COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

Graded material includes pre-lab questions, in-class worksheets, and take-home questions. See schedule for assignments. There will be no quizzes, tests, or projects in this class.

The pre-lab questions, in-class assignments, and take-home questions will be available at least one week early. The materials will be in colored folders on the instructor’s lab bench. It is your responsibility to pick up the appropriate assignments.

Pre-lab questions

Pre-lab questions must be completed for all session, except session 1 and session 4. the pre-lab questions are designed to establish your familiarity with the material before coming into lab.

Each individual (i.e. not together with a partner) must complete the pre-lab questions. The pre=lab questions are due promptly at the beginning of the lab session. Place the assignment in the box labeled “BIOE 320 Turn-In” in the lab (Keck 108). Reading material will sometimes be listed on the pre-lab assignment. Prior to each lab session, it is suggested that you complete the assigned reading.

In-Class Assignments

In-class assignments must be completed for 10 of the sessions. To complete the in-class assignments, students will execute computer simulations or take physiological measurements and answer a series of questions during the assigned laboratory period. All in-class points are awarded to students attending the tour/trips unless they arrive late or leave early.

The in-class worksheets will be completed in groups of two or three. Each group must complete their in-class worksheet during the afternoon lab session on the assigned day. You must turn in the in-class worksheet before leaving lab. You and your partner(s) need to turn in ONLY ONE copy of the worksheet. Place the assignment in the box labeled “BIOE 320 Turn-In” in the lab (Keck 108).

Take-Home Questions

Take-home questions must be completed for all 12 sessions. The take-home questions focus on in-depth calculations, extension of the in-class activities, or design applications.

Each individual (i.e. not together with a partner) must complete the take-home questions. The take-home questions are due promptly at the beginning of the lab of the following session. Place the assignment in the box labeled “BIOE 320 Turn-In” in the lab (Keck 108). Turn the take-home questions for session 12 one week later into the box labeled “BIOE 320 Turn-In” in the lab (Keck 108) or to Dr. Oden’s box in the main BIOE office (Keck 116).

Sample Assignment

Due-Dates for Reflex Lab – Session 2; 1pm-4pm lab

GRADING POLICY

Graded material will include pre-lab questions, in-class worksheets, and take-home questions. Each assignment will have a point value (10-150 points). Total points will be added together to determine the course grade.

If Grades from your INDIVIDUAL assignments (Pre-labs and Post-labs) are more than 15% lower than your grade for assignments completed with a partner, the individual grades will count as 70% of your final grade.

COURSE ADMINISTRATION

Course Materials

Several copies of old course packs containing relevant and introductory materials from the Biopac Manual are on reserve in the library. Two copies of Textbook of Medical Physiology, by Guyton and Hall is also on reserve in the library. One extra copy of the Biopac Lab Manual is on reserve and one extra copy is in undergraduate lab.

Honor Code Policy

Much of the learning in this lab will be from coaching and interaction with other students, the instructor, and the T.A.s. It is important that a collegial environment is present. The in-class assignments are designed to be done in teams; hence, collaboration and consultation is an integral part of completing the assignments. In contrast, the pre-lab and take-home questions are designed to be done individually and must be original work; for these assignments, discussion should be very minimal and limited to general strategies for data preparation and interpretation. The pre-lab and take-home questions should be a reflection of the individual’s understanding of the material. You may NOT consult another student’s work from this or previous classes. You may consult BIOE 320 handouts, textbooks, and published papers.

Safety

All students are expected to work safely in the lab. Safety glasses must be worn at all times. Contacts may not be worn. Students must wear long pants, shirts with shoulders (or a lab coat, buttoned up), and close-toed shoes. Students not adhering to these policies will be sent home to change. Absolutely no eating, drinking, or gum chewing will be allowed at any place or time in the lab (including tables in Teaching Lab).

BIOE 342, Lab Module in Tissue Culture, will be running concurrently with BIOE 320. Students in this laboratory will be using biohazardous materials, organics, and small amounts of carcinogenic reagents. Do NOT handle the equipment or materials that those students are using. The instructor retains the right to penalize a student’s final grade if egregious safety violations are noted.

Attendance Policy

Students are required to attend all sessions of the laboratory. Interviews, other classes, or extracurricular activities are not valid excuses. Illness and family emergencies will be dealt with on an individual basis. Contact Matthew or Dr. Oden immediately as soon as an emergency arises.

Late Policy

All assignments that are turned in late will be scored to a maximum of 50% of the points available. “Late” is defined as 10 min. after the start of YOUR laboratory session or for in-class assignments, when you leave the laboratory. Illness and family emergencies will be dealt with on an individual basis. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: TURN EVERYTHING IN ON TIME. THE PENALTIES ARE STEEP.

Teaching Assistants

Dan Huey (hueydj@rice.edu)

Vincent Willard (vincent.p.willard@rice.edu)

Ling Gao (Liang.Gao@rice.edu)

Sriram Eleswarapu (sve@rice.edu)