pdf file
   • Mean = 8.7, SD = 1.4, medium = 9, range = 0 - 10, distribution

5. Problem set 5 :
   1. copy two problems you missed on the exam.
   2. Do them correctly.
   3. Describe the error you made on them BRIEFLY.
   4. Discuss Problem 7
   • Mean = 7.9, SD = 2.1, medium = 8, range = 1 - 10, distribution

6. Problem set 6 (due Friday 7 October.)
   • pdf file
   • Solutions pdf file
   • Mean = 7.8, SD = 1.7, medium = 8, range = 3 - 10, distribution

7. Problem set 7 (due Monday 21 October.)
   • Problems & Solutions
     1. part 1
     2. part 2
     3. part 3
     4. part 4
   • Mean = 7.8, SD = 1.8, medium = 8, range = 0.5 - 10, distribution

8. Problem set 8 (due Monday 21 November.)
   • pdf file
   • Solutions pdf file
   • Mean = 8.3, SD = 1.6, medium = 9, range = 2 - 10, distribution

9. Problem set 9 (due Wes 23 November.)
   • pdf file
   • Solutions pdf file
   • Mean = 7.3, SD = 2.0, medium = 8, range = 0 - 10, distribution

10. Problem set 10 (due Wes 7 December)
    • pdf file
    • Solutions pdf file
    • Mean = 8.0, SD = 2.4, medium = 9, range = 0 - 10, distribution, 214 turned in

Class handouts

• Consent form (passed out with first homework)

Lecture Notes

Grade postings and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

It is a violation of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to publicly post student grades that are identified by the student's name, institutional student identification number, or social security number without first having obtained the student's written permission. This regulation applies to Web sites and grade sheets left with office staff as well as to the more traditional posting sites such as bulletin boards and office doors.

Accordingly, please return with your first homework assignment the below signed form if you wish to have your scores for homework, tests, etc. pos (on the website and class bulletin boards). The method of posting with the last four digits of your student number. Not signing this form has absolutely no effect on your grade, and it is completely voluntary.

If you do not sign this form, to ensure your privacy, I will only give out your scores if you visit me during office hours, after showing me a picture ID. To protect your privacy, no scores will be given over the phone or e-mail (unless you have signed the posting consent form).

• Consent form (passed out with first homework)

Grading and Course Policy

In the very rare event that you have to miss class on Friday, you can also fax in your problem sets (621-9190), but to receive any credit:

• You MUST put a cover sheet on directing them to Dr. Walsh (this is our Departmental Fax number). If you fail to use the cover sheet, the problem set can be lost, and we assume no reasonability in this case.
• The Fax must be received before 11 am Friday.

Exams: There are three 100 point midterms (23 Sept, 28 Oct. 2 Dec) and a 200 point final (14 December). Material for exams will come from readings, problem sets, and lectures.

Grading: Material for exams will come from readings and lecture. Problem sets must handed in at the start of the 11 am Fri. class (unless otherwise noted on the syllabus) on dates indicated. Problem sets handed in late receive zero credit.

Your final grade will be computed two different ways, and you will receive the HIGHER of the two. One method uses the percentage of the total highest score, with 90% (and up) of the highest total score = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D. (If you are worried, we round up from the nearest 0.5, so that 89.500 = 90, but 89.499 = 89). The advantage of using the total percentage is that (in theory) the entire class can get an A. The second method uses normal (z) scores, which depend on the overall distribution of test scores. The advantage of using z-scores is that very good (or very bad) exam performances are more highly weigh. You can track your current grade status via your SS number using the Grade tracker .

Regrading: Request for regrading of any material (exam or problem set) must be made in writing to the grader (state the nature of the problem, a simple "please regrade" is NOT sufficient) within 1 week of receiving the grade. The complete exam or problem set may be regraded, and a higher or lower score may result. In exceptionally egregious cases, we reserve the right to dock students additional points for overly aggressive attempts to mine for additional frivolous points through regrading.

Class policy on missed exams: Attendance is required for lecture and problem solving sessions. The Friday 2 p.m. meeting is mandatory. Students will receive no credit, a zero, for problem sets and exams that are missed. NO MAKE UP EXAMS OR PROBLEM SETS WILL BE GIVEN. Where appropriate, Dr. Walsh can assign an excused miss. If at all possible, please see Dr. Walsh before an exam is missed.

Procedure to Resolve Disputes: First see grader; then Dr. Walsh

Class policy on study groups: You are encouraged to form study groups to discuss lecture material and problems sets. If you study and discuss problem sets in a study group put the names of all members of your study group on the first page of your answers. You will NOT be penalized for this. HOWEVER, DO NOT COPY ANSWERS FROM EACH OTHER. Discuss the problems in your study group and then go home and write up your answers alone.

Class policy on "academic integrity": Your academic work (exams and problem sets) must be your own; do not copy answers to problem sets or anything else; cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated on exams or problem sets. If you are caught, any combination of the following will occur (UA Code of Academic Integrity): a zero grade will be assigned for the work; course grade dropped one letter grade; course grade of F; disciplinary probation from University; suspension from the University; notation "Declared guilty of violation of the Code of Academic Integrity" put on student's permanent record.

Honors

The extra honors section meetings on Monday 2:00 - 2:50 PM in Shantz 242E.

Instructors:

• Debrah Thompson
  • office: LSS 410
  • phone: 621- 3437
  • Office hours: Thursday 11-12
  • e-mail : dmt1@email.arizona.edu

• Scott Segal
  • office: LSS 404
  • phone: 626-7126
  • Office hours: Tuesday 10-11
  • e-mail : spsegal@email.arizona.edu

Exams

1. Exam One
   • Exam
   • Curve
   • solutions
2. Exam Two
   • Curve
   • solutions
3. Exam Three
   • Curve
   • solutions -- Bruce's questions -- Ted's questions
4. Final
   • Curve
   • solutions -- Bruce's questions -- Ted's questions

Instructors

• Bruce Walsh (Course coordinator)
  • office: BSW 322
  • phone: 621-1915
  • Office hours Mon, Wes 8:30 - 9:30 and by appointment
  • Home page
  • e-mail : jbwalsh@u.arizona.edu
    

• Ted Weinert
  • office: LSS 546
  • phone: 621-8511
  • Office hours: TBA
  • e-mail : tweinert@u.arizona.edu

Teaching Assistants

• Anne Estes
  • office: BSW 302
  • Office hours: W 3:30-4:30
  • e-mail : amestes@email.arizona.edu

• Erin Kelleher
  • office: BSW 131
  • Office hours: Tu. 11:30- 12:30
  • e-mail : kelleher@email.arizona.edu

• Xu Cheng
  • office: BSW 112
  • Office hours: Tues, 9:30 -- 10:30
  • e-mail : xucheng@email.arizona.edu

• Christine Lamanna
  • office: BSW 302
  • Office hours: Wes, 9:30-10:30
  • e-mail : clamanna@email.arizona.edu