Intro Genome Bio 2013

BIOL 105. Introduction to Genome Biology (Fall 2013) Instructor: Dr Weigang Qiu, Associate Professor of Biology Room: C104 Hunter North (a Computer Lab) Hours: Tuesdays, 12:45-3:15PM Office Hours: Room 839 HN; Wednesdays 5-7pm or by appointment Phone: 212-772-5296

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General Information

Course Description

• Background: A genome is the total genetic content of an organism. Driven by breakthroughs such as the decoding of the first human genome and rapid DNA-sequencing technologies, biomedical sciences are undergoing a rapid and profound transformation into a highly data-intensive field, which requires familiarity with concepts in both biology and computer science. Genome information is revolutionizing virtually all aspects of biology and medicine and will lead to major advances such as more efficient production of renewable energy, better cures for cancers, and longer and healthier life expectancy.
• Contents: This course will introduce genome-sequencing technologies, explore genome projects online, and discuss both the benefits and challenges (e.g., ethical and legal) of the genomic revolution to society.
• Learning Goals
  • Human Genome: Knowing the basic structure of the human genome
  • Central Dogma: Understanding the Central Dogma and how genes are regulated (i.e., turned on/off)
  • Genome diversity: Knowing the three major divisions of life, the use of DNA/protein sequences to classify organisms, and mechanisms of genome evolution
  • Bioinformatics: Understanding the importance of computer science and bioinformatics in producing and disseminating genome information through the web
• Textbook: Arthur Lesk (2012). Introduction to Genomics (2nd Edition). Oxford University Press. Amazon Link
• Academic Honesty: Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedures.
• Learning Outcomes
  • Be able to describe structure and function of the human genome
  • Be able to find chromosomal location, function, disease-association, and variability of a human gene using scientific databases
  • Be able to identify and classify organisms based on their DNA sequences
  • Be able to describe the processes of genome evolution, including mutation, duplication, recombination, horizontal gene transfer, genetic drift, and natural selection

Grading Policy

• Treat assignments as take-home exams. Student performance will be evaluated by weekly assignments and projects. While these are take-home projects and students are allowed to work in groups and answers to some of the questions are provided in the back of the textbook, students are expected to compose the final short answers, computer commands, and code independently. There are virtually an unlimited number of ways to solve a computational problem, as are ways and personal styles to implement an algorithm. Writings and blocks of codes that are virtually exact copies between individual students will be investigated as possible cases of plagiarism (e.g., copies from the Internet, text book, or each other). In such a case, the instructor will hold closed-door exams for involved individuals. Zero credits will be given to ALL involved individuals if the instructor considers there is enough evidence for plagiarism. To avoid being investigated for plagiarism, Do NOT copy from others or let others copy your work.
• Submit assignments in Printed Hard Copies. Email attachments will NOT be accepted. Each assignment will be graded based on timeliness (10%), whether executable or having major errors (50%), algorithm efficiency (10%), and readability in programming styles (30%, see #Assignment Expectations).
• The grading scheme
  • Assignments (100 pts): 10 exercises.
  • Mid-term (50 pts).
  • Final Project (50 pts)
  • Classroom performance (50 pts): Active engagement in classroom exercises and discussions
  • Attendance (50 pts): 1 unexcused absences = 40; 2 absences = 30; More than 2 = 0.

Assignment Expectations

• Use a programming editor (e.g., vi or emacs) so you could have features like automatic syntax highlighting, indentation, and matching of quotes and parenthesis.
• All PERL code must begin with "use strict; and use warnings;" statements. For each assignment, unless otherwise stated, I would like the full text of the source code. Since you cannot print using the text editor in the lab (even if you are connected from home), you must copy and paste the code into a word processor or a local text editor. If you are using a word processor, change the font to a fixed-width/monospace font. On Windows, this is usually Courier.
• Also, unless otherwise stated, both the input and the output of the program must be submitted as well. This should also be in fixed-width font, and you should label it in such a way so that I know it is the program's input/output. This is so that I know that you've run the program, what data you have used, and what the program produced. If you are working from the lab, one option is to email the code to yourself, change the font, and then print it somewhere else as there is no printer in the lab.
• Recommended Style
• Bad Style

Links

• Should human genes be patented? An NYT Op-Ed
• Biological Databases on the Web: 2013 Collection by NAR
• Biological Webservers: 2012 Collection by NAR