Welcome to Kate Brilakis'
Web Page

click HERE for an important class update!

To contact me, please send a note to my email.

This page was last updated Wednesday, April 25th, at 9pm (ish).

Welcome Spring, 2012

NVCC Biology 101 and UDC Genetics Students!

This webpage is designed to assist you this semester by providing you with:
1. helpful outlines of the information we will learn in class
These outlines are available for you to download and bring to class.
They will facilitate your learning by allowing you to concentrate on the class discussions
instead of your notetaking.

2. online animated tutorials to assist your visual exploration of each topic.

3. biweekely updated information regarding important dates and assignments.

Please vist this site

AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK

My teaching schedule this spring at the NVCC Annandale campus is:

Tuesday:
Biology 101 Lab 08:00 to 10:40 room CS 114
Biology 101 Lecture 11:00 to 12:15 room CS 136

Thursday:
Biology 101 Lab 08:00 to 10:40 room CS 114
Biology 101 Lecture 11:00 to 12:15 room CS 136



My teaching schedule this spring at UDC is:

Mondays and Wednesdays:
Genetics Lecture 17:30 to 18:50 room 306
Genetics Lab 19:00 to 20:20 room 306

After my NVCC classes on Tuesday, I'll be in the science resource center for one hour
from 12:15 until 1:15 so come on up and let's chat!
Thursdays, I often head over to the Adjunct Resource Center CT room 233.
If you need to see me for tutoring or for a question, you will find me there.

Once hour prior to my UDC classes, I can be found in our lab classroom.
You may also see me after class.
OR you can email me at the link above so we can arrange for a time to meet on campus.

See you in class.
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What is your learning style?

Your style of learning impacts your ability to succeed in school.
So many of us have learning styles that are at odds with the standard method of teaching in our schools...
lectures!
If you are not an aurel learner (one who learns just by listening) you may become frustrated in school.
There are methods to assist individuals with different learning styles.
Check out this website and take the quick learning styles inventory (questionnaire) to determine

HOW YOU LEARN.

NVCC Course Information

Biology 101: General Biology Lecture

Outlines

Tutorials:

Biology 101: General Biology Laboratory

The quiz will begin at 9am.

Outlines

UDC Course Information

Biology 361: General Genetics

Lecture Assesssment #5 will be taken
during final exam period April 30th at 5:30pm

This assessment will include nine of the following 12 questions:
1. How can researchers determine if/how a specific gene affects an organism’s behavior?
Describe an example of how this technique was used to identify such a gene.

2. What is instinctive behavior?
Is instinctive behavior always beneficial to the species exhibiting the behavior?

3. What is learned behavior? Is there a genetic component to learned behavior?
Give an example to support your answer.

4. Discuss the ethical concerns associated with linking genetic inheritance to intelligence.

5. How is the Theory of Inclusive Fitness and K- Selection related?
What is the difference between R and K selection?

6. If you were working up the cost-benefit analysis of being part of a herd,
what factors might you need to consider?

7. What is speciation?
Discuss the differences among the three types of speciation we explored in class.

8. What is phylogeny and what is it’s purpose?

9. Describe the molecular clock theory. How do you calibrate a molecular clock?

10. What is Evo-Devo? Discuss how this research supports the theory of evolution?

11. What are three of the fatal flaws of the eugenics movement? Do you think eugenics is alive and well today? Why or why not?

12. Explain the five influences that influence population genetics as described by Hardy-Weinberg.

Biology 360: General Genetics Laboratory

The Lab Quiz will include questions which will assess your understanding of:

ABO/Rh Blood Type Inheritance
Chi-Square
Restriction Endonucleases and Gel Electrophoresis
E.coli Transformation with Recombinant Plasmids (amp/GFP genes)
Hardy Weinberg and Population Genetics (H-W problem)

Do you still see signs selling horse meat in this country?
Why not?

The slaughter of horses for their flesh is still a thriving business.
Would you eat horse meat?
No?
What's the difference between eating cow meat vs horse meat?
Or pig meat?
Or lamb meat?
or puppy meat?
Isn't meat just MEAT?
Below are a group of dogs on their way to a slaughterhouse.



and pigs...



What's the difference between puppy meat and piggie meat?

Isn't meat just MEAT after all?

bite

Who is this woman and why is she in front of my class???

I've taught at the college level for over 20 years.
Prior to teaching, I worked as a research associate in the Biochemistry department
at Walter Reed Institute for Research in NW DC while serving in the U.S.Army. Our research focus was bacterial genomics, specifically plasmid recombination in Shigella dysenterai.
As the spouse of an active duty Marine,
I've moved around quite a bit, living up and down the east coast
as well as in Europe and Asia.
In addition to my current positions as an adjunct professor at Northern Virginia Community College Annandale
and the University of the District of Columbia,
I am writing my dissertation as the terminal requirement for a doctorate in
Higher Education with a concentration in Molecular Biology at George Mason University.
I received my Master's Degree (MS) from GMU in Molecular Biology
and my undergraduate degree (BS) in Biology with a minor in education from Lafayette College.
I also earned a Certificate of Education in Science (teaching license) while at Lafayette.
I know that being a student while working
and/or taking care of a family can be challenging.
I have three children;
a daughter who is a sophomore at VA Tech (food chemistry),
a daughter who is a senior at VA Tech (animal science)
and a son who graduated from VA Tech last year and is employed as a field engineer in Winchester, VA.
So, if you need any assistance in time management or study habits or biology "stuff",
please see me and we'll work to get you right up to speed in no time.

kb