Department of Biology: 1115: Contemporary Biology

Announcements

Welcome to Contemporary Biology Lab for Non-Biology Majors!

Important Dates

Weekly = Lab Quizzes

Jan 15 =First Week of Classes

Feb 12= Exam #1

Mar 19= No labs SPRING BREAK!

Mar 26= Exam #2

Apr 23 = Exam #3

	Schedule of Lab Topics
	Lab Syllabus
	Lab Meeting Times
	Assignments
	Safety Rules
	Related Links

Schedule of Lab Topics

Date		Exercise
Aug 27	Introduction to Course, Schedule, Syllabus, & Safety Unit I: Life - Week One
Sept 3		LABS DO NOT MEET
Sept 10		Unit I: Life - Week Two Semester Project Overview
Sept 17		Unit I: Life - Week Three Group Activity Due Article Review #1 Due
Sept 24		Unit II: Living Legacy & Biotechnology - Week One
Oct 1		Unit II: Living Legacy & Biotechnology - Week Two
Oct 8		Unit II: Living Legacy & Biotechnology - Week Three Present Cases Article Review #2 Due
Oct 15		Unit III: Human Systems - Week One
Oct 22		Unit III: Human Systems - Week Two
Oct 29		Unit III: Human Systems - Week Three Group System Presentations Article Review #3 Due
Nov 5		Unit IV: Environmental Science/Ecosystems- Week One
Nov 12		Unit IV: Environmental Science/Ecosystems- Week Two
Nov 19		NO LABS - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Nov 26		Unit IV: Environmental Science/Ecosystems- Week Three Yellowstone Group Presentations Article Review #4 Due
Dec 3		Semester Projects Due & Present

Note: Students are responsible for knowing all testing dates as well as the material to be tested. Students are furthermore responsible for coming to lab prepared to perform that day’s activity.

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Lab Syllabus

BIOL 1115—CONTEMPORARY BIOLOGY

Fall 2007

Laboratory Manual—The Scope of Biology:From Cells to Ecosystems, Thompson, et al . Please bring lab manual to each lab session.

Attendance in lab is mandatory. Please note that there are NO make-up labs. If you are absent more than twice you may be academically dropped with the grade of WF for non-attendance.

Grading

Participation/Lab Cleanliness Entire Semester	= 15
Article Reviews - 4 @ 25 pts/each	= 100
Projec - 1 @ 100 pts	=100
UNITS - 4 @ 100 pts/each	=400
Total Possible Points	= 615
Your Lab Grad = Total # of Points Earned Divided by 615, Multiplied by 100 (90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, 0-59 F)

ARTICLE REVIEWS - For each UNIT (I-IV) , a comtemporary biology article will be found by the student and the student will do a one page (typed) write up of the article. Write-up should include:Summary of the article, how this article ties in to the Unit Lab, and your thoughts/comments on the article. Note: You must attend lab to earn points for the artilce review.
PROJECT - A project is to be completed during the semester. Aseparate set of instructions for completing the project will be provided. Late progjects will NOT be accepted.
UNITS - Four Units will comprise the semester's content-from cells to ecosystems. Unit assessments will include activities, presentations. odels, case stufdies, independant, and group research activities. Note: There are no make-ups for missed Unit work and Init grades will NOT be dropped.

Lab Rules

Punctuality is expected
No food or drink is allowed in the lab
Students are responsible for leaving their workstations clean and orderly for the next lab section
Students may leave lab only after completing all work AND checking out with the lab instructor
Students may not change lab sections once the semester begins. Therefore, please make all necessary schedule changes during the ADD/DROP period of registration
Please see “Safety Rules” for additional lab safety related information

Dissections
Dissections are a required component of this course. Please be aware that you may be exposed to unpleasant odors.

Policy on Academic Misconduct
No cheating will be tolerated. Anyone suspected of cheating (all forms) will automatically receive a grade of zero for the quiz or exam and the matter will be turned over to the Dean of Students.

Policy on Disability Accommodations
The Department of Biological Sciences, in cooperation with the Office of Disability Accommodation, complies with Section 504 the Americans with Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. Please present your written request before the 3rd class day to the Lab Coordinator so that the necessary arrangements may be made.

Release of Grades: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (1974), does not permit faculty or staff to report grades by phone or email.

Note: See University Calendar for last day to drop course

*A comprehensive written exam will be available during the week of finals for those students who have missed the final exam for one of the following reasons:

Participation in a University Sponsored Activity (Requires prior notice along with presentation of authorized absence card from the Dean of Students Office);
Observance of a religious holiday (Must notify the instructor within the first week of class); Or
Qualified medical excuse (Documentation Required; Instructor Must be contacted within 3 days of absence)

Lab Coordinator: Jill Nugent

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Lab Meeting Times

Location: Biology Building, Room 112

Instructors:

Sections:

N/A

LABORATORY PROCEDURES

1. Make sure you know how to properly dispose of any chemicals used in lab.

2. Make sure all chemical and/or specimen containers are closed tightly after use. If chemicals come into contact with skin, wash immediately with water.

3. Keep the laboratory clean and organized.

4. Be familiar with experimental procedures you will be performing before coming to the laboratory.

5. Wear safety glasses or goggles during exercises in which glassware and solutions are heated, or when dangerous fumes may be present, creating possible hazards to eyes or contact lenses.

6. Wear clothing that, if damaged, would not be a serious loss, since chemicals may damage fabrics.

SAFETY RULES

1. DO NOT EAT OR DRINK IN THE LAB! This includes preserved or unpreserved materials, specimens, and reagents located in the laboratory. Smoking is prohibited in all of the University of North Texas buildings.

2. Discard of broken glassware in the glass disposal box located in the lab. This box is for glass only.

3. Administer first aid immediately to clean, sterilize, and cover any scrapes, cuts, and burns where the skin is broken and/or where there may be bleeding. Wear bandages over open skin wounds.
If you or another student is cut or injured in any way during the lab, you must inform the instructor immediately. Do not attempt to clean blood-contaminated spills!

4. Handle hot glassware with appropriate tongs or test tube clamps. Use caution when heating chemicals.

5. Use extra care when working with scalpels, razor blades, and glass pipettes. A glass pipette should never be forced into a pipump.

6. Bare feet are not permitted in lab. Wear shoes as protection against broken glass or spillage.

7. Know where to find emergency equipment such as the eyewash, fire extinguisher, and first aid kit. Report all accidents to an instructor immediately.

8. Report any conditions that appear hazardous to an instructor.

9. Do not bring children to the lab. Unaccompanied children are not permitted on the campus.

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