BIOL
1401 Laboratory Syllabus
Summer
2009
Laboratory
Instructor
Name: E-mail:
Office: SCIE. 1.326 Office
Hr.: Tel.:
381-2846
THECB
EXEMPLARY OBJECTIVES FOR NATURAL SCIENCES
To
understand and apply method and appropriate technology to the study of natural
sciences.
To recognize scientific
and quantitative methods and the differences between these approaches and other
methods of inquiry and to communicate findings, analyses, and interpretation
both orally and in writing.
To identify and
recognize the differences among competing scientific theories.
To demonstrate
knowledge of the major issues and problems facing modern science, including
issues that touch upon ethics, values, and public policies.
To demonstrate
knowledge of the interdependence of science and technology and their influence
on, and contribution to, modern culture.
Laboratory
Objective: Is to complement the lecture course by the end of the lab course,
the student will demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles and concepts of
biology, including: understanding the
scientific method, analyze and interpret data, biological chemistry, cell
structure and function, photosynthesis and respiration,
Textbook: General
Biology (BIOL 1401) Laboratory Manual,
3rd edition 2000, Revised Printing, K. D. Murray and T. C. Allison,
Eds. (required).
[Used
manuals will not be accepted.]
Lab Materials: The following
items are to be brought to every lab meeting: lab manual, lecture text (Biological Science, 2nd or
3rd ed., by S. Freeman), pencils, 1 pen, scientific calculator,
fine-point felt-tip marker (e.g. Sharpie®).
In addition, a lab coat and eye protection is required before entering the lab and disposable gloves are required only
during certain experiments (see “Tentative Schedule”).
Safety: Consumption of
food or drink in lab is prohibited. You
must be properly attired to participate in lab.
Proper lab attire includes long pants/skirts and closed-toe and heel
shoes. Shorts, short skirts, sandals,
and open-toe and heel shoes are not allowed.
Because this lab employs chemical and biological agents, state law
requires that each student wear a lab coat and eye protection during every lab
meeting. Students not in compliance with the lab dress code or other safety
regulations will not enter the lab and this will be an unexcused absence. This is
a zero-tolerance policy! It is
advisable not to wear contact lenses to the lab because of the danger of
trapping chemicals behind them, and the additional difficulty of ineffective
flushing of the eyes with eyewash.
Students pregnant are advised to immediately inform their instructor.
Grading: Participation ……………………….. 22%
Quizzes ………….………………… 22%
100%
The Participation grade is determined by your attendance, preparedness,
cooperation, completion of the lab work and cleaning your work area and any
other cleaning duties your lab instructor includes. The Lab
Report is done only for Topic 3 of the lab manual. Detailed instructions will be given
later. Quizzes will consist of 10-15 questions, which will cover the previous topic(s) material as well as the upcoming
topic(s) (see “Tentative Schedule”) and a 10 point bonus (instructor’s
discretion on the number of questions given) that will be given at the
beginning of the lab period. Therefore,
you must read the upcoming topic(s) in the lab manual before it is covered in
class and only one quiz will be dropped
at the end of the semester. There will
be two departmental exams as indicated on the “schedule” and the final is non-comprehensive. It will be 50 questions, 30% multiple choice
and 70% fill in the blank. The exams
will contain both questions on theory and lab-practical questions (i.e.,
questions in which some piece of laboratory equipment or chemical or items
supplied during the experiments will be utilized to obtain the answer). There will be no exam review sessions outside of the lab other than what is listed during
class time (see “tentative schedule”). Also, there
will be no other bonus points or extra
credit other than what is listed above. Note: You will be able to view images of all the
equipment that will be used during the course of this semester and any handouts
on the lab website www.utpa.edu/dept/biologylabs/.
At the end of the semester, the student’s
lab grade will be combined with the lecture grade to derive a single course
grade for Biology 1401. Typically, the
lab grade will count for 25% of the course grade and the lecture grade will
count for 75% of the course grade. The
relative weights of each grade are set by the lecture professor.
Student Dishonesty and Conduct in the
Laboratory: Cheating on quizzes and exams, or other forms
of scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated.
Students caught cheating will be referred to the Dean of Students for
proper disciplinary action. This will
usually mean receiving an “F” in the lab.
Students
are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that helps maintain a classroom
environment that is conducive to learning.
To ensure that all students have the opportunity to gain from time spent
in class; students are prohibited from engaging in any form of disruptive
behavior. This includes eating or
drinking in the laboratory, cellular phones and beepers, arriving late to
class, leaving lecture early, talking while instructor is lecturing, demands
for special treatment, challenges to your authority, making offensive remarks,
prolonged chattering, sleeping, etc.
Students displaying inappropriate or disruptive behavior in the
classroom will be given a warning the first time, failure to comply will result
in a request to leave the laboratory and will be referred to the Dean of
Students for disciplinary action (HOP 5.5.2 & 5.5.3). For more information check your UTPA Student
Guide and Handbook of Operating Procedure (HOP) or visit the Office of the Dean
of Students.
Attendance: Attendance to each lab at the scheduled time
is mandatory. You will not receive
credit by continuously going to or transferring to another lab section to take
quizzes, exams, and participate in lab activities/experiments without the
approval of the laboratory coordinator which will be handled only on a case by
case basis. A student who misses a lab for a
legitimate reason or due to an emergency (e.g., a medical problem, accident,
etc.) should contact their lab instructor immediately and provide documentation
for the absence (e.g., a doctor’s note, accident report, etc.). For an unexcused absence, the student will
receive a zero for all work missed that day, and no makeup work will be
accepted. Students are responsible for
all material covered in the course, even material missed during an excused
absence. You must take the exam the day it is given and at your scheduled time. If you know you will miss an exam for a
legitimate reason (e.g. sanctioned travel) and you notify your lab instructor at least one week in advance of
the exam, arrangements may be made for you to take the exam at a different
time. Make-ups will not be granted if an
exam is missed and no prior arrangements were made before or the day of your
exam, except under special circumstances which can only be approved by your lab
instructor on a case by case basis.
Lab Maintenance: Student will
be required to label glassware (i.e., test tubes and fermentation tubes) with a
felt tip marker when instructed.
Students should not put adhesive labels on any glassware. At the end of the lab period, students will
use ethanol (red squirt bottles by the sinks) to remove marks on
glassware. On occasions, your lab
instructor will assign cleaning duties which is part of your participation
grade. These duties may require washing glassware
and cleaning equipment and/or countertops and/or disposing of waste and/or
cleaning areas in the laboratory. Your
lab instructor will instruct you on the proper cleaning procedures. Also, students are required to cleanup and
wipe down with a cleaning solution their work area at the end of each lab
period.
Students with Disabilities: If you have a documented
disability, which will make it difficult for you to complete the coursework or
participate in lab activities as outlined in this syllabus and/or if you need
special accommodations/assistance due to the disability, please inform your
instructor and immediately contact the Office of Services for Persons with
Disabilities (OSPD), Emilia Schunior Ramirez Hall, Room 100, or the Associate
Director at Maureen@utpa.edu.
Appropriate arrangements or accommodations can be arranged.
Student Questions/Concerns: Can
be directed to the Laboratory
Coordinator: Liza B. Vela,
Office:
SCIE 1.306A, Office Tel.: (956) 316-7935;
E-mail address: LVela3@utpa.edu