1. The honors option consists of an in-depth investigation by the student of one of the topics covered in the course. The course is devoted to exploring the biochemical basis and mechanisms of several important genetic phenomena. The student should select a process of interest, read reviews and papers to understand the general experimental background for current models for that process, identify some aspect of the process that is currently being studied at a molecular/biochemical/genetic level, read current papers on that aspect, and write a paper.

The paper should include the answers to the following.

a. Why is this aspect of the process important - both to our general understanding of biological processes and to our improvement as a society?

b. What is currently known about this aspect of the process?

c. What is the experimental basis for that knowledge?

d. What are experiments that will test hypotheses that are predicted by current models?

e. How might data from those experiments lead to rejection or confirmation of the hypotheses? Examples of possible results would be illustrative of this point.

As an example of how this could be done, transposition of DNA is a potential topic and a genetic process. How retrotransposons move in mammals is a specialized topic within that general process. Some aspects of retrotransposition include site selection for integration (or lack thereof), source of the reverse transcriptase, induction of transposition, effects of the transposed element.

2. This project constitutes honors work. The work probing into one genetic process in depth will in fact augment the student's understanding of the other topics in the course. The project will go more deeply into the origins of the current theories and the methodology required to test hypotheses.

3. This honors work will enhance the regular requirements of the course. Everyone in the course is expected to learn about the processes we cover, but only people doing the honors option will choose a process of interest and explore it to the depth where they are able to formulate testable hypotheses on their own and suggest experiments to test them. All students work problems interpreting experimental data, etc, but this honors option allows the students the opportunity to use their disciplined scientific creativity to design their own experiments.

4. Deadlines for meeting the requirements. Each of these involves a meeting with the instructor, and each step should proceed after approval of the instructor.

a. Choose a general topic 3rd week Sept. 11

b. Discuss the readings on general background 6th week Oct. 02

c. Choose a specific aspect for more detailed study 7th week Oct. 09

d. Discuss an outline for the paper 10th week Nov. 02

e. Turn in first draft for the paper 12th week Nov. 16

f. Receive critique of the paper 13th week Nov. 23

g. Turn in revised version of the paper 14th week Dec. 07