CHM 313 Biochemistry II Lab Spring 2008
Instructor:
Dr. Matthew Junker
314 Boehm Science Center
Phone: 610-683-4199 Email: junker@kutztown.edu
Office hours: Tue. 3-4pm; Wed. 2-5pm; Fri. 11am-12pm
Lab time and location: Monday, 2:00-5:00 pm,
Textbook: Biochemistry Laboratory: Modern Theory and
Techniques by Rodney Boyer,
Benjamin
Cummings, 2006, ISBN: 0-8053-4613-9.
Notebook: A
bound notebook is required. Spiral
notebooks are acceptable. Entries
must be made with ink
(not pencil).
Co-requisite:
CHM 312 Biochemistry II
Grading:
The total final score for
this laboratory will be comprised by:
average of
all prelab assignments 5%
average
notebook grade 10%
average of
all worksheets 20%
average
of all reports and presentation 65%
This total final score plus problem
sets will count 20% towards your grade in
Biochemistry II (see lecture
syllabus).
Course structure:
The
laboratory meets once a week for a 3 hour lab.
All glassware and equipment must be cleaned and stored by the end of
each laboratory session. Handouts with
instructions for each lab will be distributed during a CHM 312 lecture during the
preceding week. Students are responsible
for reading the handouts and assigned sections of the textbook before coming to
lab.
Graded assignments:
1. A written pre-lab is to be brought to each
lab. The pre-lab includes an
Introduction and Experimental section with a flowchart. The pre-lab format is described on page 7
(and Figure 1.4) in the Boyer textbook.
For the experimental section, you only need to make a flow chart. The pre-lab can be hand-written. (Pre-labs 5% of grade)
2. For some labs, notebooks will be handed in at
the end of the lab session. They will be
graded for organization, clarity, and content.
Proper notebook organization is covered in Boyer on pg. pg. 5-7. (Notebooks 10% of grade)
3. For some labs, the report that will be handed
in will be in the form of “worksheets” with answers to specific questions. These may be hand-written. (20% of grade)
4. For several labs, formal lab reports will be
handed in. The format of the reports
(which will include the prelab) is described on pg. 7-8 of Boyer. THE REPORTS MUST BE TYPED. Due dates will be specified in the lab
handouts (typically one week after the lab session). (65% of grade)
Important notes on grading:
1. Getting experiments to work is always great,
but the main emphasis of this course is learning the basic principles of
experimental biochemistry, including how to trouble-shoot when things don’t “go
right.” Consequently, the grading of all
reports and worksheets will be heavily weighted by demonstrated comprehension,
as well as clarity, organization, and thoughtfulness.
2. The worksheets and reports will also be
graded for the quality of writing: organization and logical flow, grammar and
punctuation, and spelling. Use complete
sentences, proper paragraph construction, etc.
3. You will work in teams of 2-3 people for many
of the experiments. However, all handed-in written assignments are to be
your own work only, without collaboration with other students. You may come to me for help (office hours,
pre-arranged times, or email) as often as you like.
Course objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, a
student will be able to:
- Use traditional and modern
techniques of biochemistry
- Explain the concepts on which the
laboratory experiments are based
- Write scientific reports, keep a
laboratory notebook, and interpret laboratory data
ADA
Notice: Any student who has a need for accommodation
based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss the
specific situation as soon as possible.
Students should also contact KU Disability Resources and Services at
610-683-4108 or in Stratton 215 to coordinate accommodations.
Expected
schedule of experiments:
|
Date |
Expt. # |
Topic |
Graded assignment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan.
14 |
0 |
Preparation
for recombinant DNA/protein studies |
|
|
Jan.
28 |
1 |
Recombinant
protein expression I |
|
|
Feb.
4 |
1 |
Recombinant
protein expression II |
Report |
|
Feb.
11 |
2 |
PCR
and DNA electrophoresis I |
Worksheet |
|
Feb.
19 (Tue!) |
2 |
PCR
and DNA electrophoresis II |
Report |
|
Feb.
25 |
3 |
DNA
digest & ligation I |
|
|
Mar.
3 |
3 |
DNA
digest & ligation II |
Report |
|
Mar.
10 |
|
NO LAB: Spring Break |
|
|
Mar.
17 |
4 |
Searching
online databases (PubMed, BLAST) |
Worksheet |
|
Mar.
26 (Wed!) |
5 |
Projects
Lab I |
|
|
Mar.
31 |
5 |
Projects
Lab II |
|
|
Apr.
7 |
5 |
Projects
Lab I|| |
|
|
Apr.
14 |
5 |
Projects
Lab IV |
|
|
Apr.
21 |
5 |
Projects
Lab V |
Report |
|
Apr.
28 |
5 |
Projects
lab presentations |
Presentation |