General Course Info

Course: IDS 2935: Exploring Our Genome (Quest 2)

Semester: Fall 2024

Class meeting: Hybrid (80% asynchronous, 20% synchronous weekly Discussion Sections, per student registration times).

Open student hours with the instructors will be announced during the first week of class.

Enrollment cap: 152 students 

Instructors: 

• Jennifer Drew, PhD, jdrew@ufl.edu   
• Angelica Ahrens, PhD, MBA, a.ahrens@ufl.edu 

Teaching assistants:

• Korrie James, korriejames@ufl.edu
• Krista Verali, kveralivannice@ufl.edu  

Expect responses within 24 hours on weekdays. 

GroupMe: A GroupMe for the course has been created here. You are welcome to join, but not required. Instructors will monitor this forum periodically for questions and clarifications.  Canvas remains the primary channel for official information, announcements, and updates. Reach instructors via the Discussion Board (FAQ's) as well as Canvas email for more immediate matters.

Office hours: Every Tuesday noon - 1pm EST on Zoom

Course Description and Goals

Genomics has exploded with exciting discoveries and spawned innovative technological developments. Personal genomics and personalized health care have ushered in a new era of Precision Medicine. This course investigates the same fundamental questions that drive scientists studying genetics, behavior, and disease. These pressing questions address crucial aspects: What insights can genetics provide us about ourselves? How do we navigate the study and analysis of our personal genome data? How can common genetic variations inform decisions related to disease risk, lifestyles, and behaviors?

Throughout this course, we will immerse ourselves in the field of genomics, exploring the process of obtaining and interpreting genome sequence data. We’ll gain an understanding of the limitations of this data and examine the ethical, legal, and societal implications that come with it. This course is designed to bolster scientific literacy while exploring your own interests in the human genome. The course culminates in a Capstone project where you will each curate, record, and share a short, yet informative and interdisciplinary oral presentation on a pressing question (of your choice) within this field. Your talks will be shared in the final modules of the course, to enhance peer engagement. By the end of this course, students will have more experience interpreting scientific manuscripts and will have acquired a versatile set of skills that can be applied across various fields. This course welcomes students from all majors and backgrounds. No prior scientific or statistical/analytical background is assumed.

Quest and General Education Credit

You can earn the following Quest and General Education Credits:

• Quest 2
• Biological Sciences

This course accomplishes the Quest and General Education objectives of the subject areas listed above. A minimum grade of C is required for Quest and General Education credit. Courses intended to satisfy Quest and General Education requirements cannot be taken S-U.

Course Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Required Readings and Works

  Lewis, R. (2023). Human Genetics: Concepts and Applications (14th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill Publishers. Available via UF All Access. 

All other required readings and works are available in Canvas. 

Materials and Supplies Fees

There are no additional materials or fees in this course.

Minimum technology requirements

The University of Florida expects students entering an online program to acquire computer hardware and software appropriate to their degree program. Students are expected to have ongoing computer and internet access.

Most computers are capable of meeting the following general requirements.

A student’s computer configuration should include:

• Webcam
• Microphone
• Physical keyboard
• Broadband connection to the internet and related equipment (cable/DSL modem)
• Microsoft Office Suite installed (provided by the university)

The Student Computing Requirements state: “The University of Florida requires all students to have continuous ongoing access to computer hardware and software appropriate to their degree program. Coursework in all degree programs requires the use of a computer and reliable high-speed internet connectivity. Activities related to student life including academic advisement, course registration, official university correspondence, use of library resources, and student financial affairs are predicated on access to a computer with internet connectivity.” For more information, please see: https://policy.ufl.edu/policy/student-computing-requirements/Links to an external site..

Late assignments will not be accepted due to technical errors or malfunctions.

Computing labs are available on campus at these locations: https://cals.ufl.edu/current-students/studentresources/computer-lab/.

Not all published literature is open access. Some required readings may require log-in via Gatorlink with a VPN. You can download such articles using off-campus access through UF libraries, with instructions here: https://uflib.ufl.edu/using-the-libraries/off-campus-access/.

Individual colleges may have additional requirements or recommendations, which students should review before starting their program.

Technical and digital information literacy skills

Minimum Technical Skills

To complete your tasks in this course, you will need a basic understanding of:

• Operating a computer and using word processing software
• Using the learning management system
• Using email with attachments
• Creating and submitting files in commonly used word processing program formats
• Downloading and installing software
• Using spreadsheet programs
• Using presentation and graphics programs
• Recording presentations
• Using apps in digital devices
• Using web conferencing tools and software

Minimum Digital Literacy Skills

Furthermore, you should be able to:

• Use online libraries and databases to locate and gather appropriate information
• Use computer networks to locate and store files or data
• Use online search tools for specific academic purposes, including the ability to use search criteria, keywords, and filters
• Analyze digital information for credibility, currency, and bias (e.g., disinformation, misinformation)
• Properly cite information sources
• Prepare a presentation of research findings

Graded Work

Description of graded work

Your work will be graded within 2 weeks after the due date. 

Grading Scale

For information on how UF assigns grade points, visit the current UF grading policies.  

Weekly Schedule

Here are the weekly concepts. Each Module starts on a Thursday. Students are encouraged to log onto Canvas several times a week to say informed. At a minimum, students should login every Thursday so they are aware of the week's expectations and can plan their time accordingly.

Required readings and materials, active learning components, and assignments will be posted in each module. Although deadlines will be posted using the Canvas calendar tool, it is each student’s responsibility to keep track of assignments and key dates on a personal calendar, so they fulfill the course requirements.

quest learning experiences

Synchronous Discussion Sections

After Drop/Add, students will meet in weekly synchronous Discussion Sections, held on Zoom, at their registered times. Students will receive participation points in their associated assignment (see below), for not only logging onto Zoom, but for actively engaging in the session. A tentative Synchronous Discussion Section calendar, with associated topics, will be released.

To prepare for these discussions, students will reflect on prompts, and in break-out sessions, in real-time, they will together weave course concepts and real-world applications. Some sessions will be centered around "Genetics in the News", where students will bring and discuss breaking research in the relevant areas of genomics. Other sessions will serve as framework for course concepts, while others will offer a supportive space to brainstorm and receive feedback on the Capstone presentation. Together, these Discussion Sections will provide a space where theoretical understanding, practical experience, collaboration, and communication converge.

Assignments

Throughout the semester, students will complete a series of independent assignments. Most of these will be focused around the Discussion Sections. Some will be based on other materials, primarily based around our engagement platform, Perusall. Assignments will be released within the respective module. Discussions Section assignments will be worth, on average, 2.5% of the course grade. Engagement exercises will be carried out by the students collectively within their peer “pods”, primarily through our engagement program, Perusall. The course is entirely built off the assessment of your individual work; however, the engagement component is intended to enrich your learning, provide support, and facilitate nuanced interaction with course materials.

Capstone Presentation

The final project is a 4-5 minute video presentation on a topic or application of Human Genomics of their choice. It is expected that students will apply concepts from course lectures, exploring how theoretical knowledge translates into practical scenarios.

The capstone is founded upon three essential pillars:

• Connection: Through networking and collaboration, students will establish valuable connections with professionals in the field, enriching their understanding of genomics’ practical implications.
• Critical Thinking: The literature review and synthesis foster critical thinking, enabling students to distill complex information and identify gaps in knowledge.
• Communication: By presenting their findings to the class, students will hone their communication skills, ensuring that intricate genomic concepts are accessible and engaging.

Students should allocate sufficient time to curate their talk in the latter part of the semester. Two Discussion Sections will be dedicated to helping students prepare. Guidance will be provided mid-semester on the project requirements, as well as advice on how to focus the presentation.

The culmination of this project is a comprehensive learning experience spanning the last weeks of the course. Instead of lecture-based learning, the modules will be focused entirely around these presentations (shared and discussed in our engagement program, Perusall). During this phase, students will share their projects with classmates, fostering interaction and knowledge exchange. This exchange will not only showcase their discoveries but also provide an opportunity for reflection on the skills and insights gained.

Self-Reflection

In this course, students are asked to reflect on the growth of their critical thinking abilities, research skills, and scientific literacy. Self-reflection will be an integral part of the experiential learning journey, providing students with opportunities to assess their progress at various stages. The self-reflection component serves as a means for students to assess their intellectual and personal growth, fostering a deeper understanding of their journey in this course and its potential impact on their academic and professional trajectories.

course Level learning outcomes (clo)

At the end of this course, students will be expected to have achieved the Quest and General Education learning outcomes.

Course Map & Objectives

Refer to the course map for the alignment of course objectives with module objectives and module objectives with learning activities.

UF and Course policies

Generative AI

While you may use generative AI tools to help you bounce ideas, look up terms, and contextualize concepts, it is crucial to ensure that your final submission reflects your own understanding and analysis of the topic. Any indication of misuse, such as copying and pasting responses directly from generative AI outputs, will result in a zero score for that question or assignment. Remember, a primary goal of our course assignments is to develop your critical thinking, i.e., via your scientific literacy, presentation, and writing skills. This requires that you engage thoughtfully with the material. Accordingly, we expect that your own original insights will be reflected in your work.

Communication Policy and Netiquette

Please follow these guidelines for all course communications. 

Canvas remains the primary channel for official information, announcements, and updates. Reach instructors via the Discussion Board (FAQ's) as well as Canvas email for more immediate matters. You are welcome to use the course GroupMe, as well. It's also important to recognize that interactions within the GroupMe will not be graded. Therefore, discussions related to peer pods and Journal Club should take place within the dedicated forums on Perusall. If you do engage in this forum, remember that you are expected to abide by our course syllabus (Honor Code and Netiquette) in all interactions, to ensure and uphold a respectful and constructive community of scholars. 

Be respectful and kind in all communications to faculty, advisors, and your fellow students. Learners are expected to communicate online with the instructor and fellow students, whether the communication is by electronic means or by telephone or face-to-face, with civility, transparency, and poise. We expect students to be receptive to and sensitive to cultural differences.

Please review UF's Netiquette Guide for Online Courses here. We expect you to read "Email Etiquette", "Message Board Netiquette and Guidelines" in its entirety. The Take-Home message is: Be open. Be considerate. Be respectful.

We call your attention to these points especially:

• Community Guidelines: Assume your professors and advisors have your best interest in mind and will work within the bounds of what is appropriate and possible to help you.
• Tone: "Avoid devolving to the use of snarky, exaggerated, or expletive language if you become frustrated." Refer again to the UF Honor and Student Conduct CodeLinks to an external site..
• Security: "Do not share your password with anyone."
• Instructor Emails: Use clear and concise language. Use a descriptive subject line.
• Message Board: "Make posts that are on-topic and within the scope of the course material. Take your posts seriously and review and edit your posts before sending. Always give proper credit when referencing or quoting another source. Do not repeat someone else's post without adding something of your own to it. Avoid short, generic replies such as, "I agree." You should include why you agree or add to the previous point. Do not make personal or insulting remarks."

Privacy and Accessibility Policies

For information about the privacy policies of the tools used in this course, see the links below:

Getting Help

TECHNICAL ISSUES

If you encounter a technical issue, please contact the UF Computing Help Desk.

Any request for a make-up due to technical issues must be accompanied by the ticket number received from the UF Computing Help Desk when the problem was reported to them. The ticket number will document the time and date of the problem. You must message your instructor within 24 hours of the technical difficulty if you wish to request a make-up.

Health and Wellness

U Matter, We Care: If you or a friend is in distress, please contact umatter@ufl.edu or (352) 392-1575 so that a team member can reach out to the student.

Counseling and Wellness Center: Visit the Counseling and Wellness Center website or call (352) 392-1575. Contact University Police at (352) 392-1111 or dial 911 for emergencies.

Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS): Visit the Student Health Care Center or call (352) 392-1161.

University Police Department: Visit the University Police Department website or call (352) 392-1111. Call 911 for emergencies. 

ACADEMIC RESOURCES

E-learning Technical Support: Call (352) 392-4357 (select option 2) or e-mail learning-support@ufl.edu. 

Academic and Career Services: Visit the Academic and Career Services website.

Library Support: Visit the UF Libraries Ask-A-Librarian website to learn about various ways to receive assistance with using the libraries or finding resources.

Teaching Center: The Teaching Center can help you with general study skills and tutoring. Visit the Teaching Center website or call (352) 392-2010 or (352) 392-6420. 

Writing Studio: For help with brainstorming, formatting, and writing papers, visit the Writing Studio website or call (352) 846-1138. 

UF Online/Internet Privacy Statement: For information about privacy and data security, view UF's Online/Internet Privacy Statement. 

Disclaimer

This syllabus represents the instructors' current plans and objectives. As we go through the semester, those plans may need to change to enhance the class learning opportunity. Such changes, communicated clearly, are not unusual and should be expected.