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

Instructor

Dale McCurdy (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

Phone

Phone number not available

Office Location

Office Hours

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-1108-001 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(1 sem hr; 2 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Life Science I Lab Munual (Dan Porter, Tracey Hines)

Available for purchase in the AC Bookstore

Supplies

Lab manual, paper, pencil, calculator

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

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

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

WITHDRAW: A grade of "W" will be given for drops or withdraws on or before the published official withdraw date. You may not drop or withdraw after that date.

TELEPHONES/PAGERS: Please have phones off or place on “silent” mode during class. Please do not text or take calls during class. If an urgent message or call is received and needs immediate attention, please quietly leave the classroom to respond.

FOOD/DRINK: Please do not bring food into the classroom. Drinks brought into the classroom must have a secure lid.

Grading Criteria

75% Lab Reports - completed in class and due at the beginning of the next class. Lowest lab report grade will be dropped.

25% Lab Quizzes - five to ten multiple choice questions over material covered in lab. Lowest lab quiz grade will be dropped.

Lab Report Grading Rubric

Score	Percent	Description
5	100	All items complete and accurate A brief statement (one-three sentences) reflecting on how the knowledge and skills developed in the lab apply to the real-world is present
4	90	All items are complete and accurate with few minor errors A brief statement (one-three sentences) reflecting on how the knowledge and skills developed in the lab apply to the real-world is present
3	80	One or two items not complete. All others complete and accurate with few minor errors OR with one to two inaccurate responses A brief statement (one-three sentences) reflecting on how the knowledge and skills developed in the lab apply to the real-world is present
2	70	More than two items not complete. All others complete and accurate with few minor errors OR all complete with more than two inaccurate responses Reflection statement not present, not readable, or an incomplete thought
1	60	More than three items not complete. All others complete and accurate with few minor errors OR all complete with more than three inaccurate responses Reflection statement not present, not readable, or an incomplete thought
*	0-50	If less than half of items are complete, report will receive grade based on percent complete. Example: if 1 of 5 questions answered correctly, score would be 20%.
0	0	Not submitted

Labs and quizzes cannot be completed early or made up if missed. If a lab is missed, the lab report can be turned in during the next class period and evaluated at half credit. Reports submitted late incur a 10 percent deduction and are not accepted more than one day late.

Attendance

Students are expected to be on time and attend all classes. Students should check AC Online (Angel LMS) weekly for class assignments and announcements. In-class activities cannot be made up. Late arrivals or early departure may result in lower grades for class activities.

Calendar

Session	Day	Date	Topic
1	Monday	2-Jul	Intro
2	Tuesday	3-Jul	Metric System
3	Thursday	5-Jul	pH and Buffers
4	Monday	9-Jul	Microscope
5	Tuesday	10-Jul	Scientific Method
6	Wednesday	11-Jul	Cell Structure
7	Thursday	12-Jul	Osmosis/Diffusion
8	Monday	16-Jul	Osmosis/Diffusion
9	Tuesday	17-Jul	Osmosis/Diffusion
10	Wednesday	18-Jul	Enzymes
11	Thursday	19-Jul	Enzymes
12	Monday	23-Jul	Genetics Web Quest
13	Tuesday	24-Jul	Genetics Web Quest
14	Wednesday	25-Jul	Genetics Simulations
15	Thursday	26-Jul	Mitosis (in class)
16	Monday	30-Jul	Gene Therapy/Bioethics
17	Tuesday	31-Jul	Gene Therapy/Bioethics
18	Wednesday	1-Aug	Gene Therapy/Bioethics
19	Thursday	2-Aug	Star Trek Lab
20	Monday	6-Aug	Star Trek Lab
21	Tuesday	7-Aug	Genetics Lab (in class)
22	Wednesday	8-Aug	Genetics Lab (in class)
23	Thursday	9-Aug	Human Genetics (in class)

Additional Information

The instructor reserves the right to amend the course syllabus during the semester.

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on: