BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Biology 3193-02 – Rhizobium (Codi Hammons)
Spring 2013
Dr. Kathy Wood
238B WSN
295-4214
Email: kwood@umhb.edu
Office hours: by appointment or
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES for the course: The successful student should …
o Be able to conduct an extensive literature search for studies related to their research project. (This will
be used in the introduction section of your final report.)
o Be able to use the techniques required to successfully complete the project, such as PCR, micropipetting,
sterile technique, agarose gel electrophoresis, gel documentation, media preparation, Gram staining, etc.
o Be able to operate the equipment required to complete the project.
o Keep a laboratory notebook to record all experiments done, both successes and failures, according to
acceptable laboratory practice. (Read the “Laboratory Notebook Guidelines” handout.)
o Be able to analyze and interpret the data obtained.
o Be able to work effectively with a team, if necessary.
o Communicate progress & results and logically discuss “next steps” for the project with Dr. Wood. This
should be done once a week and should include a written plan for the upcoming week. This meeting
with Dr. Wood will be at a mutually agreeable time. (Such planning minimizes wasted time coming into
the lab “cold” the next week.)
o Prepare a written report at the end of the semester which summarizes the work done and the results
obtained. This report should be written in an IMRAD format.
o Follow all safety rules and practices which apply to a biological research laboratory.
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
o A laboratory notebook will be provided by Dr. Wood, as will any needed safety items such as goggles or
lab coats.
FINAL GRADE will be determined as follows and will follow UMHB grade guidelines (i.e., A=91% and
above, etc.):
o Evaluation of lab work by Dr. Wood ……………….
50%

This evaluation includes but is not limited to attendance & being on time, adherence to lab safety rules,
general lab performance, proper lab techniques, keeping the lab clean and orderly (i.e., putting up
equipment/materials & cleaning up), being prepared for lab, and the ability to work independently.
o Results of lab work …………………………..………
15%
o Properly maintained lab notebook …………………..
15%
o Final report at the end of the semester ………………
20%
ATTENDANCE: Attendance of each laboratory session is required – you will be expected to set up a schedule
with Dr. Wood at the beginning of the semester and keep to that schedule. You should turn a timesheet in to
Dr. Wood at the end of every week. A blank time sheet can be found on the LMS site for this course. In
addition, it is important that you are on time and are mentally prepared for what you are going to be doing
during any given lab period. For every credit hour of research, the student is required to put in 3 hours of actual
time. This is, however, a minimum requirement. It is not unusual to need to put in additional time to
accomplish the work.
SECURITY: You may periodically need to come into the lab to check on an experiment during times that are
outside of your normal lab times. This must be done during a normal 8-5 working day, not at night, unless one
of the faculty is available during that time.
You are also not allowed in the lab during weekends because of safety concerns. Please check with Dr. Wood
or Pat Freeman for access to the lab. If neither of them are available, you may ask one of the other faculty to
unlock the doors for you.
You MUST be careful to lock the door to York 222 (the Cell Prep Room) before leaving because of the
chemicals stored in that room. You MUST also keep York 215 (the Cell Equipment Room) locked from the
outside. Only access this room from room 217. Unlock that connecting door to open it and then immediately
relock it and leave it open until you are done for the day. Then close it before you leave.
MINIMUM EXPECTATIONS for RESEARCH:
o A flow chart of your planned experimental design should be produced and discussed with Dr. Wood
prior to the actual beginning of your research. Then “work your plan”.
o Each of the microbial cultures currently isolated must be maintained as a viable pure culture by
subculturing monthly. You are responsible for setting up your own cultures for subsequent work.
o Each of the standard cultures must be maintained as viable pure cultures by subculturing monthly.
o Appropriate analysis should be done on all results. This should be discussed in biweekly meetings with
Dr. Wood.
o This semester you should thoroughly characterize colony morphology and growth characteristics on
maintenance media for each isolate and standard. You should also characterize each by Gram staining.
Then make reasonable progress on your experimental design.
o Present results in a poster at the Scholar’s Day symposium on April 22rd.