COURSE INFORMATION
Biology 190L
Cell & Molecular Biology Lab
Fall, 2013
INSTRUCTOR: Renee Magrini
OFFICE: Bristlecone 334
OFFICE PHONE: 445-4286 (I will check my voice mail once daily and respond within 24 hrs)
eMAIL: renee.magrini@wnc.edu (I will check my e-mail once daily and respond within 24 hrs)
OFFICE HOURS: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Mon-Thur; 3:00-4:00 p.m. Tue & Thur; or by appointment.
ATTENDANCE: It is your responsibility to attend all lab sessions. Attendance in lab is particularly
important because each week’s lab activity will be available only at that time and CANNOT BE
MADE UP.
Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of lab. Each lab will be worth 2 points if you
are present at the start time for the class. If you arrive late or leave early, only 1 point will
be earned. If you are late and miss the taking of attendance, be sure to see me AFTER
CLASS, so I can mark you present. If you fail to do so, you will be marked absent
irreversibly.
There will be a total of 16 labs during the semester, for a total of 32
attendance points possible. Throughout the semester, a total of 2 absences or 4 tardies or
any combination totaling 4 points will be excused. ALL additional absences or tardies will
diminish your attendance grade. Attendance in lecture is worth 100 points toward your lab
average.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION: Primarily hands-on lab activities, however, each lab will begin with
a short lecture explaining the techniques and procedures for each activity.
LAB HOMEWORK: For each lab exercise in your lab manual, you will complete the Questions for
Further Thought and Study at the end of each lab exercise. On occasion, additional questions
will be given. Study questions will be completed after lab and turned in at the beginning of lab
the following week. Lab homework must be typed on a separate sheet from lecture
homework. The student’s name, lab exercise number, and Questions for Further Thought
and Study must be typed in the upper right corner of the page. Homework is worth 100
points toward your lab average.
LAB EXAMS: Two (2) lab exams will be given during the semester; one at mid-term and one during
finals week. Each lab exam will cover material from that section of the course only. Each lab
exam will be worth 100 points toward your lab average.
th
LAB MANUAL: Biology Laboratory Manual 10 Edition by Vodopich and Moore
ISBN #: 9780073532257
COMPUTING YOUR GRADE: Your final lab grade will be calculated using the following formula:
Lab Exam #1 (100 pts) + Lab Exam #2 (100 pts) + Attendance (100 pts) + Homework (100 pts) =
400 pts (Total possible)
Your scores on all homework assignments, lab exams, and attendance will be totaled. Your total
points will then be divided by the total points possible (i.e. 400 points) to determine your final lab
average.
Hypothetical Example:
87 (Lab Exam #1)
92 (Lab Exam #2)
95 (Attn)
100 (Hmwk)
374
374/400 = .935 X 100 = 93.5% (94%)
If your final lab average is:
Grade
93-100 ......A
90-92 ........A87-89 ........B+
83-86 ........B
80-82 ........B77-79 ........C+
73-76 ........C
70-72 ........C67-69 ........D+
63-66 ........D
60-62 ........D59 9 ........F
Grade Points
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.7
0
THIS GRADING SCALE IS ABSOLUTE--THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY!
TENTATIVE LABORATORY OUTLINE
BIOLOGY 190L
CELL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LAB
FALL, 2013
DATE
LAB TOPIC
READING
Aug. 29
The Scientific Method--The Process of Science
Exercise 1
Sept. 5
Measurement in Biology–The Metric System & Data Analysis
Exercise 2
Sept. 12
Solutions, Acids, and Bases: The pH Scale
Biologically Important Molecules: Carbohydrates,
Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic Acids
Exercise 5
Exercise 6
Sept. 19
The Microscope
The Cell: Structure and Function
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Sept. 26
Diffusion and Osmosis: Passive Movement of
Molecules in Biological Systems
Diffusion and Osmosis
Exercise 9
Oct. 3
Enzymes: Factors Affecting the Rate of Activity
Exercise 11
Oct. 10
Respiration: Aerobic and Anaerobic Oxidation of
Organic Molecules
Exercise 12
Oct. 17
LAB EXAM #1
Oct. 24
Photosynthesis: Pigment Separation, Starch
Production, and CO2 Uptake
Exercise 13
Oct. 31
Mitosis: Replication of Eukaryotic Cells
Exercise 14
Nov. 7
Meiosis: Reduction Division and Gametogenesis
Exercise 15
Nov. 14
Genetics: The Principles of Mendel
Exercise 17
Nov. 21
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: DNA
Isolation and Bacterial Transformation
Exercise 16
Nov. 28
Thanksgiving Holiday–No Lab!
Dec. 5
DNA Fingerprinting: Usage of Restriction Enzymes
Dec. 12
LAB EXAM #2
Handout
Handout
I: Catalog Course Description
1. 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. Note: BIOL 190/190L plus BIOL 191/191L transfer to UNR as fulfilling BIOL 190, 191 and
192 requirements.
II: Course Objectives
C
Gained factual knowledge (terminology, classifications, methods, trends) about Introduction to
Cell and Molecular Biology.
C
Learned fundamental principles, generalizations, or theories of Introduction to Cell and
Molecular Biology.
C
Learned to apply course material (to improve thinking, problem-solving, and decisions) in
Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology.
C
Developed specific skills, competencies and points of view needed by professionals in the field
most closely related to Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology.
C
Acquired an interest in learning more by asking questions and seeking answers about
Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology.