TNBGGA: The No Bullshit Guide to Genetic Analysis

TNBGGA is meant to be a conceptual overview of the genetics of model organisms. It attempts to be readable without overwhelming the reader with details. At the same time, it strives to be as comprehensively descriptive as possible when it comes to concepts. As such, the reader should approach this text not as a “list of facts to memorize” but to attack each chapter as a story of sorts - read through multiple times, with each pass having a different goal:

• Your first pass through each chapter should be a quick skim through, without worrying about any of the details, but asking yourself “what is the big picture?” and “what is the take-home message?”.
• Your second pass should be a slow read. Are there statements or sentences that don't make sense? (This could also be because of mistakes or typos: email mchao@csusb.edu for suggestions on readability or corrections of mistakes). Are there words or vocabulary that I have glossed over without really knowing what they mean? This pass should be done with a notebook, frequent consulting of the Glossary (note: as of 08/25/2024 the Glossary is still a work in progress) an even a dictionary open in a different window/tab. Write down notes on what didn't make sense intitially but seemed to make sense after thinking about it more; also write down notes on things that still make no sense. Writing is a way to help clarify thought.
• Your third read should be of moderate speed - most concepts should make more sense now, but don't hesitate to pause and re-read passages if concepts are still confusing.
• Repeat as necessary.

Each chapter ends with conceptual questions and exercises. These are meant to either challenge you in terms of your understanding of concepts, or to drill you on skills needed. You should do them

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Some of the notation in this book uses $\LaTeX$ to render mathematical or psuedo-mathematical equations (e.g., genetic crosses). Due to how $\LaTeX$ rendering works, mobile devices in portrait mode (e.g., phone held vertically) may be sub-optimal. For best results, use a desktop or laptop computer.