Course overview
This course will provide fundamental principles of genetics and inheritance, building upon the concepts introduced in first year biology courses. By examining key concepts in Mendelian inheritance, genetic linkage and recombination, regulation of gene expression, and tools of genetic analysis, students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving strategies. This course, along with Genetics 2B, provides a foundation for third year genetics subjects in the Genetics major.
- Inheritance of variation in traits
- Linked genes and chromosome inheritance
- Mutations and gene function
- Gene regulation in eukaryotes
Course learning outcomes
- Apply the principles of Mendelian inheritance and further allelic and gene interactions to interpret and predict patterns of inheritance in genetic crosses and in pedigrees.
- Describe, recognise and explain non-Mendelian patterns of inheritance, including but not limited to analysing and predicting linkage and interpreting basic linkage maps, for both genetic crosses and pedigrees.
- Understand how different types of mutations can arise and connect these with differences in phenotype and the basis of inheritance of phenotypes, including understanding genomic variation.
- Integrate principles of classical and molecular genetics to explain how gene expression can be regulated in eukaryotes.
- Analyse and interpret experimental data to elucidate the basis of inheritance of variation in traits.
- Use and understand genetics vocabulary accurately.
Degree list
The following degrees include this course