Biology 4202L -  Biotechnology Laboratory
Course Syllabus - Spring 2009

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 214, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Course Description:

Number and Title:

        BIOL 4202L (CRN 24455), Biotechnology Laboratory

Credit Hours:

        3.0 semester credit hours

Catalog Description:

An experiment-based course in which students use DNA technology to explore topics such as DNA fingerprinting, gene cloning, DNA amplification, genetically modified foods and organisms, gene therapies, inheritance and paternity, and human genetic diseases.

Course Requirement:

  Pre-requisite: BIOL3250 and BIOL3250L; BIOL4201

Computer Requirement:

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on  CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm .

Computer Skill Prerequisites:

• Able to use the Windows^TM operating system.
• Able to use the Microsoft Word^TM word processing program.
• Able to send and receive e-mail using the Outlook^TM or Outlook Express^TM program.
• Able to use a Web browser (preferably Microsoft Explorer^TM).
• Able to print documents either on your home computer's printer or Smart Print (networked printers on campus).

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

• Student notebook computers will be required periodically in this class.  Students will also use the computers to access supplemental lectures, laboratory assignments, protocols, review sheets, internet information, and to communicate with the instructor.    

Course Objectives:

• To understand the fundamentals of molecular biotechnology
• To understand the processes involved in DNA replication, RNA synthesis, and protein translation
• To describe the basic application of recombinant DNA technology
• To understand commercial application of DNA technology and use in medicine and research
• To learn to use basic biological laboratory equipment
• To understand and use laboratory math and chemistry
• To learn to perform basic molecular biology techniques
• To learn to prepare laboratory notebooks and write laboratory reports based on experimental data, results and conclusions
• To apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to laboratory situations
• To learn how to prepare research proposals
• To understand the regulation and patenting of biotechnology inventions

Student Learning Outcomes:

    BIOL 4202L supports the following outcomes:

1. Effectively demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of major fields of biology.
2. Demonstrate a mastery of a broad range of basic lab and technology skills applicable to biology.
3. Apply knowledge of physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics to biological concepts.
4. Communicate scientific information in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing.
5. Demonstrate the ability to collect, evaluate and interpret scientific data, and employ critical thinking to solve problems in biological science and supporting fields.
6. Collaborate effectively on team-oriented projects.
7. Demonstrate the ability to identify and describe the impact of biological and physical sciences on the environment and society.

Instructor Information:

Dr. Fran Norflus
Office:  Administration Building, A-23B
Phone: 678-466-4852
e-mail:  FrancineNorflus@clayton.edu
Internet:  http://a-s.clayton.edu/fnorflus/
Office Hours:

11:30 AM to 12:45 PM Monday & Wednesday

4:30 PM to 5:30 PM  Monday & Wednesday

10:00 AM to 1:30 PM Friday

Office hours will be held in A-23B or C28.

Class Meetings:

 Business and Health Science Building

 Monday and Wednesdays, Room C21, 2:00 – 4:50 pm
 

Textbook Information:  

1. Basic Laboratory Calculations for Biotechnology, Seidman, 2008

2. This should be supplemented with a special topics supplement called Gene Therapy, by Michael Palladino, editor – this is ESSENTIAL for the class.  It comes free if you purchase the Basic lab calculations from the bookstore.  If not, you will need to find another way to purchase it.

Text Coverage: required readings will be listed in the course schedule

Note: Additional reading and laboratory materials will be provided by the instructor.

It is also recommended that you have handy your microbiology or genetics textbook.  You may want to refer back to these books for background information on the laboratory techniques that we will be performing.

This class will have a theme of gene therapy and many of the lectures and laboratories will be arranged around this theme.

3. Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences, Fourth Edition, Victoria McMillan, Bedford/St. Martin’s, ISBN: 0-312-44083-1.

Students must bring to class a laboratory coat, safety glasses, laboratory notebook, pencils and pens.  We will use the safety glasses for one lab at the end of the semester.

  Evaluation:

Grading:

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Mid-Term Progress Report

The mid-term grade in this course will be based solely on your grade for the first exam.  Based on this grade, students may choose to officially withdraw from the course by Friday March 6, 2009 and receive a grade of "W".  

The description of the skills test can be found at the following link.

The description of the recombinant DNA project can be found at the following link.

The course schedule can be found at the following link.

Every effort will be made to keep the test dates as posted on the syllabus.  If changes in the test date do need to be made, it will be announced 1 week ahead of time.

Final Examination Schedule:

Course Policies:

Laboratory Safety:

Students must follow safety rules and guidelines at all times.  These rules will be discussed during the first meeting and students will be required to view a film on lab safety.  If a student misses the first lab meeting, he/she will be required to read about the safety rules and watch the film before being allowed to perform any experiments.

Students are encouraged to report any violations of the safety rules to the instructor immediately.  Failure to follow specified safety rules will result in dismissal from the laboratory and receive a grade of zero for that lab.

Under no circumstances, may you come to class in sandals, flip flops or high heels.  If you do, you will need to leave the laboratory and receive a grade of 0 on all lab assignments for that day.  You must wear covered shoes!!!!  You must comply with this dress code even if we are not performing a laboratory exercise on a specific day.

No eating or drinking will be allowed in the lab.  You may not bring any food or beverages to the laboratory.  If you do have anything, it must be in your book bag covered and out of site.  You may not have any beverages on the bench tops, even if they are closed.  If you are caught with any food or beverages, you will be asked to leave the lab and you will receive a grade of 0 for that lab.

Laboratory Attendance:

Students are expected to attend all class meeting. However, I will not take attendance. But, you will need to explain to your lab partners why you could not do the laboratories but they needed to do them.  If you miss excessive laboratories, your lab partners may kick you out of the group.  Then, you will be on your own and if there are no extra supplies, you will not be able to do the laboratories and will receive a grade of 0 on all of these laboratories.

You will also be graded on your laboratory notebook.  If you miss a laboratory, regardless of the excuse, you will be given a grade of 0 on that laboratory exercise.

Students are expected to come to class on time and bring laboratory materials, laboratory notebook, calculator, and colored pens/pencils to each class meeting.  If you come in late, please don’t ask me to explain the lab that I already explained.

Lab notebook:

All students will be required to maintain two laboratory notebooks throughout the semester.  You will need two because when I collect one, you will still have the other notebook to work in.  The format will be posted on the course web page at the beginning of the semester.  However, please note that if you miss a laboratory then you will not be allowed to record any results from that day in your lab notebook and your grade on that assignment will be 0.  You may NOT get the results from your lab partner and write it in your lab notebook.

Also, if you miss part of a laboratory, you will receive a grade of 0 for this laboratory.  So, for example, if there are 4 parts of a laboratory and you miss one part, you will still get a grade of 0.  You should still come to class because the information will be on the test.

The picture below shows the type of notebook that I would like for you to purchase. 

I will periodically check and grade your laboratory notebooks.  I will drop your lowest laboratory notebook grade.  I will not collect any excuses that you have but if you miss 2 laboratory checks, regardless of the excuse, you will be given a grade of 0.  The point of this class is to be in class and perform the laboratories.

I will grade each laboratory during the semester.  You can get a maximum of 100 points for each laboratory.  However, the laboratory grade will only be 50 points at the end of the semester.  Therefore, I will average all of your laboratory grades and divide this number by 50. 

All notebooks are due at the end of class on the day that I tell you that I will collect them.  If you do not hand it in, you will receive a grade of 0.

Assignments:

All assignments must be typed unless the instructor directs otherwise.  All assignments that are more than one page must be stapled.  If you use paper clips or fold the pages over, the assignment will be returned to you.  All reports/assignments are due at the beginning of class and must neat and stapled.  For each day that the assignment is late, 10 points will be deducted.  Late means after I start lecturing for the day or the lab begins.  No assignments will be accepted after 3 days past the due date.

Your poster must be submitted through Web CT.  If you do not submit it by the due date, it will be considered late and 10 points will be deducted for each day late.  Late means after the exact time that it is due.  Not being able to use Web CT is NOT an excuse.  You must make sure that Web CT is working on your computer, prior to the due date.

I will drop your lowest assignment grade.  I will not collect any excuses that you have but if you miss 2 assignments, regardless of the excuse, you will be given a grade of 0. 

Laboratory Class Meeting and Exams:   

Absences from EXAMS must be accompanied by a signed physician's or judge's excuse (there are no exceptions). The instructor must be notified immediately before or after missing an exam. THERE WILL BE NO MAKEUP LABS OR EXAMS.  Without an excuse provided within one week, a grade of zero points will be assigned for the missed work.  If the student has a valid excuse, the final exam will be doubled to make up for the missed exam.  If a student misses the final exam and has a valid excuse, a makeup will be administered.  

If you are absent the day that I collect the lab notebooks, you must bring your excuse and notebook to class on the day that you return or you will receive a grade of 0.

Students will only be allowed to miss one exam during the semester.  After that, a grade of 0 will be given for the missed assignment. 

If you miss the skills test, your assignment grade will count twice.  However, you must provide a valid excuse upon returning to class.

E-mail accounts:

All students must establish and maintain their CSU e-mail accounts.  For many laboratory exercises, students will be expected to download laboratory pre-lab assignments and protocols from the course web page.  

Group Work:

Students will work in groups of 2 -3 to complete laboratory experiments.   Students are encouraged to work in groups to discuss laboratory experiments but all written work must be unique and completed separately be each student. 

Course Policies:

Students must read course policies as stated below on first day of class.

Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.

No disruptive behavior of any kind will be tolerated. 

Disruption of the Learning Environment

Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not tolerated.  While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior.  A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class.  A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal.  If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.

A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at: 

http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm

University Attendance Policy 

Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

·       No electronic devices are allowed while in the biotechnology laboratory.  Use of electronic devices in the laboratory is considered a violation of laboratory safety procedures.  If you are caught with this device during a laboratory, it will be confiscated.  If your phone rings during an exam, you will receive a grade of 0.

·       You need to print out the lab materials BEFORE coming to class.

·       Visitors (friends, children, etc) are strictly prohibited from attending class without the permission of the instructor.
 

·       No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted at any time in the laboratory.  If you are caught, you will be asked to leave.
 

·       NO CHEATING.  Cheating is defined as copying anything that is not your own work.  This applies to laboratory report, laboratory notebooks, laboratory assignments, laboratory quizzes and exams.  You are not to copy word for word what I post as background for the labs in your lab notebook or lab reports.  You must write it in your own words.  You are also not to copy word for word what you find on the Internet. Cheating in any form will result in a zero on the assignment and academic misconduct forms will be filed with the Office of Judicial Affairs for any violation.

·       Judicial procedures are described at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/

Last update: 12/27/08