Course Overview
Microbial Genomics
11:680:480
Spring Semester
Contact Information
Instructor: Dr. Gerben Zylstra
Foran Hall, Room 322
zylstra@sebs.rutgers.edu
Office Hours: By arrangement
Course Website, Resources, and Materials
- Canvas
Course Description
Genetics of bacteria and phage, focusing on replication, repair, transcription, translation, gene regulation, genetic networks, plasmids, conjugation, transformation, microbial and phage interactions, and different types of phage and their lifestyles.
Learning Goals
Understand the biochemical mechanisms underpinning replication, transcription, and translation Appreciate the diversity of mechanisms used by bacteria to regulate gene expression Demonstrate knowledge of the biochemistry behind conjugation and transformation Recognize the diverse types and lifestyles of phage.
Assignments/Responsibilities, Grading, and Assessment
Three exams each covering one third of the course (100 points each) and repeated questions from exam 1 and 2 on the third exam (40 points)
Accomodations for Students With Disabilities
Please follow the procedures outlined at ods.rutgers.edu/students/getting-registered. Full policies and procedures are at ods.rutgers.edu.
Absence Policy
If you miss class please check with other students about what you missed. All lecture notes and all important announcements will be posted on Canvas. If you arrive late for class please come in quietly and find an open seat.
Course Schedule
The course will cover these topics in order:
- DNA structure and replication
- DNA mutagenesis and repair
- Transposition and recombination
- Transcription
- Translation
- Attenuation and riboswitches
- Transcription Regulation
- Catabolite Regulation
- Two Component Regulation
- Plasmids
- Conjugation
- Transformation
- Phage
- Lambda Phage
Final Exam/Paper Date and Time
Academic Integrity
Read the university's policy on Academic Integrity . The principles of academic integrity require that a student:
- properly acknowledge and cite all use of the ideas, results, or words of others.
- properly acknowledge all contributors to a given piece of work.
- make sure that all work submitted as his or her own in a course or other academic activity is produced without the aid of impermissible materials or impermissible collaboration.
- obtain all data or results by ethical means and report them accurately without suppressing any results inconsistent with his or her interpretation or conclusions.
- treat all other students in an ethical manner, respecting their integrity and right to pursue their educational goals without interference. This requires that a student neither facilitate academic dishonesty by others nor obstruct their academic progress.
- uphold the canons of the ethical or professional code of the profession for which he or she is preparing.
Adherence to these principles is necessary in order to ensure that:
- everyone is given proper credit for his or her ideas, words, results, and other scholarly accomplishments.
- all student work is fairly evaluated and no student has an inappropriate advantage over others.
- the academic and ethical development of all students is fostered.
- the reputation of the University for integrity in its teaching, research, and scholarship is maintained and enhanced.
Failure to uphold these principles of academic integrity threatens both the reputation of the University and the value of the degrees awarded to its students. Every member of the University community therefore bears a responsibility for ensuring that the highest standards of academic integrity are upheld.
Student Wellness Services
Counseling, ADAP & Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
848-932-7884
17 Senior Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
CAPS is a University mental health support service that includes counseling, alcohol and other drug assistance, and psychiatric services staffed by a team of professional within Rutgers Health services to support students' efforts to succeed at Rutgers University. CAPS offers a variety of services that include: individual therapy, group therapy and workshops, crisis intervention, referral to specialists in the community and consultation and collaboration with campus partners.
Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance (VPVA)
848-932-1181
3 Bartlett Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
The Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance provides confidential crisis intervention, counseling and advocacy for victims of sexual and relationship violence and stalking to students, staff and faculty. To reach staff during office hours when the university is open or to reach an advocate after hours, call 848-932-1181.
Disability Services
848-445-6800
Lucy Stone Hall, Suite A145, Livingston Campus, 54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ
08854
Rutgers University welcomes students with disabilities into all of the University's educational programs. In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, a student with a disability must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation: https://ods.rutgers.edu/students/documentation-guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability services office will provide you with a Letter of Accommodations. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. To begin this process, please complete the Registration form on the ODS web site.