BIOL 2171

Genetics

0.5 credits · Undergraduate

Fall 2026

Readings

Genetics Essentials (Benjamin Pierce-5th Edition of 2025 MacMillian). The fall of
2026 semester is our first time of using this textbook. For questions about e-access to the
Additional Requirements: (1) Preview the textbook and think about the questions in the related
chapter(s) before the applicable class. (2) Review the textbook and try to answer the questions in

Fall 2025

Personal genomics
Natural genetic variation in populations (humans and others)
Structure and function of genes and chromosomes
Genetic variation arises by mutation
Genetic variation and evolution (selection for function, phylogeny, homologs, gene families)
How genes affect phenotypes: pathways, regulatory interactions, heterozygosity, dominance effects
Genetic variation also arises by chromosome reassortment and homologous recombination
Mitosis and meiosis: mechanisms and genetic consequences
Linkage and sex linkage
phenotypes in crosses and pedigrees
Organelle genetics
Epigenetic inheritance
Genome structure, function and evolution
causes and consequences of chromosomal changes
Phenotypic effects of natural genetic differences, heritability
Genome-wide association studies and related studies linking genes to phenotypes
Genetics of cancer
inheritance of alleles affecting risk

Good text, not required: Klug, S.K., Cummings, M., Spencer, C.A., Palladino, M.A., Killian, D. (2018) Concepts of Genetics (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc. (ISBN: 0134787323) ➢ LibreTexts™ Biology’s free (0$) online Introduction to Genetics ( can be a useful reference.

Fall 2025

Personal genomics
Natural genetic variation in populations (humans and others)
Structure and function of genes and chromosomes
Genetic variation arises by mutation
Genetic variation and evolution (selection for function, phylogeny, homologs, gene families)
How genes affect phenotypes: pathways, regulatory interactions, heterozygosity, dominance effects
Genetic variation also arises by chromosome reassortment and homologous recombination
Mitosis and meiosis: mechanisms and genetic consequences
Linkage and sex linkage
phenotypes in crosses and pedigrees
Organelle genetics
Epigenetic inheritance
Genome structure, function and evolution
causes and consequences of chromosomal changes
Phenotypic effects of natural genetic differences, heritability
Genome-wide association studies and related studies linking genes to phenotypes
Genetics of cancer
inheritance of alleles affecting risk

Good text, not required: Klug, S.K., Cummings, M., Spencer, C.A., Palladino, M.A., Killian, D. (2018) Concepts of Genetics (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc. (ISBN: 0134787323) ➢ LibreTexts™ Biology’s free (0$) online Introduction to Genetics ( can be a useful reference.

Sources