Western Nevada College Syllabus - Fall 2016 Rev. 8/15/2016
Biology 190L: Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology Lab, Sect. 1003 – 1 Credit Lab
Instructor: Anthony (Tony) Moschetti, MS in Biochemistry, BS/MS in Biotechnology
Email: (I check email at 10am and 6pm, plan accordingly)
Office: Bristlecone 350H
Office Hours: Fridays by appointment.
Division: Liberal Arts,(775) 445-4253
Lab (1 credit): Friday at 1-3:45pm in Bristlecone 329 (BRIS 329), Section 1003, Class #88844.
Prerequisite/Corequisite Lab: Co-req. BIOL 190.
Catalog Course Description: This course 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.
Course Objectives:
· Gain knowledge (terminology, classifications, methods, trends) about Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology.
· Learn fundamental principles, generalizations, or theories of Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology.
· Learn to apply course material (to improve thinking, problem-solving, and decisions) in Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology.
· Develop specific skills, competencies and points of view needed by professionals in the field most closely related to Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology.
· Acquire an interest in learning more by asking questions and seeking answers about Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology.
Required Materials:
· Lab Experiment Handouts will be provided on Canvas prior to lab
· You will need to purchase indirect vented lab goggles (NOT SAFETY GLASSES OR DIRECT VENT GOGGLES) and a lab coat. Goggles can be purchased at the book store or amazon.com, and lab coats can be purchased at the book store or on amazon.com
· You will want a simple scientific calculator (Like a TI 30X IIS) for some of the exam questions, although the math is not difficult.
· 882e Scantrons (2x for Exams) – You can get these at the bookstore or online
Grading and Evaluation for Lecture and Lab:
Grading Scale Total Point Distribution_____
93-100% A
90-92% A-
87-89% B+
84-86% B Participation 100pts
80-83% B- Quizzes 80pts
77-79% C+ Exams 300pts
74-76% C 500 total
70-73% C-
60-69% D
< 59% F
Labs: There are 14 lab exercises that include Questions for Further Thought and Study that will be completed after each lab. The lab does not need to be turned in, but are needed to study for quizzes. Lab experiment handouts will be posted on Canvas prior to the lab exercise.
Quizzes (10pts): There are 8 quizzes containing questions from the lab exercises and questions for further thought and study. Each quiz will be administered on Canvas and will be close on the dates marked as “Q1-8” on your schedule. Your quiz will be timed and you will have 1 minute to answer each question. Your lowest scoring quiz will be replaced by your highest scoring quiz.
Lab Exams (150pts): There will be 2 lab exams (A Midterm and a Final), worth 150 points each and will consist of multiple-choice, true or false, and matching. You will have 1 minute to answer each question. Exam questions will be administered via PowerPoint that you will answer by Scantron.
General Goals and Outcome of Course: The goal of BIOL 190L, for the student, is to develop the knowledge base of general terms, concepts, and methods in biology; To promote critical thinking and problem solving skills; To understand the relevance of modern science and its technologies as they pertain to society; Further the ability evaluate and obtain information efficiently and effectively. Also, this course will further the knowledge base of the student, as it pertains to biology, in their personal, academic, and professional endeavors.
Transfer Information: This course is designed to apply toward a WNC degree and/or transfer to other schools within the Nevada System of Higher Education, depending on the degree chosen and other courses completed. It may transfer to colleges and universities outside Nevada. For information about how this course can transfer and apply to your program of study, please contact a counselor.
Attendance and Late Submission Policies: You are expected to attend every lab in order to appropriately gain all of the information presented in this course. You will receive 10 points for every lab that you PARTICIPATE in. If you do not participate in the lab, or leave the lab early before the experiment is finished, unless I approve otherwise, you will not receive the 10 points for the lab period. If you know that you will be absent for ONE exam, you may take it in advance for full credit. Labs cannot be made up.
Lab Safety Rules (If you do not abide by the safety rules I may ask you to leave the lab):
· No eating, drinking (Includes water bottles), smoking, or handling any personal items that could potentially come into contact with hazardous reagents or chemicals.
· Long hair must be pulled back and no dangling jewelry is permitted in the lab.
· Your assigned bench surface must be wiped down before and after class.
· Safety Lab approved goggles must be worn at all times in the lab, unless I state otherwise.
· NO OPEN TOED SHOES! (If you forget to wear close toed shoes, You will not be permitted to perform the lab)
· Personal protective equipment (PPE) will also be worn in lab which includes gloves and lab coats/aprons. Lab PPE must be removed before leaving the lab even for a bathroom break or entering the hallway.
· All equipment must be properly maintained, washed, and placed back into its appropriate storage at the end of each lab session.
· Report all accidents, injuries, and spills to the lab instructor. Even if it seems minor, report it anyway.
· Wash your hand before entering and after leaving the laboratory.
· All students are advised to carry their own medical insurance as WNC does not provide this service.
Cheating and Plagiarism: Any student that is caught cheating (Looking at another student’s quiz/exam, using a phone during a quiz/exam, using material from a prior student’s notation, and/or submitting work that you did not write…etc) will result in an automatic “0” points on the assignment and possible removal from the course. Plagiarism is stealing another authors’ work and presenting it as your own original work. Plagiarism will also result in the previously mentioned consequences for cheating. For more information regarding cheating and plagiarism see the WNC College Course Catalog 2016-2017.
Student Conduct: Please silence your cell phones before you step into lab, be courteous to your fellow class mates, and follow the lab safety rules. If you are caught on your phone during an exam, regardless of texting or browsing, then your exam will receive a 0.
Tobacco Policy: WNC is moving toward a healthier campus. As of August 2016, per college policy11-3-15, “Western Nevada College prohibits the smoking of tobacco, and prohibits the use of alternative nicotine products and vapor products within college buildings and restricts the smoking of tobacco and the use of alternative nicotine products and vapor products to designated outdoor areas.” From August 2016 through August 2017, the use of tobacco and all tobacco products, including vaporizers, will only be allowed in three locations on the Carson campus, one location on the Douglas campus, and one location on the Fallon campus. For a map of these locations, as well as for more information, please go to our website,www.wnc.edu/healthy-campus/.As of August 2017, all tobacco products, including vaporizers, will be prohibited on all Western Nevada Campuses. For more information regarding the policy please visit,http://lr.wnc.edu/policymanual/11-3-15.php
Disability Statement: If you have a disability and need to request accommodations, please contact the WNC Disability Support Services Office as soon as possible at (775) 445-4459, or contact Susan Trist at /(775) 445-3248. The Disability Support Service Office is located in the Cedar Building, Room 212.
Semester Schedule: Posted below is the schedule for the lab. Please read each assigned exercise before class. I reserve the right to change the schedule during the semester. You will be notified in advance, by email or in class, if the lab schedule changes.10/27 is the last day to withdraw from the lab.
BIOL 190 Lab Schedule - Fall 2016 (subject to change)Fri. / Lab
9/2 / Scientific Method: Exercise 1
9/9 / Measurements in Biology: Exercise 2, Q1 on Ex1
9/16 / Solutions Acids and Bases: Exercises 3 & 4, Q2 on Ex2
9/23 / Light Microscope and The Cell: Exercises 5 & 6, Q3 on Ex3-4
9/30 / Diffusion and Osmosis: Exercise 7, Q4 on Ex5-6
10/7 / Respiration & Photosynthesis: Exercise 8 & 9, Q5 on Ex7
10/14 / Lab Midterm
10/21 / Bacterial Transformations: Exercise 10 (27th Last day for W)
10/28 / No Lab – Nevada Day, Q6 on Ex10
11/4 / No Lab – Professor Conference
11/11 / No Lab – Veteran’s Day
11/18 / Bacteria Culturing: Exercise 11
11/25 / Thanksgiving – No Lab
12/2 / DNA Isolation: Exercise 12, Q7 on Ex11
12/9 / Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) & Gel Electrophoresis: Exercise 13 & 14, Q8 on Ex11
12/16 / Final Lab Exam