BIO 100: The Living World – Lab Syllabus

BIO 100 - The Living World

Laboratory Syllabus – Spring 2011

Teaching Assistant: Cynthia Woo

Office: LSA164
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Tuesday (10:30AM-11:30AM), Thursday (10:30AM-11:30AM) or by
appointment
Lab Sections: 10046, 11575, 16394
Lab Room Location: LSC L1-74
Laboratory Objectives: The primary goal of this lab course is to help you develop
and strengthen your scientific reasoning skills. We will focus on the reasoning
skills used to generate arguments and test alternative explanations using
circumstantial, correlational, and experimental evidence. It is our belief that
these skills are the essence of scientific literacy and lie at the heart of effective
thinking in virtually all walks of life. We will use biology as the context in which we
pursue this goal, and in so doing we will expose you to a sampling of concepts and
ideas from across the discipline.

Required Text: Lawson, A. E. Biology: An Inquiry Approach Laboratory Manual.

Boston: McGraw – Hill

Required Course BlackBoard Site: Students are responsible for checking into the
Lab BlackBoard site on a regular basis for lab announcements/ homework
assignments and documents needed for the current weeks’ lab session prior to the
lab meeting time. Computers are located in the lobby of the LSC building in the LRC
office. A photo ID is required for computer use. Printed documents require funds to
be on your sun card. LRC hours vary please check availability posted on the LRC
door.

Lab Attendance Policy: Attendance is Mandatory. Tardiness, early departures,

and absences will lower your course grade and may lead to course failure.
Attendance is recorded by student signature on the attendance sheet. One
unexcused absence will lower your score by 25 points. The second unexcused
absence will lower your score by an additional 50 points. Students that arrive more
than 15 minutes late or depart early before the class has been dismissed or
“disappear” from the lab (time determined by the Lab TA) will be assessed an
unexcused lab absence, resulting in loss of points. Three absences (excused or
unexcused) will result in course failure. There are no lab make up sessions and you
can not attend another Ta’s lab section. In the event that your Lab TA has an
emergency and is running late – you must wait until they arrive – labs are never
cancelled if you leave then you will be assessed an unexcused lab absence. There is
NO 10 minute rule at ASU for instructors/professors running late. If you miss a lab
without a documented excuse you will:
o Receive a zero on all assignments associated with that lab (Quiz and
Homework).
o Have your lab score lowered (see section above for values).
o Excused absences will only be granted for documented emergencies or
official ASU Sponsored events (club sports are not official ASU Athletic
events).

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  Documentation must be turned in no later than 5 school days
after the date of absence. Documents turned in after will not
be accepted.
o Recreational travel, work conflicts, etc, are not emergencies.
o One week notice is required to reschedule a make up due to Religious
Holidays only. Any other absence = NO LAB MAKE UP - Period!!
o Excused absences still count as missed labs (see next 2 points below)
 Labs Missed due to Late Registration still count toward the total
as excused absences.
 Upon a 3rd lab absence, even if all 3 are excused results in an
automatic course failure.
o To be successful in the lab attendance and participation are critical.
Seek out assistance early if lab scores are low.

What to do if you miss your Lab:

1. Email your Lab TA immediately (no make ups).
2. Turn in any assignments that were due on the day of the absence via
email attachment.
3. Set up an appointment with your Lab TA to go over the concepts you
missed since the Lab Final is comprehensive.
4. Turn in any documentation for review to determine if absence is
excusable.

Lab Grade: Quizzes will be given at the beginning each class over the previous labs
content. If you are tardy you will have less time to take the quiz. If you are 15
minutes late or more- your quiz score and homework due are forfeited. Homework is
due the following lab date unless otherwise notified. Late homework will not be
accepted. All lab assignments will be held to university level work (proper spelling,
grammar and citation). Electronic submission of homework assignments is not
accepted only typed hard copies in lab. You are encouraged to work with other
students on you lab assignment; however, you must prepare each assignment in
your own words. Please see the ASU Academic Dishonesty Policy. You will not
receive a separate letter grade for the laboratory portion of the course. It is the
student’s responsibility to keep all graded papers on file until the final course grades
are posted. Please use the Grade Tracking sheet to know your running lab score.
Grade Break Down:
13 - 5 point Quizzes/In Class Assignments 60 points (lowest
dropped)
12 - 10 point Homework Assignments 110 points (lowest dropped)
Participation 15 points
Article Assignment (Safe Assignment) 40 points
Lab Report – Photosynthesis (Safe Assignment) 45 points
Comprehensive Lab Final Exam 130 points
Total 400 points

Homework/Assignments: Weekly Lab Homework is posted on the course BB site. It

is the student’s responsibility check online for the assigned homework due the
following week in lab. Be sure to keep all of your graded Assignments in a file until
final grades are posted. It is the student’s responsibility to pick up their assignments
before lab is over. Lab Tas are not responsible for graded work once the assignments
has been handed back to the student. Note: Each missed homework
assignment is equal to 1% of your grade (10/1000 = .01 or 1%).

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Grade Questions: Inquiries about graded assignments/quizzes must be made
within seven (7) business days after the assignment has been returned. Inquiries
must be made during TA office hours. It is NOT APPROPRIATE to inquire about a
graded assignment before the lab, during or after the lab. If you cannot attend the
posted office hours please contact me to set up an appointment to go over grade
inquiries – I am more than happy to meet with you at my office.

Student Communication: Students are expected to communicate with

faculty/staff/teaching assistants (including email) in a respectful manner. Use of
inappropriate/profane language on any assignment is not acceptable and will result
in loss of credit for the assignment and possible course failure. Emails will be
answered within 48 hours during normal business hours (M-F 8am – 5pm).

Student Conduct: A major component of learning process in this lab involves

discussion, and therefore we require you to participate in the classroom dialogue.
However, we do insist that you be respectful of your fellow classmates at all times.
Please be aware that other students come from different backgrounds and may hold
different beliefs. We ask that you be sensitive to these differences and behave in an
inclusive manner. In addition, in the interest of fostering a productive learning
environment, disruptive behavior of any kind will not be permitted. You may choose
your seating/partners; however I reserve the right reassign seating/partners as
deemed necessary.

Lab Safety: All equipment/supplies must be handled and disposed of in a safe

manner as instructed by your Lab TA. Eating and drinking are not permitted in the
lab. Any skateboards/scooters are to be stored in the designated area in the lab
room. Bicycles are not permitted in the building and must be stored outside the
building,

Cell Phone/ Lab Top Policy: Use of such devices is NOT permitted in the Bio 100
lab. Use of cell phones or lap top/computers/i-Pads in the lab will result in dismissal
from the lab and assignment of an unexcused lab absence.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY!
In the “Student Academic Integrity Policy” manual, ASU defines “’Plagiarism”
[as] using another's words, ideas, materials or work without properly
acknowledging and documenting the source. Students are responsible for
knowing the rules governing the use of another's work or materials and for
acknowledging and documenting the source appropriately.” You can find this
definition at:
http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/studentlife/judicial/academic_integrity.htm#definiti
ons

Academic dishonesty, including inappropriate collaboration, will not be tolerated.

There are severe sanctions for cheating, plagiarizing and any other form of
dishonesty.
• You are strongly encouraged to work in groups during lab, and when studying.
• However, graded assignments must be your own independent work.
o Students who submit identical or reworded papers will receive a grade
of zero for the assignment.
• If you use published material as a source, you must clearly cite that source.

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 • Plagiarism (using another’s words as your own) and cheating is not tolerated.
Violators will receive an “EX” for the course and a referral to the university
judiciaries. Don't do it.
• If you have any questions about how to cite sources please double check with
the Learning Resource Center or Writing Centers.
• Further, if you have struggling with a homework question, I am happy to help
—come to my office hours or send me an e-mail.
Violations:
 First Offense on Lab Quiz or Homework = grade of zero and verbal warning
 Any other Further Offense will result in automatic course failure and
assignment of “EX” grade.
 Offense on an Exam will result in automatic course failure.

Clean Up: Your fellow students will be using the same equipment and specimens.
Please respect your classmates and clean up after yourself. Due to past problems
with this issue, the Lab Coordinator may deduct 5 points from the entire section if lab
is left in disarray/not cleaned.

Students with Disabilities: We strive to make BIO 100 accessible to all students at
Arizona State University. However, in order for us to make accommodations for a
student with a disability, that student must a) be registered with the Disability
Resource Center (DRC) office, and b) must talk to me about the accommodations
they need. If you are registered with DRC, please contact me as soon as possible so
that we can make a plan of action.

Disability Resource Center office:

Office: First Floor of Matthews Center Building, 8am-5pm M-F.
Phone: (480) 965-1234
Website: http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/ed/drc/
E-mail: [email protected]

Ethical Note: Concerns over ethical classroom animal use are often highly personal
and vary widely from student to student. Therefore, it is your responsibility as a
student to review all the scheduled labs for the semester and verify that you will be
able to perform all the functions these labs demand of you. If you do have concerns
about specific labs, please discuss them with me within the first week of class, or (in
the worst-case scenario) so that you can withdraw from this course. Note: we do not
provide alternative lab activities for any reason.

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 BIO 100 Spring-2011 Laboratory Schedule

Date Lab Title Lab Assignments/ Wk

Jan. 17-22* 1 How can a burning candle cause water to 5 Pt In Class Qz
rise? (Candle) pg 101 10 Pt Hw
Jan. 24 - 29 2 How can a burning candle cause water to 5 Pt Qz
rise? (Candle) pg 101 10 Pt Hw
Jan. 31- 3 What causes intra-specific variation? 5 Pt Qz Assign Article
Feb5 (Shells) Pg 17 Summary
10 Pt Hw
Feb. 8-12 4 What determines specific characteristics of 5 Pt Qz
fruit flies? (Fly ) Pg 27 10 Pt Hw
Feb. 14 - 12 5 What do fossils tell us about life in the past? 5 Pt Qz
Has Homo sapiens existed for a relatively 10 Pt Hw
long time? (Fossils) Pg 39 and 45
Feb. 21 - 26 6 How do species evolve? 5 Pt Qz Article Sum. Due –
(Gooney Birds) Pg 49 by 5 pm Feb 25th 40pts
10 Pt Hw
Feb 28 - 7 Which human characteristics covary? 5 Pt Qz
March 5 (Meter sticks) Pg 56 10 Pt Hw
March 7 - 12 8 How does the environment affect the No Quiz
distribution of organisms? 10 Pt Hw
“A” Mountain Field Trip
March 14-19 SB Spring Break No Assignments
March 12 - 9 How smart are animals? 10 Pt Double Qz
26 (Isopods) Pg 10 10 Pt Hw
March 28 – 10 What is inside a squid? Assign Lab Report
April 2 (Squid) Pg 111 5 Pt Qz
10 Pt Hw
April 4 - 8 11 What variables affect the rate of 5 Pt Qz
photosynthesis?- Pg 69 10 Pt Hw
April 11 -15 12 What variables affect the rate of 5 Pt Qz
photosynthesis? Part 2- Pg 69 10 Pt Hw
April 18 - 22 13 What can be inferred from animal structure? Lab Reports Due by 5 pm
(Skulls) Pg 6 April 22nd -45 pts
5 Pt Qz
10 Pt Extra Credit Lab
Homework

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April 25 - 30 14 Lab Final Exam – No Make Ups! Lab Final Exam 130 Pts

* Monday Lab Students must attend lab at normal time on Friday the 23rd due to MLK Day

13 Quizzes @ 5 Pts = 60(drop lowest) 12 Home Work @ 10 Pts = 110(drop lowest)

2 Lab Reports = 85 Lab Final Exam = 130 Participation = 15 pts.

Receipt of BIO 100 Course and Laboratory Syllabus:

I, _________________________, HAVE READ and understand both the Course

and Laboratory Syllabus for BIO 100 which is provided online the BlackBoard
class site, which details the laboratory purpose, the method for determining
the course/laboratory grade, laboratory attendance policy, ASU Academic
Dishonesty Policy and lists required materials I am responsible for
purchasing and bringing each week. I understand that it is my
responsibility/obligation to read and uphold the ASU Academic Dishonesty
Policy and act with honesty and integrity and respect the rights of others in
carrying out all academic assignments/evaluations.

Signed ___________________________________________Date________________

Print Name _________________________________ _____Lab TA Initials_______

Return the signed “Receipt of BIO 100 Laboratory Syllabus” page

only to your Lab TA no later than lab session 2. Just the receipt page.
Please keep a copy of the lab and course syllabus for your own
reference.