After completion of the course, students should be well grounded in the basics of
molecular genetics with skills to continue learning and understanding new advances
in this rapidly moving and evolving field.  Specific objectives and learning 
outcomes are:

1.  To study six model genetic organisms (E. coli & its viruses, S. cerevisiae,
C. elegans, D. melanogaster, Arabidopsis thaliana, and M. musculus or bugs,
yeast, worms, flies, plants, and mice) in depth to understand how their special
properties have been exploited to solve problems in molecular, cellular and
developmental biology.  You will learn advanced genetic methods of each model
system and develop critical thinking tools in analyzing complex problems.
  
2.  To deepen your knowledge of current topics in biology where genetic approaches 
are taken.  These include protein localization and targeting, the cell cycle, 
genome organization and evolution, and development.

3.  To develop your ability to read, understand, and critically evaluate published
scientific papers on which our understanding of biology is based.  You will be
expected to understand what question(s)/hypothesis(es) were posed, what experiments
were done to test the hypotheses, how the experiments were done, what the results
were, and how the results led to the conclusions that were drawn.  To achieve this
we will read and discuss in depth one or more critical papers from the literature
once a week.

Model organisms: their genomes & genetics

	E. coli & its viruses: genomes, genetics, DNA replication, gene regulation, 
and T4 frameshift mutations and the genetic code

	Yeast genetics and genome, protein targeting, signal transduction, cell 
cycle regulation, post-transcriptional regulation, gene expression profiling in 
yeast

	C. elegans: genome & genetics, cell lineage & developmental fate, continuity 
of the germplasm

	Mouse genome & genetics, transgenesis, HOX genes and gene targeting, and 
the humanized mouse

	Arabidopsis genetics & genome, insertional mutagenesis, flower development 
& iRNA gene families, regulation, and ectopic expression

	D. melanogaster genome, genetics, and developmental genetics

	Genomics: C-value paradox vs expressed genes, and comparative genomics

The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the
class by the instructor may be necessary.

Students are encouraged to work collaboratively and cooperatively in small study
groups to understand the manuscripts from the peer-reviewed literature. Tests will be
taken as individuals without the help of other persons.
 
All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A Culture of Honesty."  Each
student is responsible to inform themselves about those standards before performing
any academic work.  Accordingly, students will be expected to abide by the UGA honor
code in all aspects of this course. We encourage students to talk to other faculty
and students to further their understanding of the advanced genetics of these model
organisms.  Any infringement of the honor code that comes to the instructors'
attention will be remanded to the appropriate UGA entity for investigation and
disciplinary action.