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

Quizzes

• Given in class
• Each question must be worth a minimum of 0.25 points and a maximum of 2 points
• Quiz questions should assess student understanding of the lab learning outcomes. Please be prepared to identity which learning outcome your quiz question assesses.
• About 20% of the quiz should be composed of ‘higher order thinking questions’ based on Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Plant Growth Experiment (50 points)

• Students will investigate the response of plants to different environmental treatments by conducting an experiment over three weeks during lab and writing up a final assignment.
• The term project will follow the scientific method and introduce students to performing experiments, data analysis and scientific writing.
• See term project details in lab manuals for due dates and point distribution

Plant Anatomy Poster (4 points)

• Students will develop a teaching poster for one plant type, organ type, tissue type, and cell type.
• Development will be followed by an in-class poster session
• See assignment and rubric in manual for more details

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 : Principles of Biology Laboratory

Winter 2019

Section 022: Tuesday 8am – 10:50am, Room 226, Weniger Hall

Lead TA:

Email:

Office Hour:

TA Mailbox Room: Weniger 114C

Credits: 4

Assistant TA:

Teaching Intern:

Office Location: Weniger 139 (Vole Hole)

CRN:

Pre/Co-Requisite: None

Lab Materials

Structure and Function from Cells to Organisms (B1212 Lab Manual) REQUIRED — This is available at the book store

Additional material will be posted to Canvas — Please check Canvas often to stay up to date

Learning Objectives

By participating in the laboratory series, students will be able to:

• Read and interpret primary scientific literature to aid with generating hypotheses and interpreting data.
• Collect and analyze data with care and precision using basic quantitative skills.
• Collaborate with team members through interactive efforts as a demonstration that biology is a collaborative scientific discipline.
• Communicate biological concepts and experimental results professionally in written and oral formats.
• Characterize how structural form relates to physiological function.
• Explain that biological systems are organized in a hierarchical manner, with systems interacting to support organismal function.
• Describe how biological systems interact to regulate homeostatic balance and what happens when that balance is disrupted.
• Demonstrate respect for biological specimens and diligence with laboratory cleanliness.
• Identify, define and use the technical terms, key words and concepts characteristic of biology.
• Apply proper laboratory techniques including the preparation of wet-mount slides, appropriate use of both compound and stereoscopic (dissecting) microscopes, and careful dissection of organisms, including demonstrating appropriate use of dissection tools.

Student Expectations

I expect you to attend class on time and for the full lab session, participate by asking and answering questions, prepare for class by completing reading and prelab assignments, and adhere to safety protocols in the laboratory environment.

TA Expectations

I am here to facilitate your learning of the laboratory and course material and to be a resource for you! You can expect that I will assess your knowledge and grade your work fairly, start and end class on time, and return graded work in a timely manner.

Communication Policy

My official OSU email is silvaden@oregonstate.edu. Please email me from only your official student accounts or through Canvas. I will respond to emails sent during the week within 24 hours, and weekend emails by Monday noon at the latest.

Teaching Philosophy

My goal in the class is to provide students with ...

Diversity Statement

The College of Science strives to create an affirming climate for all students including underrepresented and marginalized individuals and groups. Diversity encompasses differences in age, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, physical or mental ability, religion, socioeconomic background, veteran status, sexual orientation, and marginalized groups. We believe diversity is the synergy, connection, acceptance, and mutual learning fostered by the interaction of different human characteristics. Harassment, discrimination, or offensive language will not be tolerated. Please do not hesitate to contact me in person, by email, or anonymously (by dropping a note in my mailbox) if you experience or witness harassment or feel that your learning environment is unsafe.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty is defined in the Code of Student Conduct (link). The specific academic integrity policy for BI22x is outlined on page x of your lab manual. You will be held to the expectations outlined in both policies throughout this course. Be aware that we will be submitting assignments via TurnItIn throughout the year; assignments with similarity scores over 30% will not be graded. Any violation of the Academic Dishonesty Policy will result in a zero for that assignment. In lab we are asking you to work cooperatively, but that does not mean copying one group member’s answer. You may discuss answers, but each student’s work must be in their own words.

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)

Students with Disabilities

Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability Access Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098.

General Lab Etiquette

No food or drink in the lab

No cell phone use, music players/headphones or other electric devices (unless used for legitimate educational purpose)

Our lab room is used by many students throughout the week so please be sure to leave your work station cleaner than when you found it. Make sure that any equipment or microscopes you use are clean and supplies are put away when you’re done. If something is running low or you use the last of a given item, please let us know! Please also review the laboratory expectations and policies on page vi of your lab manual—you will be quizzed on this in Mastering Biology.

Evaluation of Student Performance

*You must attend and complete every lab to receive points for that lab! However, there are 4 extra points built into the lab grading scale for extra credit. This means that you can miss 1 lab without penalty. If you attend all labs you will receive extra credit for your efforts (4 pts). In other words, there are 154 pts available but your lab grade will be out of 150 pts. You are still responsible for the content covered in that lab on your quizzes and exams. NOTE: You are not eligible for this extra credit if you have to miss a lab for either excused or unexcused absence. There are no make-up labs.

Late work policy

Students are expected to turn in assignments on time. Students are penalized 10% per day for late papers. No late papers are accepted after the lab instructor starts the grading

Lab Schedule