Biological Science I Lab

Course Description:
This is the lab component for BSC 2010. Lab experiences include cell structure and function, the chemical basis for life, cell metabolism, cell reproduction and inheritance, viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Prerequisite:
Students must score into college-level mathematics and reading on placement test. The corequisite is BSC 2010
Required Course Materials:
Book: Epstein, L., P. Homann, R. Smith, E. Granger. 2001. Biological Science I Laboratory Manual (BSC 2010L). Hayden-McNeil Publishing, Plymouth, Michigan.
ISBN: 9780738039886 ITEM: 15849

Course Objectives:
1. To develop laboratory skills in applying the scientific method and in being analytical concerning the acceptance of statements for which substantial supportive evidence is unavailable.
2. To delineate the cell as the unit of structure and function in living things and to examine its constituents.
3. To develop a basic understanding of the chemical basis of life and life's processes.
4. To investigate the evolutionary concepts of phylogeny. To survey representatives of the viruses, prokaryotes, protists & fungi; to demonstrate the range of structural diversity and economic importance of these groups.

Attendance:
In order for you to meet these objectives it will be necessary for you to attend class and other class activities when they meet. Class meets two days per week with the instructor. You will be allowed up to one (1) unexcused absences with no questions asked. Excused absences are the following: participation in a scheduled event as a member of a university-sponsored athletic/scholastic team (official absence form required); religious holidays; accident or illness (accident report or FSU health/doctor's note required); or a death in the immediate family.

***Students are responsible for making up all work missed during absences. Students may not make up graded work for unexcused absences. Students must be sure to arrive on class on time! Two ?lates? equals one absence.

*Each unexcused absence after the first two will reduce the final grade number by one letter grade. (e.g., if you were to receive an A-. your final grade would be B+ instead)
*Excuses for absences must be submitted within one (1) week of the time of return.

Disabled Students:
Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations should register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) and bring a letter to the instructor from the SDRC indicating a need for academic accommodations (or do similar appropriate actions as required at FSU?s Valencia Study Center). This should be done the first week of classes. This syllabus and other course materials could be available in alternative format upon request.

Course Evaluation:
All students will be expected to take the hour examinations and the final examination at their scheduled times. These examinations typically will have the format of multiple choice questions and possibly a few short answer questions. If a discrepancy develops between the material covered in the lecture, and the scheduled topics, the examinations will be only on the topics actually covered.

Honors Statement:
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.

Students are expected to uphold the Academic Honor Code published in The Florida State University Bulletin and the Student Handbook.

- This class meets two () days per week in the classroom or outside the classroom. Some assignments will be completed outside of class.
- Please be aware of the fact that this is a "flexible" syllabus and, due to pedagogical considerations, it may be necessary to modify it during the course of the semester. Any changes, however, will be minimal.