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Laboratory Expectations and Information
To earn maximum credit on written assignments, you must attend and perform all the
labs. Assignments must be typed and on paper or you will receive no credit. We will
not accept assignments on a computer disk.
- See individual course syllabi (BS 110 and BS 111L) for Late Assignment policies.
- If you are unable to turn in your assignment on time, you must contact the Biological Sciences (BioSci) office immediately by calling 353 - 9635 and talking to Mr. Harpstead (see Make Up Policies).
- Students will select where they want to sit in the lab during the first lab session. This is where each person will remain for the semester unless the TA rearranges the groups.
- Verbal attendance and/or sign up sheets will be used by the TA for lab periods when assignments are due. If your TA cannot verify your presence, you may lose points from your score. The TA's record of attendance will be the official record (see lab syllabi - BS 110 or BS 111L).
- Attendance is required to earn full credit on written assignments. You must be present for all the lab periods relating to each assignment. Each unexcused missed lab may result in points being deducted from your total score (see lab syllabi - BS 110 or BS 111L).
E-mail Usage
E-mail and web E-mailings may be used in this course. You must activate your pilot account
and be enrolled in this course so you can receive any important information. Your lab
instructor may be using either system to send assignments or to collect assignments at a
specific time.
When assignments have to be e-mailed to the instructor, it is imperative that you also e-mail the information to yourself (include your e-mail address). When assignments have to be e-mailed to your instructor, it is your responsibility to double-check that the assignments arrive on time. COMPUTER ERROR WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS AN EXCUSE FOR LATENESS. To protect your interests, it is imperative that you copy e-mail submissions to yourself. Your copy should arrive in your e-mail box with date and time of transmission recorded. If you receive the copy and you sent the transmission on time, you need not worry about meeting the deadline; if for any reason, the copy sent to your instructor fails to arrive, your date/time-stamped copy to yourself will be accepted. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE COPY YOU SEND TO YOURSELF, YOU MUST BE CERTAIN TO RESUBMIT THE ASSIGNMENT SO THAT YOUR INSTRUCTOR HAS IT BY THE DEADLINE. Thus, it is imperative that you take prompt action to see if your copy arrived in your e-mail box and to resubmit if necessary. To assist you in the event of such problems, e-mail assignments can be turned in as hard copy during the 24 hours just preceding the deadline.
Make up Policies
This policy is available on the Make Up Policy page.
Disability Accommodations
Disability accommodations may be requested by calling the lab coordinator at 353 - 9635
prior to the first day of class to ensure sufficient time to make arrangements. Requests
received after this date will be met when possible.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism and cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is defined as
presenting another person's work as your own. Lab partners may work together in collecting
scientific data, but any written assignment turned in for grading must be individually
prepared. Individual reports must only contain data in which you have collected and
participated. Remember that you must be present in the lab to turn in the assignment,
unless you do the make-up.
All work that you turn in for grading must be your own original work and only your own work. Copying phrases or paragraphs from lecture or lab books (without citations), your partner's answers, or using diagrams from books (without citations) is considered plagiarism. Plagiarism may result in a grade of a 0 on the assignment or a failing grade for the course and could result in suspension from Michigan State University. If you study and do your own work, the risk of failure is less than the risk of failure if you cheat.
Laboratory Safety
Failure to comply with course guidelines and policies established during the semester may
affect your final lab grade. Potential hazardous chemicals and equipment may be used in
the lab. It is critical that the lab be maintained in a safe and organized fashion at all
times. Be aware of the safety features of the lab that your TA will describe. Please
discuss any special concerns (contact lenses, pregnancy or other conditions) with the lab
instructor or coordinator as soon as possible. Rolling in-line skates and open-toed shoes
are not allowed in the lab room. Intentional damage of
laboratory equipment, materials, supplies - or anything we provide - may result in a grade
of a 0 on the assignment or a 0 for the final grade.
Discussion of Grades
You must discuss questions about grading with your TA within one week of the time your TA
returns the assignment (except for the last assignment and Summer semester; your lab TA
will explain). Your TA may not make any changes to your grade after that week.
Evaluation of Laboratory Instructor
You will evaluate your lab instructor two times during the semester using an anonymous
SIRS form or a form developed by the lab coordinator. A mid-semester
and final evaluation will be given. One student will be assigned to collect the
evaluations and return the evaluations to the Biological Sciences office in 218 North
Kedzie.
Questions or Problems
Many common questions are answered in the FAQ.
If you have a problem or question concerning the lecture part of the course, see or contact the lecture professor.
If you have a problem or question concerning the laboratory, see your lab TA first. If your problem cannot be resolved, see or call the Biological Sciences office (phone 353-9635) and talk with Ms. Lawrence (lawren48@msu.edu).
If you are unable to resolve the problem with Ms. Lawrence, then contact
the Biological Sciences Program Director, Dr. John Merrill at 353-9635
or merrill3@msu.edu