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Biology
is a discipline that focuses on the study of life. As a
student enters the course with a thick and expensive text
book in her hand she may not realize the source of all the
information within the text. Over the last few hundred years
we have learned an enormous amount about the living world.
Thousands of men and women have patiently observed the
natural world at the same time as they have asked questions
about it. Questions are often followed by additional
observations as well as experiments. In that manner an
amazing realm of connections from cells to ecosystems have
unfolded over the last two centuries. The pace is steadily
accelerating as we are learning more about life.
In the biology lab we have tried to make it possible for you as an introductory biology student to get an opportunity to observe life with your own eyes and mind. You will gain hands-on experience using living materials and hopefully build a basic understanding of the use of the scientific method within the field of biology. It is our hope that you will have fun as you travel through the realm of biology together with your team in the laboratory this semester. |
General
Information
about the Biology 10 Laboratory:
NOTE: Labs start the first
week of classes
1.
INTRODUCTION
Biology
10 consists of both a lecture and laboratory component. It is
essential that you participate as an active member in all the group
activities. Only through group participation will labs be of
maximum benefit to all students. Each week the laboratory
covers one or more of the basic concepts presented in the
lecture. Using a hands-on
approach, we will use various problem solving techniques to
further explore the lecture material.
Each
lab session will begin with a short quiz (see section 4 below on
grading), followed by 15-30 minutes to discuss the objectives of the
lab, review key concepts and terms, review the procedures to be used
and cover safety precautions that must be observed. You will
get much more out of the lab (as well as finish sooner) if you read
the lab in advance. You may even be able to answer some of the
questions based on the materials presented in the lectures or in the
book.
2.
LABORATORY MATERIALS
You
must buy a current copy of the Biology 10 Lab Manual from the bookstore.
Bring
the lab manual with you to each lab. Your comments and
suggestions on the manual are welcome and appreciated and will be
incorporated into the next edition. You should also bring your
textbook, paper, pencils and a calculator to each lab.
3.
ATTENDANCE
You
are expected to attend each lab. If you miss four labs
you will be dropped from the course.
If
you miss the lab you are enrolled in, you may attend another lab
session - if there are seats available. There is a schedule
posted in the lab that shows the times that other labs are
offered. This schedule is also located on the web
site. If you do go to another lab - it must be during
the same week as your scheduled lab and you must notify your regular
instructor and the instructor of the other lab prior to going to a
different lab. Please note that other instructors may not have
room in their labs, may give different kinds of quizzes and may
require you to bring scantron forms. Check
with
the instructor first. The maximum allowed number of
make-up labs is three.
4.
GRADING
The actual number of points you earn will be divided by the total
points available in the lab.
This number will be converted to a percentage.
You will earn points in the lab each week by completing a pre-lab
exercise, taking a quiz and turning in your completed lab report.
See your instructor for additional grading details.
PRE-LAB
EXERCISES
Each
day you should access
the pre-lab worksheet for the next lab from the pre-lab page on the
class web site. You should review the upcoming lab and the
appropriate sections of the textbook and complete the pre-lab.
This will also help you complete the lab faster.
| The
pre-lab
exercises must be shown to the instructor at the beginning
of the lab. Pre-lab exercises will be graded as
follows: 3 pt. = All questions answered with correct, thorough, and well thought out responses (including explanations). 2 pt. = All questions answered with correct, thorough, and well thought out responses with one or two mistakes or unanswered questions. 1 pt. = All questions answered with correct, thorough, and well thought out responses with three or four mistakes or unanswered questions. |
LAB
REPORTS
The
lab reports will either be reviewed at the end of each lab (if time
permits) or will be turned in at the end of each lab. Lab
reports will be graded as follows:
7
pt. = All questions answered with correct, thorough, and well
thought out responses (including explanations)
6
pt. = All questions answered with correct, thorough, and well
thought out responses with one or two mistakes
5
pt. = All questions answered with correct, thorough, and well
thought out responses with three or four mistakes
4
pt. = All questions answered with correct, thorough, and well
thought out responses with five to nine mistakes
3
pt. = All questions answered, but with many incomplete or wrong
answers
2
pt. = Many questions answered, some incorrect answers
1
pt. = Majority of questions answered, some incorrect answers
0
pt. = Less than half of the questions answered
Lab
reports that are turned in will be graded and returned to the
appropriate drawer in the prep room by 9:30 am the following Monday
morning. This will allow you to review and correct mistakes
prior to the next lab (and quiz).
QUIZZES
Quizzes
can consist of multiple
choice, figures and/or short essay questions covering the lab from
the week before and/or the pre-lab exercise for the current
week. Unless you are notified otherwise the quizzes will be
closed book/open mind. The quizzes will be given at the
beginning of lab - so arrive on time. Each
quiz is worth 15 points.
You can
review your grade with your instructor at any time.
5.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
West
Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with
documented disabilities. Students should notify DESP
(Disability & Educational Support Program) located in the
Learning Services building (408-741-2010) of any special needs. If
you are uncertain as to whether you need such accommodations, it is
recommended that you visit the Supported
Education
Center for a consultation.
6.
SUPPORT SERVICES
The
college has a wide range of support services available for students
that need assistance. These services range from tutoring
and special short courses in reading and writing skills to financial
aid and special programs for disabled
students. If you believe that any of these programs
would be of help to you, please check with the counseling
office or consult your class schedule for a list of telephone
numbers.
7.
RECYCLING
All
materials and handouts used in the class can be recycled. If
there are materials you do not wish to retain, and you do not have
appropriate recycling at home, you may return the materials and we
will recycle them for you. Just outside the classroom you will find
containers for recycling glass, plastic and aluminum. Please be
responsible and use them!
8.
SAFETY ISSUES
West
Valley College is one of the safest colleges in
California. However, earthquakes and other incidents have been
known to happen from time to time. In the event of a power
failure the room can be very dark, therefore, you will be expected
to bring a small flashlight to each class. There will be spot
checks for compliance with this regulation and bonus points will be
awarded to students who have come prepared.
Please
note the following telephone numbers and locations:
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General safety issues and safety concerns relative to individual labs will be covered in the appropriate lab.
9.
CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM
This
is a serious issue. If you feel uncertain about what plagiarism
is we encourage you to visit this site.
Do not plagiarize! You will get a zero for the day on your
work. Repeated violations will earn you an F in the class. It
is possible that an instructor gives you an 'F' as a course grade.
10.
SOME FINAL WORDS
If
you feel that you are not performing as well as you would like on pre-lab
exercises, quizzes, lab assignments or the lecture exams; feel
free to talk with your instructor
during lab or office hours. They may be able to help. Do
not let your situation get so bad that you can't recover. We
will do anything within reason that we can to help.
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| Page created by:
Peter
Svensson |