BIOL 230W: Biology Molecules & Cells

Course Materials Course Objectives Organization & Policies Evaluation Methods

University Policies Class Syllabus Lab Syllabus

FALL 2012

Class Time:	Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00am to 10:50am
Class Room:	311 Saucon
Laboratory Time:	Wednesday 2:00pm to 3:50pm
Laboratory Room:	314 Saucon
Instructor:	Jacqueline McLaughlin, Ph.D.
	Associate Professor in Biology
	Cell and Developmental Biologist
Office:	3N
Office Hours:	Monday and Friday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Office Phone:	610/285.5109
E-mail:	jshea@psu.edu
On-Line Resources:	Biology Place
	Cell & Molecular Biology On-Line
	Cell Biology Animantions
	Cell Biology News
	CHANCE
	iBioseminars
	Interactive Physiology
	Login Name: psubiology
	Password: LV240WIP
	Nature: Cell Biology
	Working with Molecular Genetics

Show Class Tutoring Information

Credits, class periods, lab periods: 4, 3, 3

BIOL 230W (GN) Biology: Molecules and Cells (4) A study of cellular phenomena including molecular genetics and metabolic interactions. (BIOL 220W, 230W, and 240W each carry only 1 credit of "writing"; all three courses must be taken to meet the writing requirement.)

Course Materials

Laboratory Manual: Life Science Student Lab Notebook, Hayden-McNeil Pub., 2003
ISBN: 978-19308-8235-5

Course Objectives

• Delve into the core disciplines of cell and molecular biology in order to gain a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, the "living cell."
• Marvel over the machinery that sustains life at the cellular level and the molecules like proteins, DNA, and RNA that define it.
• Appreciate the importance of cell biology in medical, industrial, ecological, and environmental issues that confront the world today.
• Blend real-scientific research questions, data, and interpretations into classroom content in order to understand and appreciate how past and present-day cell and molecular biologists carry-out research.
• Recognize that the facts (concepts) presented in your cell biology textbook are really the accumulation of the conclusions of numerous experiments over the years, and that it's important to appreciate that those conclusions might change on the basis of new information. Key here is that the "facts" can be revised over time, but the process by which knowledge is generated from experiments will remain relatively constant.
• Delve into laboratory investigations as a contemporary cell/molecular biologist by doing actual research, orally presenting this research, then writing-up a formal peer-reviewed research paper.
• Practice keeping a laboratory notebook and recording/interpreting data.
• Foster technology in both the classroom and laboratory.
• Experience, and more importantly, value working productively in groups. Scientific research is rarely a solo experience.
• Broaden your critical thinking skills as a biologist as cells are the essence of all living things!

Organization and Policies

1. Classroom Presentations: The course meets three times a week. Class topics are outlined in the attached schedule. Know that it is my personal quest to bring to my teaching the critical thinking, rigor, creativity, and spirit of experimentation that defines research itself. In short, you will not be memorizing; but instead, you will be practicing "scientific inquiry" in my classroom.

• I expect that you come to class prepared, work hard, and actively participate in class. Read all on-line and textbook assignments ahead of time! Complete all web-based modules to your fullest potential. Hint: A good way to prepare for class is to make a list of questions (at least 10) on the topic that will be covered. Be ready to learn. My presentations will mean so much more if you participate in class by generating questions that bring about classroom discussion.

2. Study groups: I strongly suggest that you participate in a study group, and use the group to assess your comprehension of the course material.

3. Laboratories: Laboratories will commence on the second week of classes and will meet as scheduled. Check pre-lab assignments carefully before attending lab. The laboratory exercises are designed to give you an opportunity to learn through experimentation (inquiry and experience) and to use your critical thinking skills. I will provide instruction in the nuts and bolts of appropriate experimental methods. I will also provide guidance into how an effective experiment is designed. Then, you and your selected lab partners will perform your own experiments. As researchers, you must formulate your own hypothesis, determine the data to be collected and how to collect it, and then carry-out your experimentation. Student groups will be required to give an oral presentation of their research, and write a scientific protocol and professional lab report.

4. Attendance and Make-up Exams: You will be responsible for all material covered in class. Please note the exam schedule which is entwined in your lab syllabus. All of the exams will be used to assess your performance in this course; none will be dropped. Only those individuals with legitimate and verifiable excuses will be allowed to schedule a make-up exam. If you cannot take the exam at a scheduled time, you need to contact me as soon as possible. Documentation of reason for missing an exam is required before a grade will be released and recorded.

   • Legitimate excuses are the following:

     • Illness, with a doctor's excuse and receipt

     • University-sponsored event (including religious holidays recognized by the University)

     • A death in the family with documentation

     • Three or more exams in one day during Finals Week

   • Family reunions, anniversaries and weddings are not legitimate excuses and make-up exams will not be given for those reasons. Check the exam schedule now to see if there are any conflicts between your academic and social calendar, and make adjustments or arrangements in your social calendar right away.

* It is stressed that if you are late for class or miss class because of dangerous weather conditions, your safety is more important. Always drive safely.

5. Missed Laboratories: Lab attendance is mandatory. If you miss a lab you must have a legitimate excuse (as above). If you fail to make up a missed lab you will lose 200 of your total laboratory points at the end of the semester. Missed labs will indeed affect your grade!

Evaluation Methods

Knowledge of class material will be evaluated by four semester exams, four readiness assessment tests (RATS), eight on-line assignments through Angel (TBA), and a comprehensive final exam. The class exams will cover material presented in the class, the assigned textbook readings, as well as interactive on-line assignments. Each exam will consist of multiple choice, fill-ins, short answers, and essays. The final exam will test your comprehensive knowledge of the entire semester's material.

The lab component will be judged on your:

• Group protocol on murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cell culture research.
• Individual research paper on murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cell growth in cell culture.
• Lab notebook showcasing all data and interpretations made; and of course
  your overall lab preparation, organization, technique, and worth-ethic.

Class (60% of grade):

4 Semester Exams (100 points each)	= 400 points
4 Readiness Assessment Tests (RATS) (25 points each)	= 100 points
7 On-Line Assessments (25 points each)	= 175 points
1 Cumulative Final Exam	= 200 points
Total	= 875 points

Laboratory (40% of grade):

Group Protocol on Endosymbiosis	= 200 points
Group Protocol on MEL Cell Growth	= 200 points
Individual Lab Report on MEL Cell Growth in Cell Culture	= 400 points
Lab Notebook including ALL lab data collected and interpretations	= 400 points
Total	= 1200 points

Class grades will be determined by a percentage scale based upon the total number of points available (875 points). Lab grades will be determined by a percentage scale based upon the total number of points available (1200 points). Class grade equals 60% of overall final grade; lab grade equals 40% of overall final grade.

Penn State University letter grade equivalents:

95-100	A
90-94	A-
87-89	B+
84-86	B
80-83	B-
75-79	C+
70-74	C
60-69	D
0-59	F

University Policies

Academic Integrity Policy

Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner.

Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University's Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students' dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.

Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.

Penn State University Academic Policy 49-20

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information or citation, prior possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students.

For further guidance on matching punishment with infractions, see "Sanctioning Guidelines for Academic Integrity Violations"

Disability Access Statement

Note to students with disabilities: Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. If you have a disability-related need for reasonable academic adjustments in this course, contact Disability Services located in 211 Saucon at 610-285-5124. For further information regarding the Office of Disability Services, please visit their web site at www.equity.psu.edu/ods/ . Instructors should be notified as early in the semester as possible regarding the need for reasonable academic adjustments.

Affirmative Action

Pennsylvania State University is committed to a policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by Commonwealth or Federal authorities. Penn State does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Direct all inquiries to the Affirmative Action Office.

Finals Week December 17th - 21st

Final Exam Date & Time To Be Announced