Life Science Lab I (lab for non-science majors) Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

BIOL-1108-005 Life Science Lab I (lab for non-science majors)

Prerequisites

Course Description

Hands on, collaborative and interactive laboratory experiments in cell biology and genetics. Recommended to be taken with BIOL 1308.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(1 sem hr; 2 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Porter D. and Hines, T.  2003.  Life Science 1: Lab Manual. B & C Publishing, Amarillo, TX. 

Supplies

\ You will need your Text book, lab notes, general class supplies and a willingness to learn. 

Student Performance

 

  STUDENT PERFORMANCE, COMPETENCIES AND OBJECTIVES: After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department.

1. Describe the metric system and demonstrate conversions within the International System and conversion of Standard English System measurements to SI.
2. Describe the difference between a hypothesis and a theory.
3. Describe the steps of the scientific method and how to generate hypotheses.
4. Describe the structure and function of the microscope, to include TEM and SEM.
5. Discuss the basic chemistry of living organisms, to include pH, buffers, and properties of water.
6. Describe the components and functions of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
7. Describe the characteristics of cellular membranes, to include active and passive transport mechanisms.
8. Explain enzymatic energetics, to include the laws of thermodynamics, endothermic, and exothermic reactions.
9. Describe the properties of the different photosynthetic pigments and the importance of each in the biochemical pathway.
10. Give a detailed analysis of the cell cycle, to include the stages of mitosis and meiosis.
11. Discuss the basic principles of Mendelian genetics, to include the laws of dominance, independent assortment, and segregation; and predict genetic outcome probabilities. 12. Describe the structure of DNA and how it is related to genetics.
13. Compare and contrast the process of DNA Fingerprinting and DNA profiling.
14. Discuss current issues and techniques in biotechnology, to include micropipetting, DNA extraction, and electrophoresis.   

   

  

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

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\ CLASS CONDUCT

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\ Class disruptions will not be tolerated.  Disruptions include talking during lecture/lab, texting, harassment, or any other action deemed disruptive by the instructor.  If you disturb class you will be asked to leave.  If disruptions continue, other disciplinary actions may be taken by the instructor.

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\ SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY (cheating)

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\ Cheating will not be tolerated.  If you are caught cheating you will receive a zero for the exam and will be prosecuted further to the extent of the student handbook and could include but not limited to expulsion from the class.

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\ CAMPUS POLICE

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\ For help, call the campus police at 371-5163

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\ GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

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\ If a student is having a problem with the course policies or with the instructor, he or she should first try and resolve many such problems with the instructor.  If the problem is not resolved, the student may proceed to the Sciences Department Chairperson (Dr. Kathy Wetzel), the Division of Sciences and Engineering Chairperson (Mr. Jack Stanley), the Associate Vice President for instruction (Dr. Lowery Hart), or the college President (Dr. Matney), In that order.

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\ FOOD AND DRINK

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\ You may bring drinks into class however; if you spill something please clean up after yourself.  No drinks or food are allowed during lab.

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\ CELL PHONES AND PAGERS

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\ Cell phones and pagers are not prohibited, however please be considerate of others.  Please keep all cell phones and pagers on silent or vibrate mode.  If it is essential that you answer the call please step outside the classroom to complete the call.  Phones will be turned off before an exam or quiz.  Absolutely no calls shall be taken during a quiz or exam.  This will result in a grade of zero on that quiz or exam.  All phones/books/bags/purses/exc. will be placed at the front of the room on examination days and can be picked back up after the testing time is over. 

Grading Criteria

One quiz grade OR one lab assignment grade will be dropped. If you MISS or COME IN LATE or LEAVE EARLY to any quiz or lab assignmentfor any reason, a grade of zero will be assigned for that quiz and that will be your drop for the semester. If you MISS the DUE DATE and TIME for any homework assignment, a grade of zero will be assigned for that homework and that will be your drop for the semester. NO MAKE-UPS will be given for any reason on any exam, quiz, or homework assignment, so Please DO NOT ASK.

REQUIRED EXAMINATION:  A minimum of 3 lab exams including a final exam will be given throughout the semester

EXAMS:  60% of the total grade for the semester.

Laboratory material will be combined into three (3) exams. Approx. 40 questions scantron (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer). The material will come from laboratory assignments.  One major lab exam grade will be dropped. (See Final Exam Option)

If you MISS or COME IN LATE to an exam for any reason, a grade of zero will be assigned for that exam.   NO MAKE-UPS for any reason on any EXAM.

QUIZZES and PARTICIPATION GRADES: 20% of your total grade will be from lab quizzes and 20% from participation for each lab assignment.

There will be quizzes and additional lab participation assignments made during the semester.  In class quizzes will be unannounced and will range from 5-10 questions.  These will be given at the beginning, at the end of lecture class, or online. The quizzes will be fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, labeling, and/or short answer.  If you miss a class, check with your instructor for missed work. The lowest grade from both the quizzes and participation grades will be DROPPED.

 FINAL EXAM: Comprehensive. It will cover everything from the beginning of the semester and some material will come from previous exams and the rest comes from the text or other notes. 100 questions.  (regular scantron form).

FINAL EXAM OPTION:  If you take the first two (2) lab exams and you are satisfied with your grade prior to the final exam, you can elect to use your final exam grade as the drop grade INSTEAD of one of the lecture exams. (Remember NO MAKE - UPS on exams).

However, Quizzes and Participation grades will still be given for the last set of material so DO NOT QUIT COMING TO LAB.

 

MISSING AN EXAMINATION

If you know you are going to not be able to attend class on an exam day, let me know ahead of time and a test will be placed in the testing center.  You will be allowed until the day of the exam to take the test.  You must be on time for class.  If you are late to an exam you only have until the allotted time to take the exam.  During quizzes, if you arrive after the quiz has been handed out you will not be allowed to take the quiz.

 

GRADING

            Grades will not be curved.

            90% to 100% = A

            80% -89% = B

            70%-79% = C

            60%-69% = D

            Below 60% = F

            Points will be rounded at a .5 level.  Grades below .5 are not elevated.

Attendance

\ Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class.  

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\ A grade of W will be given for a student initiated drop or withdrawal on or before April 19, 2012.

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\ After that date a student may not drop the class without the permission from the Biology Department.  The student must petition the biology department for this to occur. 

Calendar

Additional Information

\ LAB SAFETY

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\ Laboratories can be dangerous.  Everyone is responsible for the safety of the others around them as well as equipment.

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\ Student lab safety rules

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1. \ Never work alone in the laboratory hours without permission and prior knowledge of instructor.
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2. \ Never allow experiments to run unattended or unsupervised.
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3. \ Take special precaution when working with open flames. Loose hair, clothing, and dangling jewelry must be secured. Never leave a heat source (hot plate or Bunsen burner) unattended.
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4. \ Keep containers of alcohol, acetone, or other flammable liquids at a safe distance from flames.
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5. \ Wear appropriate shoes at all times in the laboratory.
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6. \ Never eat or drink anything in the lab, unless given permission by the instructor.
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7. \ Never apply makeup or lip balm in lab, unless given permission by the instructor.
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8. \ If working with cadavers, preserved specimens, or caustic substances, contact lenses are not advised.
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9. \ Keep hands away from face, eyes, and mouth when working with chemicals, cadavers, and preserved specimens.
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10. \ Wash hands thoroughly before leaving lab.
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11. \ Always use extreme caution when using scalpels and other sharp objects. When carrying sharp objects, point tips downward and away from other people.
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12. \ Wear gloves and safety goggles when dissecting or handling cadavers, chemicals, or bodily fluids.
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13. \ Dispose of used scalpel blades in blade disposal box. Other metal sharps should be disposed of in the labeled sharps containers.
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14. \ Dispose of broken glassware in the marked container. Always use a broom and dust-pan.
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15. \ Dispose of slides in the container labeled “Used Slides”.
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16. \ Dispose of hazardous biological wastes in biohazard containers. Preserved materials are not considered biohazardous waste and are safe for regular trash.
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17. \ If any chemicals should splash into your eyes, flush with the eye wash immediately.
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18. \ Do not use any lab equipment without instruction and authorization from the instructor.
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19. \ Report any damaged or broken equipment to your instructor immediately.
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20. \ Report ANY and ALL accidents, spills, or injuries, no matter how trivial they appear, to the instructor.
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21. \ Work area should be kept tidy at all times.
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22. \ Leave the laboratory clean and organized for the next lab section. Leave your work area as clean or cleaner than you found it. Make sure waste and trash are placed I the appropriate receptacles. Be sure to collect all personal belongings before leaving for the day. 
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\ Disposal of Metal Sharps:  

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\ 1. Collect metal sharps that have never been contaminated with biohazardous materials (e.g., used only with chemicals) in rigid, leakproof, puncture resistant plastic containers labeled with a “Nonâ€Ã‚Infectious Metal Sharps Only” label. Do not autoclave these containers, because they will melt.

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\ 2. Dispose of metal sharps waste containers as required by local ordinance.

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\ DO NOT REUSE SHARPS WASTE CONTAINERS.

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\ DO NOT PUT ANY METAL SHARPS WASTE IN REGULAR TRASH OR DUMPSTERS.

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\ Disposal of Glass Sharps:

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\ 3. Collect glass sharps that have never been contaminated with biohazardous materials (e.g., used only with chemicals) in rigid, leakproof, puncture resistant containers labeled "Broken Glass". Autoclaving of these containers is not necessary. Seal and discard in regular trash dumpsters.

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\ SPECIAL CONDITIONS

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\ If you have a health condtion such as asthma or diabetes please inform me of your condition and any actions that should be taken in the cas of an emergency.  For example if yyou have an epinephrine or glycogen shoot that must be administered.

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\ COMPUTER LAB

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\ The computer lab is located in the CAI lab on the second floor of the library.  Lab hours are monday through Thursday, 8:00ap to 8:50 p.m.:Friday, 8:00 a. m. to 4:50 p.m.; Sunday, 2:00 p.m. to 5:50 p.m.  When using the computer lab, please be sure that you log in and out at the entrance of the lab

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\ BIOLOGY STUDY CENTER

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\ The biology study center is located in room 109 of the sciences building.  Check office door for hours.

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\ DISCLAIMER

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\ The course will adhere to the content of this syllabus.  In the event of unforeseen circumstances the instructor may change the syllabus.  The student s will be notified if changes are made.