UNM Biology Undergraduate Labs

Fall 2009


Pre/Co-requisites:              Bio 201, 202 and Chem 121, 122 – prerequisites; must have a C or better. 

                                                Bio 203 and Math 180 – if prerequisite, must have a C or better.  Otherwise, must be co-registered.

 

Required:                             All required materials are available in the UNM bookstore.  Bring them with you to class every week.

 

·         Biological Science Volume 3, 2nd Edition, Freeman OR Biological Science, 2ndor 3rd Edition, Freeman

·         Lab Manual for Biology 204L:  Plant and Animal Form and Function, Council-Garcia, et.al.

 

Preparation:                        Labs are scheduled to last two hours and fifty minutes.  You can shorten the time spent in lab by coming prepared.  Check the lab syllabus to determine which lab exercise is to be done on a particular date.  READ the exercise BEFORE coming to lab to familiarize yourself with the procedures. 

 

Grading:                               Pre-labs, homework, scientific papers and professional presentations will total 270 pts.  This is worth 30% of your final grade for Biology 204.  You are also responsible for any University of New Mexico grade policies (refer to UNM Catalog).

 

BE ON TIME TO LAB!!  If you are 5 minutes late you will NOT be allowed to turn in your pre-lab or attend that lab!!

 

This is a Biology class, but Biology is NOT an exclusive subject. Language and communication are vital components of any biological endeavor. Therefore, you are expected to WRITE WELL in this class.  Your grade WILL suffer if you turn in poorly written work!!

 

Assignments:                       Assignments will be posted weekly on the lab website.  It is your responsibility to check the website each week, download the appropriate homework, complete it and turn it in at the beginning of your class on the proper due date.  ALL WORK MUST BE TYPED (including your name) in 12 pt font & single-spaced, double-sided Handwritten or emailed assignments will receive no credit.

 

Scientific Papers:               These papers are written in peer-reviewed scientific journal format and focus on specific experiments performed in class.  Over the course of the semester you will learn to design a scientific experiment and write a scientific paper about the experiment complete with a tested hypothesis, description of the experiment, results obtained and discussion and conclusions about analyses of the results. You will also learn how to create and present a professional presentation. During presentation weeks no orange cards will be issued.

                                                                                               

Late Assignments:        NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS!!  Assignments are considered late if they are not turned in at the beginning of lab.  If you are 5 minutes late to lab your pre-lab and homework will be considered LATE and will receive an automatic zero.

                                                                                               

Attendance:                          Attendance is required. You are responsible for notifying your TA prior to, or immediately after, missing lab.  If you miss your scheduled lab, you MUST obtain an orange excused absence pass from the lab coordinator or technician (Castetter Hall Rm 66/68) to attend a lab later that week.  Failure to notify your TA and lack of an excused absence will result in a loss of points for that lab period.  Labs cannot be made up after the week of the absence and missed section.  With over 1700 students a week attending labs it is not possible to maintain live materials after the last lab of the week.  If you have more than 2 unexcused absences you will be in danger of being dropped from the class.      There are NO make-up quizzes OR assignments should you have an unexcused absence.     (Limit - 2 make-up labs)

 

Academic Dishonesty:       Each student is expected to maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity in academic and professional matters. The University reserves the right to take disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, against any student who is found guilty of academic dishonesty or otherwise fails to meet the standards. Any student judged to have engaged in academic dishonesty in course work may receive a reduced or failing grade for the work in question and/or for the course.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, dishonesty in quizzes, tests, or assignments; claiming credit for work not done or done by others; hindering the academic work of other students; misrepresenting academic or professional qualifications within or without the University; and nondisclosure or misrepresentation in filling out applications or other University records.       

                                                                                (http://pathfinder.unm.edu/policies.htm#studentcode)

AS A COURTESY TO YOUR TA AND FELLOW STUDENTS, PLEASE TURN OFF ALL COMMUNICATION DEVICES!!