BIOL 190L: Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology Lab
FALL 15 PROFESSOR O’TOOLE (ed. 8-13-15)
Phone 423-7565 EXT. 2233 (OFFICE)
Faculty Office VRGH 316
Email holly.otoole@wnc.edu
General Information
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Name: Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology Lab
Discipline: Biology (BIOL)
Units (Credits): 1
Transfer Information: Courses with an 'L' Designator after the number: This is a laboratory course is
designed to apply toward a WNC degree and/or transfer to other schools within the Nevada System of Higher
Education, depending on the degree chosen and other courses completed. It may transfer to colleges and
universities outside Nevada. For information about how this course can transfer and apply to your program of
study, please contact a counselor.
Academic Division: Liberal Arts
Prerequisites and Recommended Courses
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Corequisites: BIOL 190
Course Outline
I: Catalog Course Description
Covers the structure and function of cells. Included will be the major molecules of life, composition and
physiology of cellular organelles, cellular metabolism, reproduction, motility, gene function and related topics.
BIOL 190 and BIOL 190L must be taken together at WNC
II: Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of BIOL 190: Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology and BIOL 190L:
Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, (defined as a 75% course score or better) learners will be
able to:
The information in the parentheses after a course objective refers to the specific general education (GE)
learning outcome that the objective meets. Objectives without this information are not linked to WNC’s
general education program.
Describe and explain the processes of cellular transport, signaling, metabolism, photosynthesis, cell
division (mitosis and meiosis), heredity, gene expression and gene regulation and explain their
significance to the functioning of biological systems (GE #1);
Illustrate and explain the structure and function of animal and plant cells and sub-cellular organelles (GE
#1);
Illustrate and explain the function of biomolecules at the sub-cellular and cellular level (GE #1);
Draw conclusions from experimentally derived data in the laboratory (GE #1, #4).
Course Topics: All learners will have in-depth knowledge of the language of cellular and molecular biology,
animal and plant cellular structure and function: Students will explain fundamental concepts associated with
atomic structure, chemical bonding, water chemistry, and pH, and apply these concepts to the functioning of
biological systems; Students will identify the basic structures and describe the functions of the four major
classes of biological macromolecules and cellular structures, including eukaryotic organelles and membranes
(and may include prokaryotic cells and viral particles, as well); Students will describe the processes of cellular
transport, signaling, introductory intermediary metabolism, photosynthesis, cell division (mitosis and meiosis),
heredity, gene expression and gene regulation and explain their significance to the functioning of biological
systems; Students will apply scientific reasoning to draw conclusions from experimentally derived data from the
Using a Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism to Predict Bitter-Tasting Ability laboratory experiment.
III: Course Linkage
Linkage of course to educational program mission and at least one educational program outcome.
General Education Mission:
BIOL 191/191L is a general education class that promotes the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes
that will benefit students in their personal and professional endeavors.
General Education Student Learning Outcome:
Students who successfully complete BIOL 191/191L satisfy the general education learning outcome of
understanding the methods of science and the role of science and technology in the modern world; have
problem solving, creative, and critical thinking skills; have effective and efficient learning skills.
Program Mission for AA/AS degree:
BIOL 191/191L satisfies the A.A./A.S. degree mission by providing academic knowledge and skills for
successful transfer to meet higher educational goals.
Program Student Learning Outcomes for AA/AS degree:
Students who successfully complete Biol 191/191L will know the subject matter appropriate to the emphasis of
the degree.
ATTENDANCE:
Roll will be taken in the lab. If you miss four labs, you cannot pass the lab course.
AUDIT AND W POLICY:
______________ Last day to change credit to audit or audit to credit for full-term classes. Change must be
made via myWNC.
_____________ Last day to drop full-term classes with a “W”.
I have a right to modify this syllabus.
COURSE RULES and ETTIQUITE: Please refrain from talking to your neighbor during the lecture. No texting
or cell phone use is permitted in class. Cell phones and PDAs should be turned off during class and during
exams. Laptops and iPads are permitted, but they are to be used for course work only during class. Disruptive
behavior will not be tolerated.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Students caught cheating will be treated as outlined in Policy No.: 3-4-5 Academic Integrity.
ASSISTANCE: If a student has a disability and requires assistance, contact the Disability Resource Center
(Susan Trist) to arrange for accommodations.
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday
3:00 - 4:00 pm
Tuesday
4-5 pm
Wednesday
By appt.
Thursday
1-4 pm
Friday
By appt.
GRADING:
Lab Quizzes
Science Poster or Paper
Binder
Lab Notebook
Science Paper assignments
75%
15%
2.5%
2.5%
5%
APPPROXIMATE GRADE SCALE:
A
AB+
B
B-
93-100
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
C+
C
CD+
D
77-79
73-75
70-72
65-69
60-64
DF
55-59
<55 also given for cheating
Students need a lab coat to be worn in the lab.
Examination, Quiz, and Assignment Information:
1. The pedagogy of this class will include lecture, discussion, and laboratory exercises.
2. The laboratory quizzes will cover materials presented in the laboratory. They will not be cumulative, but
information from the previous material may be needed to answer questions.
3. Lab quizzes will be given at the beginning of each lab class period. The two lowest lab quiz scores will be
dropped. No makeup quizzes will be given. If you are more than 10 minutes tardy you will not be given a
quiz.
4. Objectives and grades will be posted on WNC online.
5. I will not withdraw failing students. Student who are failing or earning a grade that they are not satisfied with
may withdraw themselves by the withdraw date.
6. Be sure and take advantage of the Companion website that comes with your text.
7. Points, up to100% of the total points from that week’s quiz, may be deducted for habitual tardies, early
departures, or disruptive behavior.
8. Grades and quiz/test scoring concerns/disagreements/rescoring are issues to be dealt during my office
hours. Please do so.
Further Information:
The class schedule is tentative and will be updated as needed. To do well in a college course demands
that your work, personal life, and health allow for you to make your coursework a priority.
Attendance:
Attendance is required and I will record it. If you miss four labs, you cannot pass the lab course.
Student Classroom Conduct:
WNC is committed to providing a safe effective learning environment for students, faculty, and staff.
Disruptive student conduct is subject to strict disciplinary action.
This is a college classroom. You are expected to arrive on time and stay for the entire class period.
Late arrivals and early departures are disruptive for the entire class. Three late arrivals/early departures will
count as one absence. No children or pets are allowed in class or in the lab. Turn pagers to silent and cellular
phones off when you come to class.
Behavior that impedes the teaching/learning process including: private conversations; leaving during a
guest lecture; late arrivals and early departures; texting, phone, or pager calls; and behaviors that do not
contribute to the course learning environment is unacceptable. I reserve the right to administratively fail or
withdraw any student who presents behavioral issues that impede the learning environment. Use of any
conduct or harassment that threatens the quality of this learning environment will result in immediate removal
from the class.
Dishonesty/Cheating:
Any student determined to be cheating or assisting or participating with another student in dishonest
behavior will be immediately withdrawn from the course or receive a grade penalty. The penalty for cheating at
WNC is outlined on the WNC website. An Honor Code is inherent in ethical societal behavior: “I will not
lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do”. Come to me if students are violating that code.
Laboratory Safety Guidelines:
1. No eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact lens, or applying cosmetics in the laboratory.
2. Lab space is tight. Backpacks are to be placed in a designated area of the lab, not on or under lab tables.
3. Restrain long hair and remove dangling jewelry during dissections.
4. Work surfaces will be washed at the beginning and end of class and whenever a spill occurs.
5. Safety glasses must be worn. You may provide your own.
6. Personal protective equipment (aprons and gloves) will be worn when doing experiments where
contamination is possible. All protective equipment will be removed when leaving the laboratory.
7. When working with human blood and other body fluid samples, you are to handle only your own
sample.
8. Laboratory work areas will be cleaned up at the end of class and all equipment and materials returned to
the proper location.
9. Report all spills or accidents, no matter how minor to the instructor.
10. Hands will be washed after cleaning work surfaces, when hands become contaminated, and when leaving
the laboratory.
11. WNC does not have insurance to cover students on campus. All students should carry personal medical
insurance.
12. Dissections may not be videoed or photographed or posted on any online site.
Lab Study Tips:
1. Read labs ahead of time, do questions on labs before lab when possible.
2. Know your lab objectives for the weekly lab quiz.
3. Know assigned diagrams for that week’s lab quiz.
4. Use lab time to do lab exercises: concentrating on lab objectives.
Study Tips and Techniques: You should plan to spend at least ten to twelve hours outside class each week
to pass the course. Higher grades will require more study time. It will help you to read the assigned
material before class. I suggest you download and read the study tips posted on WNC online. If you are
having difficulty please consider one or more of the following:
1. Meet with me during my office hours.
2. Read the chapter, do the online quizzes, rewrite answers to the objectives.
3. Start a study group with some of your classmates and study, study, study!!
4. Take responsibility for your own grade.
5. Log your study time. Be honest about how much time you are actually studying.
Extra Credit
Perfect attendance is worth 10 points which will be averaged into your reading quiz grade. You may
have no absences, no tardies, and no instances where you leave class early to earn perfect attendance.
Assistance:
Qualified, self-identified students with documented disabilities have the right to free accommodations to
ensure equal access to educational opportunities at WNC. For assistance contact Disability Support Services on
the Carson Campus in the Bristlecone Bld. Room 103 or call 775-445-3267 or 775-445-3266.
BIOL 190/L Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology --- (rev. 8-13-15)
Week
Date
Lecture
Lab
1
9-1
Brief Intro: Reductionism vs Systems Approach
Chapter 2 Chemical Context of Life
Chemistry Continued
LABQUEST 2 Tutorial
2
9-8
Chapter 2 Chemical Context of Life
MATH LAB using LABQUEST 2: View
Video on Using LabQuest, Significant
Figures, Scientific Notation, SI System,
Measurement, Lab Equipment ID
3
9-15
Chapter 3 Water and Life
pH AND BUFFER LAB using
LABQUEST 2
4
9-22
Exam #1 Intro, Chemistry & Water
Chapter 4 Carbon and Molecular Diversity
PROTEIN DETERMINATIONBRADFORD ASSAY
5
9-29
The Case Against Sugar Paper #1 due
Chapter 5 Structure and Function of Large
Biological Molecules
MOLECULAR MODELS LAB
Molecular models of glucose,
cholesterol, DNA, triglyceride, amino
acid, alpha helix, beta-pleated sheet,
polysaccharide, and ethanol (use cell
phone and printers)
6
10-6
Chapter 6 A Tour of the Cell
BRIGHTFILED MICROSCOPE &
COUNTING CELLS W/
HEMOCYTOMETER
7
10-13
Chapter 7 Membrane Structure and Function
DIFFUSION using LABQUEST 2
8
10-20
Exam #2 Carbon, Bio Molecules & Cell, Membrane ENZYME CATYLIST LABQUEST 2
Chapter 8 An Introduction to Metabolism
9
10-27
Chapter 9 Cellular Respiration and Respiration
RESPIRATION/FERMENTATION
(germinate peas)
10
11-3
NOVA Cracking Code of Life Paper #2 due
Chapter 10 Photosynthesis
PHOTOSYNTHESIS using LABQUEST
2
Abstract and Introduction assignment
11
11-10
Chapter 11 Cell Communication
PCR PROJECT: 6 WEEKS
Using a Single Nucleotide
Polymorphism to Predict Bitter Tasting
Ability
Materials and Methods assignment
12
11-17
Exam #3 Metabolism, Respiration, Photosynthesis Results and Discussion assignment
& Cell Communication
Chapter 12 The Cell Cycle
13
11-24
Holiday
14
12-1
Chapter 13 Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles
Chapter 15 The Molecular Basis of Inheritance
Reference assignment
EXTRACT DNA LAB
15
12-8
True Believer: the Role of KRAS Variant in Cancer
Paper #3 due
Chapter 16 Gene Expression From Gene to Gene
Chapter 17 Regulation of Gene Expression
Writing group paper/poster
16
12-15
Exam #4 Cell Cyle, Meiosis, Genetics
TURN IN PROJECT WRITE-UP IN
SCIENCE JOURNAL FORM
OR TURN IN SCIENCE POSTER OF
PROJECT