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Bios 313 is an ADVANCED laboratory course and requires greater independence than Bios 211. The experimental procedures may be less demanding than those you performed in Bios 211, and you write just one short paper rather than three full-length research papers. HOWEVER, just because the experiments may be more "cookbook" does not mean the lab requires less effort. I place a greater emphasis on analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data; if you keep a "sloppy" notebook and slap a proposal together at the last minute without really understanding "why" you did a procedure and "what" the results mean, you will be disappointed with your final grade.

Remember, the undergraduate program is a series of steps. Keep in mind that a level of performance that would result in a B/B+ or sometimes even an A at the introductory level, does not (and should not) translate into a high grade at the advanced level.
We forgive a lot of mistakes early on but you must recall the lessons learned from these mistakes when you conduct similar work at an advanced level. Additionally, the criteria we use to evaluate your performance in an advanced laboratory course are different from those we use in an introductory course.

"Fairness" in this course means everyone is evaluated on the same criteria.
Since everyone does not have the same ability, everyone does not get the same grade; this outcome is not "unfair" but rather is simply reality.

• Please read my Honor Code Policy.
  
  
• A total of 200 POINTS is available in this class.
  
  Due dates are subject to change. Do not ask for an individual extension to a due date because you have a paper due, or three exams, or you lost your disk; due dates are set so that you have plenty of time to complete your work. Don't wait until the night before to start - there is no penalty for starting early. Notebook pages are due at the END of each lab session, including self-scheduled time; the final notebook pages must be turned in with your project proposal. Please read the policy concerning late assignments.
  
  Contributions of individual assignments are as follows:
  
  • 50 points = Project Proposal (TEAM grade)
  • 50 points = Lab Notebook (graded ONCE, after the lab ends)
  • 50 points = Article Presentation (one per student)
  • 30 points = Laboratory Performance (5 points per day/labs 1-4; 10 points/labs 5-8)
  • 20 points = Homework Assignment: The Registry
  
  
• The Project Proposal is 25% of your final grade.
  Remember, this presentation is a TEAM and an INDIVIDUAL project.
  Therefore, EACH of you is responsible for the ENTIRE proposal, not just the part(s) you worked on.
  Furthermore, you are expected to understand the theory and the rationale behind the proposed experimental procedures.
  
  
• The Lab Notebook is 25% of your final grade.
  You learned how to keep a research quality notebook in BIOS 211.
  The SAME is expected of you in BIOS 313; it is YOUR responsibility to review our guidelines for keeping a proper notebook.
  
  We will use the BIOS 313 Notebook Checklist to grade your lab notebook.
  
  
• The Article Presentation is 25% of your final grade. Each of you will present an assigned scientific article in synthetic biology. We will use the Presentation Evaluation Form to grade your presentation.
  
  
  
• GRADING SCHEME:
  • 95% & up = A+
  • 90 - 95% = A
  • 87 - 90% = A-
  • 84 - 87% = B+
  • 81 - 84% = B
  • 78 - 81% = B-
  • 75 - 78% = C+
  • 72 - 75% = C
  • 69 - 72% = C-
  • 60 - 69% = D
  • below 60% = F
    
    
  • You will be graded against this absolute scale, NOT against your classmates.
    
  • Grades posted on Esther are FINAL and cannot be changed.
    
    
  
  
• COMMENTS ABOUT LABORATORY PERFORMANCE:
  
  
  • You will be assessed each week in the following areas:
    
    Preparation and familiarity with procedures
    Proper lab notebook (i.e., recording notes DURING experiments, NOT writing on scrap paper and copying at the end of lab)
    Ability to function independently (troubleshooting and time management)
    Experimental technique
    
    
  • You are expected to function as an INDEPENDENT investigator in the lab and as a member of a TEAM with the project proposal.
    Follow the experimental procedures, record the results, and analyze/interpret your findings.
    
    While accomplishment of the laboratory goals is primarily an individual responsibility, preparation of the Project Proposal requires contributions from EACH team member. If a team member does not carry his/her weight or focuses only on his/her own work, please bring this matter to our attention; be honest and objective (your comments will remain confidential). A conscientious evaluation of your peers will be appreciated and will be considered when determining the final course grade.
    
    
  • You do not necessarily EARN points for "experimental technique" by obtaining the expected results (i.e., performing the experiment properly); likewise, you do not necessarily LOSE points if you don't obtain the expected results. You are evaluated on HOW you get the results, not the results themselves.
    
    Sometimes experiments fail, or the results don't make sense, or your findings are at odds with published studies. Because of time constraints and limited materials you may not be able to repeat the procedure in a lab course; however, you should recognize that in a research setting you would perform the experiment again.
    
    
  • EXAMPLES of how to LOSE Points (this list is NOT all-inclusive):
    
    not preparing for lab (i.e., reading the procedures as you go)
    failing to follow explicit instructions in the procedures
    failing to come in to complete a procedure (e.g., washing/hybridizing slides, analyzing data)
    showing up late
    writing on scratch paper instead of in your notebook
    staying after you've finished the procedures to write in your notebook
    not using your time efficiently
    using the WRONG reagents
    not following lab safety rules (e.g., wearing sandals or eating/drinking in the lab)
    talking on your cell phone or the lab phone during lab

Copyright, Acknowledgements, and Intended Use
Created by B. Beason (bbeason@rice.edu), Rice University, 10 January 2008
Updated 4 April 2008