BIOL 1107L - Principles of Biology I Laboratory
Course Syllabus - Summer 2011

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 (CRN 53607)
Office: Faculty Hall 21
Phone: (678) 466-4789
e-mail: PaulMelvin@clayton.edu
Internet address: http://a-s.clayton.edu/pmelvin/pmelvin.htm
Office hours:  MW 12:20 - 1:15 PM

 

CAMPUS MAP
 

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

Textbook Information:

Required text: Custom lab manual available in the CSU bookstore.

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

DATE	LAB TITLE	TOPIC
Mon May 23	Intro Lab	Introduction & Lab Safety
Wed, May 25	LAB 1: Scientific Investigation	Lab Manual: Topic 1 Lab 1 Pre-lab objectives Lab 1 Lab objectives Lab 1 Data/graph sheets
Mon, May 31	NO LAB	NO CLASSES - MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY
Wed, Jun 1	LAB 2: Modeling the Chemistry of Water	Modeling the chemistry of water Lab 2 Pre-lab objectives Lab 2 Water worksheet
Mon, Jun 6	LAB 3: Molecular Biology	Lab Manual: Topic 10 Lab 3 Pre-lab objectives Lab 3 report sheet Size marker and picture of gel Plasmid Vectors, Viral DNAs and Bacteriophage pUC19 plasmid map* pUC19 location of sites*   *The pUC19 documents are pdf files and Adobe Acrobat Reader to open them.
Wed, Jun 8	LAB 4: Microscopes and Cells	Lab Manual:  Topic 2 Lab 4 Pre-lab objectives Lab 4 Lab objectives
Mon, Jun 13	LAB 5: Diffusion & Osmosis	Lab Manual:  Topic 3 Lab 5 Pre-lab objectives Lab 5 Lab objectives Lab 5 data sheets Lab report rubric--Print and turn in with lab report.  Use the lab report guide to write a lab report.
Wed, Jun 15	Lab Practical I	LAB PRACTICAL 1:  All labs prior to the midterm
Mon, Jun 20	LAB 6: Enzymes & Protein Folding	Lab Manual: Topic 4 Lab 6 Pre-lab objectives Lab 6 Lab objectives Lab 6 data sheets Protein folding worksheet
Wed, Jun 22	LAB 7: Cellular Respiration & Fermentation	Lab Manual: Topic 5 Lab 7 Pre-lab objectives Lab 7 Lab objectives Lab 7 data sheets Lab 7 lab hints Fermentation diagram 1 Fermentation diagram 2
Fri, Jun 24		LAST DAY TO DROP WITH A "W"
Mon, Jun 27	LAB 8: Photosynthesis	Lab Manual: Topic 6 Lab 8 Pre-lab objectives Lab 8 Lab objectives Lab 8 data sheets Lab 8 lab hints
Wed, Jun 29	LAB 9: Mitosis and Meiosis	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. Lab 9 Pre-lab objectives Lab 9 Lab objectives Corn genetics-Pre-lab/Lab objectives                          report sheet
Mon, Jul 4	NO LAB	NO CLASSES - INDEPENDENCE DAY OBSERVATION
Wed, Jul 7	LAB 10:  Gene Expression	Modeling DNA and transcription/translation Bring your textbook to lab; you do not need your lab manual this week Lab 10 Pre-lab objectives Lab 10 DNA worksheet Lab 10 Transcription/Translation worksheet
Mon, Jul 11	Lab Practical II	LAB PRACTICAL 2 (All labs since the midterm)

 

*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

CLASSROOM REGULATIONS AND POLICIES:

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

1. Attendance is required.  Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each lab period and will count as part of your course grade.  For every lab section you attend, you will earn 2 points, for a total of 20.  Students who enter the lab after attendance has been taken will be considered tardy and earn 0 points for that day.  If you are absent from a lab, you are still responsible for the missed material for exams, quizzes, notebook, lab report, etc.  You cannot get any points for any work pertaining to the lab that was missed (quizzes, assignments, etc).  Students who do not attend regularly generally do not do well in the course.

2. Students with a valid excuse may attend another lab section with permission of both instructors.  This is only available to those students who have a valid, written excuse.  The only absences that are excusable are for illness (requiring a doctors note), accident (requiring note from the police), and legal reasons (requiring a note from the judge), and work obligations outside of the ordinary (requiring a note from your boss).  The following are examples of absences that are NOT excusable:  travel (including leaving for break early or coming back late) or any type of appointment (doctor, dental, eye, etc.  You know when your class meets, don't make an appointment during that time).  THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO SUMMER LABS BECAUSE THERE IS ONLY ONE LAB SECTION.

3. Exams start at the beginning of class.  The instructor may permit a student to begin late if the excuse is reasonable.  Students who are more than 10 minutes late will not be allowed to begin the exam. There are no make-up exams.  With a valid excuse (see #2 above) you may attend another section with the permission of both instructors.  All students are required to take exam 2. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO SUMMER LABS BECAUSE THERE IS ONLY ONE LAB SECTION.

4. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class.  Students who are late must remain outside of the classroom until the quiz is finished and will receive a grade of zero.  There are no make-up quizzes.  A quiz may be based on your attendance on a particular day.  Quizzes, including attendance quizzes, may be unannounced.

5. Assignments are due at the beginning of class.  No exceptions.  Assignments may be turned in up to 24 hours late for half credit.

6. Keeping a lab notebook is required.  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.  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.

7. No cellular telephones, pagers, instant messaging devices, etc.  One point will be deducted from your total earned points each time your device makes an audible sound.  One point will be added to each student’s total earned points if the instructor’s phone makes an audible sound.  If a student’s cell phone makes and audible noise during an exam or quiz, that student will lose ten points from his or her total earned points. 

8. No talking while the instructor or another student is talking.  Students repeatedly violating this policy will be asked to leave the classroom for being disruptive.

9. Computers are for note-taking, research, or other class related activities only.  Students using them for surfing the internet, checking email, playing games, etc will be asked to turn them off.  On subsequent offenses, the student may be asked to leave the classroom for being disruptive.

10. Visitors are not permitted without the instructor’s permission.  Children are not allowed in the classroom at anytime.

11. No form of academic dishonesty will be tolerated in this course.  The most common forms are cheating and plagiarism, but any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards will constitute academic dishonesty.  The minimum penalty is a grade of zero on the work involved.  The maximum penalty is expulsion from the university.  Be aware that students found in violation of the university’s academic dishonesty code have lost scholarships, athletic eligibility, and/or their U.S. student visa (if an international student).  All forms of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Affairs for investigation.  Judicial procedures are described at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.

12. No form of disruptive behavior will be tolerated in this class.  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 is found to be repeatedly disruptive 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.  For more information, please refer to: http://as.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm

Common examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to:

• Monopolizing classroom discussions

• Failing to respect the rights of other students to express their viewpoints

• Talking when the instructors or other students are speaking

• Constant questions or interruptions which interfere with the instructor’s presentation

• Overt inattentiveness (e.g. sleeping or surfing the internet)

• Creating excessive noise

• Entering the class late or leaving the class early

• Use of cell phones or pagers in class

• 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.

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: June 13, 2011