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Frequently Asked Questions about
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Frequently Asked Questions about
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Principles of Genetics is a self-paced, self-learning program specifically designed to teach genetics on your computer. This webpage should answer most questions but, if you need more information, feel free to email Dr Jamie Love
The School of Environmental Studies (at the Minnesota Zoo) uses Principles of Genetics to help its students prepare for the Advanced Placement in Biology.
How about a free sample?
Sure!
Simply download the Sample Principles of Genetics and give it a try. This way you can test your ability to handle the download as well as see how how the course runs on your computer.
Note: this course is an HTML web-program, not an "app". This course will not run from an iPhone or other "smart" phone. It only runs from your computer's hard drive.
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The sample is about a quarter of the course. It's a good introduction to Genetics and the methods Dr Love uses to teach it.
All of Cytogenetics is provided (including the exam) and, because it is the introductory section for all the rest of Genetics, it's a great place to start! Smaller parts of the other sections will give you a feel for what to expect in the more advanced courses. The chi square lesson has been included because it is the hardest math you will need to do - however, without the other lessons in Mendelian Genetics it might not be clear what is happening. (Regardless, it will show you the "worst math" to expect.) The first lesson in Molecular Genetics is the most complicated chemistry needed for the rest of Molecular Genetics. The randomly chosen lesson from the Medical Genetics section displays the more advanced style.
All these sections of the sample, and the course(s), will make more sense if you read syllabus.
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Who is the author/teacher and what are his credentials?
Dr Jamie Love 
created Principles of Genetics.
Over the years Jamie has taught a wide variety of science subjects (from astronomy to zoology) to a wide variety of students (from thirteen-year-olds to thirty-somethings).
In 1990 Jamie earned his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Louisiana State University Medical Center (New Orleans) and then moved to Scotland - a part of The United Kingdom. (The best part! 
) The UK is home to the oldest, biggest and most distinguished distance-learning university in the world - The Open University. Jamie spent several years studying its methods and worked towards his diploma in Information Technology through The Open University. He earned an MBA by distance learning - completed in 1996 from Heriot-Watt University. In 2000 Dr Love was awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education from Napier University. Edinburgh (UK). To fulfill part of the program requirements, he produced "A Web-based Self-study Program Teaching Evolution".
Jamie knows first hand the difficulties one encounters studying alone and what is needed to teach in a self-learning environment.
Dr Love started Merlin Science in 1996 - teaching chemistry over the Internet. The following year he published Principles of Alchemy (Chemistry), his first self-paced, self-learning "hypertextbook". It was very well received and has become particularly popular among homeschoolers.
Being an amateur astronomer, Jamie created an astronomy hypertextbook. Hobbyists and others have enjoyed Principles of Astronomy since it was first published in 1998.
Dr Love's PhD is in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and most of his full-time work has been in genetics research and teaching. Jamie is well qualified to produce Principles of Genetics. Have a looks at his resume (in the syllabus) for details.
When he is relaxing, Jamie (aka Merlin) enjoys bird watching, fossil collecting, and stargazing.
EDUCATION
Postgraduate Certificate: Teaching & Learning in
Higher Education (2000) from the Education Development Unit, Napier University, Edinburgh (Scotland, UK).
Project: "A Web-based Self-study Program Teaching Evolution".
PhD: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (1990) from Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA (USA).
Dissertation: "Avian Repetitive DNA"
MBA: Heriot-Watt Business School, Heriot-Watt University. Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
MS: Department of Biology, Saint Cloud State University. Saint Cloud, MN (USA)
Thesis: "Comparison of Blood Proteins from Allopatric Populations of the American Toad (Bufo americanus) by Isoelectric Focusing"
BA: Department of Biology (Chemistry Minor), Northland College. Ashland, WI (USA)
Environmental Sciences emphasis
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
2001 to present. Adjunct Associate Professor (part-time) at the University of Maryland University College, MD (USA).
Via distance learning teach "Selection and Evaluation of
Biotechnology Projects" to students working towards a Master
of Science in Technology Management.
1995 to present. Virtual Instructor (part-time) at Merlin Science.
Create self-paced, self-learning "hypertextbooks" in
Chemistry, Astronomy and Genetics specially designed
for home schoolers and other distance learners.
2001 to 2005. Vice President of Business Development and Marketing
Worked at a small biotech company that manufactured microarrays and provided
gene expression profiling services.
1998-2000. Teaching Associate (Permanent post = "tenured") at Department of Biology, Napier University, Edinburgh (Scotland, UK).
Responsible for developing the department's flexible (distance)
learning modules including editing or co-authoring self-learning
materials ("Molecular Genetics", "Food Microbiology
and Biotechnology" and "Monographs for Higher Still
Biotechnology"). Taught Genetics (sole instructor) and parts of Biochemistry.
1997-1998. Laboratory Consultant for Ross Breeders Ltd, Newbridge, Midlothian (Scotland, UK).
Developed a high throughput (6000 samples per month) PCR-based
screening procedure to detect avian retroviruses in the blood
or feathers of stock poultry (chickens).
1997. Associate Professor at Saba University School of Medicine, Saba, Netherlands-Antilles.
Sole instructor for Medical Genetics and parts of Physiology and Biochemistry.
1994-1996. Post-doc. Department of Surgery/Urology at Western General Hospital, Edinburgh (Scotland, UK).
Characterized and isolated growth factors responsible for the
development of prostate bony metastasis. Developed bioassays (tissue
culture). Purified specific proteins.
1994-1996. Lecturer (part-time) at Department of Biology, Napier University, Edinburgh (Scotland, UK).
Sole instructor for Bio-Medical Investigations (undergraduate) and Pathobiology (graduate).
1990-94. Post-doc. Department of Reproduction and Development, Roslin Institute, Roslin, (Scotland, UK).
Created transgenic chickens by DNA microinjection. Team member in chick embryo culture. Independently and exclusively provided all molecular biology support.
1986-1990 Research and Teaching Assistant (part-time as a graduate student) at Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSU Medical Center. New Orleans, LA (USA).
Used a variety of techniques in genomic analysis to determine
phylogenetic relationships with an emphasis on studying repetitive
DNA in birds. Team taught Biochemistry.
1985-1986. Research Assistant. Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species, San Diego Zoo,
San Diego, CA (USA).
Studied the molecular evolution of alpha-globins in Equids (horse
family) using a wide variety of molecular genetic techniques (Southerns,
in situ hybridization, etc.).
1984-85. Research Assistant. Department of Virology at University of California Medical Center, San Diego, CA (USA).
Identified changes in the population dynamics of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in various types of leukocytes collected from men infected with HIV.
1983-84. Research Assistant. Hematology Department at Scripp's Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, CA (USA).
Raised and purified MAbs. Used them to analyze the enzymology and immunochemistry of phosphofructokinase from humans and dogs.
1982-83. Research Assistant. Gene Mapping Unit at The Agouron Institute, La Jolla, CA (USA).
Determined the position of naturally occurring DNA fragments (mostly
oncogenes) and sites of integration of retrovirus on human and
ape chromosomes, by in situ hybridization.
1981-82. Research Assistant. Human Cytogenetics Department at University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (USA).
Identified chromosomal rearrangements involved in leukemia. Cultured,
synchronized, and harvested cells from patient's peripheral blood
and bone marrow. High resolution G-banding.
1978-1981. Teaching Assistant (part-time as a graduate student) at Department of Biology, Saint Cloud State University, Saint Cloud, MN (USA).
Assisted in teaching General Biology and Genetics. Taught "fly
genetics and husbandry", human blood typing and some cytogenetics.
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Each course ends with a computerized, self-administered exam. The exams are composed of 20 questions answered by multiple choice, totaling 100 questions throughout the five courses. Jamie wrote the three wrong choices to represent common errors or misunderstandings that the student might have. That makes the choices harder but it also means a wrong answer, with the feedback provided, is a learning experience.
After completing the exam, the student submits it and the computer generates a "virtual page" that shows the grade and scores each answer as "Right" or "Wrong". The student can jot down which ones were wrong and close the virtual page. The exam will have been reloaded so all the previous answers have been wiped away. At this point the student has two options - take the entire exam all over again (choosing all 20 responses) or click the web browser's "Back Button" to reload all the previous answers from earlier, including the wrong ones, and change them. Regardless of which method used, the student is given plenty of opportunities to correct errors and submit a "perfect" test. (Please note that the virtual page does not print from most web browsers because it is not "seen" by the printer. It is not a real web page because it is generated "on the fly".)
Of course, the student is on the "honor system" and the exams are meant to encourage the student to continue while providing some incentive to achieve a perfect score. Note: students can take the exams as many times as they like but there is no way to save answers. That is, once you turn off the web browser the answers are gone forever. Dr Love experimented with ways to save these exams on the hard disk but it is difficult to get one method that to work across all platforms (PCs and Macs) correctly and consistently. Also, most folks do not like the idea of software writing on the disk and it tends to set off the virus alerts!
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Exactly what do I get when I buy Principles of Genetics?
You get five complete self-paced, self-learning Genetics courses on your computer (without the advertisements found in the samples)
. This hypertextbook is a series of webpages stored on your hard disk. That means Principles of Genetics is "platform independent" - it will run on any computer that has a web browser. It also means you don't have to be constantly hooked up to the Internet to learn genetics!
The first three courses (Cytogenetics, Mendelian Genetics and Advanced Genetics) have been designed to teach genetics to anyone with a reading level above eighth grade. It is harder to judge the appropriate level of math used but high school courses in math should have prepared the student well.
Molecular Genetics is more advanced and relies more on "chemical thinking" but anyone interested in genetics will find this section interesting and learn a great deal from it.
The Medical Genetics has a higher reading level and is more advanced - but it is interesting and useful.
The syllabus provides a more detailed description.
The 2.5 MB zipped file, delivered to you over the Internet along with your password, unzips 757 files which will occupy 4.6 MB of your hard disk space.
Alternatively, you can have the entire course sent to you on a CD.
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Do I need to buy anything else (besides the hypertextbook)?
No.
The hypertextbook is a stand-alone learning package. (Granted, the student may want to visit some suggested website but even these ancillary projects are not required for the courses.)
However, due to popular demand, Dr Love also offers the Principles of Genetics Workbook - a hard copy of the Study Guides and Worhshops, so students do not have to print them out separately.
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What is not included in the course?
Dr Love does not offer tutoring services because the hypertextbook has been specifically designed to allow the student to learn on his/her own. The courses, in various stages, have undergone years of beta testing with students (face-to-face and online) and their feedback has been used to create courses that teach genetics independent of the teacher!
(Also, Dr Love does NOT provide genetic counseling or advice.)
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Is Merlin Science an accredited program? Can I earn credit with this course?
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Nope.
Dr Love has investigated many distance-learning programs. Most are not able to offer credit because they deal ineffectively with testing. Accreditation and the honor system don't mix. To offer credit any (honest) school requires the students to take exams at a local testing center, driving up the cost and thus the price. | 
| In view of this, Dr Love created Merlin Science as a non-accredited, virtual institution. Merlin Science provides low cost, high quality science education via the Internet. |
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What about copyrighted materials, site licences and stuff like that?
Principles of Genetics is protected by international copyright laws. It is unlawful to copy all or any part(s) of Principles of Genetics without the written permission of Dr Jamie Love. All rights reserved.
Students have a site license for their hypertextbook. Therefore, any family member (and friends) may enjoy the book in the purchaser's home. You may place copies of the program on any and all computers in your home but you may NOT run it on other computers outside the home - and that includes the computers at school.
The spirit of this license is that Principles of Genetics can be enjoyed by the entire family but it is not meant to be distributed to others.
You are welcome to make a backup copy of your hypertextbook but you may not distribute it to others. Keep and enjoy the hypertextbook forever!
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How to Get a copy of Principles of Genetics
You can download a copy of Principles of Genetics on your computer for only $40 or get a CD sent to you for only $45 (plus shipping).
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If you chose to download your hypertextbook, instructions will be emailed to you explaining how to collect it.
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Through PayPal
(the company that handles the transaction), it's safe and easy to order a hypertextbook using your credit card. |
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Until recently, it was too difficult for Dr Love to offer the course as a CD. Burning high-quality CDs and sending them around the world is a complicated business.
That is why he has recently chosen TrepStar as the sole distributor of his courses on CDs!
It costs five dollars more to receive this professionally mastered CD in its Jewel Case. Plus you have to pay for shipping.
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Traditional schools (non-home-schools) require a group license and will probably need to work with Purchase Orders, etc so email Dr Jamie Love for details.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Dr Jamie Love.
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The Principles of Genetics Workbook includes Student Guides to all 24 lessons, for the student to fill in as s/he reads through each lesson. Also included are the 4 Workshops. The Teacher's copy, with the blanks filled in, is not in this workbook. (The answers are in the hypertextbook.)
This workbook is used with the hypertextbook - not as a substitute for it. There is nothing in the workbook not found in the hypertextbook, but students asked for this workbook because it helps the student to become more immersed in the course. And there is no need to print out anything. By the end of the course the student will have filled in all the blanks and worked through each workshop, so this Workbook will have become an important notebook! This large format (8.5'' by 11''), 166 page Workbook has wire-O binding for ease of use. To keep costs under control, illustrations are monochromatic. The Principles of Genetics Workbook is ordered via Cafepress and costs only $17.47 (plus shipping and handling). |
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If you have any questions, feel free to email Dr Jamie Love.
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