Biology
125 Fall
2006
Perspectives
in Biology: Robert
Fairman
Genetic Roil and Royal
Families
MWF
9:30AM-10:30AM Sharpless
Auditorium
Office hours: Tuesday 1:30-2:30; Wednesday
10:30-11:30; and by appointment (Sharpless 311)
This course will focus on the genetic and biochemical bases of disease in royal families and its impact on politics and culture. We will start off by learning the basic biological principles necessary to appreciate the molecular and cellular aspects of two genetic diseases: (1) hemophilia A (the "bleeding" disease) ; and (2) variegate porphyria (the "Royal malady"). After developing a basic understanding of the important biological principles, we will focus on these two diseases from the point of view of medicine, genealogy, and political and cultural impact during the times of Tsarevich Alexis and King George III. The goal of this course is to understand the importance of biology and medicine not only to the scientific community but to society as a whole.
We will have two quizzes, which will cover the molecular and cellular information covered in the first three weeks. You will write three 500-750 word essays, the first being on a topic relating to a specific human disease, and the second two in the persuasive style on the impact of hemophilia on the reign of Tsar Nicholas and on the impact of porphyria on the reign of King George III, respectively. You may use any of the resources in Blackboard, on reserve in the science library, or from your own work to find materials on the web or McGill library. There will be several opportunities for discussion in the class so class participation is also an important component of this course.
Assignments
15% essay 1 11/3
15% quiz 1 – in class 11/13
15% quiz 2 – take home 11/29
20% essay 2 12/4
20% essay 3 12/15
15% class participation
Students
who think they may need accommodations in this course because of the impact of
a disability are encouraged to meet with me privately early in the
semester. Students should also
contact Rick Webb, Coordinator, Office of Disabilities Services
(rwebb@haverford.edu, 610-896-1290) to verify their eligibility for reasonable
accommodations as soon as possible.
Early contact will help to avoid unnecessary inconvenience and delays.
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Week 1: |
Readings |
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Oct. 30: |
Course introduction and basic principles of biology |
Ch. 1 |
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Nov. 1: |
Cell structure and differentiation |
Ch. 4 |
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Nov. 3: |
Discussion of diseases associated with organelles Essay 1 Due |
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Week 2: |
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Nov. 6: |
Cell propagation: mitosis and meiosis |
Ch. 9,10 |
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Nov. 8: |
Molecular (and human) genetics |
Ch. 11,12 |
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Nov. 10: |
Wrap-Up and discussion of meiosis and genetics |
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Week 3: |
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Nov. 13: |
Quiz 1 (Lectures thru 11/10), 30 minutes, Discussion |
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Nov. 15: |
Central Dogma:
DNA structure and expression |
Ch. 13,14 |
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Nov. 17: |
Protein structure and mutation |
Ch. 3 |
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Week 4: |
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Nov. 20: |
A molecular understanding of hemophilia |
handout |
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Nov. 22: |
Genealogy and medical history of hemophilia in royal
families Quiz #2 Due (Lectures thru 11/20) |
handout |
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Week 5: |
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Nov. 27: |
Historical context for hemophilia and Tsarevich Alexis |
handout |
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Nov. 29: |
A&E special |
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Dec. 1: |
Discussion of essays |
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Week 6: |
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Dec. 4: |
A molecular understanding of porphyria Essay 2 due |
handout |
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Dec. 6: |
Genealogy and medical history of porphyria in royal
families |
handout |
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Dec. 8: |
Historical context for porphyria and King George III |
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Week 7: |
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Dec. 11: |
Madness of King George film |
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Dec. 13: |
Discussion of essays |
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Dec. 15: |
Finish film and course wrap-up Essay 3 due |
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