LABORATORY (25% of total grade)
Each week we will conduct an investigation focusing on the topic or topics discussed
in lecture. Some laboratory experiments may require data collection over several
days and you will be required to come into the laboratory during non-class hours
to complete the project. Complete understanding of laboratory sessions will
depend heavily on a thorough understanding of the lecture material and assigned
readings. Generally, you will work in groups of three or four, but may work
in pairs. Discussion of questions posed during each laboratory is expected within
each lab group.
For one of the labs, you must analyze your data and write a short group report
(no more than five typed, double-spaced pages). I will discuss this in class
in great detail. The report should take the form of a short scientific paper.
This includes: (1) an introduction describing the objective(s) of the experiment,
(2) the methods used to achieve the objective(s), (3) a concise summary of the
results, (4) a short discussion and interpretation of the results, (5) literature
cited. Graphs and/or tables illustrating your results should be included in
each report.
This paper is due as a hardcopy at 815 AM on 20 November (i.e., beginning of lecture).
Instructions for the paper are given in class and details can be found HERE.
ANIMAL USE
This class requires the use of a live and dead animals. If you have a problem
with the use of animals in research or teaching or if you have a problem with
the sacrificing of animals for scientific experiments, you should talk
to me immediately.
Your laboratory grade
will consist of the following:
| Scientific Paper – Goldfish lab | 40% |
| Oral Presentation | 20% |
| Graded Dissection | 07% |
| Dissection Practical | 33% - Key Fall 2012 |
Laboratory Schedule
Instructions for each lab are (will be) online.
| Sept 3 | Lab Introduction and Orientation |
| Sept 10 | Evolution Mechanisms – Simulations (Population Genetics Problems - with answers) (Populus software) |
| Sept 17 | No Lab - MD gone to UCF to give Seminar |
| Sept 24 | How the Guppy Got It's Spots – SimBio Simulations |
| Oct 1 | BioBlitz - Biotic Inventory of
|
| Oct 8 | Keystone Predator - SimBio Simulations |
| Oct 15 | No Lab - FALL BREAK |
| Oct 22 | Presenting and Analyzing Biological Data (no handout)/Library Resources |
| Oct 29 | Golfish Physiology/Behavior |
| Nov 5 | Fetal Pig Anatomy (structures to know) |
| Nov 12 | Fetal Pig Anatomy (structures to know) |
| Nov 19 | Fetal Pig Anatomy (structures to know) |
| Nov 26 | Practical Exam (Fetal Pig Anatomy) |
| Dec 3 | Oral Presentations – CONSERVATION BIOLOGY |