| Course Syllabi for: Chemistry
162 Bio Chemsitry Lab
Spring 2000, Roberts
PREREQUISITES:
CHEM 31
Saclink email account (available at computer services window in
SQU 322.) You must email me a message by the second week of class,
or you will be dropped from the roster!
REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
1. Boyer, R.F., Modern Experimental Biochemistry, 3rd ed., Benjamin
Cummings Publishing, 1993.
2. Biochemistry Laboratory Manual, CSUS Chemistry Department, Fall
2000.
3. Chemistry laboratory notebook with carbon-less duplicates.
4. At least two 3 ½ -inch floppy disks.
5. Five pairs of Latex or PVC gloves
6. OSHA-approved safety goggles (not safety glasses)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Laboratory:
Attendance is mandatory.
· Only a verifiable medical excuse or verifiable
emergency will be accepted for absence, and the lost time must be
made up.
· Two unexcused absences will result in an F in the course.
Teamwork is essential in this course.
· Points will be taken away if you make things hard
on your labmates.
· Examples of teamwork include arriving on time to both
discussion and lab, participating equally with your lab partner,
sharing equipment with other groups, and cleaning up your own
bench and communal work areas.
Notebook:
· A bound, ruled notebook with carbon-less copies
must be used to record all procedures and data in the lab.
You will lose 5 points per infraction for not using your notebook
in lab.
· Data must be recorded in pen -- minus 5 points
per infraction for using pencil.
· You must make a flowchart before coming to class every
day, so that you have a general idea of what you will do that
during that laboratory period. A duplicate of the flowchart must
be turned in at the beginning of class.
· Experiments will be performed with a lab partner. However,
you are responsible for recording the data in your lab notebook
on the day of the experiment.
· Copies of your data must be turned in for grading at
the end of every lab period - minus five points each time
it is not turned in.
Safety is paramount.
· You must read and sign a safety sheet and turn
it in on the first day of class.
· Five points will be taken off of your grade per infraction
for any safety violation.
Discussion:
Attendance is mandatory.
This will be a flexible, multi-purpose time slot:
· I will often hand out worksheets for you to work
on in small groups (2-3 people). These handouts are designed to
help you develop concepts based on the material you have read.
· Sometimes I will present experimental theory in discussion,
and sometimes in lab.
· You will learn to use a computer spreadsheet and graphing
program during this time.
· Also, your classmates will review and discuss initial
drafts of your formal lab reports during this time. Ten points
will be deducted if you do not turn in a initial draft or if you
fail attend the discussion session when your initial draft is
due.
· We will sometimes start lab work during this time, then
hold discussion during a waiting period in lab.
Lab Reports:
There are two kinds of lab reports: formal and informal.
The proper use of significant figures is required in all reports.
For all reports, you will be graded both on the quality of your
data and on the quality of your analysis and your conclusions.
· FORMAL REPORTS
Formal reports are required for Experiments 2 (Amino Acid
Analysis), 6 (Protein Purification and Analysis), and 9 (Enzyme
Kinetics). Formal reports must be written in the style of a primary
research article. They must be typed, double-spaced, with correct
spelling and acceptable grammar.
Your formal report is due at the discussion session following
the end of the experiment. Exact dates are noted on the lab schedule.
You must bring three copies of your report to the discussion that
day. Two of your classmates will read and comment on your report
at this time. You will also give a copy to the instructor. I will
return it with my comments the next week. You will then have a
chance to improve your report, based on my comments and on your
fellow students' comments.
Each formal report must contain the following:
Abstract - One paragraph summarizing what you were studying,
your results, and your conclusions.
Introduction - Two to four pages that explain what is being studied.
This should show that you understand the theory behind the techniques
being used, as well as the concepts being studied. Within this
context, you should present what you expect to see in your results,
and why.
Procedure - Do not give a detailed description of procedure.
Instead, refer to specific pages in the manual and/or the text.
Give details only when you deviate from the written procedures.
This section is often only one or two sentences
Results - The finished data should be presented in typed tables
and/or computer-generated graphs. Tables and graphs must be incorporated
into your written document, and must be properly labeled and referenced.
Always include your unknown number in the Results section!
Do NOT put your calculations in the Results section!
Discussion - This section should be at least three pages. Discuss
how you came to your conclusions. Discuss whether the results
you obtained are consistent with the expected results. Indicate
whether you think the data is good, bad, or inconclusive, and
why. Include a paragraph discussing sources of error and whether
the source of error is determinate or indeterminate. If appropriate,
discuss what you would do to improve the experiment.
Appendices:
Calculations - Show all calculations. Make it clear how you converted
raw data into finished data. This section does NOT have
to be typed!
Raw Data - The duplicate pages (blue sheets) from your notebook.
Rough Drafts - The copies of your initial report with written
comments from your classmates and from me.
· INFORMAL REPORTS
Informal reports are required for all other experiments.
These must be typed, readable, and organized. Informal reports must
include:
Raw Data - copies (blue sheets) from your lab notebook.
Calculations - Clearly show how you went from raw data to results.
Results - finished data, recorded on the sheet provided in the
lab manual, or on a separate sheet, if indicated.
Discussion - One to two paragraphs discussing your results.
Questions - Answers to questions in the manual (at the end of
each lab) or the text, as indicated.
Final Exam: The final exam will be a structured lab practical
(hands-on), given during the scheduled final exam period, Thursday,
December 14, 12:45 - 2:45 p.m.
| GRADES |
|
| Reports |
700 |
| Final Exam |
100 |
| Flow Charts (20 @ 5 points each) |
100 |
| Blue Sheets (20 @ 5 points each) |
100 |
| Total Points ....................................................................... |
1000 |
Grades will be based on the total points you earn, using the following
scale. There is NO CURVE.
A : 930-1000
B+: 870-899
C+: 770-799
D: 600-699
F : 0-599
| A-: 900-929 |
B : 830-869 |
C : 730-769 |
| |
B- : 800-829 |
C- : 700-729 |
Note: Grade changes due to clerical error must be submitted
within 90 days after submission of the original grade.
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