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*Syllabus Only*

BIOC 4025 W

“Laboratory Methods in Biochemistry Manual”

Jan 17, 2017 – May 13, 2017

Lab: Tues or Thurs

8:15-11:55am, 1:15pm-4:55pm, or 5:20-9:00pm

MCB 2-128, Minneapolis Campus

Lecture:

Monday 3:35-4:25pm

Room: 3-120 MCB

office hours before class,

by appointment (in my office or

other location per request), or

Fri 10:30-11am by appointment,

Fri 11am-12 in MCB lobby

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BIOC 4025W

Spring Semester 2017 Instructor: Beverly Smith-Keiling Ph.D.

Dept. of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics ( B M B B ) e-mail: smithbev@umn.edu Phone:612-626-8571 Office location: 5-120 Nils Hasselmo Hall, Minneapolis (next to Coffman) Office hours: Will be available Mondays before lecture in the Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) Bldg. outside of the class room 3-120 (or down the hall towards Jackson). A writing office hour will be scheduled for Friday morning in MCB 3rd floor lobby ~11am-12. This follows my weekly TA meetings, so I may be available earlier as soon as we are done. Office hours are available by appointment. (We can even meet on other locations on campus.)

Graduate Teaching Assistants: 8:15 labs T TH Amanda Hayward haywa028@umn.edu T labs Klaus Lovendahl loven015@umn.edu

Th labs Cheng Her herxx373@umn.edu Email communication with TAs and instructor is expected for ANY absences! Laboratory coordinator:

Barbara Pinch, Room 1-132 MCB (office/prep room) e-mail: pinch001@umn.edu phone: 612-625-4282

Prerequisites: BioC 3021 (Biochemistry) or BioC 4331 (Biochemistry I) or Biol 3021 (Biochemistry). Contact instructor for exceptions. Course Goals: Laboratory experience in protein expression, purification and characterization; an appreciation for the role of protein expression and purification in modern (G4) life. Topics: Buffers and solutions, protein (lactate dehydrogenase) purification, protein electrophoresis, protein expression using recombinant technology, enzyme characterization using kinetic and immunochemical methods. REQUIRED MATERIALS: You are required to download and compile the weekly installments. We are in continual process of editing this manual. Suggestions on how to improve the manual are welcome, if constructive. You are expected to print, read, answer pre-lab questions in your lab notebook, and be prepared and on-time each week with your printed lab manual and lab report.

*NOTE- as a trial, the only exception will allow electronic versions, but if you are caught texting or checking emails during lab at any time for any reason, you will lose these privileges, and lose your device until lab is over. Strictly enforced by lost points as well.

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Text (Lab manual): A Laboratory Manual (Laboratory Methods in Biochemistry Manual) course packet will be provided on MOODLE on a weekly basis. The course is keyed to the week number (WEEK 1, WEEK 2, etc.) Week number matches Lab number. Supplement: Supplementary materials will be distributed as needed. Laboratory Notebook: A bound, graph-ruled laboratory notebook is required. Examples are U of MN No. 20775 (96 pp.) or Dennison 73333 53110 (96 pp). No loose-leaf or spiral bound notebooks. Requirements for notebook: save 3 pages at the beginning for a Table of Contents (put date, title of experiment and page number), use only blue or black ink, number all pages however you wish but you cannot remove pages, provide date on each start of the lab with the Title, Purpose, Pre-lab question and the Procedure before you come to lab. Only make a line to cross our errors. Fill in “X” over blank portions. Use separate pages for your “INQUIRY” portions and label these in TOC as well.

Course web site: login via MOODLE: Syllabus, Schedule, Lab Manual, Lab Report, lecture slides, example exams, current grades, and additional materials as needed. No handouts will be given out for lectures. Students are required to print out the posted lab manual, lab report and bring to each lab period. You may also choose to print lecture handouts from the web site but not recommended to print power point as handouts also include slides.

Lectures: (Section 1, all students) Mondays at 3:35-4:25 pm in MCB 3-120. These are important and required for full participation. Attendance is noted because they will cover what you are doing that week in the lab. I will randomly call upon names. If I call your name and you are not present, a point is deducted from your final score. If your grade is borderline at the end of the session for any unexcused lecture or lab absences, you will receive the lower possible grade and not be rounded up. Additional participation expected

and explained in the grading below for lab participation, preparation, and no cell phone. Laboratory: Tuesday and Thursday in MCB 2-128. Laboratory start times are shown in the table. The lecture is section 1 (all students). Please note your lab section and correctly label each assignment turned in. It is expected that you will fully utilize the entire lab time to complete lab reports with team. Supplementary reference (several are available in the Lab): Lehninger - Principles of Biochemistry: Nelson

and Cox, Worth Publishing (6thedition is the newest) or any other biochemistry textbook.

Teaching Assistants and Section breakdown Labs 2 & 4 8:15am T Th Amanda Hayward haywa028@umn.edu

Labs 3 & 6 Tues Klaus Lovendahl loven015@umn.edu Labs 5 & 7 Thurs Cheng Her herxx373@umn.edu Check with TA for office hours. Expected help in lab time -- may take requests for help sessions appt. Lab related help- 1st TA, 2nd professor office hour and/or 3rd request tutor Writing related help, personal needs – 1st professor writing office hours before class or Fridays, or by appt.

Section 1 Monday (Lecture) All students

Section 2 Tues 8:15am-11:55am

Section 3 Tues 1:15pm-4:55pm

Section 6 Tues 5:20pm-9:00pm

Section 4 Thurs 8:15am-11:55am

Section 5 Thurs 1:15pm-4:55pm

Section 7 Thurs 5:20pm-9:00pm

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COURSE DESCRIPTION This biochemistry laboratory course is designed to give students hands-on experience performing common strategies and techniques used in modern biochemistry, as well as the background information needed to understand what kind of information can be obtained by using them. Because of the dual nature of this course, a portion of the laboratory time will be spent on lectures explaining the theory behind the techniques being used as well as practical aspects of experimental design and scientific writing skills. In addition, readings will be assigned that explain the history and principles behind some of the techniques used. BQ&A assignments are to improve the written communication skills of the students with peers as you approach graduation and transition from student to scientist. The manuscript final large lab report assignment is to improve written communication skills in describing experimental work done during the semester. COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Students will be able to successfully perform some basic techniques used in modern biochemistry.

• Students will be able to interpret data from their experiments. • Students will be able to design protein purification and characterization

experiments using the techniques learned in the lab. • Students will be able to use computer-based sequence analysis software to find nucleic acid

and protein sequence information using the Internet. • Students will be able to communicate experimental results through sound scientific

writing.

Learning Goals 1. Foundational Knowledge

Be able to explain and discuss key ideas regarding pH and buffers, strategies in protein purification and characterization, different types of chromatography and electrophoresis methods. Be able to identify unsolved scientific problems related to protein expression, purification and characterization.

2. Application Goals

Be able to critically evaluate a protein expression and purification – does it achieve its goals of purity, cost, safety? Be able to critically evaluate a protein characterization – does it establish the purity and identity of the protein? Be able to evaluate a proposed experimental procedure for safety issues. Be able to work safely in a laboratory

3. Integration

Be able to identify where proteins and protein purification affect our daily life. Be able to identify current society issues involving protein purification and characterization. Be able to identify where advances in protein purification and characterization have created business opportunities. Be able to identify ethical issues created by protein purification and characterization technologies.

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Grading Guidelines and Course Policies

Writing intensive component (60 + 75 = 135 = 27%) In lecture quizzes (25 pts., best 5 out of 6, 5 pts. each) Quizzes are from previous class and lab material. Dates are announced on the schedule. They will be held during the last 10-15 minutes of the scheduled lecture which should be enough time, but you are welcome to stay longer if you need more time. Plan on this if you know you like to take more time on quizzes. The only deviation from this is if we truly run out of time during a lecture; then the quiz could be postponed to the following week. The best 5 quizzes will go toward your grade. There is no opportunity to make these up if you miss them. You simply drop your lowest score, or take a 0. The quiz will test your understanding of assigned reading material, laboratory experiments and lecture material and is a good check point for you before midterm and final exams. In lecture midterm exam (Monday March 6th, 2017) and final exam (Monday April 24th, 2017) (50 min for each, but I do stay longer for those who wish extra time, 50 pts. each, 100 pts. total). Final is on second half of semester, not cumulative; however, some questions require synthesis of cumulative material and understanding. These closed book exams consist of multiple choice, short answer, true/false, and a problem that covers understanding of the laboratory experiments and lecture material and may ask you to apply your knowledge in a new way. Calculators may be used, however no external communication is allowed during the examinations. You should notify your instructor if you think you may miss the exam, and be prepared to show documentation. If you miss an exam and have an excused absence (documentation of illness, etc.), then you must make arrangements with the instructor to take a make-up exam. The makeup exam may have a different format (e.g. additional essays or design an experiment). Alternately, for an excused absence you may be able to take midterm exam early. Final exams may not be taken early. All exam time/date

Grading Scheme: Points Percentage Lecture

• Quizzes (LecQ, best 5 out of 6, 5 pts each) 25 5% • Midterm & final exams (MTE-50 pts., FE-50-pts.) 100 20% • Biochem Q&A (BQA) see schedule due dates (writing

intensive) 3 drafts (15pts), 4 final papers (40 pts), discussion (5)

60 12%

• Participation in class/lab activities, group discussions, writing reflections, timeliness, preparation, ethics, cooperativity, cleanup

15 3%

Lecture subtotal 200 40% Lab

• Prelab questions and notebook (PreLab, best 10 out of 11, 7.5pts. each)

75 15%

• Lab reports & questions (LabR, best 12 out of 13, 12.5 pts. each)

150 30%

• Large lab report (LLR) (writing intensive) JBC Manuscript style

75 15%

Laboratory Subtotal 300 60% Grand Total 500 100%

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changes must be in writing (e-mail OK) and approved, otherwise it is automatically and unexcused absence and we will have to discuss if you are allowed to take the exam for full or partial credit, drop a letter grade, etc. Biochem Questions and Answers (BQAs 1-4, see schedule for draft and turnaround due dates to final product, 5pts. x3 for drafts turned into Moodle on time, 10pts. x4 for the final product turned into Moodle on time, 5 pts. x1 discussions of writing and BQA4 = 60 points total). A BQA is a written record [1 page, double spaced text, normal margins, 10-11 point font plus references using in-text (author, date) APA citations and APA citations in bibliography] of your reflections on how biochemistry relates to things of interest to you. Can you relate what you are learning to the world you live in? Pose a question on something related to biochemistry that you don’t understand and try to find the answer to it from the literature search you do. You can take things from current events of the day. This is a transition from Science Writing in the question to formal Scientific Writing in the answer. All sources are allowed (except NO Wikipedia citations so you should go to the original citation), and you MUST paraphrase and write your reports in your own words. Primary sources could be used to back up web sources. Cite your sources. A minimum of one reference cited correctly for each report will be required. You will first hand in a draft by submitting to Moodle and bringing a paper copy to class, which will be commented and handed back to you. Using turnitin.com software, you can also check your originality and avoid plagiarism. More will be discussed on this in class. Turning in a draft on time means that you have written at least your question and at least a two-thirds of a page of an answer, cited your resource, and used good grammar. 5 pts if you meet these criteria. -1 pt if grammar and spelling or lacking the beginnings of an answer, or are lacking a resource. -1 pt if lacking research, citation and answer. -1 pt if question and only equivalent to a few lines of an answer. -1 pt if you turn in, but the question is not recognizable, nor the answer. -1 pt if citations are not included. 0 points if late (not in Moodle or not printed). I hold a writing office hour on Friday morning 11-12, if you need any help. Otherwise, all drafts are due submitted in Moodle and brought to the beginning of class—don’t be late—be sure they are stapled and follow directions for the header with all information and lab section. You will next hand in a final version which will be graded – 10 pts. A rubric on grading criteria for BQAs will be posted. A portion of lectures 1-3 will be devoted to writing instruction for the BQAs. The final version of the BQA will be posted in a biochemistry blog online for discussion. Format: In the header in this order: BQA# draft or final, Title, Date, Name and lab section # Question ¼ page (Science writing style), Answer ¾ page (formal Scientific Writing style), paraphrase without quotes and without plagiarism, APA citation (author, date) cited in text. (If two references then (author and author, date); if more than two then (author et al., date). If book, then add p#. If website, then APA style). References on 2nd page. For BQA4 primary literature and a figure with figure legend will be required. An example will be put on the course Moodle site. These will be assessed based on the student asking questions for which biochemistry knowledge will give him/her a better understanding of how things work (or don’t work) in the world. These will be assessed for writing quality. Participation in class/lab activities, group discussions, writing reflections, timeliness, preparation, ethics, cooperativity, cleanup (15pts) One of the major factors in transitioning from graduation to your career is showing up, being on-time and participating. Therefore, we are measuring your participation in several ways throughout

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the semester as I monitor lecture attendance and participation, consult with your TAs and the Lab Coordinator Barb Pinch, and we have several in-class and in-lab activities. Some of these activities will be graded on the spot with peer-evaluations of homework or in-class assignments. Some of these will be overall observation or taking attendance and listening to your participation in discussions. If I or your TAs record an absence, or call on you and you do not respond, then this will result in lost participation points. If a cell phone or computer is used for texting or email other than in class work, or if you are dressed inappropriately for lab and sent home to change, then participation points will be lost. For example, if you miss a lab for any reason, with or without documentation, you will drop that lab. The only alternative is perhaps if you know of your absence early in advance, you might be able to join a lab later in the week if you can provide ample documentation for an excused absence. Sorry, but we do not have make up labs, so if you miss a Thursday afternoon lab, there is no other recourse unless you know in advance and can ask to join an earlier lab section. Otherwise the lab is recorded as a zero and you drop your lowest lab score. You get one free dropped lab, but you are still responsible for the material in the lab to be recorded in your lab notebook. It is not advised to plan to strategically miss a lab; if you get sick later and miss a lab, it is a 0. You should also email immediately upon an absence and try to get last week’s lab in for grading ASAP. If you miss a second lab, for any reason, same rules apply, but now there is a penalty in that you will automatically drop a letter grade. It does not matter if you have A’s on everything; if you miss two labs, you will drop to a “A-.” If you miss a third lab, we reserve the right to automatically drop you from the class. It could result in lost tuition, a W on your transcript, and of course, the lost credit. Email and stay in communication if things are going wrong in this direction. Having said all this, I still want you to know that I truly want to help support your learning goals. I want you to keep in contact with me and your TAs if absences occur and if there is a life struggle you need to overcome. I have high standards, but I also want to support you, so stay in contact and participate in all the ways possible. If you have an interview or research conference, these can often be planned for in advance, so plan ahead. INQUIRY, Prelab questions and lab notebook (75 pts, best 10 out of 11 labs at 7.5 pts each excluding the first one, made up of 3-2.5 pt. components, see below) INQUIRY questions should be addressed on a separate page at the end of each lab in preparation for the next lab period. Prelab questions and your planned experimental procedure (THIS MUST BE WRITTEN IN YOUR LAB BOOK, NOT CUT AND PASTED) in your notebook must be complete before entering the laboratory. If you leave because it is not complete (late points will be deducted). Note that since this is the best 10 out of 11, you get one mistake without a penalty on your final grade. Assigned prelab questions (2.5 pts.) These are at the beginning of the lab procedures for each week, must be answered in your notebook. You may photocopy the questions from the lab manual and paste them into your notebook (ANSWERS MUST BE WRITTEN IN using BLUE or BLACK ink). Your planned experimental procedure in your notebook: (2.5 pts) 1. Title of the experiment and the date on a new page.

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2. Objective: One or two sentences stating the purpose of the experiment. 3. Materials: any reagents, chemicals, equipment, etc. for the experiment. The composition of all buffers should be included or a page number given for a notebook entry that contains the buffer composition and the calculations made in preparing solutions. 4. Procedures: outline or flow sheet of the procedure based on the lab manual. Tables are also useful for experiments with multiple variables. A checklist of things to add/complete is useful. You may not tape photocopies of procedure overheads into your notebook. You must make a plan for yourself so you know what you are doing. You still need to bring your lab manual and lab report! Other requirements for the lab notebook (checked each week during the lab for entries below (5. and 6.) for the previous week). (2.5 pts) 5. Results: Record all data taken, gel photos, printouts, etc., all calculations, analyzed data, and remarks about how the experiments proceed. Note any deviations of the actual procedure from the preliminary protocol. Mistakes should be neatly crossed out. Do not erase mistakes or remove pages from your book. Handwriting quality will not enter into the grade, provided it is neat and legible. A lab book should provide all the information needed for someone to repeat your methods and results. 6. Conclusions/Summary: summarize your results and state your conclusions. If the experiment didn’t work, hypothesize what went wrong and what will you do next time to try to trouble shoot? Lab reports and assigned questions (12.5 pts. each, best 12 out of 13 for 150 pts) General instructions: Write your answers using a computer and hand in paper copies. Check with your TAs for any changes in format. Numbers without units are incorrect (unless it is a unitless number, e.g. pH, absorbance). All graphs must have axis labels with units and scales. Show your work for all calculations. Your teaching assistant will provide detailed grading criteria. All lab reports are due at the beginning of the next lab period. If you are absent, email your TA, try to get your lab report in ASAP for grading. We would hate for you to miss points for two labs from one miss, so good communication is a key. Large lab report - (JBC format manuscript to be turned in at the end of the semester, 75 pts.): This is a cumulative report of your semester’s work, which involves the isolation, expression, purification and characterization of beef heart LDH and barracuda LDH. The lab report will be written in the form of a JBC format manuscript. A portion of lectures 8-13 will be devoted to instruction on writing this large lab report and a rubric outlining the grading criteria will be handed out. See schedule for when section drafts (Abst., Methods, Results, Discussion) are due and when final manuscript is due. Beginning week 3 in lab 3, you will begin the process of scientifically writing your lab report. Keep a copy in Moodle and update. Beginning after week 8 (after Spring break), you will be compiling sections you have written for your LLR final product. Failure to write and turn in the LLR will result in failure of completing the WI requirement and failure in the course. We want to assure your success, so please meet all deadlines for the turning in written drafts.

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There will be a 10% deduction on each section in the final manuscript if drafts of the sections are not turned in. A ≥ 93 % C 73 - < 77 % A- 90 - < 93 % C- 70 - < 73 % B+ 87 - < 90 % D+ 67 - < 70 % B 83 - < 87 % D 63 - < 67 % B- 80 - < 83 % D- 60 - < 63 % C+ 77 - < 80 % F < 60 % Note: if you are borderline, but your participation has not been optimal, the grade will not be rounded up. I reserve the right to look at breaks in the grade and round up borderline grades based on excellent participation. For additional information, please refer to:

http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/GRADINGTRANSCRIPTS.html Regrades: Any errors or problems with grading should be brought to the instructor's attention within a week of return of the graded item. No adjustments to the grade on that item will be made after one week.

UNIVERSITY POLICIES Make up Exams: Requests for make-up exams must be supported by documentation (e.g., letters from university offices, doctors, police reports). A note saying you were seen at Boynton is not sufficient, you must have a note from a doctor saying you were sick. You must contact the instructor either before the exam or in a timeframe after the exam that is consistent with the reason for missing the exam. Electronic Devices: No electronic devices, including iPods, and cell phones, may be used during any examinations. We do allow calculators during exams. Use of a prohibited device during an examination is considered Scholastic Dishonesty and falls under the University Student Conduct Code. Student Conduct: Instructors are responsible for maintaining order and a positive learning environment in the classroom. Students whose behavior is disruptive either to the instructor or to other students will be asked to leave. Students whose behavior suggests the need for counseling or other assistance may be referred to their college office or University Counseling and Consulting Services. Students whose behavior may violate the University Student Conduct Code may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity.

The University utilizes plus and minus grading on a 4.000 cumulative grade point scale in accordance with the following: A 4.0- represents achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements. B 3.0- represents achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements. C 2.0- represents achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect. D 1.0-represents achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements. F 0.0- no credit S represents achievement that is satisfactory, which is equivalent to a C- or better.

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Academic Misconduct: Cheating during an exam and altering an exam prior to submission for regarding are examples of academic misconduct. Violations of acceptable academic conduct will elicit penalties commensurate with the offense. Penalties can include assignment of a failing grade for an examination or a failing grade for the entire course, depending upon the nature and severity of the infraction. Although collaboration during examinations is strictly forbidden, students may work together on problem sets if the instructor gives explicit permission. Students are expected to do their own assigned work. If it is determined that a student has engaged in any form of Academic Dishonesty, he or she may be given an "F" or an "N" for the course, and may face additional sanctions from the University. Academic dishonesty in any portion of the academic work for a course shall be grounds for awarding a grade of F or N for the entire course. See the “scholastic dishonesty” section of the Student Conduct Code at: http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/academic/Student_Conduct_Code.html. Academic Integrity: The grade in a course is intended to be a reflection of what you have learned in the course. Any instances of plagiarism (presenting someone else's work as your own) will be dealt with through university procedures for academic dishonesty (see The Office for Student Conduct and Academic Integrity for more information: http://www1.umn.edu/oscai/index.html ). If you need assistance in distinguishing between plagiarism and legitimate use and citation of someone else's work, please refer to the Center for Student Writing Support at: http://writing.umn.edu/sws/quick_help/online_resources.htm - plagiarism . Use of Personal Electronic Devices in the Classroom: Using personal electronic devices in the classroom setting can hinder instruction and learning, not only for the student using the device but also for other students in the class. To this end, the University establishes the right of each faculty member to determine if and how personal electronic devices are allowed to be used in the classroom. For complete information, please reference: http://www.policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/CLASSROOMPED.html. Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials: Taking notes is a means of recording information but more importantly of personally absorbing and integrating the educational experience. However, broadly disseminating class notes beyond the classroom community or accepting compensation for taking and distributing classroom notes undermines instructor interests in their intellectual work product while not substantially furthering instructor and student interests in effective learning. Such actions violate shared norms and standards of the academic community. For additional information, please see: http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/CLASSNOTESSTUDENTS.html. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: The University of Minnesota is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. The Disability Resource Center Student Services is the campus office that collaborates with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange reasonable accommodations. If you have, or think you may have, a disability (e.g., mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical), please contact DRC at 612-626-1333 or drc@umn.edu to arrange a confidential discussion regarding equitable access and reasonable accommodations. If you are registered with DS and have a current letter requesting reasonable accommodations, please contact your instructor as early in the semester as possible to discuss how the accommodations will be applied in the course. For more information, please see the DS website, https://diversity.umn.edu/disability/. Mental Health and Stress Management. As a student you may experience a range of issues that

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can cause barriers to learning, such as difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation, feeling down, increased anxiety, strained relationships, and alcohol/drug problems. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance and may reduce your ability to participate in daily activities. University of Minnesota services are available to assist you. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus via the Student Mental Health Website: http://www.mentalhealth.umn.edu. Diversity and Collegiality: This course draws students from a variety of disciplines. This diversity of academic experience, assumptions regarding learning, and ways of approaching problems is one of the most enriching aspects of the course. In addition, every class is influenced by the fact that students come from widely diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and hold different values. Because a key to optimal learning and successful teaching is to hear, analyze, and draw from a diversity of views, the instructors expect collegial and respectful dialogue across disciplinary, cultural, and personal boundaries. Sexual Harassment: University policy prohibits sexual harassment as defined in the University Policy Statement (http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/humanresources/SexHarassment.html) adopted on December 11, 1998. Complaints about sexual harassment should be reported to the University Office for Equity and Diversity, 432 Morrill. Consolidated course policies are found at http://www.policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/SYLLABUSREQUIREMENT S_APPA.html Problems in the course? For any concerns, contact the instructor. I have your best interests in mind. Good communication with TAs and the professor is a key! Student Expectations- Keys to Success! As a student in this course, you are expected to take an active role in your learning. 1. You are expected to attend every class, and to arrive on time and not leave early. Attend each class and lab and arrive on time, or it will cost you points. Arrive prepared: reading completed, prelab questions done, lab notebook filled out for the last week’s experiment and for the current experiment. Clean up after yourself in the lab. Hand in your lab reports and BQAs on time. Do not text or take calls in class. Time on task. 2. Keep up with the course schedule. You should be prepared for each lecture by reading the assigned material. You should take good lecture notes and use them to make sure you understand all of the concepts covered in class. You should ask questions in lecture to help clarify concepts. You should participate actively in the discussion sessions.

3. Think about the course and its implications on society. Think while you work in the lab. Why are you doing each step? What do you expect to happen? What could go wrong? On the molecular level, what is happening at each step? Make entries of the BQAs each week. Think about how enzyme and enzyme mechanisms influence your life and society. Notice issues in the news that relate to biochemistry (for ex. – GMOs). Take notes in class. Clarify things you are not sure about by asking questions.

4. Write excellent lab reports. Reports should be clearly written and demonstrate that you understand not only what you did and why, but also the implications of the experiments in other situations. It is not essential that the lab experiments succeed to get a good grade, but it is essential that you demonstrate mastery of the concepts and implication

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of the experiment. 5. Prepare a well-written manuscript (JBC format) summarizing the semester’s work. Stay on schedule with regard to turning in the section drafts of the manuscript.

6. Do well (≥90%) on the midterm and final exam. If you are not on track to get the grade you

expect in within the first three weeks, you must change your approach to the course. Problems in the course? For any concerns, contact you TA or the instructor.

7. You should adhere to the University of Minnesota Student Conduct Code found at:

http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/academic/Student_Conduct_Code.html.

COURSE POLICIES DURING LAB (and to promote full participation points)

• Come to lab dressed appropriately- long pants covering ankles. Come on time. Prepared.

(Long skirts may be worn if they cover ankles. Leggings or long socks are not accepted.) • Leave all food and drinks outside the room, or tuck them away so we don’t even know you

have them. Follow all lab safety rules. Goggles when needed. • Be respectful, cooperative, and clean. Teach each other and complete lab with final

discussions and clean up before dismissal. • During lab clean up any spills or broken glass (broken should be put in the “Broken Glass”

disposal box.). • Missing a lab (only with a written, valid excuse, e.g., illness, grad school interview). You

are allowed only one excused lab. Missing 2 unexcused labs will result in dropping a letter grade. A third absence will result in being dropped from the course. You would have to repeat the entire course. The best thing you can do is be there for all the labs. The lab experiments are sequential and if interrupted, you do not have what you need to go forward. Also, if you are not conscientious, your lab partner will suffer, remember, you are a team. Good email communication is expected in the event of any absence.

• Switching labs: You cannot switch labs without a valid and approved reason. If you have a documented and excused absence, and if it is possible to include you, another section may have an opening, but do not assume it is possible. Discuss options with your TA, the Lab Coordinator, or the Instructor.

• Late work: loss of 10% of max score per 24 h or part thereof including weekends and holidays. You will NOT be able to make up lost points due to late work by turning in extra work assigned by the instructor.

• Electronic Devices: No electronic devices, including iPods, and cell phones, may be used during any examinations. We do allow calculators during exams. Use of a prohibited device during an examination is considered Scholastic Dishonesty and falls under the University Student Conduct Code. Cell phones are not allowed in lab. Leave them in your pocket or backpack and do not carry them into the room (unless special exceptions).

• Basis for an incomplete: If you miss three or more labs due to documented illness or extraordinary circumstances, you will get a grade of "I” or Incomplete. Incompletes are not given because a student is earning a low grade. Before an ‘I’ grade is given, the

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instructor and student must fill out an Incomplete Contract. To complete the course, the entire course must be repeated. (http://www.cbs.umn.edu/studentservices/policies.html), which outlines the conditions for making up the missed laboratories and other work. "I" grades automatically lapse to ‘F’s at the end of the next semester of a student's registration, unless an instructor submits a change of grade.

• Grading corrections: If you think there is an error on your grading, submit a written request for re-grading, including question number and explanation of the reason for re-grading

• Changes of grade: Only requests in writing (e-mail OK) will be considered within two weeks of the grade return date. State the reasons that your grade should be changed. The instructor or TA will consider your request, its fairness to the other members in the class, and give an answer in two days. If you are not satisfied, you may then contact the Student Dispute Resolution Center (SDRC) in 107 Eddy Hall (625-5900) for assistance.

• Extra work: Students are not permitted to submit extra work to raise their grade. • Plagiarism: Scholastic misconduct is broadly defined as "any act that violates the right of

another student in academic work or that involves misrepresentation of your own work. Scholastic dishonesty includes, (but is not necessarily limited to): cheating on assignments or examinations; plagiarizing, which means misrepresenting as your own work any part of work done by another; submitting the same paper, or substantially similar papers, to meet the requirements of more than one course without the approval and consent of all instructors concerned; depriving another student of necessary course materials; or interfering with another student's work." If you are not sure, ask your instructor or TA or check the student code at: http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/academic/StudentConductCode.html. Suspected scholastic misconduct will be dealt with through university procedures for academic dishonesty (http://www.sja.umn.edu/conduct.html). Plagiarism also includes copying directly without attribution from a book, journal article, the lab manual or the internet. Discussing ideas, procedures, and interpretations is encouraged. You must write your own lab reports and Q&As. Info on distinguishing between plagiarism and legitimate use and citation of someone else's work: http://CISW.cla.umn.edu/ugradinfo.html.

• E-mail course notices: Course information will occasionally be sent out by email to your assigned “___@umn.edu” address. Please check your umn.edu mailbox daily. Don’t forward your umn.edu mail to another account (e.g. hotmail or yahoo), as these accounts can fill up and reject important messages.