Syllabus Sections
- INFORMATION ON THIS SITE
- COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- READINGS
- COURSE SUBJECTS
- STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES/LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Publish Date
01/07/2011 12:43:45
Molecular Biology Techniques
BITC-2441
Spring 2011
01/18/2011 - 05/15/2011
Course Information
Section 001
Lecture
MW 18:05 - 19:30
EVC9 9101
Jack O'Grady
Section 001
Laboratory
MW 19:40 - 21:25
EVC9 9101
Jack O'Grady
Office Hours
No office hours have been entered for this term
INFORMATION ON THIS SITE
The infromation posted on this site addresses the syllabus information required by Texas House BIll 2504. The syllabus handed out in class will contain complete class information in more detail. The complete syllabus will also be posted on my ACC website (austincc.edu/sogrady) as well as on Blackboard. The schedule posted here is subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class and posted to Blackboard.
Complete Syllabi can be found on my website: http://www.austincc.edu/sogrady/
Course Requirements
1. Lecture Exams. (350 points) Two exams will be given in class on the days listed in the course schedule. The midterm exam is worth 150 points, and the final comprehensive exam is worth 200 points. Both will cover topics and concepts covered by lecture, lab and assigned reading materials. The format of these exams will be diverse, and may include short answer, definitions, problems, discussions, and analysis, graphing and multiple choice questions. Questions on these exams will emphasize higher-level critical thinking skills as mandated by the ACC Biotechnology Department and will challenge students to be able to use their factual knowledge in order to answer the questions.
2. Homework.(100 points). There will be 4 homework assignments given throughout the semester. Each homework assignment is 25 points. Homework due dates are posted on the schedule. Students will be given homework assignments outside of the classroom that correspond to the topics being covered in the course. These may include outside readings from the scientific literature in addition to readings from the textbook. The homework will reflect the expectations in the course examinations in both content material and format: they may include short answers, thought problems, discussions, and multiple choice questions. Student collaborations in homework assignments are encouraged, but each student must produce their own work written by themselves.
3. Class Participation. (50 points). For every Biotechnology class with lab, the student will receive a “Work Performance & Technical Abilities Evaluation” from the instructor. The instructor will meet with the student individually to review the evaluation, give the student a copy and the department will retain a copy. Attendance is taken every class. You will be graded on preparing for class, participation in class, team work and safe behavior in the lab. Part of being a good technician is being able to work effectively in a team and this evaluation is designed to help the student achieve that goal. This evaluation will cover areas such as technical skills, initiation and follow through, independence and dependability, prioritization and organization, problem solving, quality of work and leadership.
4. Lab Notebook. (50 points) Students will maintain a laboratory notebook as instructed in the lab manual. This notebook will be submitted for grading close to the end of the semester. Turn-in date posted on the schedule.
5. Lab Reports.(350 points) Students will turn in written lab reports as assigned. Lab exercises are due one week after all the data has been collected for that exercise. Students may collaborate with their team on the writing of lab reports, but each student must produce their own tables and graphs, and write their own lab report in their own words. Photocopies or computer generated copies of others’ works will NOT be accepted and will be considered plagiarism.
6. Lab Practical.(100 points). There will be one lab practical given during the semester. Date is posted on the schedule. This lab practical will be independent work only and will cover material in the laboratory. The format of the lab practical will be both a laboratory hands-on exercise and written portion. The written portion format may include multiple choice and short answer questions, as well as problem solving calculations and graphing.
SUMMARY GRADING SCHEME:
Grades will be assigned according to the following scale (there will be no “curving” of grades)
2 Exams 350
4 homework assignments 100
Attendance and In-class participation 50
Lab Reports 350
Lab Notebook 50
Lab Practical 100
Total Lecture Points 1000 (Divide total points by 10 = Grade %)
Grading Scale: 90‑100% = A; 80‑89% = B; 70‑79% = C; 60‑69% = D; < 60% = F Percentage scores will be rounded to the nearest whole number
Readings
Textbooks: 1. Molecular Diagnostics: Fundamentals, Methods, & Clinical Applicationsby Lela Buckingham & Maribeth L. Flaws, F.A.Davis Co (2007)
2. Seidman & Moore, Basic Laboratory Methods for Biotechnology: Textbook & Laboratory Reference, 2nd edition. 2009. Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0321570146
Lab Manual: “Molecular Biology Techniques” L. Fletcher et al 2011. ISBN: BITC2441S2011.One copy of the lab manual will be supplied.
Week of |
Lecture Schedule Reading Assignment (Buckingham&Flaws) |
Laboratory Schedule |
1 Jan 17
|
(No Classes Monday Jan 17th) Syllabus Review |
Unit 1: Introduction & Lab Safety Unit 1: Competency Refresher |
2 Jan 24 |
CH 16 QA/QC in the Molecular Biology Lab Homework 1 due |
Unit2: Quality Systems in the Molecular Biology Lab
|
3 Jan 31 |
CH 1: DNA, CH 2: RNA, CH 3: Proteins *note: these chapters should be a review of your prerequisite classes. CH 29 (Seidman) |
Unit 3: Nucleic Acid Isolations |
4 Feb 7 |
CH: 13 (Campbell): Nucleic Acid Biotechnology Techniques Review CH 25 (Seidman): Spectrophotometry |
Unit 4: Nucleic Acid Quantity & Quality
|
5 Feb 14 |
CH4: Nucleic Acid Extraction Methods Homework 2 due |
Unit 5: Cloning GAPDH from Plants Part 1: Genomic DNA Extraction |
6 Feb 21 |
CH 7: Nucleic Acid Amplification CH 24/Pt VI (Seidman): PCR Assays |
Unit 5: Cloning GAPDH from Plants Part 2: Long PCR
|
7 Feb 28 |
CH 5: Resolution & Detection of Nucleic Acids
|
Unit 5: Cloning GAPDH from Plants Part 3: Nested PCR Part 4: PCR Analysis & Ligation |
8 Mar7 |
CH 6: Analysis & Characterization of Nucleic Acids & Proteins (pp94-112) Homework 3 due |
Unit 5: Cloning GAPDH from Plants Part 5: Transformation Lab Practical |
Mar 14 |
No classes March Break: March 14-20th
|
|
9 Mar 21 |
Midterm Exam (CH 1-7, 16, & Seidman, Campbell chapters) |
Unit 5: Cloning GAPDH from Plants Part 6:Mini-prep Plasmid isolation Part 7: Restriction Digest |
10 Mar 28 |
CH 10: Sequencing |
Unit 5: Cloning GAPDH from Plants Part 8: DNA Sequencing |
11 Apr 4 |
CH 8: Chromosomal Structure & Chromosomal Mutations CH 9: Gene Mutations |
Unit 6: Gene Expression Analysis Part 1: Design of Universal Primers |
12 Apr 11 |
CH 11: DNA Polymorphisms & Human Identification |
Unit 6: Gene Expression Analysis Part 1: Design of Universal Primers Part 2:Real Time PCR |
13 Apr 18 |
Ch 6: Array based Hybridizations: Microarrays (pp112-118) Additional Readings from the literature |
Unit 6: Gene Expression Analysis Part 2:Real Time PCR Unit 5: Cloning GAPDH from Plants Part 9: Analysis of Sequencing Data |
14 Apr25 |
CH 13:Molecular Detection of Inherited Diseases |
Unit 5: Cloning GAPDH from Plants Part 9: Analysis of Sequencing Data |
15 May 2 |
Class Review Homework 4 due |
Unit 6: Gene Expression Analysis Part 3: Southern or Western Blot |
16 May 9 |
Comprehensive Final Exam
|
Notebooks due Workplace Evaluations |
Course Subjects
See Detailed Reading Assignment above.
Course Description: An introduction to the theory and laboratory techniques in molecular biology with an emphasis on DNA replication, transcription, gene expression and regulation, recombinant DNA and RNA techniques such as transformation, RT-PCR, Northern Blots, microarray analysis and DNA bioinformatic tools. Skills: O
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
Course Objectives/Outcomes: The competency outcomes for this course reflect skills necessary in the biotechnology workforce which emphasize communication skills, punctuality, and teamwork in addition to molecular biology skills. The TSSB recognized Skill Standards for this course can be found here: http://www.austincc.edu/biotech/skillstandards.php. ACAP competencies are available on Blackboard.
A1 Maintain laboratory and equipment |
A3 Operate equipment |
A5 Clean and prepare items for lab |
A6 Prepare biological and/or chemical materials |
B1 Assist in designing experiments |
B2 Perform assays and experiments |
B3 Troubleshoot experiments and equipment |
B4 Perform data analysis |
B5 Communicate results |
B6 Investigate new technologies and methodologies |
C1 Participate in employer-sponsored safety training |
C2 Participate in emergency drills and emergency response teams |
C3 Identify unsafe conditions and take corrective action |
C4 Suggest continuous improvements |
C5 Coordinate with work team |
C7 Handle and dispose of hazardous materials |
C8 Maintain security |
D1 Maintain lab notebook |
D2 Create documents |
D3 Enter and manage laboratory information electronically |
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