SYLLABUS
BIOL
264: Principles of Gene Manipulation
I.
Course overview.
This course
introduces students to molecular biology research through a collaborative,
semester-long group project. The planned project is designed
to enable students to work independently, competently, and safely
in a molecular biology laboratory.
The goal
of the project is to clone cDNAs encoding Cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A)
enzymes from several vertebrate species. We will use the sequences
of the cDNA clones we obtain to: (1) construct the phylogenetic
history of the protein during vertebrate evolution, and (2) to study
of effect of environmental contaminants on the expression of the
associated mRNAs.
View an
outline of the cloning portion
of the project in pdf format.
II. Policies
and Expectations.
Attendance
is mandatory for all fourteen (14) scheduled
laboratory sessions. Make-up labs will not be possible.
If you know that you will miss more than one Wednesday afternoon lab
session (i.e. because of sporting events), see me as soon as possible.
The spring semester offering of BIOL 264 may be better suited for
your schedule.
In addition
many of the experiments will require additional time than
is allotted in the three hour laboratory session. Students
are expected to do the work necessary to complete all the experiments.
When an exercise initiated during a lab period needs to be completed
outside of the scheduled class period (before or after), I will
be available to assist.
Safety
is a prime concern in any molecular biology laboratory.
Information on the hazards and precautions associated with different
chemicals and devices will always be provided. However, you
must ultimately be responsible for your own safety. Work carefully
and think before acting. Wear appropriate protective clothing, including
eye protection, lab coats, and gloves. Please avoid sandals and
other open toe shoes. If you have a question about a safety issue,
stop the experiment and ask the instructor.
Proper
preparation will be essential for completing the exercises in
a safe and timely fashion. Assigned reading material is to
be completed before coming to class. You should familiarize yourself
with the protocols and copy them into your lab notebook before class time. Handouts
and protocols will be made continually available over the course
of the semester.
III. Assignments
and evaluation. Each student's work will be evaluated based
on written accounts of experimental work as well as laboratory participation
and performance. The final grade will be based on the following
components:
Four (4)
lab reports (15% each; 60% total). These reports should demonstrate
an understanding of the techniques used in the laboratory.
The understanding and applications of the techniques should be discussed
here. Results should also be included. Letter grades
will be given for each report. Late reports will lose one
degree of a letter grade each day they are late. The due dates
are indicated in the schedule, below.
Final
Report (25%). This report will encompass work done over
the entire semester. Background information, presentation
of methods and results, and a discussion of the entire project should
be included in a paper written in the editorial style of Molecular
and Cellular Biology. The final lab report is due
no later than 4:30 PM Saturday, DEC 16. Late reports cannot be accepted.
Lab
Notebook (10%). Purchase a bound, 60-sheet, quad-ruled
lab notebook in the textbook or arts section of the bookstore.
This is your written log of experiments and results. When
writing a notebook, it is important to record all procedures and
data daily. You may provide a brief overview of experiments
and results, but this is primarily a guide to and log of your daily
bench work. Your notebook should be with you at all times
in the lab. Detailed guidelines for keeping your lab notebook
will be provided on a separate
handout. Notebooks will be collected for inspection and
comment at various times during the semester (see course
schedule). Notebooks will be submitted for final evaluation
and grading at the end of the semester, along with your final report
(4:30 PM, Saturday Dec. 16). Letter
grades will be given for the final lab notebook. Late reports
will lose one degree of a letter grade each day they are late.
Class
participation/Lab Performance (5%). You will be evaluated
on class participation and the quality of your work at the bench
over the entire course.
IV.
Additional Notes
Course Schedule.
In this course we will experience all the uncertainties associated
with doing real science. This schedule may need to be amended.
Announcements of changes will be made in class. However, dealines
for assignments will be consistently observed. See attached schedule
for details.
Academic
Honesty. Kenyon's policy on academic honesty will be strictly
observed (see Kenyon College Course of Study, pp. 26 - 29 or on-line).
Explicit guidelines relating to lab reports will be discussed on
a separate handout and in class.
Special
Needs. For assistance related to a physical, psychological
or learning disability that may impact your ability to participate
fully in the course, please speak with me and with Erin Salva, Coordinator
of Disabilities Services (PBX5453; salvae@kenyon.edu).
All information and documentation of disability is confidential.
Please see the Disabilities
Services web site for more information.
Office
Hours. My Fall 2006 office hours are:
M/11am-noon & 1-2pm; T&R/8:45-9:45 am; F/11am-noon.
Proceed to Biol 264 Schedule and Deadlines
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Last Modified August 9,
2006