General Biology Laboratory (BIOL 107)
Fall 2010
Syllabus
- General Biology Laboratory (Biology 107) San Diego Mesa College (1.0 unit, Grade Only)
Instructor: Elmar Schmid, Ph.D.
Voicemail: (619) 388-2600
Lab Hours: CRN 78105 T/TH 7:00 – 9:45 pm Room I-101
CRN 52039 F 9:00 am- 12:00 am Room I-121
Office Hours: Via Blackboard or by appointment
Mail Box: K-202
E-mail: elschmid_99@yahoo.com
(*please allow up to 24 hours
to respond to your e-mail)
Web Link: http://classroom.sdmesa.edu/eschmid
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This General Biology (BIOL 107) laboratory is part of the Biology program at
San Diego Mesa College, which serves three areas of study. It is together with
the General Biology 107 lecture course required for the Major in the Applied
Biology Track as well as the Allied Health Track career to receive an Associate
in Science degree. This introductory, 1-UNIT Biology laboratory (together with
the concurrent BIOL 107 lecture class) also fulfills the student’s general
education and principal science requirements.
OFFICE HOURS
Office Hour is on Thursdays from 4:15 – 5:15 PM and is held in the Cafeteria
area (ground floor) of the LRC; so if you have any problems with this course,
questions regarding assignments, grading, etc., use this day and time to get
in touch with me; you also have the opportunity to get a hold of me
throughout this semester via the email box accessible on the homepage of my
instructor’s website:
http://classroom.sdmesa.edu/eschmid/
Also don’t hesitate to contact me after the regular class meetings!
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Also don’t hesitate to contact me before or after the regular class meetings!
LABORATORY TEXT & MATERIALS
For the laboratory part of this General Biology (BIOL 107) course you need
following lab manual and lab materials. It is the student's responsibility to
purchase these important course materials in the Mesa College (MC)
bookstore.
1. Lab Manual: Mesa College Staff, Laboratory Experiments in
General Biology, 12th Edition
2. Lab Kit: to be purchased at the MC bookstore.
Please bring your lab kit to all labs.
3. Vinyl gloves: available at the MC bookstore or any pharmacy.
Please bring the gloves for the scheduled dissection
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General Biology Laboratory (BIOL 107)
Fall 2010
REQUIRED EXAM MATERIALS
Scantron cards (#882)
No. 2 pencil
Eraser
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this laboratory, students will have mastered and learned to
apply the following themes and concepts:
Week No.
1
2
Objectives
You will be introduced to the scientific method, its terminology and its individual
steps. You will learn to use simple scientific measuring equipment; you will be
introduced to the standard reference units of the Metric system and do
calculations on the basis of its units.
You will identify microscope parts and be able to explain their function; you will
demonstrate proper slide preparation and use of the microscope. You will
identify basic eukaryotic organelles and distinguish various unicellular
prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
Field trip 1
3
4
5
6
7
8
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(to some announced location in San Diego)
Important: Active participation requires signing of a waiver form as well
as of a participation list TWO weeks prior to the event!
You will study diffusion and osmosis and learn about the importance of these
two processes to many important processes of life. You will conduct
experiments demonstrating the principles and mechanisms of both processes.
You will describe and explain the causes of Brownian movement, diffusion and
osmosis and determine the effects of temperature, molecular weight and
concentration on these parameters.
You will be introduced to the basic working principles and tools of a molecular
genetics and forensic science lab.
You will perform simple simulated cloning experiments and try to solve a
simulated murder case with the help of genetic tools.
You will understand the importance of enzymes for the metabolic activities of
life. You will conduct simple experiments and enzyme assays to study the
characteristics and hall mark features of enzymes, the molecular “working
horses” of all living cells. You will learn how to use a spectrophotometer to
measure enzyme activity.
You will understand the importance of the process of cellular respiration to the
survival of life. You will perform and interpret various experiments related to
cellular respiration, including raw materials, end products, temperature. You will
measure the metabolic rate in different animals and compare anaerobic and
aerobic respiration.
You will study the biological process called photosynthesis, and understand its
importance for biomass production and ecological balance. You will perform
and interpret various experiments related to photosynthesis in green plants,
including raw materials, end products, light intensity, temperature and the
separation and role of various photosynthetic pigments.
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General Biology Laboratory (BIOL 107)
Fall 2010
Midterm Exam
9
(Approx. 80 questions; Time: 60 minutes)
 covers all previously studied exercises and topics
You will understand the importance of the biological process of meiosis to
sexual reproduction and introduction of genetic variability of life. You will
perform simulation experiments utilizing different lab materials and tools.
10
You will understand the core principles of natural selection and comprehend
the importance of this mechanism for evolutionary change and speciation on
planet earth. You will conduct simulation experiments to reveal the principles.
11
During this lab you will be introduced to the classification of the animal kingdom
and explore some prominent members of this important kingdom of life.
You will investigate some of the defining characteristics and evolutionary
relationships of the most prominent phyla of the “lower” animals.
Video
12
13
14
15
(Topic: t.b.a.)
During this lab you will be introduced to the classification of the animal kingdom
and explore some prominent members of this important kingdom of life.
You will investigate some of the defining characteristics and evolutionary
relationships of the most prominent phyla of the “higher” animals.
In this lab you study the structures and key biological function(s) of important
organs of a mammalian life form. You will perform a dissection of a white rat
and identify important body structures, organs and their physiological
function(s). You will be introduced to the basic anatomy of the mammalian
body.
In this lab you will be introduced to the kingdom of plants and plant evolution.
You will identify examples of the four major classes of land plants, including
bryophytes (mosses), pterophytes (ferns), gymnosperms and angiosperms.
Final Exam
16
(110-130 questions; Time: 120 minutes)
Please bring two Scantron cards and a soft pencil to this mandatory exam!
LABORATORY ASSIGNMENTS
1. Exams
Two mandatory in-lab exams have to be taken by each course participant. The
Midterm Exam and the Final Exam are given on the dates and times as stated on
the separately posted lab schedule. The mid term exam will be comprised of
approx. 80 questions and cover the lab topics and exercise performed between
week 1 through week 8. The final exam will contain between 110 and 120
questions and test the lab topics and exercises covered between week 10 and
week 15.
The questions of for both lab exams will be multiple choice and true-false based.
It is the student’s responsibility to bring a Scantron card and a soft pencil on the
day of these two scheduled exams.
2. Lab Reports
This course further requires the completion of 8 mandatory lab reports during
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General Biology Laboratory (BIOL 107)
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this semester.
Each turned in lab report has to be completed individually by the student and
turned in on the posted/announced deadlines to receive the full credit of 30
points. Each completed lab report has to show the results & findings measured or
collected by the student during the conducted exercises of the previous lab
session. Results and findings shown in the lab reports may include drawings,
tables, graphics, completed questionnaires, related to the weekly lab
assignments and as shown in your lab textbook and/or handouts.
Each lab report is due at the following lab meeting at the beginning of the lab
session. It is the responsibility of the student to make up all missed laboratory
material. Make up material must be completed and turned in within the same
week, since new material will be covered the following session.
Generally, the lab reports will be graded on the completeness and quality of the
presentation, e.g. accuracy, neatness, and level of understanding of the lab
concepts. Later completed assignments will be penalized by point subtraction;
missing lab reports will be “F” graded.
LAB GRADE
 Your final lab grade will be based on the accumulated percentage of earned
points from your completed eight lab reports, other lab assignments (e.g. field
trip worksheets) and the two lab exams.
 Each neatly completed and (on time) turned in lab report will be awarded with
30 points.
 Your maximum lab report score will be around 240 points to which your total
score from your two lab exams (midterm exam = approx. 160 points
maximum; final exam = 220-240 points maximum) will be added.
 For this lab course your maximum possible Total Score in points will be around
630.
 The total lab points account for 30% of your final course grade and will be
added to your total earned lecture points; the grand total points consisting of
30% lab points and 70% lecture-gained points will be set as 100%.
 Based on your earned percentage, your final course grade will be calculated as
follows:
A = 100 – 91%
B = 90 – 81%
F = < 60%
C = 80 – 71%
D = 70 – 61%
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Positive attendance in lecture AND lab is mandatory to succeed in this course and
to receive a final grade. If you do not attend the first and second laboratory
session, you will be dropped. I will record attendance and drop students with
excessive absences. However, it is the student’s responsibility to drop this
course before the final drop deadline if you cannot stay in the class.
Failure to do so will result in an F in the course. A portion of the material
covered in the lab will NOT always be found in the lab manual but will appear on
the exams. Not surprisingly, poor attendance is highly correlated to low exam
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scores. Should you miss a lab, please contact 1) me via my on-line resources
(WebCT/Blackboard), or 2) a classmate to obtain the information and materials
you missed. Please make that you conform to following rules:
 Be sure to initial the attendance sheet each day in the lab. In the event that
you cannot attend the lab course please inform the instructor in writing as to
the reason.
 Do not miss more than two lab sessions during the semester; otherwise you
will being dropped. College policy states that you may be dropped from a
course for excessive absences if they equal an amount greater than one week
of classes.
 Do NOT leave early before your lab assignments are done and actively
participate in your group activities; violations count towards your accumulated
absence score.
 Keep in mind, that for a lab course, it is not only the lab reports/covered
materials that are important, but also the skills and learned techniques that
count!
LABORATORY SAFETY & OTHER INFORMATION
A science laboratory is a work place where you will get in contact not only with
other human beings but also with (mostly expensive) equipment, materials and
(often bio-hazardous) chemical and reagents. Therefore, observing and
maintaining safety standards are of critical importance while working in a lab
environment. Please ALWAYS observe following safety issues while being in the
laboratory!
 Safety glasses must be worn while mixing or heating all lab chemicals
including acids, bases, water or working with an open flame.
 Due to hands-on work with chemicals and biological material, no food or
drinks are allowed in the laboratory throughout the lab exercises at any time!
 Due to glass handling and danger of breaking glass, shoes must be worn
during the lab period. No shoes, no admittance
 Report any accidents, e.g. cuts, burns, falls, etc., immediately to your
instructor. If the instructor is not available then report to the lab technician(s)
in the stock room
 Learn the locations of the safety equipment: emergency eye wash, fire
blanket, fire extinguisher, emergency shower and first aid kit in the
laboratory.
 Always remember: “It’s better safe than sorry!”
BIOLOGY 107 LAB SCHEDULE (SEE SEPARATE DOCUMENT)
A lab schedule showing the dates and topics of the individual labs will be
handed out and e-posted on my WebCT/Blackboard site on the first day in the
lab.
Even though a brief introduction to the individual lab topics will be given by
the instructor before each session, the exercises to the individual topics are
expected to be read before class to be well prepared for the exercises and lab
activities of each lab session!
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ACCOMMODATION OF DISABILITY:
A student with a verifiable disability may be entitled to appropriate academic
accommodations. San Diego Mesa College recommends that students with
disabilities discuss academic accommodations with their professors during the
first two weeks of class. Please consult with me immediately if you have or
suspect you may have a disability so that appropriate arrangements can be
made with the DSPS office.
FIELD TRIP POLICY
 One field trip may be planned for this semester, either in form of a botanical
excursion to a location in SD county (t.b.a.) and/or a visit to the Steven Birch
Aquarium in La Jolla. More details and info about this field trip will be
announced by your instructor and posted on his website ahead of time.
 Positive attendance on any of these field trips and the completion of a lab
report are mandatory to receive full credit for this activity.
 Attention: active participation of each student on these field trips requires
the prior signing of a field trip waiver form by the student; the waiver
document/form will be handed out in the lab by your instructor 2-3 weeks
before the announced date of the field trip.
DROPPING THIS LABORATORY
 The most common cause for students dropping a class is a too high workload.
If you work 20 hours per week, your class load should not be over 12 Units; if
you work 30 hours, your class load should not be over 8 Units. In order to
achieve or keep a good grade, I advice you to cut back class load, drop out in
time and go for fewer units.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
The primary method of instruction will be a short lecture-discussion based
introduction to the laboratory topics and activities after which the students are
expected to conduct their individual lab activities/experiments. Knowing the
importance of team working for the success in scientific research, I encourage
my students to participate in team work activities to collect data and to
complete assignments. However, data recording and completion of the
mandatory (and collected) lab reports are the individual student’s
responsibilities. Also, I expect my students to come adequately prepared to
the individual lab sessions by reading the lab exercise sections and activities
ahead of the scheduled lab meetings.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR & CONDUCT
I will make every attempt to teach the class with patience and respect and
expect the same from each student in this course. While academic inquiry is
always welcome, disruptive behavior is not. Please observe the following in the
interest of maintaining a pleasant class environment for everyone:
 Please address all questions and comments to me, private discussions are
disruptive
 Please turn off all communication devices during lecture and/or lab
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General Biology Laboratory (BIOL 107)
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Please do not disrupt class by arriving late or leaving early. DO NOT
submit late work to the instructor while lecture is taking place.
Eating, drinking, chewing gum and smoking are not permitted in the lecture
or lab
Policy 3100 outlines the rights and responsibilities of students; please
consult this policy for further information
This class will be conducted in accordance with the college student code of
conduct and basic standards of academic honesty. Cheating, plagiarism or
other forms of academic dishonesty are not acceptable and will be referred
to the Disciplinary Committee.
PLAGIARISM
I expect my students to seek high moral standards for themselves, to
achieve their aspired goals by maintaining academic honesty and most of all
to abstain from any form of plagiarism. By plagiarism I mean the act of
incorporating ideas, words, or specific substance of another, whether
purchased, borrowed, or otherwise obtained, and submitting the same as
one's own work to fulfill academic requirements without giving credit to the
appropriate source. Examples of plagiarism include but are not limited to
the following:
1.
Submitting work, either in part or in whole, completed by another;
2.
Omitting footnotes for ideas, statements, facts or conclusions which belong
to another;
3.
Omitting quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it
be a paragraph, sentence, or part thereof;
4.
Close and lengthy paraphrasing of the writing or work of another, with or
without acknowledgment;
5.
And submitting papers purchased from research companies (or downloaded
from electronic source) as one's own work.
ADVISE ON HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS GENERAL BIOLOGY LAB
 Come to the labs prepared-read
in advance
 Review the concepts soon after
class
 Participate & Team-work
 TAKE NOTES!
 Make sure that you understand
any material missed on a
previous exam
 ASK QUESTIONS: email, during
class and after, attend the
office hour!!
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MESA COLLEGE, SAN DIEGO
SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS & NATURAL SCIENCES
General Biology Laboratory (BIOL 107); Instructor: Elmar Schmid, Ph.D.
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