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BI221 Specific Information

BI221 Specific Information

Assessment

Pre-Labs (2 points per assignment)

  • Available as quizzes on Canvas
  • Scores will automatically load into your gradebook once completed
  • Due ½ hour before the start of lab

In-Lab Investigations (4 points per lab)

  • 2 points are completion points – quick flip check during signatures
  • 2 points are content mastery demonstrated via signature questions
  • Students who arrive excessively late or leave accessibly early should not receive points, but should stay for as much of lab as possible.

Grant Proposal Project (82 points)

  • Students will work collaboratively to write a grant proposal on a topic related to COVID-19 of their choosing.
  • The term project will follow the scientific method and introduce students to asking questions, reviewing literature, designing experiments, and scientific writing.
  • See term project details in the Canvas site for due dates and point distribution

Skills Tests – Using Excel to Enter Formulas (10 points) and Graph (10 points)

  • Students must meet with a TA individually either during lab or during the lead TA’s office hours to demonstrate their ability to use a microscope and make a wet mount slide (see rubrics in lab manual for more details).
  • Skills tests should be scheduled by the TAs (see guidelines on Canvas).
  • These tests are pass/fail – no partial credit available, but 2 attempts possible.
  • First attempt must be completed by week 8 of the term.
  • Final attempt must be completed by week 10 of the term.

Sample Syllabus

Biology 221 – Principles of Biology Laboratory

Oregon State University Fall 2020

Instructor Information: Course Information:

Insert name CRN: insert CRN

Email: insert email Credits: 0

Prerequisites/Co-requisites: 0

Location: Zoom! (see Canvas for meeting links)

Basic Needs:

Any student who has difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact the Human Services Resource Center (HSRC) for support (hsrc@oregonstate.edu, 541-737-3747). The HSRC has a food pantry and other programs to help. Additionally, the HSRC Textbook Lending Program offers eligible students the opportunity to check out required textbooks for the academic term. There are copies available in the course reserves in the OSU Valley Library. Furthermore, please notify your instructors about your concerns if you are comfortable in doing so. This will enable them to provide any resources that they may possess.

Reach Out for Success:

University students encounter setbacks from time to time. If you encounter difficulties and need assistance, it’s important to reach out. Consider discussing the situation with an instructor or academic advisor. Learn about resources that assist with wellness and academic success at oregonstate.edu/ReachOut. If you are in immediate crisis, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting OREGON to 741-741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Course Description:

This laboratory course consists of an introduction to the fundamental concepts and theories about the chemical and molecular basis of life, structure and function, transformation of energy and matter and information flow at a cellular and molecular level. This is not a stand-alone course but part of the BI221 Principles of Biology course. See the Full Syllabus for complete course information.

Laboratory Learning Resources:

  • Kayes et al. 2020. Lab Manual for BI212 Principles of Biology. Structure and Function from Cells to Organisms.
  • Additional resources will be posted to the laboratory Canvas site.
  • Other materials as lists in Course Syllabus

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes:

See full syllabus and lab manual for course learning outcomes.

Student Expectations:

Students are expected to:

  • Attend class in ZOOM! Attendance is a critical part of your success in this course. Course assessments will draw primarily from in-class content.
  • Complete the assigned reading and homework.
  • Actively engage and contribute to discussions and activities.
  • Think critically about course content.
  • Respect others at all times.
  • Apply yourself to the fully extent of your capabilities
  • Follow the student conduct code

Appropriate Etiquette in on-line meetings:

  • Select a quiet, secluded space for the duration of the meeting/class.
  • Use headphones if possible.
  • Be sure you are muted when you enter the meeting.
  • Be prepared to share your image or live video (dress appropriately).
  • Join on time and be ready for the start of the meeting/class.
  • Plan to stay engaged for the whole meeting – minimize other windows, turn off email, other sounds.
  • Interact with others as you would in person during class.

Email Etiquette

I respond to emails during business hours (M - F; 8am - 5pm). I make a significant effort to respond promptly, and should do so within two business days at maximum. At that point, feel free to send me a polite reminder. I may occasionally respond outside of work hours, but do not expect or plan on this. Please be proactive in communicating about issues or questions you have.

Late Work Policy:

Students will be penalized 10% per day for late assignments including weekends.

Lab Participation:

Synchronous Labs and Makeup Policy:

  • Students are expected to participate in synchronous labs hosted by graduate teaching assistants during the scheduled lab time via Zoom. You are expected to attend the entire lab to receive points for the lab.
  • If you know that you need to miss a lab during the scheduled term, please notify your graduate teaching assistant and the course coordinators immediately (Bi22x.coordinators@oregonstate.edu and carmen.harjoe@oregonstate.edu) and we will assign you an asynchronous lab that you will need to do individually (see below).
  • If you miss a lab due to connectivity issues or extenuating circumstances, you have until the end of the week after the missed lab to contact your graduate teaching assistant and the course coordinators (Bi22x.coordinators@oregonstate.edu and carmen.harjoe@oregonstate.edu)
  • You are strongly encouraged to work with a graduate teaching assistant in the Virtual Vole Hole on the labs prior to submission of makeup on Canvas (see Canvas for Vole Hole schedule and links).

To receive full credit for the makeup, you must submit images of your completed lab manual pages and answer the questions on the online quiz by the specified due date.

  • You are responsible for the content covered in that lab on your quizzes and exams.

Asynchronous Labs:

  • Students are expected to participate in synchronous labs hosted by graduate teaching assistants during the scheduled lab time via Zoom. However, because we know that these unique circumstances warrant maximum flexibility, we have an asynchronous lab option available for make-up labs.
  • If you cannot attend any of the labs you are scheduled for, please first try and register for a different section that you could participate in. If this is not possible, please contact the course coordinators at Bi22x.coordinators@oregonstate.edu and carmen.harjoe@oregonstate.edu to inquire about the asynchronous lab option.
  • Students enrolled in the asynchronous labs are still required to turn in all assignments and quizzes by the deadline on the syllabus.
  • To receive full credit for the makeup, you must submit images of your completed lab manual pages and answer the questions on the online quiz by the specified due date.
  • You are responsible for the content covered in that lab on your quizzes and exams.

Academic Integrity and Misconduct:

Students are expected to be honest and ethical in their academic work. Academic or scholarly misconduct is defined as any action that misrepresents a student’s or group’s work, knowledge, or achievement, provides a potential or actual inequitable advantage, or compromises the integrity of the educational process. It includes: (i) cheating, (ii) plagiarism, (iii) falsification, (iv) assisting, (v) tampering, (vi) multiple submission of work, and (vii) unauthorized recording or use.

Academic misconduct cases are handled initially by the academic units, following the process outlined in the University's Academic misconduct Report Form, and will also be referred to SCCS for action under these rules. See https://studentlife.oregonstate.edu/sites/studentlife.oregonstate.edu/files/code_of_student_conduct_final.pdffor more information about the Student Conduct Code.

Statement of Accessibility:

Accommodations for students with disabilities are determined and approved by Disability Access Services (DAS). If you, as a student, believe you are eligible for accommodations but have not obtained approval please contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098 or at http://ds.oregonstate.edu. DAS notifies students and faculty members of approved academic accommodations and coordinates implementation of those accommodations. While not required, students and faculty members are encouraged to discuss details of the implementation of individual accommodations.

Laboratory Schedule and Due Dates:

Week

Lab Activities

Lab Quizzes/Assignments Due

1

Lab 1: Discovering the Scientific Method

Design Original Investigation in Groups

Start Here Module

2

Lab 2: Introduction to Microscopy and Cells

Lab 2 Pre-Lab

3

Lab 3: Membrane Function and the Movement of Molecules

Lab 3 Pre-Lab

Grant Proposal: Individual Scientific Reading and Question Assignment

4

Lab 4: Enzymes

Article Discussion

Writing Workshop

Lab 4 Pre-Lab

Grant Proposal: Individual Primary Article Summary

5

Lab 5: Respiration and Photosynthesis

Peer Review: Introduction and Methods

Lab 5 Pre-Lab

Grant Proposal: Group Introduction and Methods Rough Draft

6

Lab 6: Understanding Mitosis and Meiosis

Peer Review: Anticipated Results

Lab 6 Pre-Lab

Grant Proposal: Group Anticipated Results Rough Draft

7

Project Work Week and Skills Tests

Skills Test First Attempt

8

Lab 7: Genetics

Pre-Lab 7

Grant Proposal: Group Final Grant Proposal

9

Thanksgiving Holiday Observed

No Labs

10

Lab 8: PTC: It’s a Matter of Taste!

Pre-Lab 8

Skills Test Second Attempt

Grant Proposal: Individual Grant Proposal Outreach Project

Key: Pre-lab Assignments | In-labs | Start Here Module| Skills Tests | Term Project

Assessment:

This course will consist of several categories of assessments: (1) “Pre-lab” assignments (due 30 minutes prior to the start of lab), (2) “In-lab” assignments (activities completed during the laboratory time), (3) the Start Here Module, (4) Skills Tests which will assess your mastery of calculating and graphing in Excel, and (6) a (really cool) term-long research project to be completed in several stages throughout the term. The table below is an overview of these major assignments with corresponding point values. Further details and evaluation criteria for each assignment will be made available via Canvas.

Assignments

Points per Assignment

Number Graded

Total Points

Start Here Module: Introduction Post and Name Coach

1

1

1

Start Here Module: Required Software

1

1

1

Start Here Module: Syllabus Quiz

2

1

2

Start Here Module: Join Slack Channel

2

1

2

Pre-lab Assignments

2

7

14

In-Lab Investigations

4

8

32

Skills Tests

10

2

20

Grant Proposal

Individual Scientific Reading and Question Assignment

10

1

10

Individual Primary Article Summary

5

1

5

Group Introduction and Methods Rough Draft and Peer Review

6

1

6

Group Anticipated Results Rough Draft and Peer Review

6

1

6

Group Final Grant Proposal

35

1

35

Individual Outreach Project

20

1

20

Total

150/154

Key: Pre-lab Assignments | In-labs | Start Here Module | Skills Tests | Term Project

Notes: You must attend and complete every lab to receive points for the lab. However, one lab is optional and will be offered for extra credit. If you attend all labs, you will receive extra credit for one lab (4 points). In other words, there are 154 points available but your lab grade will be out of 150 points. You are responsible for the content covered in any labs that you miss. You are not eligible for this extra credit if you have to miss a lab for either excused or unexcused absences. Contact your GTA and the course coordinators (Dr. Kayes and Dr. Harjoe) within 1 week if you need to participate in asynchronous labs or makeup labs.

End of Term Due Dates

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 @ 10:30AM

  1. Lab Grades due to course coordinators by 10:30am via email (please follow instructions below).
  2. TI Evaluation due by 10:30 am via Qualtrics

Friday, December 11, 2020 @ 5PM

GTA Activity Logs

Turn in via Google Spreadsheets. No need to send via email.

Instructions for Final Grades

  1. Download your gradebook from Canvas as a .CSV file
  2. Delete the following columns
    1. ID (leave SIS User ID column intact – this is their student ID)
    2. All columns with (read only) in the ‘points possible row’
  3. Delete the row ‘points possible’ and ‘test student’
  4. Fill all missing grades with 0 (do not leave blanks)
  5. Save the file with the following convention:

TALastName_Sec0XX_BI221_LabGrades_TermYear

Example: Kayes_Sec010_BI221_LabGrades_Fall2020

6. Email to the course coordinators prior to 10:30am on Wednesday of finals week.