ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR BIOLOGY

COURSE GUIDE & STUDY SCHEDULE

BIOL 121/
121L

Department of Biology
School of Natural Sciences
 BIOL
121/121L
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the module, you should be
able to:
Demonstrate and e pla n
Demonstrate and expl ap
safe and ethical us f
1. Acquire and apply new knowledge and
latest technology by designing
experiments related to biological
studies and to understand the limitations
of the experimental approach in
Biology researches.

Source: https://www.freepik.com/premium -vector/chemistry-equipment-experiments-v ials-

microscope-
2. Describe and explain appropriate, safe
and ethical use of equipment and
techniques in Analytical Methods for
Biology.

3. Relate the ultimate role of humanity in

COURSE the promotion of justice, peace and

integrity of creation as stewards of
God’s creation in the conduct of

GUIDE &
research and environmental protection.

STUDY
SCHEDULE

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means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited. 1
 COURSE INTRODUCTION
I. Topics and study schedule

This course prepares you to develop practical skills that are essential in
the field of Biology, specifically its core subjects. You must develop a
number of skills ranging from those required to observe, measure, and
record accurately in connection with working with analytical equipment
involved in the study of Biology. This module aims to support your major
courses in Biology such as, Zoology, Botany, Biomolecules, Systematics
Biotechnology, Microbiology, Ecology, Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular
Biology, Methods of Teaching Biology, research and in On-The-Job-
Trainings. The laboratory part of this module focuses on extensive laboratory
activities that allows you to master the basic laboratory skill that you must
need to develop for a scholarly work.

MODULE 1: PRELIMS
DATE LECTURE LABORATORY
UNIT TITLE ACTIVITY TITLE
MTW schedule FUNDAMENTAL LABORATORY TECHNIQUE
Jan. 23-25, ORIENTATION, SEATING
2023 ARRANGEMENT AND LAB GROUPINGS
Jan. 30-31 & 1 Introduction to 5 hrs 1 Using a light 7 hrs
Feb 1 microscopy microscope
2023
WORKING WITH TISSUES AND CELLS
Feb 6-8, 2 Microtomy 5 hrs 2 Tissue Sectioning using 7 hrs
2023 the microtome
Feb.13-15, 3 Aseptic technique 5 hrs 3 Sterile Technique and 7 hrs
2023 Microbial Culture
Feb. 20-21, 4 Cell counting 5 hrs 4 The Neubauer slide 7 hrs
2023

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 Feb. 21-24 & LECTURE EXAM 2 LABORATORY EXAM 2 hrs
27-28 hrs
, 2023
MODULE 2: MIDTERMS
INVESTIGATIVE APPROACH
March 1, 6-7, 5 Basic Calculations 5 5 Basic Calculations in 3.5 hrs
2023 in Biology hrs Biology
March 13-15, 6 Model Organisms 5 6 Monograph of Model 3.5 hrs
2023 hrs Organisms
March 20-22, 7 Population Ecology 5 7 Animal abundance 7 hrs
2023 hrs and diversity
March 27-29,
2023
April 10-15, LECTURE EXAM 2 LABORATORY EXAM 2 hrs
2023 hrs
MODULE 3: FINALS
ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES
April 17-19, 8 Micropipetting 5 8 Techniques of 7 hrs
2023 hrs Micropipetting
April 24-26, 9 Agarose Gel 5 9 Agarose Gel 7 hrs
2023 Electrophoresis hrs Electrophoresis
May 2-7, 2023 10 Centrifugation 5 10 Centrifugation: A 7 hrs
hrs separation method
May 2-3 & 11 Basic 5 11 Spectrophotometric 7 hrs
8,2023 Spectrophotometry hrs Analysis
May 16-18, Submission of Research proposal and Oral Presentation
2023
May 18-20, LECTURE EXAM 2 LABORATORY EXAM 2 hrs
23-24, 2023 hrs

II. Course Study Guide

The successful completion of this learning course requires diligence, independence,
willpower, and self-discipline. These qualities will help you tackle the challenges of
accomplishing your requirements and breezing through the entire course. Here are some
guides and house rules that would help you stay focused and achieve your goals:

1. Set-up a study space that is free of distractions to help you concentrate on your tasks.
Using the same study space repeatedly helps you establish a routine, making it easier for
you to work on your course requirements. Organize everything you need in your study
space to facilitate your learning process.

2. Time management is of utmost importance if you are to accomplish the tasks required by
all the courses that you enrolled in. Determine how much time each task entails and try
your best stick to your time limit. Do not procrastinate.

3. To-do-lists are excellent tools to remind you of your required tasks and help prioritize your
study plan. Create a study calendar to keep track of due dates or schedules of exams.
Check your list every day.

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 4. Read carefully and thoroughly all materials required for your online course. Understand
each assigned task before you start working on it. Create your own study notes to help
you remember key concepts. Make sure that you do not miss any activity. Reading in
advance will help you maximize both your time and productivity.

5. Offline resources are important instruments in supplementing your knowledge and

achieving your goals. Aside from the references provided for in your module, do additional
readings from other available sources related to the topic you are working on. Do not
plagiarize.

6. Write legibly when answering all activities. Be sure of your answers before writing it in the
module. You must remember that all activities in the module are academic activities,
which means that the relevant academic conventions apply. Think before you write.
 Your answers should be composed of complete and grammatically correct
sentences. Do not use abbreviations and acronyms unless these are introduced in
the readings.
 Quote your sources, if applicable, in answering all the activities.

7. Submit accomplished modules at the end of each term. Proceed working on the tasks of
the next module, while waiting for feedbacks regarding your submitted outputs. This is to
ensure that you will not fall behind your schedule.

9. Be independent with your course requirements. Always remember that you are a Louisian,
guided by Christian values. Remember why you enrolled in the first place. What is your
goal? Use this to motivate you to take on the challenges of distance learning.

10 Feel free to contact your teacher for inquiries related to your course or if youcannot
meet the deadline for the submission of your requirements.

Please take note that before you take the quizzes, make sure that you have
thoroughly read and understood the learning materials under posted in the
Google classroom. There will be lecture notes that are provided for you to study
and supplementary materials in the Google classroom. Please go over the specific
unit/activity for you to view the PowerPoint presentation, supplementary videos,
virtual lab discussions, post- lab discussions and some demonstrations on sample
calculations in the course. Intaking the quiz, answer in all honesty. Avoid referring to
your notes.

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means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited. 4
 On completion and submission of student outputs

You are encouraged to submit all class activities on time. In cases of late
submission, fill out the absence form of the Office of the Students Affairs (OSA) then
secure an excuse slip to be attached along the submitted activity. Take note, NO
OSA SLIP, NO GRADED ACTIVITY for late submission. There are some cases where
the release of the OSA slip is delayed, submit the activity at least 3 days from the
deadline. Send a message to your professor that the OSA slip will follow. ACTIVITES
SUBMITTED ONE WEEK AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE GRADED. This is for
your strict compliance.

If you will be absent for 3 consecutive or 5 non-consecutive meetings,

you will bereported to OSA.

Academic Misconduct
You are also encouraged to submit an original work. Plagiarism and cheating
in any form are not allowed. Student/s who will be caught in these acts will be
subjected to university policies (under academic discipline). For essay questions, lab
reports and paper presentation, you need to subject your work to a plagiarism
scanner (Plagscan or Grammarly). Make sure to attach the plagiarism report in
percent along with the submitted activity. The allowable plagiarism report is 2%.

III. Evaluation
To pass the course, you must:

 Read all course readings and answer the pre-assessment quizzes, self-assessment
activities, and reflection questions.
 Submit all activities for prelims, midterms, and finals.
 Accomplish the Prelim, Midterm, and Final Examinations.

Summative Assessment Activities

 Quizzes and Examination: The graded quizzes and periodical evaluation are
guided by the given evaluation tools/ rubrics.
 Graded Assignments and activities: The evaluation tools/ rubrics for these
assignments are all provided in this course.

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means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited. 5
 V. Grading System

PRELIM MIDTERM FINAL

Class standing 50% Class standing 50% Class standing 50%

Quizzes Quizzes Quizzes

Assignments Assignments Assignments
Other graded activities Other graded activities Other graded activities

Exam (transmuted) Exam (transmuted) Exam (transmuted)

50% 50% 50%

Lecture grade: 50%

Lab grade: 50%
FINAL GRADE= Prelim grade (30%) + Midterm grade (30%) + Tentative final grade (40%)

VI. Contact Information of Course Facilitator

For inquiries and clarification, you may contact:

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means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited. 6