BIOL-112 General Biology Lab Fall 2024 PDF

GENERAL BIOLOGY LABORATORY BIOL-112 – Fall 2024 09L: Thursdays – 9:40am-12:35pm 04L: Thursdays - 2:40pm-5:35pm Lab: Gittleson 226 Instructor: Thomas J. Duchak Email: Thomas.J.Duc...

GENERAL BIOLOGY LABORATORY BIOL-112 – Fall 2024 09L: Thursdays – 9:40am-12:35pm 04L: Thursdays - 2:40pm-5:35pm Lab: Gittleson 226 Instructor: Thomas J. Duchak Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Wednesdays 9:00am-1:00pm (By Appointment on Zoom) Required Texts and Materials - Lab Manual: provided electronically on Canvas - Lab Notebook: may be bound, loose leaf in binder, etc. - Knisely (2021) A Student Handbook for Writing in Biology, 6th edition (available through bookstore or online; earlier versions are acceptable). - Desktop version of MS Excel for data analysis (avoid Numbers or other programs) - Desktop version of MS Word for written assignments (avoid Pages or other programs) Lab Goals 1. Gain practical skills (e.g., microscopy) 2. Design scientific experiments 3. Gather, visualize, and analyze data 4. Practice writing like a scientist 5. Critically evaluate scientific research (your own and published primary literature) 6. Reinforce what is learned in lecture with hands-on activities Lab Policies Attendance Laboratory attendance is required and makes up a portion of the grade. Because this course consists largely of an ongoing semester-long project, it is important that you attend regularly and contribute equally to your lab group's efforts. If you know in advance you must miss a lab, contact me to arrange your attendance in one of the other labs that week. Even if you do not attend a lab, you are still responsible for all assignments assigned/due during that lab. Unexcused absence penalty: Each lab missed will result in a loss of points for Attendance and Participation. In addition the lab quiz cannot be made up. If you have three or more unexcused classes you will receive 0 credit for the lab portion of the course. Excused absences: Students with three or more excused absences are strongly encouraged to discuss with their lab and lecture instructors withdrawal from the course. Safety Policy Safe lab practices are an important issue in any laboratory setting. The University has a safety policy that all students and employees are expected to follow. The policy can be viewed from “Lab Safety” in Modules. Read the documents, watch the lab safety video, and then take the 1 online quiz until you pass it. You must successfully complete this assignment before the second scheduled lab. Academic Honesty You are expected to know what constitutes dishonest behavior. However, to avoid any confusion, the Department of Biology has assembled a detailed policy now provided to all students taking our courses. Abuse of information obtained through web sites has become a particular problem. The University has contracted with a company called Turnitin.com to help us track down any misuse of web-based or other information in assignments turned in by students. We will be using this service to check assignments (you will be required to submit your assignments to Turnitin.com). Take a look at this site so you can see for yourself the amazing "detective" work Turnitin can perform. The policy can be viewed from “Honesty Pledge” in Modules. Read the documents, and then take the online quiz until you pass it. You must successfully complete this assignment before the second scheduled lab. Use of AI programs on any assignment is prohibited. TurnItIn can assess submitted documents for likelihood of use of AI. Please view the university policies link below for further information. Grading Lab is worth 35% of the final course grade. Assignments and Grading: Quizzes (5) 8% Homework (4) 8% Lab Notebook (6) 6% Weekly Updates (4) 12% Attendance & Participation 8% In-Class Group Assignments (4) 6% Introduction Version 1 5% Introduction Version 2 10% Results & Discussion Version 1 7% Results & Discussion Version 2 15% Presentation 15% Total 100% Note: For all assignments turned in via Turnitin, make sure you receive and keep the confirmation email saying your assignment was successfully submitted. Late Assignments: 5% deduction for each day late. 2  Instructor Policies Instructor Email Policy As the instructor of this class, I will endeavor to reply to all student emails in a timely manner, but I cannot guarantee immediate email responses. I also cannot guarantee email responses during class times or outside of regular business hours. If you have questions or concerns that you wish to address over email, please allow at least two business days for an email response. If you desire more immediate responses to questions, please ask questions during class. If you desire more immediate responses to sensitive concerns, please make an appointment to speak with me on Zoom. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Student Instructor Meeting Policy Any student who wishes to speak with the instructor in person to discuss grades, assignment difficulties, disability services accommodations, or any other potentially sensitive concerns, must contact the instructor via email to set up a one-on-one student-instructor meeting outside of regular class time in an environment of the instructor’s choosing such as the Biology Department Office in Gittleson Hall 130. The instructor will not address student concerns before or after class in either the presence or absence of other students. The instructor will address all student concerns on an individual basis; meetings with multiple students will not be permitted. This policy intends to protect student privacy as well as the instructor’s reputation. University Policies Class Attendance: Participating in class—including attending in-person or synchronous online class meetings—is an essential part of a Hofstra education. Instructor and Student Responsibility: It is the responsibility of each instructor to specify clearly on the course syllabus office hours, all class attendance and participation requirements, including policies related to missed assignments, quizzes, and exams. Instructors reserve the right to adjust course content and/or the pace of course progress. Students are responsible for staying up to date with all adjustments. When a student fails to attend class as required, it remains the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor by email prior to or immediately after class time to explain the absence. Faculty and students recognize that students who do not feel well should not come to an in-person class meeting. It is the responsibility of the student to discuss with the instructor and make up any missed assignments, quizzes, or exams and to fulfill all class participation requirements in a timely manner. Faculty will receive notification of anticipated absence(s) via email from the Dean of Students Office about confirmed health and emergency circumstances that may influence students' attendance in classes. Students will be directed to talk with faculty about the most appropriate way to continue to participate in class and/or catch up on missed work. Instructors should warn students whose repeated absences are cause for academic concern and inform students if they are in danger of failing the course because of the amount of work or class participation missed. If needed, and if permitted under relevant policies, the student may drop or withdraw from the course. Students with long-term illnesses that prevent regular attendance should coordinate with their academic advisors and Student Access Services (SAS) for appropriate accommodations. 3 Web Cameras: Classes are scheduled to be in-person. However, there may be an occasion when a synchronous online class meeting is warranted. In that instance and for pedagogical, academic integrity, and security reasons, instructors may require students to have their web cameras turned on during synchronous online class meetings, labs, and exams. If specific testing software is required for exams, the student is responsible for making sure it works properly before an exam. Instructors should clearly indicate on the syllabus any course requirements for camera use. If a student has compelling technological or environmental reasons for leaving the camera off during class, the student should communicate directly and privately with the instructor to request an exemption and explore possible solutions. Availability of Course Materials When Students are Unable to Attend Class: Each faculty member will determine a method(s) to accommodate students who cannot attend class(es) due to medical reasons and are enrolled in classes which include an in-person component. Some examples of course materials faculty may make available include PowerPoint presentations, class notes, recorded classes, or other resources deemed appropriate by the instructor. It is understood that only students enrolled in the course may view any materials posted online. It is important to note that there are some limited instances (e.g. due to the nature of the course material and assignments or based on licensure or accreditation standards), where classes cannot be completed without participation on campus or in a clinical setting. In these instances, the major department will work with the student to make alternative arrangements to help students stay on track in their degree program. Campus Closures/Snow Days: When the campus is closed for snow or other inclement weather, faculty are encouraged to hold classes remotely whenever pedagogically appropriate and logistically reasonable. The decision to do so is left to the discretion of each faculty member and should be communicated to students in a timely manner. On snow days or other school closures, childcare interruptions, weather emergencies, bandwidth, technology or other home arrangements may interrupt class attendance. Students who are experiencing these issues should speak with faculty about possible ways to participate in class and/or catch up on missed work. Academic Integrity: Hofstra University places high value upon educating students about academic integrity. At the same time, the University will not tolerate dishonesty, and it will not offer the privileges of the community to the repeat offender. The academic community assumes that work of any kind-- whether a research paper, a critical essay, a homework assignment, a test or quiz, a computer program, or a creative assignment in any medium--is done, entirely and without unauthorized assistance, by the individual(s) whose name(s) it bears. Students bear the ultimate responsibility for implementing the principles of academic integrity. For more information, please visit hofstra.edu/fps/11.html. Use of AI tools prohibited. You may not use AI or ML tools, such as ChatGPT or Dall-E, or other similar tools on assignments, discussions, exams, and presentations in this course. You are expected to complete each assignment without assistance from others, including AI/ML 4 automated tools. The use of ChatGPT or similar AI tools for work submitted in this course constitutes the receiving of “unauthorized assistance for academic work” and is a violation of the Hofstra University Honor Code. Click here for a definition of AI or ML. About the Honor Code and Academic Dishonesty. In the spring of 2012, the University community affirmed a new expression of commitment by instituting the Hofstra University Honor Code. The Honor Code is a statement of shared values. Hofstra University Honor Code: “As a member of the Hofstra community I pledge to demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior in all aspects of my life, both inside and out of the classroom. I understand that I am accountable for everything I say and write. I will not misrepresent my academic work, nor will I give or receive unauthorized assistance for academic work. I agree to respect the rights of all members of the Hofstra community. I will be guided by the values expressed in the P.R.I.D.E Values. I accept the responsibility to follow this Honor Code at all times. Honor Code Short Form: “I pledge on my honor that I have done this work with honesty and integrity, without giving or receiving unauthorized assistance.” Turnitin for Textual Similarity Review: “Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the Usage Policy stated in the Turnitin.com site.” Academic Dishonesty: Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are serious ethical and professional infractions. For information regarding academic integrity, examples of violations, procedures for handling violations, as well as a student’s right to appeal a charge, see Faculty Policy Series #11 or Faculty Policy Series #11G. Disability Accommodations: Students who need accommodations for a disability should contact Student Access Services (SAS). In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, qualified individuals with disabilities will not be discriminated against in programs, or services available at Hofstra University. Individuals with disabilities are entitled to accommodations designed to facilitate full access to all programs and services. SAS is responsible for coordinating disability-related accommodations and will provide students with documented disabilities accommodation letters, as appropriate. Please note that accommodations may require early planning and are not retroactive; contact SAS as soon as possible. All students are responsible for providing accommodation letters to each instructor and for discussing with the instructor the specific accommodations needed and how they can be best implemented in each course. For more information on services provided by the University and for submission of documentation, please contact Student Access Services, Room 107 Mack Student Center, [email protected], 516-463-7075. Resources for Students who are Pregnant: Students who are pregnant, who wish to request adjustments related to their pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, such as opportunities to make up missed work, excused absence from class, or extensions, should contact Student Access Services, Room 107 Mack Student 5 Center, [email protected], 516-463-7075. Students who wish to learn more about how the University supports students who are pregnant in continuing their education should contact the Title IX Officer Coordinator for Student Issues at 516-463-5841 or [email protected]. Temporary Adjustments/Academic Leave of Absence: Students who experience a medical event (e.g., hospitalization) or who have a short-term health condition (longer than 10 days), which they believe may require temporary academic adjustments to participate in class, should contact: Student Access Services Room 107 Mack Student Center [email protected] 516-463-7075 Students seeking an academic leave of absence from the University (i.e., for a minimum of one full fall or spring semester) should visit our Academic Leave and Withdrawal page for more information. Absences for Religious Observance: Hofstra University recognizes that students and/or faculty may from time to time miss class due to religious observances. Students who anticipate missing class for this reason should notify faculty members in advance. Likewise, faculty members who anticipate missing class for religious observance should notify students in their classes. As per Faculty Policy Series 12 (B): “No student shall be expelled or refused admission to Hofstra University because he or she is unable to participate in any examination, study or work requirement because of his or her religious obligations and practices. However, all students are expected to complete all assignments and examinations. It is understood that no adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student who avails him or herself of religious observances. The University, faculty, and student shall work together to achieve a reasonable accommodation concerning any conflicts between educational and religious obligations.” In accordance with New York state law, each student who is absent from school because of their religious beliefs will be given an equivalent opportunity to register for classes or make up any examination, study, or work requirements that the student may have missed because of that absence on any particular day or days. University Deadlines: For important dates and University deadlines, see the Academic Calendar webpage. Grade Policy: Hofstra’s policies regarding incomplete grades, default grades, and associated deadlines can be found in the Hofstra Bulletins. An overview of grading policy for Incompletes and UWs: Incomplete: An Incomplete should be entered upon the request of a student, if the student has completed a substantial portion of the course and unforeseen circumstances prevent the student from completing some of the course work, An “I” should be given only where there is a 6 reasonable expectation that the completion of outstanding work will result in a passing grade. (See additional guidelines available at the web link). UW: The UW may be assigned only if the student stopped attending prior to the official withdrawal deadline, and, in the judgment of the faculty member, on the last date of attendance, the student either had the potential to pass the course or there was insufficient graded work to allow for such an evaluation. Note: The UW is always the appropriate grade for the student who is registered for the course but has never attended. The UW pertains to attendance. Students who attend class beyond the official withdrawal deadline, should not receive a UW grade. The UW can impact a student’s full- or part-time status. It may also impact immigration status (international students with F- or J- status). Discriminatory Harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating & Domestic Violence, and Stalking Hofstra prohibits sexual and other discriminatory harassment, stalking, domestic and dating violence, and sexual assault (collectively, “Gender-Based Offenses”). Students who believe they have been subjected to any of these Gender-Based Offenses should refer to Hofstra’s Nondiscrimination Policy for information about applicable policies and how to submit reports. Students may contact the Title IX Coordinator for Student Issues at 516-463-5841 or [email protected] or contact Public Safety at 516-463-6606, or, for concerns involving employees or other nonstudents, the Title IX Coordinator for Employee Issues, at 516- 463-6859 or [email protected]. Confidential resources and support are also available from medical professionals at Student Health Services, at 516-463-6745 or [email protected] and counseling professionals in Student Counseling Services at 516-463- CARE (2273), as well as, clergy at the Interfaith Center. 7  TENTATIVE SCHEDULE READ THE LAB MANUAL SO THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE CONTENT BEFORE YOU COME TO EACH LAB! Week Date Topic Assignments 1 9/12 Lab 1: Introduction to - Honesty and Safety Pledge Quizzes Copepods & Plagiarism - Quiz 1 Workshop - Group Assignment 1: Possible Research Topics (due by end of lab) 2 9/19 Lab 2: Using Microscopes - Quiz 2 to View Copepods - Lab Notebook 1 3 9/26 Lab 3: The Scientific - Quiz 3 Method & Primary - Lab 2 Homework: Reading a peer-reviewed journal article Literature - Group Assignment 2: The Research Question (due by end of lab) 4 10/3 Lab 4: Data Analysis, - Quiz 4 Graphs, and Quantitative - Lab 3 Homework: Find Primary Research Article Comparison Statements - Lab 4: Homework Part 1: Choosing the Appropriate Statistical Test 5 10/10 NO LAB! N/A 6 10/17 Lab 5: Dilutions, Algae, and - Quiz 5 Standard Curves - Lab 4 Homework Part 2: Statistics Practice Lab 6: Create and Practice - Group Assignment 3: Standard Curve due by end of lab) Research Protocol - Group Assignment 4: Protocol (due by end of lab) 7 10/24 Research Projects 1 - Lab Notebook 2 - Introduction V1 Due 8 10/31 Research Projects 2 - Lab Notebook 3 - Weekly Update 1 9 11/7 Research Projects 3 - Lab Notebook 4 - Weekly Update 2 - Introduction V2 Due 10 11/14 Research Projects 4 - Lab Notebook 5 (Finish up Research - Weekly Update 3 Projects, Data Analysis) 11 11/21 Presentation workshop - Lab Notebook 6 - Weekly Update 4 - Results & Discussion V1 Due 12 11/28 NO LAB! N/A 13 12/5 Presentations - Presentations 14 12/12 NO LAB! - Results & Discussion V2 Due While every attempt has been made to prepare this syllabus in its final form, it will be the professor's prerogative to make changes as deemed necessary to meet the learning outcomes of this course. Students will be notified of class and schedule changes in class and through Canvas. 8