The Catskills, Maine, the Southwest Desert Biome, and Tropics are among habitats studied. Fee charged for transportation and living expenses. One year of college biological science or permission of the instructor. This is a survey course which introduces students to the various fields of modern genetics. Topics include the diverse forms of inheritance, the structure of chromosomes, the nature and function of genes, the regulation of gene activity, mutation, biotechnology, and evolution.
Special reference is made to human genetic disorders and cancer.
Lab work includes observing the inheritance of traits in fruit flies and plants, mapping genes to regions of chromosomes, transformation, conjugation, plasmid DNA isolation, DNA gel electrophoresis, and protein gel electrophoresis. Students will learn techniques for the handling of bacteria and bacteriophage. The morphology, physiology, development and adaptations of the major organ systems in vertebrates. Laboratory work includes microscopic examination of tissues and the dissection of a vertebrate. A study of the evolution and natural history of the major animal groups.