Biol 237 - Experimental Animal Biology - Spring 2004
Instructor: Chris Gillen
310 Higley Hall
PBX 5399
email: GILLENC

last update - January 20, 2004 9:05 AM

Overview: This class explores the diversity of animals, with an emphasis on invertebrates. We will study the major animal phyla with a focus on the connections between animal form and function.

Prerequisites: BIOL 109-110 or BIOL 109-111; BIOL 112,113, or 114. The lecture class Biol 236 is NOT a prerequisite for Biol 237 this year. The course will be taught as a combined lecture/discussion and lab, with approximately one hour of lecture, followed by approximately two hours of labwork.

Text and reading: The textbook is The Invertebrates: A Synthesis. 3rd Ed. Barnes, Calow, Olive, Golding, and Spicer. Blackwell Science 2001. This is a unique textbook in that it covers both invertebrate diversity and functional biology. The reading assignments will generally include material on invertebrate diversity and functional biology. Please read the assigned material before coming to class. I will not cover the text material in class unless I am asked specific questions. Classtime will be spent exploring interesting controversies, debates, and issues that arise from the reading

Class attendance and participation: Attendance is mandatory and you will receive a zero for any lab period that is missed with an official excused absence. Laboratory exercises can not be made up. If you know that you will miss a Tuesday afternoon lab session (i.e. because of sporting events), see me as soon as possible but no later than Jan 26th.  Work in this class that is handed in late will be penalized 1/3 grade per day.  For example, a B+ will become a B.

Lab notebook

• You will be required to maintain a hardbound laboratory notebook (available in the textbook section of the bookstore). Notebooks will be handed in to be graded periodically. For each experiment you perform, you should include:
  • the date and time and place
  • the purpose of the experiment
  • the protocol used - you may refer to the lab handout, but describe exactly what you did (it will differ) - draw pictures if needed.
  • the data as it is collected
  • analysis and calculations
  • display of the data in tables, graphs, figures, pictures
  • a summary of the findings, problems, suggestions for future work.
• Your notebook should also include all other notes you take relevant to the class including notes on papers we read, on short pre-lab lectures, or on brainstorming sessions with your partner. I expect that much of your lab notebook will be produced in class and your grade will be improved by creating a detailed notebook in class.
• Before leaving lab, each group must meet with me to describe their progress and show me their notebooks. I will mark each notebook to indicate I have reviewed it. I will also collect notebooks periodically for grading and comments.

Lab safety

• You are responsible for your own safety during laboratory classes. The most important safety rule is to think before acting. Wear protective devices whenever needed including eye protection, lab coats, and gloves. Open toe sandals or flip-flops may not be worn in the lab. If you have a question about a safety issue, stop the experiment and ask the instructor. 
• You are responsible for the equipment you use. Please leave the equipment in the same (or better!) condition than you found it. Clean all glassware and instruments thoroughly. 
• 1% of the total lab grade will be deducted for each safety or lab practice violation. These include (but are not limited to) leaving a mess, failing to label tubes, eating or drinking in the lab, mistreating experimental animals, and wearing improper footwear.
  

Writing assignments: There will be 5 take-home writing assignments. You may use your lab notebook, your textbook, and your brain. I do not expect that you will need to consult additional published sources, but you may do so if you wish. You may not talk to any other person about these assignments. The assignments will be a single question and must be answered on a single typed page (do not put your name on this page). Include a separate title page with your name, the date, the question, and any references you used. All text should be 10 or 12 point, 1.5 or 2 spaced with 1 inch margins. These assignments will be graded for content and accuracy. They will also be graded based on the creativity and originality of your thinking and the quality of your writing.

Project: A single short project will be assigned. See the project instruction sheet.

Standards for submitted work: Work submitted in this class must conform to the following basic standards or it will be returned for revision without a grade.

• Assignments with multiple pages must be stapled.
• Assignments with multiple pages must be paginated.
• Assignments must include a list of references cited in a proper format unless no references were used.
• Assignments must be typed (word-processed).
• Assignments must be proofread for spelling and grammatical errors.

Academic honesty:This class will follow the official Kenyon College position on academic honesty .

Need help?: If at any time, you feel that you do not have the proper background to understand the material that is being presented, please let me know. If you have a disability and therefore may have need for some type of accommodation(s) in order to participate fully in this class, please feel free to discuss your concerns in private with me and also self identify yourself to Erin Salva, Coordinator of Disability Services at PBX 5453 or via e-mail at SALVAE.

Grading:

• Writing assignments - 50%
• Project - 30%
• Labwork and notebook - 20%
  

Schedule:  (this is a tentative schedule, and may change as the course progresses)
 

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