Syllabus for BIOL 190 – Intro. to Cell and Molecular Biology Lab
College Information: Great Basin College, 1500 College Parkway, Elko Nevada, 89801,
Phone:775.753.8493,
http://www.gbcnv.edu
Instructor: Kara Coates Office: Lundberg 128D
Phone: 775.753.2145
Email:
Office hours: Mon. 3-5:00Pm, Tues. and Thurs. 8-9:30Am
Or by appointment.
Lab Meets: Section 1006-Lab(34013) Tues. 1-3:45pm
1007-Lab(34015) Tues. 7-9:45pm
1008-Lab(34016) Wed. 1-3:45pm
1009-Lab(34017) Thur. 1-3:45pm
All sections meet in Lundberg 129
Course description:
Structure and function of cells. Major molecules of life; composition and physiology of cellular organelles; cell metabolism, reproduction, motility, and gene function of both plant and animal cells. Required for biology majors.
Prerequisite:
ENG 101 placement test score or completion of ENG 100 or higher or corequisite of READ 135; MATH 096 within the last two years, or sufficient placement exam for MATH 120, or SAT/ACT score adequate for MATH 120.
Texts: Lab manual – Perry, Laboratory Manual for General Biology, 5th edition. ISBN 0-534-38025-5 (required).
Method of instruction: Laboratory, with online enhancements.
Goals of this course: Students taking this course will have an understanding of cells, biomolecules, composition and physiology of cellular organelles, cell metabolism, reproduction, motility, and gene function in both plants and animals. The GBC General Education Objectives are addressed at the end of this syllabus.
Grading system: The grade for the lab portion of the class will be based on two practical exams worth 50 points each, a written report worth 50 points, and ten weekly quizzes worth 10 points each.
At the end of the semester, after receiving your lab grade from your lab instructor, your lecture instructor will incorporate the lab grade into your final grade for the course. Your final grade for the course will be weighted so that it is 75% from lecture and 25% from lab.
Extra Credit: There is no extra credit given in this course.
Attendance policy: Attendance is not mandatory, however attendance correlates positively with passing the course.
Lab practical exam makeup policy: Since the lab practicals are very difficult to set up, makeups will only be given in exceptional circumstances with an approved written excuse, at the instructor’s discretion.
Lab quizzes: Lab quizzes will be given at the beginning of each lab period when there is not a lab practical exam. They will be based on the previous lab’s material with a few questions from the lab that will be done on the current day. These quizzes cannot be made up.
Lab report: Photosynthesis will be written up as a report. The report must be typed, double spaced. It is due the next lab class period (1 week). The report should follow the following outline:
Introduction Give the background to the topic. Why is it important? Briefly tell what you are going to do in the experiment.
Procedures Explain what organisms, materials and methods were used in the experiments. How did you do it?
Results Present the results. Point out key or unexpected results.
Conclusion What was the significance of your results? Explain the importance of the experiment, and whether or not your outcome was consistent or inconsistent with what was expected.
Tables, graphs, etc. may be helpful. Do not remove pages from your manual. Grading criteria for the report are identical to those used by the English department:
1. Focuses and develops ideas effectively, showing creativity and insight.
2. Organizes ideas in a purposeful and logical manner, moving the reader (listener) smoothly through the text (subject).
3. Uses sentence structure and word choice effectively with a sense of control.
4. Commits few, if any, errors in grammar/usage and mechanics.
Other policies: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and may result in a failing grade and/or reporting to GBC Administration. The students conduct policy in the current GBC catalog will be enforced. This syllabus is not a contract and is subject to change, without warning or notification, at any time.
Lab Schedule: This is a preliminary schedule. I reserve the right to change any part of it.
Week of (Date) / Lab we are doing this week1/23 / Lab safety introduction
Macromolecules and functional groups lab (this handout will be given to you in class)
1/30 / …continuing Macromolecules lab
2/6 / #8 Enzymes
2/13 / #7 Diffusion and Osmosis
2/20 / #3 Microscopy and #6 Cells
2/27 / #10 Respiration
3/5 / Lab Midterm Exam
3/12 / Photosynthesis Lab
Download this lab from WebCampus and read it before coming to class.
Lab report will be done on this lab. Due at the beginning of your next lab period!
3/19 / #11 Mitosis and #12 Meiosis
3/26 / No labs this week – Spring Break
4/2 / #13 Heredity
4/9 / #14 DNA
Watson and Crick’s original papers as an illustration of scientific method (Download these articles from WebCampus and read them before you come to class)
4/16 / DNA technology
4/23 / Evolution movie and discussion
4/30 / #16 Evolutionary agents
5/7 / Lab Practical Final
finals week / NO LAB THIS WEEK
Student Outcomes (Some of this is for lecture and lab)
Communications Skills Objective
Students will have several opportunities to exercise written and oral communication skills throughout this course. They will complete laboratory reports and written assignments accessing scientific information as well as written exams. Oral communication skills will also be utilized during discussions involved in completing laboratory assignments.
Measurement of this objective: lab practical exams (students will read and answer exam questions in written form), written lab report (students will clearly communicate scientific information in written form, see “lab reports” above for grading rubric), class discussions (students will be able to communicate scientific ideas orally, ungraded).
Critical Thinking Objective
Quantitative Ability- Students will use mathematical principles and quantitative methods to complete the laboratory assignments. They will also learn how to quantitatively measure molecular-biological and cellular characteristics.
Reasoning and Independent Thought- Students will use reasoning and independent thought to complete laboratory experiments and answer exam questions.
Scientific Understanding- Students will comprehend workings of molecular-biological and cellular systems and the process by which the scientific knowledge is discovered. They will also develop the ability to understand molecular-biological and cellular information and how it relates to them.
Measurement of this objective: lab practical exams (students will be able to answer quantitative questions related to cell and molecular biology on exams), written lab report (students will calculate and present quantitative results clearly in the lab reports), class discussions (ungraded).
Personal and Cultural Awareness Objective
Sense of the Individual in Society- Students will gain an understanding of molecular and cellular biology and how this affects them and society.
Sense of the Past- Students will gain an understanding of how biological knowledge was discovered and how this knowledge has changed society and their lives.
Sense of Accountability- Students will comprehend the consequences of human discoveries in molecular and cellular biology and their implications.
Appreciation of Fine Arts- Students will develop an understanding of the value of biological diversity and individual curiosity and creative thought.
Measurement of this objective: lab practical exams (students will be able to answer lab practical exam questions on the importance and place of cell and molecular biology in society, on the history of biological research, and how their actions affect them and their environment), class discussions (students will be able to discuss the importance and place of cell and molecular biology in society and how their actions affect them and their environment ungraded).
Personal Wellness Objective
Students will develop skills in determining the consequences of their actions in relation to the environment and their personal health. They will gain knowledge needed to make important decisions involving personal health.
Measurement of this objective: lab practical exams (students will be able to answer lab practical exam questions on the molecular basis of human health), class discussions (students will discuss the molecular basis of human health, ungraded).
Technological Understanding
Students will gain knowledge of how advancing technology in the field of biology will affect their lives and their personal health.
Measurement of this objective: lab practical exams (students will demonstrate the ability to use technological lab equipment used in biology and relate the use of this equipment to cell and molecular biology and human health), written lab report (students will present, in written form, the use of technology to discover knowledge in the area of cell and molecular biology – the “procedures” section of their lab reports).
Summary of the Assessment of Objectives:
Learning and general education objectives will be assessed with two distinct tools. Laboratory practicals will emphasize recall of the various manipulative and study objects used in the exercises, as well as testing that the students understand the concepts and principles that were generated with these devices. The written laboratory report will asses their written communication skills, as well as their conceptual understanding of a critical lab experiment. This last experiment has been chosen for its mix of conceptual, numeric, and technical skills.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA Services for Students with Disabilities
Great Basin College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. The Students with Disabilities Office, located in Berg Hall, will assist qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services. For more information or further assistance, please call 775.753.2271 begin_of_the_skype_highlightingend_of_the_skype_highlighting.
From the 2009-2010 GBC Catalog, page 37
BIOL 190 – Intro. To Cell and Mol. Biology Lab – Kara Coates – GBC – Spring 2012