Course Syllabus

Bio 480                          Instructor: Dr. Kenneth Wunch
Spring, 2003                     Office: Lee Drain Building Rm 100B
Section 01: W: 1-4               Phone: 294-1543
LDB Rm. 125                      Office Hours: M&F: 1-3, T: 2-3                                                                                                                                                                             
              

Textbook: None

   
Day:                   Topic                          


Apr  9                 Molecular Cloning

    16                 Restriction Digestion       Quiz #1 (10 pts.) 
           
    23                 DNA Isolation/PCR           Quiz #2 (10 pts.)  
    
    30                 Genetic Fingerprinting      Quiz #3 (10 pts.)         

May  7                 Final (70 pts.)     
                                  


Important Dates
Jan 15                  Classes Begin
Jan 20                  Martin luther King Jr. Holiday
Mar  7                  Last Day to Drop W/O F
Mar 17-21               Spring Break
Apr 18                  Easter Break
May  8                  Last Day of Class


Course Description and Requirements

This course emphasizes the structural and functional characteristics of proteins, RNA and 
DNA and their individual and collective contributions to life.  The course provides the
conceptual and experimental framework for genetic engineering and the new Biotechnology.
Models from prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms as well as viruses and plasmids are used.  
The laboratory will include methods of gene cloning and electrophoretic analyses of proteins, 
RNA and DNA.  Three hour laboratory
 
Sam Houston Honor Code

The Faculty Handbook states that the University expects all students to engage in all 
academic pursuits in a manner that is above reproach. Students are expected to maintain
complete honesty and integrity in the academic experiences both in and out of the classroom.
Any student found guilty of dishonesty in any phase of academic work will be subject to
disciplinary action. Furthermore, the University and its official representatives may
initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of any form of academic
dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work
which is to be submitted, plagiarism, collusion and the abuse of resource materials.


Rules of Conduct

Students will refrain from behavior in the classroom that intentionally or unintentionally
disrupts the learning process and, thus, impedes the mission of the university. Please turn
off or mute your cellular phone and/or pager before class begins. Students are prohibited
from eating in class, using tobacco products, making offensive remarks, reading newspapers,
sleeping, talking among each other at inappropriate times, wearing inappropriate clothing, 
or engaging in any other form of distraction.  Inappropriate behavior in the classroom shall
result in a, minimally, a directive to leave class or being reported to the Dean of Students
for disciplinary action in accordance with university policy.


Exams

The final exam will each be worth 70 points and will be short answer.
The final is not cummulative. If you miss the exam, a written excuse must 
be presented before a make-up exam will be administered. There will be no extra 
credit projects available.


Quizzes

Every week, there will be a written quiz covering the previous 
week's material.  There will be 3 quizzes total and they are worth 30 points total. 
If you miss a quiz, it is your resposibility to schedule a make-up.


Grading Policy 

90%-100%   A       

80%-89%    B      
 
70%-79%    C

60%-69%    D  

below 60%  F           


Attendance
 
In accordance with University Policy, regular attendance is required, however no points will
be awarded or subtracted based on your attendance. 


Americans with Disabilities Act
 
According to University policy requests for accommodations must be initiated by the student.
A student seeking accommodations should go to the Counseling Center and Services for 
Students with Disabilities (SSD) in a timely manner. Every semester that the student desires
accommodations, it is the student's responsibility to complete a Classroom Accommodation
Request Form at the SSD office and follow the stated procedure in notifying faculty.
Accommodations for disabled students are decided based upon documentation and need on a 
case-by-case basis by the Counseling Center.


Religious Holidays 

University policy states that a student who is absent from class for the observance of a
religious holy day to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day
within a reasonable time after the absence. The student, not later than the 15th calendar 
day after the first day of the semester, or the 7th calendar day after the first day of a
summer session, must notify the instructor of each scheduled class that he/she would be 
absent for a religious holy day (Faculty Handbook, §§1.02-2.01).  

Back to Molecular Biology Lab Homepage


Email: kwunch@shsu.edu