Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

General Biology Lab I (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 1615-19

Course: BIOL 1615-19
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: BIOL
CRN: 31084

Course Description

This lab accompanies BIOL 1610. It is designed to support the lecture course and provide hands-on experience that will enhance the learning process. We will be focusing on the scientific method and how it is used to approach scientific questions. You will observe different types of cells, do experiments, test ideas, collect data and make conclusions about what you have learned. Questions for each experiment will test your understanding of what you’ve done. In addition, you will be required to write the scientific papers for several experiments and to design your own experiments.

Required Texts

No text is required – I will post required labs on Canvas.

Lab handouts will be made available through Canvas.

Learning Outcomes

Apply Scientific Methods: Describe and apply approaches to scientific discovery and
interpretation of experimental data;
Understand: Demonstrate understanding of matter, energy, and their influence on
biological systems;
Apply Knowledge: Describe and apply evolutionary concepts in terms of inheritance,
adaptation, and diversity of life;
Explain: Explain the mechanisms of information storage, expression, and exchange in
living organisms or eco-systems; and
Reflect: Reflect on the relevance of life sciences in a broader context.

Course Requirements

Course grades will be based on the following (300 points total):

  • Four Lab quizzes – 10 points each (40 points total)
  • Six commonplace book entries – 10 points each (60 points total)
  • Research proposal – (20 points total)
  • Writing lab attendance – 5 points/visit (10 points total)
  • Project presentation (20 points total)
  • Final report (50 points total)
  • Mid-term and final exams – 50 points each (100 points total)

Final grade percentages break down as follows:

93 - 100 = A

80 – 82.9 = B-

67 – 69.9 = D+

90 – 92.9 = A-

77 – 79.9 = C+

63 – 69.9 = D

87-89.9 = B+

73 – 76.9 = C

60 – 62.9 = D-

83 – 86.9 = B

70 – 72.9 = C-

<60 = F

Course Outline

Lab schedule:

Lab:

Subject

Sept 2

Introduction, lab safety, Scientific method, commonplace books

Sept 9

Experimental design, macromolecules

Sept 16

Microscopy and Cells

Sept 23

Diffusion / Osmosis

Sept 30

Enzymes - Writing Assignment 1 due

Oct 7

Cellular respiration

Oct 14

No lab (Fall Break)

Oct 21

Mid-term exam

Oct 28

Photosynthesis

Nov 4

Cell Cycle

Nov 11

Inheritance

Nov 18

DNA - Nucleic acids

Nov 25

Thanksgiving Holiday, no lab

Dec 2

Class Presentations & Lab Report due & Final Exam

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All assignments are due on the day posted on Canvas. If you have made arrangements to attend lab at a different time, your assignments are still due at your regularly scheduled time.

There will be no extra credit.

Your responsibilities as a student include:

  • Participate fully in lab.
  • Read the lab BEFORE coming to class.
  • Mute cell phones and other electronic devices during lab.
  • It is your responsibility to print out all required materials (if needed) for the week. Check Canvas regularly to stay up to date on assignments and announcements.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is mandatory.

Make-up and alternative section attendance:

  • All students who are absent from a specific lab due to an emergency or SUU-sponsored activity must attend another lab section.
  • Labs cannot be made up.
  • If you plan to attend a lab taught by another instructor, you must email and ask permission at least 24 hours before attending that lab.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.