Labs

PCR

Mentioned in all three Genotype and Phenotype Labs.

Lab Notebook Structure

Guidelines

Tips for Doing Well in Lab

• Study the lab assignment and supplemental reading before coming to lab.
• COME TO LAB ON TIME!!!
• Lab books may be purchased in the bookstore.
• Attendance is vital to your grade. If you must miss lab it may be possible to attend another lab section but this must be arranged in advance with the instructor. A documented excuse (doctor’s note, school-sponsored athletic event etc.) may be required. See the Powerpoint for week one for more information. No make-up labs are possible past the week a particular lab is scheduled to run.

Evaluation

You are evaluated by your scores on lab books and conclusions, weekly quizzes, and one final lab exam. The lowest lab grade and quiz grade are dropped. *Note that a grade of C- is required to enroll in additional majors Biology classes.

Quizzes

Starting with week 2 there will be a quiz at the beginning of each lab period over the material covered the previous week. Each quiz will count for 10 points toward the quiz grade.

Lab Notebooks

The purpose of a lab notebook is to serve as an organizational tool to record hypotheses, data, and observations. You are required to bring your lab notebook to each session. Recopying labs will not be permitted. If you make a mistake, just strike a single black line through it.

You will be required to write in blue or black ink and use legible handwriting. Every week you should come to lab with your lab notebook prepared for the day’s experiments. Lab notebooks must be organized in the following manner:

For each experiment, provide a title, date, lab section, and your lab partner’s name. The following sections must be present:

• Purpose
  • What is the purpose of the lab? Summarize the purpose and objectives listed in the lab manual. A single sentence will do.
• Procedure
  • Instead of listing the steps of the lab procedure you may refer to the pages in your lab manual where the procedure is described.
  • Be sure to include any changes that you make in the procedure and specific times, amounts, materials etc that are used by your group but not included in the lab manual.
• Results & Observations
  • Record the results you have obtained while performing the lab.
  • If graphs and tables are used, follow these guidelines:
    • Use a ruler when constructing tables and graphs!
    • Label axes on graphs.
    • Include units when appropriate.
    • Be sure that graphs and tables are given a proper title. The title should tell what the experiment is about. Tables are numbered sequentially. Graphs and drawings are labeled “figures” and are numbered sequentially.
  • Drawings:
    • Drawings should be large!!
    • Place the name of the specimen below the drawing.
    • If labels are provided, use a ruler to construct label lines and do not have label lines cross. Lines may go in any direction but labels should be written horizontally.
    • If a microscope has been used, provide the total magnification used in viewing the specimen in parentheses to the right of the specimen name.

The yellow copy of each of these sections – Purpose, Procedure, Results and Observations - must be completed and turned in before leaving lab.

For some labs only one partner’s lab will be graded and recorded as the lab grade for both partners. Use a paper clip to fasten your lab to your lab partner’s with the lab that you want graded on the top.

• Conclusion and Summary
  • The Conclusion and Summary section is due one week after the scheduled lab. A neatly handwritten or printed copy is to be turned in at the beginning of the lab period. A 10% drop in grade will be imposed for late assignments. Note that no assignment will be accepted more than one week late unless the student has a documented excuse. After one week a grade of zero will be recorded for late work.

Academic Dishonesty

Cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty (as defined in the Student Handbook) may result in a significant drop in grade or a zero on an assignment. Repeat offenses will be referred to the Academic Honesty Board, which may recommend suspension or expulsion.

Plagiarism is defined as taking someone else’s work, ideas or words and using them as if they were your own. Plagiarism includes using another person’s data without permission and a written acknowledgement, and turning in work created by someone else and passing it off as your own. Although you may work with a lab group during class you are expected to complete the summary and conclusion assignments in your own words.

General Lab Safety Guidelines

• Follow your instructor’s safety guidelines as described for each lab.
• NO FOOD OR DRINK IN LAB!!
• Store book bags and other items in the storage cubes provided.
• Only wear shoes that cover your entire foot (NO SANDALS OR SLIDES).
• Wear long pants or skirt, a full length shirt and/or a safety apron.
• Wear goggles and use care when handling glassware and chemicals. Report all accidents to your instructor immediately.
• Clean up your lab table as instructed at the end of lab.
• WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE YOU LEAVE CLASS!