General Biology Lab (Cell 2115)

Fall 2014
Instructor: Cherif Boudaba, Ph.D., cherif@tulane.edu; Phone: 862 8725
Office: 4014 Percival Stern Hall; office hours: By appointment
Lab classes are held in room 3011, Percival Stern Hall
Class schedule: Depends on the section you enrolled in (see Gibson online)
Prerequisite: CELL1010 and CHEM 1080
Course description: This one-semester class is designed for majors in cell and molecular
biology. This lab class focuses on general biology at macroscopic, microscopic and
molecular levels.
Textbook: General Biology Lab, by Morton, Perry and Perry, Second Edition, Cengage
Learning, 2012.
Course learning outcomes: Upon completion of this lab class, successful students will
be able to:
- Use metric system and different lab techniques such as microscopy, DNA extraction,
DNA fingerprinting and gene transfer.
- Differentiate between cell types.
- Determine the chemical composition of cells and understand their structure and
function.
- Understand the physical, chemical properties and kinetics of an enzyme.
- Explain DNA structure, describe the procedure of its isolation and its use in forensic.
- Understand the relation between gene and proteins.
- Understand the process of transferring a gene from a living organism to another.
- Describe the sensory organs and Human sensations.
Exams: The grades for CELL 2115 lab classes are determined as follows:
- Eight quizzes/lab reports at 10 points each.
- Two midterms at 50 points each. Each midterm test includes the previously covered
lab classes.
Missed class: No makeup is given for any missed lab session or exam, except for
sickness.
If you are sick, you should notify me and/or your TA as soon as possible. A makeup is
given only for the quiz or the exam after you show a Doctors note. If the missed lab
session is still running that week, you may make it up with another group.
Honor code: All students are expected to be familiar with Tulane University Honor Code
and to adhere to it.

Labs Schedule
Month
September

October

November

Week of

Chapter in Manual

Introduction to the Lab,

Metric System, Microscopy

Page 207
Chapter 1

15

Macromolecules and You,

Food and Diet Analysis

Chapter 2

22

Cells, Diffusion and Osmosis

Chapters 3, 4

29

Mitosis, Meiosis

Chapter 8

Fall Break

13

Enzymes

20

First Exam

No Lab
Chapter 5

27

DNA Biology and Technology

Gene Mutation, Transformation

10

Human Heredity

Chapter 18

17

Human Sensations, Sensory Organs

Chapter 23

24

December

Topic

Thanksgiving

Final Exam

Chapter 9, Handout

Handouts

No Lab