BIOL 121 General Biology Laboratory
Longwood University
Course Syllabus
Instructor:
Office:
Dr. David W. Buckalew
305A Chichester Science Center
395-2586 (or 2586 from on-campus)
Office hours:
Email:
As Posted or By Appointment
buckalewdw@longwood.edu
Text:
Fall 2009
Vodopich and Moore. 2009. Custom Laboratory Manual,
McGraw-Hill Publ.
Course Description: This course is the first semester of a two-semester
introduction to the college-level study of biology for biology and health preprofessional majors. Major topics include the molecular and cellular basis
of life, energy and life, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, classical and
molecular genetics, mechanisms of evolution, and classification schemes.
Biology majors must score a C-grade or better before taking advanced
(200-level and above) courses. Three lectures and one 2-hour lab period
per week. 4 credits.
Lab Requirements:
There are several general classes of requirements for the lab component of
this course. These include: a mid-term exam and a final exam. The
instructor reserves the right to give quizzes on information contained in one
to several lab exercises where appropriate.
1) Lab mid-term exam: On Weds/Thurs/Fri, Oct 14/15/16 you will receive a written exam
covering the first six (6) laboratory exercises.
2) Lab final exam: On Weds/Thurs/Fri, Dec 9/10/11, an exam covering the last five (5)
laboratory exercises will be given.
Evaluation and Grading
The tabulation of points will include:
Mid-term exam…………………………………………………. 100 points
Final exam……………………………………………………… 100 points
Total points possible……………………………….…………..200 points
Tardiness and Absences:
Class attendance and punctuality are strongly emphasized. Please refer to
the lecture syllabus for discussion on this topic. Attendance will be
taken when required. Any student not present when roll is taken will be
considered absent. If a student arrives after roll is called, it is the
responsibility of the student to personally inform the instructor of his/her
presence as soon as the class is over. An absent or tardy student will also
be held accountable for all materials missed during their absence from the
lab.
Honor Code
I strongly support the Longwood University Honor System and expect you to do likewise.
All written work is to be pledged in full and signed. Any student found responsible for an
Honor Code violation in this laboratory will receive an “F” grade for the entire course.
Additional Note:
The safety and housekeeping policies discussed in the lab introduction and any similar
instructions given toward that end must be adhered to faithfully. Consumption of food
or drink in the lab is expressly forbidden.
Outline and Schedule of Exercises………..BIOL 121 Gen Bio laboratory. Fall 2009
Meeting date:
Aug
26/27/28
Sept
2/3/4
Exercise
1. Introduction to the lab
Lab safety contract and background knowledge survey
2. Measurements in Biology and Data Analysis
Sept 9/10/11
3. Solutions, Acids, and Bases
Sept 16/17/18
4. Examinations of cells and organelles
Sept 23/24/25
5. Purification and size determination of
proteins
Sept/Oct 30/1/2
6. Electrophoretic analysis of proteins
Oct
7/8/9
7. Review of labs for mid-term lab exam
Oct
14/15/16
8. Mid-term Lab Exam
Oct
21/22/23
9. Measurements in cell respiration
Oct
28/29/30
10. Practical applications of cell respiration
Nov
4/5/6
11. Observations of Mitosis and Meiosis
Nov
11/12/13
12. Genetics problems
Nov
18/19/20
13. Genetic transformation of bacteria
Nov
25/26/27
14. Thanksgiving break – no lab
Dec
2/3/4
15. Final Lab Exam