Christian Brothers University 
Biol 111L Principles of Biology I Laboratory
Departmental Syllabus

Catalog Data BIOL 111L. PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I LABORATORY. 
Laboratory experience to illustrate and explain the principles covered in BIOL 111. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BIOL 111.

BIOL 111. PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I
The first half of a comprehensive study of contemporary biology, this semester covers biochemistry, cytology, photosynthesis, energy metabolism, cell division, development, genetics, evolution, systematics and taxonomy of viruses, monerans, protists, and fungi. Includes three lectures and one discussion section per week. Corequisites: BIOL 111L and CHEM 101 or higher (CHEM 101 requires MATH 101 or higher).  Offered in both Fall and Spring semesters. 

  • Lecture: 3 credits. 
  • Lab: 1 credit. 
  • Lecture and Lab are co-requisites and must be taken concurrently. 
  • This course is a required course applicable to the biology major. 
Course Goals BIOL 111 Lab is divided into three sections (1) cell morphology, physiology, biochemistry; (2) genetics, evolution; and (3) systematics--diversity of bacteria, protists, and fungi.  Since lab investigations illustrate, complement and supplement material presented in lecture, this lab course must be taken concurrently with the lecture. Emphasis in this lab course is on learning-by-doing. Come prepared to work.
Goals: 
  • To become proficient using such tools as microscopes, pipets, spectrophotometers, micropipetters, and manometers.
  • To be able to distinguish and identify representative cells from organisms within the five biological kingdoms.
  • To develop an appreciation of scientific enquiry and of the importance of developing and using controls in an experimental system.
  • To learn the anatomic and functional differences characteristic of organisms within the Kingdoms Fungi, Protista and Prokaryotae.
  • To be able to use basic statistical tools for the interpretation of experimental data.
    		•
    Textbooks
  • Text: Biology, 6th edition, by Campbell and Reece  Student resource center (access code required)
  • Lab Manual: Biological Investigations, 5th ed., by W.D. Dolphin.
  • Photo Atlas for Biology, current ed., by Perry and Morton
    		•
    Prerequisite
    Courses    		 Prerequisite or Corequisite: BIOL 111.  BIOL 111 has the corequisites: BIOL 111L and CHEM 101 or higher  (CHEM 101 requires MATH 101 or higher). 
    Professors Dr. Stan Eisen
    Dr. Malinda Fitzgerald
    Dr. Mary Ogilvie
    Bro. Edward Salgado
    Dr. Katie Sauser
    Dr. Sandra Thompson-Jaeger
    Schedule
    for the 
    Lab Course
    Week Campbell Ch. Lab Topic (Lab Manual Exercise #)
    1 7, 8 Microscopy; Diversity of Cells; Intro. to Principles Lab (1-3)
    2 Quantitative Lab Techniques; Statistics (4) Excel Software
    3 8, 11 Cellular Transport Processes and Mechanisms (6)
    4 6, 9, 10 Properties of Enzymes; Enzyme Kinetics (5)
    5 9 Cellular Respiration and Fermentation (7)
    6 12 Cytogenetics: Mitosis (8)
    7 13, 14 Cytogenetics: Meiosis & Crossing Over (9)
    8 *Midterm Lab Exam*
    9 FALL BREAK
    10 14-16 Mendelian Genetics I: Fruit Fly, Human Inheritance (10)
    11 16-17 Molecular Genetics,DNA isolation (11)
    12 23 Population Genetics, Microevolution (13)
    13 27 Phylogeny Moneras (14)
    *No Lab THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
    15 28, 31 Protists (15) and Fungi (16)
    16 *Final Lab Exam*
    Attendance Attendance and make up exam policies are set by the individual professors. 
    Generally, students are required to attend all labs. Students must be present for all scheduled lab quizzes and exams. If you are absent or late for a scheduled lab quiz you may receive a zero with no make up. The lab quizzes will be given at the beginning of lab.
    • Attending the field trip to Coon Creek is mandatory. Each student will be responsible for the $15.00 entry fee and for his/her own transportation. Car-pooling is encouraged. Plan to reserve the entire day for this.
    • For any missed labs, a physician's note must be presented as soon as possible. If you are ill, please call and let the professor know prior to lab. For each unexcused lab missed, 10 pts. will be deducted from your overall lab grade.
    Details will vary for each professor's syllabus.
    Exams and
    Grades    		 The specifics of lab exam format, the policy on drop lab quizzes, point values and number of quizzes and other assessments will be determined by each professor.
    Feedback and evaluation may take the form of data submitted at the end of lab periods, quizzes, exams and formal lab reports. Quizzes and exams may include "hands-on" (practical) as well as paper-and-pencil items.
     
  • Assessment possibilities:
    1. Midterm Lab Exam worth 100 points. This exam will be in a practical format and will be primarily identification and short answer.
    2. Lab quizzes ~10, each quiz worth ~20 points.
    3. Possibly ~3 handouts/internet assignments worth ~20 points each.
    4. Formal Lab Reports usually 2 required, worth 50 points each.
    5. Final Lab Exam usually worth 150 points. There will be practical and written components to this exam.
  • The grading scale is 100-90%=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-60= D, and <60=F

    • Details will vary for each professor's syllabus.
    Lab Reports At least two formal laboratory reports will be prepared using the following format.  These reports should be typed (word processed). The report has to contain the following sections:
  • Abstract:  This is a summary of the entire experiment. The Abstract includes a brief summary of your results. It is condensed into one paragraph.
  • Purpose: Several sentences explaining why the investigation was conducted.  Includes any important facts pertinent to understanding the experimental parameters.  Much of the information given in pre-lab would be found here.
  • Methods: A brief description of how the investigation was conducted.  No quantities of materials are necessary here.
  • Results: A verbal explanation of your results is provided here.  Include all relevant data in tables or graphs that are clearly labeled.  Any calculations which apply are included here also. Graphs must be done using EXCEL.  Always explain tables, graphs, etc. No commentary about your results is needed here; just the facts.
  • Discussion: Give your interpretation of the results.  Why do think your experimental results were good or bad?  How did your results align with the information given in your Introduction? If your results were poor, give some idea as to why they were less than perfect.  Be honest.  You will not be penalized for poor results.  It is more important to demostrate that you understand the experiment.  This section requires several "meaty" paragraphs.  Avoid editorializing, such as making statements that begin with, "I feel..." or "All in all the experiment went well." or "The experiment went as expected."
  • Citations: Plagiarism will not be tolerated.  (How to avoid plagiarism)  Any sources included (in your own words) in your reports should be cited in the text of your report and the full reference must be provided in a References or Literature Cited section at the end of the report.  Your professor will hand out a sheet showing you the appropriate format.


    • Lab Reports should cover the material but be as brief as possible. Reports may cover the following Labs:

    • Cell Transport Mechanisms
    • Properties of Enzymes; Enzyme Kinetics
    • Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
    • (Required Report) Mendelian Genetics: Fruit Flies and Human Inheritance
    Details will vary for each professor's syllabus.
    • For more information about this course, contact Bro. Edward Salgado, Chair, CBU Biology Dept.
    [Revised Sept. 2003 / AER]
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