General Biochemistry Lab - BCH 4053L Spring 2012
3007 CSL
qxsang@chem.fsu.edu
4005 CSL
miller@chem.fsu.edu
Thursday 5PM-6PM
Biochemistry Laboratory: Modern Theory & Techniques
Monday/Wednesday 2:30PM-5:30PM Tuesday April 24th 8PM-10PM
Tuesday/Thursday 2:00-5:00 PM
Thursdays 6:30PM-7:20PM
HTL 214
General Biochemistry Lab (BCH4053L) is the laboratory course associated with the General Biochemistry lecture series (BCH4053 and BCH4054). It is designed to teach fundamental laboratory approaches and techniques in protein biochemistry, molecular biology, and DNA manipulation. These techniques form the foundation for many of the experiments of a contemporary biochemical research laboratory. This course will cover many techniques including protein purification, quantification, and analysis; DNA manipulation and molecular cloning; and immunobiochemistry.
Upon completing this course, students should understand the basic concepts and practices of contemporary experimental biochemistry. A successful student will learn how to keep a laboratory notebook and prepare laboratory reports in the style of a biochemical journal, and have practical experience in the fundamental biochemical techniques that would be expected of a student applying to a cellular and molecular biochemistry graduate program or similar industrial position.
BCH4053 and fundamentals in molecular biology from biology courses or BCH4054
Resources:
Lecture notes are found on the class Blackboard website. Laboratory schedules, laboratory manual, pre-laboratory assignments, and report guidelines are found at http://www.chem.fsu.edu/chemlab/bch4053l/index.html.
Students are expected to come to class prepared to learn. Students should actively participate in class discussions and arrange meetings with the instructor and teaching assistants if problems arise. Do not wait until examination time to express your confusion or to discuss topics that are unclear. I am here to facilitate your learning throughout the entire course.
Pre-Labs: Pre-lab assignments are given in the online manual and based on the experiment that you are performing. You will need to complete a pre-lab before each experiment. Pre-labs include the following information: Date, name of the experiment, rationale for experiment (several sentences), anticipated results, equipment and reagents used in the experiment and an outline of the steps followed. In addition to this standard preparation for lab, you should also answer any questions posed in the online manual and transfer information into your lab notebook as needed. Pre-labs are due at the beginning of each lab.
Laboratory reports: Laboratory reports are prepared following the guidelines posted on the 4053L website. Reports are due at the beginning of the next Monday/Tuesday laboratory period before the new experiment starts (see Lab Schedule), unless you are instructed otherwise by the TA. Graded reports will be made available the next period.
Additional homework: Additional homework may be assigned throughout the semester to help you review the materials but will not be collected.
Attendance: Students are required to attend lectures and laboratories. Students who miss more than one laboratory session may have difficulty in passing the class.
Grading:
You will be graded on Pre-labs (20%), laboratory reports (40%), attendance (10%), proper execution of the experiments (10%), and exams (20%).
For each exam, please bring your student ID in case it is needed. Make-up exams will be allowed only if 1) they are scheduled 24 hours ahead of the original exam date AND 2) students can provide a legitimate excuse for their absence. Grades for each exam will be posted on the blackboard site approximately one week after the exam.
The following letter grades will be assigned based upon the percentage of points accrued for all course work:
A-100%-90%
B-89%-80%
C-79%-70%
D-69%-60%
F- below 60%
I reserve the right to adjust final grades in borderline cases on an individual basis, based upon class participation and student effort.
The Academic Honor System of Florida State University is based on the premise that each student has the responsibility (1) to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in the student's own work, (2) to refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity in the University community, and (3) to foster a high sense of integrity and social responsibility on the part of the University community. This means that you will not give or receive information during an examination, nor will you consult unauthorized sources of information during an examination. Students should review the Academic Honor System outlined in the FSU Student Handbook. Violations of the Honor Code will not be tolerated and will result in zero points being awarded for the course work in question.
Students with disabilities needing academic accommodation should: (1) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC); and
(2) bring a letter to the instructor indicating the need for accommodation and what type. This should be done during the first week of class.
This syllabus and other class materials are available in alternative format upon request.
For more information about services available to FSU students with disabilities, contact:
Student Disability Resource Center 874 Traditions Way 108 Student Services Building Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 32306-4167 (850) 644-9566 (voice) (850) 644-8504 (TDD) sdrc@admin.fsu.edu http://www.disabilitycenter.fsu.edu/
Schedule:
http://www.chem.fsu.edu/chemlab/bch4053l/labschedule.html. Given the sometimes stochastic nature of biochemical experiments, the schedule is subject to change depending on the progress of the particular experiments.
Syllabus Change Policy
Except for changes that substantially affect implementation of the evaluation (grading) statement, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advance notice
TAs:
Chao Lv: clv@chem.fsu.edu
Brian Stapleton: bstapleton@chem.fsu.edu
Paul Stewart: pstewart@chem.fsu.edu
Siyuan Xiong: sx10@fsu.edu