UNM Biology Undergraduate Labs

Spring 2012


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

                                        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,4th Edition, Freeman

§  Biology 203L:  Evolution and Ecology, Council-Garcia, et.al.

§  A Short Guide to Writing about Biology, 6th or 7th Edition, Pechenik

§  Dissection kit with 2 new scalpel blades (either #10, #11, or #15), $15-$20

 

 

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:                       Lab quizzes, weekly assignments, a scientific paper, a midterm practical and a final practical will total 225 points. This is worth 20% of your final grade for Biology 203.  You are also responsible for any University of New Mexico grade policies (refer to UNM Catalog).

 

BE ON TIME TO LAB!!  You will have a quiz over the previous lab’s material and the lab for that day at the beginning of each lab period.  If you are 5 minutes late, you will NOT be allowed to take or make up that quiz AND your homework will be considered LATE and will receive an automatic zero!!

 

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!!

 

Quizzes:                        There will be a quiz every lab.  Each quiz will consist of metrics/conversions, material you studied the previous lab and material that you will cover in lab that day.  You have the option to bring one 3x5 note card, handwritten back and front with relevant study notes, to be attached to your quiz.  The lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the semester.

 

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 AND your TA’s name) in 12 pt “Times” font, single-spaced, with 1” margins; whenever possible please double-side your assignments.  Handwritten or emailed assignments will receive no credit.  The lowest 5 point homework score will be dropped at the end of the semester.

 

Scientific Paper:         This paper is written in peer-reviewed scientific journal format and will focus on a specific experiment 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.

                                                                                                                                               

Practicals:                    There will be a midterm practical (Wk. 10, Mar 19-23), cumulative over the first ½ of the semester, and a final practical (Wk. 16, Apr 30-May 4), cumulative over the last ½ of the semester.  No makeup finals or orange cards will be issued during these weeks.  Note cards will not be allowed on either practical.

                                                                                                                       

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 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, with a valid ID, from the lab coordinator or technician (Castetter Hall Rm 66/68 or SMLC Rm 160/168) to attend a lab later that week.  STUDENTS CANNOT ORANGE PASS DURING WEEKS 10 or 16.  Failure to notify your TA and obtain 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.  If you have more than 2 unexcused absences you will be in danger of being dropped from the class.          (Limit - 2 make-up labs with orange cards)    

                                        There are NO make-up quizzes OR assignments should you have an unexcused absence.

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!!