Syllabus template

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
EDUC500.621: Basics of Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (1 credit)
Spring/2012
Tuesday - Saturday/12-6pm
January 17th – January 21st 2012
Loudoun Academy of Science– Dominon High School, Sterling, VA.
Instructor: Dr. Geraldine Grant

Phone:
703-993-4292
703-993-4393
[email protected]
Address:
George Mason University
Discovery Hall
10900 University Blvd
MSN 1J1
Manassas VA.


COURSE DESCRIPTION: (35 words or less; should begin with a verb)
To introduce the student to the theory and practice of current gene expression analysis using real
time quantitative Polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR). This course will include the hands on
experience.
COURSE PURPOSE AND INTENDED AUDIENCE:
The purpose of this course is to introduce the audience to the theory and practice of state of the
each step involved in the execution of state of the art gene expression analysis tool – quantitative
real time polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR). This course is designed to exposure the
audience, with hands on experience, from isolation of RNA through its conversion to cDNA and
quantification using qRTPCR. This course will introduce each of the steps of the experimental
design including design of PCR primers and analysis of qRTPCR data. The ultimate goal of this
course is to leave the audience competent to carry out qRTPCR in their home laboratory.

COURSE FORMAT:

The course format will include Lectures which will discuss the principles of
1. RNA isolation and quantization of. 2. Generation of cDNA from RNA 3. Primer design for qRTPCR 4. PCR V qPCR – the principle differences 5. Analysis of qRTPCR data Each of these topics will be followed by laboratory exercises where each of the class participants applies the learned techniques in real time. Class discussion will follow each stage. 1/27/2012
STUDENT OUTCOMES:

The intended outcome is that each participant will be familiar with, understand the principles of,
and be capable of carrying out a successful gene expression analysis experiment utilizing
qRTPCR

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS (if applicable):
Course required for teacher recertification – college credit sufficient.

National Board for Professional Teaching Standard, Core Proposition 2
INTASC Standard __4 and 5 Content knowledge, Application of content_

REQUIRED/SUPPLEMENTAL/RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR READINGS:
Required Texts:
Print outs of paper will be supplied to the class
Masafui Kubota, et al., Upregulation of the lysyl hydrozylase 2 gene by acetaminophen and
isoniazid is modulated by transcription factor c-Myb.
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2010 62: 477-484
Additional Resources (if applicable):
Ambions: RTPCR The Basics.

Applied Biosystems: qPCR (real time PCR)

University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Online tutorial on Real time PCR by Dr. Margaret Hunt.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS, PERFORMANCE-BASED ASSESSMENTS,
EVALUATION CRITERIA, AND GRADING SCALE:

Participants are required to be present and carry out each stage of the laboratory sections
Course Requirements: Participants are required to be present and to keep a laboratory notebook
for the duration of the class which will detail the daily laboratory practical experiences (20% of
overall grade)
Evaluation will be in the form of a final take home exam (80% of overall grade) due
Saturday the 28th by emailby midnight.
1/27/2012

GRADING SCALE:

»90.0% and above A
»86.7 to 89.9% A-
»83.4 to 86.6% B+
»80.0 to 83.3% B
»76.7 to 79.9% B-
»73.4 to 76.6% C+
»70.0 to 73.3% C
»60.0 to 69.9% D
»less than 59% F -
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT STATEMENT OF
EXPECTATIONS:
The Graduate School of Education (GSE) expects that all students abide by the following:
Students are expected to exhibit professional behavior and dispositions. See gse.gmu.edu for a
listing of these dispositions.
Students must follow the guidelines of the University Honor Code. See
for the full honor code.
Students must agree to abide by the university policy for Responsible Use of Computing. See
and click on Responsible Use of Computing at
the bottom of the screen.
Students with disabilities who seek accommodations in a course must be registered with the
GMU Disability Resource Center (DRC) and inform the instructor, in writing, at the beginning
of the semester. Seeor call 703-993-2474 to access the DRC.

PROPOSED CLASS SCHEDULE:
LAST DAY TO DROP CLASS WITHOUT ACADEMIC/FINANCIAL PENALTY IS
BEFORE 20% OF THE CLASS SESSIONS HAVE MET; please designate which class
session this is for this particular course.
Date
Topic/Learning Experiences
Readings/Assignments
1/17/2011
Lecture: Introduction to Gene expression analysis PCR vs RT-PCR - concepts involved in PCR 1/18/2011
Lecture: RNA, its extraction, quantification. Lab: Extraction of RNA, quantification by OD 1/19/2011
Lecture: Generation of cDNA from RNA. Primer design 1/20/2011
Lecture: CFX-Connect software – setting up plates/tubes 1/21/2011
Lecture: Data analysis: Factors affecting analysis and statistical significance. Lab: Data Analysis ASSIGNMENT RUBRIC
No Evidence
Beginning
Developing
Accomplished Score
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Source: http://cehd.gmu.edu/assets/docs/syllabi/2012/syllabus_15560.pdf