Biology 1111L - Introductory Biology Laboratory
Course Syllabus - Summer 2008

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:

BIOL1111L
Introductory Biology Laboratory

Credit Hours:

1.0 semester credit hours

Courses Description:

Laboratory accompanying BIOL1111, Introductory Biology I

Biology 1111L is a laboratory course designed to accompany Biology 1111. These are both co-requisite courses which emphasize the study of cells.

Course Co-requisite:

BIOL 1111, Introductory Biology I

Note: Due to the co-requisite nature of BIOL 1111L and BIOL 1111, if either course is dropped, the other must also be dropped.

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 a 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).
• Must have Acrobat Reader on computer to access lab materials.  This program can be obtained for free at the following website: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html 

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

• You will be required to use your computer and internet service to access the laboratory manual, which is posted on the web.   You will need to access the manual to obtain protocols, lab report sheets, the course syllabus, lab review pages and other important information.

Course Objectives:

• To make observations and to follow the scientific method in biology.
• To learn to use the microscope and other tools used in biological investigations.
• To reinforce biological principles, learned in the lecture portion of the course, with hands-on applications.

General Education Outcomes:

The following links provide tabular descriptions of the communications outcome and the critical thinking outcome components (see BIOL1111L in table):

• Communications outcomes components
• Critical thinking outcomes components

Teacher Education Standards:

The content of this course syllabus correlates to education standards established by national and state education governing agencies, accrediting agencies and learned society/ professional education associations.  Please refer to the course correlation matrices located at the following web site:

http://a-s.clayton.edu/teachered/Standards%20and%20Outcomes.htm
 

Course Web Page:

• You can access important information pertaining to this course on the course web page http://a-s.clayton.edu/pmelvin/BIOL%201111L.html

Term:

Summer 2008

Instructor Information:

Dr. P. Melvin (CRN 53234 and 53235)
Office: G210P
Phone: 678-466-4789
e-mail: PaulMelvin@clayton.edu
Internet address: http://a-s.clayton.edu/pmelvin/pmelvin.htm
Office hours:  TBA

Mr. M. Collins (CRN 53262)
Office: G210
Phone: 678-466-4700
e-mail: MarcusCollins@clayton.edu
Internet address: 
Office hours:  TBA

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

Textbook Information:

There is no textbook for this course.  You will be using an on-line lab manual written by CSU faculty.  You can access the manual at http://a-s.clayton.edu/biology/BiologyLabManual/Labmanualmenu.htm

Recommended supplies:

It is recommended that you bring colored pencils/markers to class because a number of laboratories require you to make a graph of the data.

Evaluation:

Grading:

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Course Schedule:

Tentative Lab Schedule--any changes will be announced:

Mid-term Progress Report

Due to the relatively small number of laboratory reports that will have been returned by mid-term, no mid-term grade will be reported for this course.  Students making unsatisfactory progress will be contacted individually by the instructor before mid-term.

You do not need to attend lab after practical II.

Course Policies:

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

Attendance is required for all laboratory periods.  Any absence must be accompanied by a written excuse from a doctor or other competent authority.  You must bring the excuse within one week of the absence.  Without a valid excuse, a grade of zero points will be assigned for the missed laboratory.  Missed laboratories cannot be made up.  If a valid excuse is provided,  the missed laboratory will not count in calculating the course grade.  This means that other laboratory reports will be responsible for a greater weight in determining the course final grade.

·        You must come prepared for each lab. Make sure you read the material before coming to class. Quizzes will be given over the reading material at the discretion of the instructor.

·        The lab assignments are due at the end of each lab. Try to answer as many questions as you can in the lab manual before coming to class. You will have only 2 hours to complete the lab and answer all the questions for your lab assignment. You will need to get a head start.

·        Detailed instructions concerning late labs will be included with each lab.

In most laboratories you will be working as part of a lab group.  You are expected to collaborate freely and participate in the work of the group.  You may discuss any aspect of the lab with other members of your lab group or of the lab section.  You are encouraged to compare results with your lab partners and to discuss possible sources of error.  However, the laboratory report is INDIVIDUAL work.  You may not copy the work of any other person.  You may not copy files, diagrams or text from any other person.

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.

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 form of academic dishonesty will be tolerated in this class.  Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism.  All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved.  All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the office Student Life/Judicial Affairs.   Judicial procedures are described at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/

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.

VERY IMPORTANT

·        No make-up practicals or quizzes will be given.

·        If you have an excuse and you miss a regular lab (i.e. one in which a lab practical is not given) you have 2 options.  It is ultimately up to your instructor, which option is most applicable to your situation.  PLEASE discuss it with your instructor.

1.      You can attend another lab section if you have permission from your lab instructor and the instructor of the lab you wish to attend. You may complete the lab report and/or quiz given during that lab and turn it in as normal.   Again, you must have a proper excuse.  You must bring documentation concerning your absence to your instructor.

2.     If you miss the lab altogether and cannot make it to another section then the lab report and/or quiz and/or practical that corresponds to that lab will not be counted in the final grade.  Remember, you must have a proper excuse.

·        If you have a valid excuse and you miss a practical you have 2 options.  It is ultimately up to your instructor, which option is most applicable to your situation.  PLEASE discuss it with your instructor.

1.      You can take the practical in another lab section if you have permission from your lab instructor and the instructor of the lab you wish to attend.  Please make arrangements in a timely manner.

2.     You can forfeit taking the practical and the other practical will count double.  For instance, if you miss lab practical one, have a valid excuse and are unable to take the practical in another lab section then when you take lab practical 2 it will count as 100 points rather than the normal 50 points.  YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO MISS MORE THAN 1 PRACTICAL REGARDLESS OF THE EXCUSE.  MISSING MORE THAN ONE PRACTICAL IS CONSIDERED UNREASONABLE SINCE THE PRACTICALS ACCOUNT FOR THE MAJORITY OF YOUR GRADE.  YOU WILL BE ASKED TO CONSIDER A HARDSHIP WITHDRAWAL IF THIS OCCURS. 

·        BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1111L are co-requisite courses which must be taken together. Dropping only one of these courses during the semester is not permitted. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by Dr. Michelle Furlong, Natural Sciences Department Head.

·        No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted at any time in the laboratory room.

·        You will be taught the proper safety procedure.  If the instructor discovers that you are not handling the laboratory equipment responsibly and safely he/she has the right to ask you to leave the lab ASAP, which means you will be unable to turn in your report sheet or make up that particular lab for that week and 0 points will be given for that assignment.

Last update: April 30, 2008