COURSE SYLLABUS

BME 5030: Introduction to Molecular Biology for Engineers

Section No: 87388

Time: 5:00 - 7:30, Tuesday

Room: 2220 Bioengineering Center

Instructor: John Cavanaugh

Office location: Room 2206, Bioengineering Center

Phone number: 313-577-3916, Fax: 313-577-8333

E-mail address: cavanau@rrb.eng.wayne.edu

Web page: http://ttb.eng.wayne.edu/~cavanau/jmcweb.html

Office Hours: by appointment

Course objectives: The objectives of this course are for the student to attain the following:

1. A working knowledge of genes and how genes are expressed (DNA to RNA to protein)

2. A familiarity with the tools used in genetic engineering and molecular biology.

3. An understanding of how the various techniques of molecular biology are applied.

4. The ability to synthesize objectives 1 through 3 in three written examinations.

Course Prerequisites: Required: None.

Recommended: Engineering Physiology (BME 5010). An undergraduate course in chemistry and an undergraduate course in biology are also recommended.

Student responsibilities:

The student's ability to meet objectives the objectives will be evaluated as follows:

Exam #1: closed book, worth 1/3 of grade

Exam #2: open book, take home, worth 1/3 of grade

Exam #3: open book, take home, worth 1/3 of grade

Required text:

Molecular Biology Made Simple and Fun, 2nd edition

by David P. Clark and Lonnie D. Russell

Cache River Press, 2000

Material fee requirements:

none

Grading Policy:

The final grade will be divided as shown under student responsibilities.

The following is the grade range for graduate students:

A94-100

A-88-93

B+82-87

B76-81

B-70-75

C+65-69

C60-64

F59 or less

The above grading scale applies to undergraduate students except as follows:

C-56-59

D+51-55

D46-50

D-41-45

F40 or less

 Exam and quiz policies:

The first examination will be closed book. The format of the exam will be multiple choice and short answer.

The second and third examinations will be open book and open notes. The format of the exam will be short answer and essay questions. These examinations will be take home.

Late work and make-up examination policy: Examinations must be taken or turned in on the dates posted in the attached schedule. An unforeseen medical emergency must have written documentation with the physician's signature.

Attendance policy: Attendance at lectures is highly recommended.

Dates of all examinations: See attached schedule.

Cheating policy:

There will be no talking between students during any examination or copying material from one exam to another. In the closed book exam, no materials, including computers, calculators or printed materials, are allowed. In the open book exam, all materials are allowed. The consequences of cheating on an examination will be a failing grade for the course.

Each examination, whether closed or open book, must be your own work. In the open book examinations you must use your own words. If more than 20% of your answer to a question is copied directly from another source, such as the textbook, you will receive a score of zero for that answer. If more than 20% of your answer to a question is copied directly from another student, you and the other student will receive a score of zero for the entire exam. In short, the take-home examinations must be in your own words.

Policy on withdrawal:

Please note that the LAST day to drop a class with a tuition refund is Monday, January 22. Classes dropped between January 23 and February 5 do not appear on your academic record.

Classes dropped after February 5 require instructor's signature and a mark of W is assigned. Also note that the College of Engineering DOES NOT ALLOW Withdrawal from courses after the FIFTH week of classes except under exceptional circumstances. FAILING of a class is NOT an acceptable excuse for withdrawal after the 5th week.

Policy on deferred grades:

A grade of 'I' will only be assigned if the student IS NOT currently failing the class and if there is NOT a substantial quantity of work yet to be completed. An 'I' grade MUST be made up within one year of assignment of the grade.

 

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