A.	Biology (ECOL/MCB/MICR) 182L is the laboratory companion course to the Bio (ECOL/MCB/MICR) 182R lecture course.  The credit and grade for 182L are separate from the lecture.  The two courses need not be taken at the same time, although it is highly beneficial to do so.

		B.	This lab course is designed to deepen your acquaintance with the scientific approach and experimental design, as well as provide you with hands-on exposure to concepts from lecture.  Your level of involvement will dictate the amount of benefit you receive from the course. See the lab manual for details on topics, goals and approach.

		C.	Specific topics include population genetics and phylogenetic reconstruction, exploration of adaption and strategy in a variety of organisms, investigation of cardiac anatomy and physiology, an ecological investigation of desert plant growth strategies, an investigation of sexual and natural selection, and the design and execution of an experimental investigation of your own choosing.

		A.	Bruce Patterson      Lab Director            patterso@u.arizona.edu

		B.	Annette Orozco    Course Administrator    BSE109    621-9267    introbio@email.arizona.edu

		C.	George Ferguson    Lab Prep Coordinator            georgef@u.arizona.edu

		A.	182 Lab Manual, 2008.

		B.	Life, the Science of Biology, 8th. ed. (Sadava et al.)

		C.	Course website: http://blc.arizona.edu/courses/182Lab/

		D.	Essential software will be available from the course website for download and use on most modern, internet-connected Mac or Windows systems. You can also find this material installed on the computers in the BLC (Koffler 209) and in most cases, the Science Library.

		A.	It is essential to arrive at each class having read through and considered the background material for that session (both the relevant portions of the lab manual and any materials suggested by your lab instructor).  In addition, always ask yourself, “Why am I doing this particular step in this procedure?  What prediction am I testing; what observation am I seeking to make?  What will I ultimately learn when I am finished?” Many of these issues will be discussed prior to the start of the lab, but you and your group may be asked to present them or to lead the discussion--or they could be represented on a quiz--so come prepared.

		A.	Laboratory attendance is required; missing a lab means missing credit for all assignments associated with that lab.

		B.	Absences will be excused for exceptional and verifiable reasons, but arrangements need to be made in advance.  When feasible, excused absences are made-up by attending your instructor’s other section, or another instructor’s section, and require an approval from the Administrator's office BSE 109. Confirm the hours of operation before stopping by.  Failure to make up the lab will result in zero points for all related assignments.

		C.	Excused absences should be made up as soon as possible; it is the responsibility of the student to determine what needs to be done and execute the necessary steps.

		D.	Assignments handed in late (except due to an excused absence)

		A.	Ignorance of the existence of an assignment is no excuse. Even with an excused absence, it is your responsibility to be caught up as soon as possible. This may require you to contact your instructor instead of waiting until your next lab section.

		B.	Assignment point values Lab Activity Based Assignments        30% Quizzes                 15% Parasites presentation            8% Desert Plants Lab Write-up        15% Sex talk                7% Group Research Project                 Proposal            10%     Written Report (incl. oral)*    15% *Your instructor may not hold oral presentations

		C.	Quizzes

		D.	Lab Activity Based Assignments

		E.	Bonus exercises

		F.	Lab Reports

		G.	There may be a final assessment exam for the laboratories, but it will be scored in such a way that it either boosts your overall score or does not affect it.

		H.	Re-grade Policy You may return your labs or quizzes for a re-grade within one week of having them returned to you.  Re-grade requests must be accompanied by a typed clarification of what was overlooked or in error the first time.  Your instructor will re-examine the entire paper, not just the area in question. The purpose of re-grades is to correct errors in your instructor’s understanding or scoring of your work, not to debate scoring policies. Note that a regrade constitutes new work on your part; an egregious mis-understanding demonstrated in your regrade request may cost you points.

		I.	Grade Scale A: 90-100 % B: 80-89 % C: 70-79 % D: 60-69 % E (fail): 0-59 %

		J.	We reserve the right to adjust your scores upward based on exceptional participation and/or mastery of the course material.

		A.	This is an extremely serious matter and will be treated as such.

		B.	See the contract on page vii of your lab manual for some guidance.

		C.	Reports that are highly similar or that lack proper credit for sources of information, will be considered as cases of cheating and/or plagiarism.  We strictly adhere to the University’s Code of Academic Integrity and Code of Student Conduct as presented in the University catalog and the Student Handbook (http://web.arizona.edu/~dos/uapolicies/cai1.html ).  Therefore, any case of cheating or plagiarism will, at the very least, receive zero points for that assignment, and could result in your expulsion from the university.  If you have any questions regarding how to properly cite a source for a scientific paper, resolve them with your instructor before you hand the assignment in.

		D.	Turnitin.com

		A.	Read page xi in the Lab Manual and adhere to those rules.  No food or drink is allowed in the lab.  We cannot risk contaminating the lab materials, or worse yet, contaminating you! Points may be taken off the week's quiz or homework for failure to observe reasonable clean-up behavior.  Do your share in keeping the common areas of the lab clean as well.

		B.	Lab Safety These labs have been developed to minimize dangers posed to students.  However, we occasionally use equipment or reagents that can cause injury, and accidents sometimes happen.  Report any injury to the prep-room staff or your instructor immediately!  Showers, eyewashes, fire extinguishers, and first-aid kits are present in the event of an emergency.  Closely follow your instructor’s instructions in the use of dangerous equipment, and in the disposal of all reagents and supplies.

		C.	Decorum Your lab instructor is the authority in the room. Simple courtesy is expected of everyone in the room--there's never cause to yell or interrupt your peers or your instructor. Phones, mp3 players, etc. should be turned off throughout the lab. During your lab instructor's presentation, you're expected to remain quiet and listen attentively unless called on or participating in a group discussion. Computers are present in the labs for specific exercises which don't include checking e-mail, downloading the study guide for another course, or viewing human anatomy.

		A.	If you have serious problems with the lab or your instructor, speak with your instructor first. In the exceptional circumstance where an understanding cannot be reached, you may petition the Director of the Undergraduate Biology Labs.

		A.	If you anticipate the need for reasonable accommodations  to meet the requirements of this course, you must register with the Disability  Resource Center http://drc.arizona.edu/ and request that the DRC send your instructor official notification of your accommodations needs as soon as possible. Please plan to bring documentation to the Course Administrator and meet with your instructor by appointment  or during office hours to discuss accommodations and how course requirements  and activities may impact your ability to fully participate.