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Basic Skills in the Laboratory


Course Description

An intensive laboratory course emphasizing acquisition of skills in common use in research laboratories. Techniques range from solution preparation to isolation and analysis of DNA and protein. Includes proper procedures for keeping a laboratory notebook, laboratory safety, and time management.


Athena Title

Basic Skills in the Laboratory


Prerequisite

[(BIOL 1107 and BIOL 1107L) or (BIOL 2107H and BIOL 2107L)] and [(CHEM 1212 and CHEM 1212L) or (CHEM 1412 and CHEM 1412L)]


Semester Course Offered

Offered fall, spring and summer


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will develop skills to be a resourceful laboratory worker.
  • Students will learn how to interpret a laboratory protocol and set up an experiment.
  • Students will become well-practiced in laboratory skills.
  • Students will be able to critically interpret results.
  • Students will gain practice communicating results through scientific writing and oral presentation.

Topical Outline

  • Basic laboratory safety
  • Pipette and balance usage
  • Basic laboratory calculations
  • Culture media preparation
  • Sterile technique
  • Culture-based bacterial isolation and quantification
  • Protein purification, dialysis, and quantification
  • SDS PAGE
  • Enzyme kinetics
  • DNA extraction
  • PCR
  • Gel electrophoresis
  • Experimental design, methods development, and troubleshooting
  • Data collection and storage
  • Basic data cleaning, analysis, and visualization
  • Formal scientific writing
  • Presenting scientific data

Syllabus