Syllabus

CHS - 6535
Forensic DNA Analysis of Biological Materials
Dr. Jack Ballantyne
jballant@mail.ucf.edu

Syllabus

Course Instructor/Facilitator

Instructor	Dr. Jack Ballantyne
Office	CH 223
Office Hours (via telephone)	1630 - 1800 (T-F)
Voice Mail	(407) 823-0163
Fax Number	(407) 823-2252
E-mail	jballant@mail.ucf.edu

My name is Dr. Jack Ballantyne, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry. Prior to entering academia I was an operational forensic biochemist for eighteen years and worked as such in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and the US. My most recent operational appointment was as the Supervisor of the Biological Sciences Section of the Suffolk County Crime Lab, Long Island, New York where I was responsible for the administrative and technical management of three operational casework units, a conventional Serology Unit, a DNA-PCR Unit and a DNA-RFLP Unit. I have been actively involved in the issues of laboratory standards and accreditation at the national and state levels, serving on the federal DNA Advisory Board and National Forensic DNA Review Panel and the New York State DNA Sub-Committee. I possess a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, an M.Sc. in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland and a Ph.D. in Genetics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. My current research interests include DNA damage assessment and in vitro repair systems, Y chromosome markers, forensic biochemistry, automation of analytical methods and immunological applications. I really would have preferred to have been an overly well-paid and spoiled professional European soccer player but a combination of genetics, seemingly dim-witted and short-sighted coaches and far too many biochemistry lectures and labs precluded this dream! Notwithstanding that, I do firmly believe in the need for academically-rigorous, scholarly programs for education and research in forensic biochemistry and molecular biology.

Course Structure

Eleven topics are covered within the framework of five modules.
I will introduce each topic, provide guidance as to the most relevant areas for further study and initiate class discussion
Each student is expected to contribute (via the 'Discussion') to the content of the course by sharing ideas, articles, book chapters, etc. that apply to the course objectives
Active participation is important
There will be eleven weekly assignments which collectively cover all of the Course material
A term paper is required

What I expect from you

to critically read the assigned journal articles
to complete all other assignments (discussion postings, quizzes and term discussion paper) on time, barring some documented catastrophe
to actively participate in the learning experience (after all this is a graduate class!)
to contact me with any uncertainties, confusion or problems that may be affecting your performance or ability to complete the course
to learn and have fun at the same time

What you should expect from me

to be scrupulously fair and honest with grade assessment
to keep the class on track as a pro-active facilitator
to be available for consultation and advisement
to make your learning experience at UCF as beneficial and enjoyable as possible
to learn with you and have some fun at the same time
to respond to personal e-mail as soon as possible

Modules

DNA Biochemistry

1.1. DNA structure, properties and reactions
1.2. DNA stability, damage and repair and the molecular basis of mutation
Techniques
2.1. PCR
2.2. electrophoresis
2.3. sequencing
DNA Polymorphisms

3.1. mini- and micro-satellites, SNPs
3.2. STRs-autosomal
3.3. STRs-Y chromosome
3.4. mtDNA
Sex Determination and Sexing
Novel Technologies
5.1. DNA chips

Grading

Students' final grades will be based upon their participation and contribution in class, upon their performance in eleven weekly assignments, which collectively cover all course material, and on a 2000 word discussion paper. The grading scheme is A: 80-100%, B: 66-80%, C: 51-65%, Fail: 50% or less. The relative weight given to these assignments is as follows:

Participation/contribution (i.e. discussion postings)	55 points	~14%
Weekly Assignments (11 topics @ 20 points/topic)	220 points	~59%
Term paper	100 points	~27%
Total	375 points	100%

Term Discussion Paper

Each student is required to submit a 2000 word paper on a subject chosen from a list of approved discussion topics. Students are expected to give an overview of the topic, provide reasoned arguments for and against the proposition posited and, based upon the relative merits of competing arguments, provide their own opinion on the matter. It is important that all arguments be supported by published or presented scientific data. A minimum of ten references must be cited. The paper is due at 12:00am on December 4, 2000. It should be in the form of hard copy sent to me through the mail. My mailing address is in the Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, PO Box 162366, Orlando, Florida 32816-2366

This page was last updated on: 08/15/98

Course Pages maintained by
Dr. Jack Ballantyne
and techrangers at Course Development, IT&R,
University of Central Florida, Copyright 1998.