BIOL 1107L - Principles of Biology I Laboratory
Course Syllabus - FALL 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 1107L Principles of Biology I Laboratory

Credit Hours:

1.0 semester credit hours

Catalog Description:

Laboratory accompanying BIOL1107, Principles of Biology I.

Co-requisites:

BIOL1107, Principles of Biology I. Withdrawal from BIOL1107L requires withdrawal from BIOL1107 and withdrawal from BIOL1107 requires withdrawal from BIOL1107L.

Notebook 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.
• Able to use a the Microsoft Word^TM.
• Able to use a the Microsoft Excel^TM.
• Able to send and receive e-mail using the Outlook^TM or Outlook Express^TM.
• Able to use a Web browser.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Student notebook computers will be used in this class. Outside of class, computers will be used to complete science assignments, to access the internet and class materials, to do activities on the text CD ROM, and to communicate with the instructor.

Laboratory objectives: For specific laboratory objectives, see the first page of each Lab Topic in the Laboratory Manual.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Instructor Information:

Dr. Paul Guy Melvin
Office: Faculty Hall 16A
Phone: (678) 466-4789
e-mail: PaulMelvin@clayton.edu
Internet address: http://a-s.clayton.edu/pmelvin/pmelvin.htm
Office hours:  TBA

CAMPUS MAP
 

Class Meetings: All labs are held in the Business & Health Science Bldg

Textbook Information:

Required text: Investigating Biology, Sixth Edition, Morgan/Carter, 2008

Evaluation:

*Guidelines for Lab Reports

Sample Lab Report

Grading:

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Tentative Course Schedule*:

Investigating Biology, Sixth Edition, Morgan/Carter, 2008

Week of:	Topic	Lab Title
AUG 17	NO LAB
AUG 24	Lab Introduction & Lab Safety	Introduction & Lab Safety
AUG 30	Topic 1 Topic 1 Pre-lab objectives Topic 1 Lab objectives Topic 1 Data/graph sheets	Topic 1: Scientific Investigation
SEP 7	NO LABS:  LABOR DAY AND FACULTY DEVELOPMENT DAY
SEP 14	Modeling the chemistry of water Pre-lab objectives Water worksheet  The worksheet is due at the end of lab.	Modeling the Chemistry of Water
SEP 21	Topic 2 Topic 2 Pre-lab objectives Topic 2 Lab objectives Topic 2 data sheets	Topic 2: Microscopes & Cells
SEP 28	Topic 3 Topic 3 Pre-lab objectives Topic 3 Lab objectives Topic 3 data sheets Lab report rubric--Print and turn in with lab report.  Use the lab report guide to write a lab report.	Topic 3: Diffusion & Osmosis
OCT 5	Topic 4 Topic 4 Pre-lab objectives Topic 4 Lab objectives Topic 4 data sheets Topic 4 lab hints Protein folding Pre-lab Protein folding worksheet--you will complete this sheet and turn in at the end of lab. LAB REPORT DUE	Topic 4: Enzymes & Protein Folding
	Last Day to Drop w/o Academic Penalty: Friday October 9th
OCT 12	All labs prior to the midterm	Lab Practical I
OCT 19	Topic 5 Topic 5 Pre-lab objectives Topic 5 Lab objectives Topic 5 data sheets Topic 5 lab hints Fermentation diagram 1 Fermentation diagram 2	Topic 5: Cellular Respiration & Fermentation
OCT 26	Topic 6 Topic 6 Pre-lab objectives Topic 6 Lab objectives Topic 6 data sheets Topic 6 lab hints  Lab report rubric  -Print and turn in with lab report.  Use the lab report guide to write a lab report.	Topic 6: Photosynthesis
NOV 2	Topic 10 Topic10 Pre-lab objectives report sheet Size marker and picture of gel--revised Plasmid Vectors, Viral DNAs and Bacteriophage pUC19 plasmid map   pUC19 location of sites   The pUC19 documents are from New England Biolabs and are pdf files.  You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open them.	Topic 10: Molecular Biology
NOV 9	Topic 7 Mitosis review Tutorial Look at the onion root tip (mitosis) and lily (meiosis) The other components are also good practice There is an exercise to test simulate mitosis and meiosis (CDCK) that is good practice. Topic 7 Pre-lab objectives Topic 7 Lab objectives--this sheet may be altered after 4/3 Topic 7 data sheets Corn genetics-Pre-lab/Lab objectives                          report sheet	Topic 7:  Mitosis and Meiosis
NOV 16	Modeling DNA and transcription/translation Bring your textbook to lab; you do not need your lab manual this week Pre-lab objectives DNA worksheet--you will complete this sheet and turn in at the end of lab. Transcription/Translation worksheet	Modeling DNA and protein structure
NOV 23	All labs since the midterm	Lab Practical II
	NO LAB AFTER PRACTICAL II.  STUDY FOR YOUR FINALS

*This lecture schedule and lecture testing is tentative and may change. Tests may be given the week before or the week after the week listed here--or during the week predicted. Specific test dates will be announced approximately one week in advance in class.

Instructor Prep -students do not have access 

Lab Technician Prep -students do not have access

Course policies:

Attendance: Each student must attend the assigned laboratory weekly for 3 hours.  

• You are expected to remain in lab for 3 hours weekly, so do not schedule other appointments during this time. Attendance will be checked at each lab period. 
• Due to limited space and resources, labs CANNOT be made up. However, you may attend lab in the other lab section if you have a valid excuse and with the permission of the instructor (NOT VALID IN SUMMER TERM).  If you miss lab, you must have a written excuse (that I can keep) from an authority (doctor, judge, funeral director etc.). With the written excuse, the missed points for the laboratory will not count against you. You cannot turn in a lab report, lab assignment , take a quiz, or get credit for notebook work for a lab that you did not attend. 
• If you miss lab, you are responsible for the lab material on the lab practical.  
• If you have a valid, written excuse and miss a practical exam, your second practical will be doubled.  
• If you miss the lab practical altogether and have an excused absence, notify the instructor immediately by e-mail, and see the instructor upon your return to school.  Missing more than one lab practical is considered excessive.  If you have greater than one absence from a lab practical, you will be asked to withdraw from the course.
• Except under extenuating circumstances, you will be counted absent if you are more than 15 minutes late and will not be able to turn in the lab assignment, quiz, or lab report for that lab.
• Missing lab because you are taking a vacation or leaving early for a scheduled break are NOT excused absences.

Lab notebooks: For each lab you are responsible for completion of the pre-lab and post-lab objectives in your notebook.  Pre-lab objectives should be completed for that week's lab prior to coming to lab.  Post-lab  objectives should be begun during the current lab and finished at home and should be in the lab notebook by the following lab period.  Lab notebooks will be checked for completion and may be used when quizzes are given in lab.  You are responsible for printing the pre- and post-lab objectives and bringing them to lab each week.  The notebooks will be excellent study guides for the practical exams.

Late assignments: Lab reports or report sheets will be accepted late using the following chart for subtracting points. Lab reports or report sheets will NOT be accepted more than one week after they are due. Turn in all of your lab materials together. No supplemental materials may be added once you have turned in you lab report or assignment.  Late penalties begin to be charged as soon as the lab period is over in which the assignment is due, day 2 begins at midnight the next day and then charges are assessed at 24 hour intervals.

Click here for late assignment chart

E-mail: Important messages and announcements will be sent to you via your CSU account. You must activate your account and check your e-mail regularly.  You are responsible for all e-mails sent to the class list.

You are responsible for printing all posted items.  These items will not be available from your instructor during lab.

General policies:

• Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Catalog, Student Handbook, and if applicable, program handbook.
• Students must follow the guidelines set forth in Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.
• Visitors, including children, are not allowed in the laboratory.
• No smoking, other use of tobacco, eating, or drinking is permitted at any time in the laboratory.
• Cheating in any form will not be tolerated; all work that you turn in must be in your own words and must be your own work.  If your brainpower did not generate what you turn in, it is considered cheating.  The following are examples of cheating:  copying the work of another person, allowing another person to do your assignment,  working in a group on a graded item, copying or closely paraphrasing sources written by another person , using anything but your brainpower on an exam, quiz, report, report sheet, etc.  Cheating in any form will result in a minimum of zero on the assignment and academic misconduct forms will be filed with the Office of Judicial Affairs for any violation. 
• You may work with your lab partners to do lab experiments, obtain data, and to discuss the data, but the answers that you turn in on lab reports or lab report sheets should be written in your own words.
• All lab practicals are closed book.  NO student produced study sheets, note cards, notes from class, etc. may be used on lab practicals.  During lab practicals you may have only pencil(s) and an eraser at your desk.  You may not work with another person on lab practicals, lab reports, quizzes, lab report sheets, etc.  You may use materials that you have compiled from the pre-lab and lab objectives on the lab quizzes. However, you may not use your lab manual or materials from others.
• Cell phone use during class is disrespectful and distracting to the instructor and other students.  Any student using their cell phone during class (ringing, talking, or sending/receiving text messages) will have the phone confiscated and must come see the me at the end of class to get it back.  I may decide to answer it for you!  I may read your text message to the entire class!  It is suggested you switch your phone to the off position before class begins. No electronic devices may be out or in use during exams or other graded assignments.

  Students may not use laptop computers for anything other than note taking during class.  Students using laptop computers for anything else (including, but not limited to, instant messaging, sending or receiving email, playing games, or surfing the internet) will be asked to leave the class.

  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.  Please refer to http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm for more information.

   

  Disruptive Classroom Behavior¹
  
  Disruptive behavior in the classroom can negatively affect the classroom environment as well as the educational experience for students enrolled in the course. Disruptive behavior is defined as any behaviors that hamper the ability of instructors to teach or students to learn. Common examples of disruptive behaviors include, but are not limited to:
  # Eating in class
  # Monopolizing classroom discussions
  # Failing to respect the rights of other students to express their viewpoints
  # Talking when the instructor or others are speaking
  # Constant questions or interruptions which interfere with the instructor’s presentation
  # Overt inattentiveness (e.g., sleeping or reading the paper in class)
  # Creating excessive noise
  # Entering the class late or leaving early
  # Use of pagers or cell phones in the classroom
  # Inordinate or inappropriate demands for time or attention
  # Poor personal hygiene (e.g., noticeably offensive body odor)
  # Refusal to comply with faculty direction
  
  Students exhibiting these types of behaviors can expect a warning from the instructor or dismissal for the lesson in which the behavior occurs. Failure to correct such behaviors can result in dismissal from the course.
  
  More extreme examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to:
  # Use of profanity or pejorative language
  # Intoxication
  # Verbal abuse of instructor or other students (e.g., taunting, badgering, intimidation)
  # Harassment of instructor or other students
  # Threats to harm oneself or others
  # Physical violence
  
  Students exhibiting these more extreme examples of disruptive behavior may be dismissed from the lesson or the entire course.
  
  Students dismissed from a lesson will leave the classroom immediately or may be subject to additional penalties. Dismissed students are responsible for any course material or assignments missed.
  
  Students dismissed from a course have the right to appeal the dismissal to the department head responsible for the course. Appeals beyond the department head may also be pursued. If no appeal is made or the appeal is unsuccessful, the student will receive a grade o WF (withdrawal – failing) regardless of the current grade in the course.
  
  Conditions attributed to physical or psychological disabilities are not considered as a legitimate excuse for disruptive behavior.
  
  1 The description of disruptive behavior and listings of examples of disruptive behavior are taken from the Web sites of James Madison University, the University of Delaware and Virginia Tech.

  Changes or additions to this syllabus, including reading, exam schedule, grading, and course policies can be made at the discretion of the instructor at any time.

Last update: July 15, 2009