Micro 402
Microbial Genetics

Course description: This course covers topics essential to understand the genetics and molecular biology of microorganisms, including gene transfer, mutagenesis, replication, DNA repair and recombination, gene expression and regulation, recombinant DNA technology, and genomics.  These concepts will be taught using both a traditional lecture format, as well as by review of original research literature.  This approach will allow examination in greater depth the design, methodology, and interpretation of experiments of both historical and contemporary relevance to microbial genetics.  

The goal of this course is not only to develop your comprehension of bacterial genetics, but also to develop your ability to read and critically assess research publications and to understand and appreciate the use of genetics as a tool for answering biological questions.  As a general approach to this course, when learning the material continue to ask “how do we know that?”

Grading will include three hourly exams, a comprehensive final exam, and assessment of your participation in the review of six research papers. For the latter, you will be responsible for preparing for the discussion periods by carefully reviewing the assigned manuscript to understand the objectives, experimental approach, use of controls, results, conclusions, and potential future direction for the research.  To receive credit you must participate in the paper discussion by answering, or even asking insightful questions and submit at the end of the class period a short (no more than one page) summary of the assigned paper.

  The summary should answer the following questions:

• What is the main purpose of the research described in the paper?
• What experimental approaches were used?
• What conclusions were reached by the described research?
  
  Your participation in the discussions is essential for a successful course!

  Why is discussion required for this course--why can’t we just sit and take notes?  While the format for this course may be challenging for some of you at first, it offers several advantages that will help you in your scientific careers at all levels, including:

• Increased communication ability. By explaining conceptually challenging concepts you will become a more effective communicator, an ability necessary for your career as successful scientist and teacher.
  
• Learning collaboratively. Hearing interpretations and descriptions of the research from different points of view will either reinforce, or prompt reevaluation of your interpretations.
  
• Creating knowledge together. New insights will emerge from our discussions that result only from group interaction.
  
• Review and reinforcement of understanding. You should be able to connect your contributions to those of others to gain greater insight and understanding.
  
• Improved mental agility by learning how to "think on your feet."
  
• Respecting differences of interpretation. It is important to develop respect for those who may present ideas and interpretation that differ from your own.