SYLLABUS
BIOLOGY 260L - HUMAN GENETICS LABORATORY
Spring, 1999

INSTRUCTORDr. Vicente Lombraña, Jr.
                                 Science Center, Room 144
                                 Phone:  439-3775, 439-3761 (Home:  434-3152)
                                 e-mail:  lombrana@nmsua.nmsu.edu
                                 Home Page:  http://alamo.nmsu.edu/~vlombran

                                 Office Hours:  To Be Announced

COURSEHuman Genetics Laboratory   1 cr.
                       A one term laboratory course in human genetics. Biology 260L illustrates the use
                       of scientific methods and makes use of demonstrations and exercises to reinforce
                       the concepts presented in Biology 260 (Human Genetics).  Concurrent enrollment
                       in Biology 260 is therefore strongly advised.

PREREQUISITEBiology 111G (Natural History of Life)

RATIONALEHuman Genetics Laboratory is an optional, one credit laboratory
                               course designed to provide students with laboratory experience in human
                               oriented genetics.  The course is intended for science and health careers
                               majors, and for non science majors who have a serious interest in human
                               genetics.

DAY/TIME/PLACE TBA

TEXTGenetics Laboratory Investigations by Thomas R. Mertens and Robert L.
               Hammersmith, 11th edition.
               NOTE:  Always bring your text to class.

GRADESStudents will take weekly laboratory quizzes.  Each quiz will be based on the
                       assigned laboratory investigations; the quizzes will also be based on the following:
                       the introductory material presented during the pre-lab briefing, the assigned readings,
                       and the in-lab discussions. In addition to the weekly quizzes, students will also be
                       expected to complete, and turn in, regularly assigned, internet-based homework
                       assignments.  In most cases, the assignments will involve accessing human genetics
                       related  information through the HGI (Human Genetics on the Internet) home page
                       (http://alamo.nmsu.edu/~vlombran/hgenetics.htm/).  Students will also be expected
                       to prepare and give an oral presentation on a topic pertaining to human genetics.
                       The presentation will be worth 20% of the final grade. The final grade will be based
                       on the total accumulation of quiz and assignment scores (expressed as a
                       percentage).

                      There will be NO MAKEUP FOR MISSED QUIZZES.  If you have a
                      written medical excuse or notice of family catastrophe, AND IF YOU
                      HAVE  COMPLETED A NOTICE OF ABSENCE FORM, a missed
                      quiz grade may be dropped from calculation of the final grade.  If you know
                      that you must miss a quiz, CONTACT THE INSTRUCTOR AS SOON
                      AS POSSIBLE.  Students will be penalized for all late homework assignments.
                      Cheating will result in a zero for the quiz and possible dismissal from the class.

GRADING SCALE
90.00-100.00 = A
80.00- 89.99 = B
70.00-79.99 = C
60.00- 69.99 = D
0.00- 59.99 = F

                       The grade of  I (incomplete) will only be given for passable work that could not
                       be completed due to circumstances beyond the student's control.  Examples of
                       appropriate circumstances include documented illness, documented death or
                       crisis in the student's immediate family, and similar circumstances.  Job related
                       circumstances are generally not appropriate grounds for assigning an I grade.
                       In no case is an I grade to be used to avoid the assigning of D, F, U, or RR
                       grades for marginal or failing work.  For more information regarding the NMSU
                       grading system, see page 16 of the 1998-1999 New Mexico State
                       Undergraduate Catalog.

                       STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:  If you have a disability, you may wish
                       to self identify.  You can do so by providing documentation to the Counselor
                       for Special Populations, Mr. Jim Payne (phone:  439-3720).
                       Appropriate accommodations may then be provided for you.

                       If you have a condition which may affect your ability to exit safely from the
                       premises in case of an emergency, or which may cause an emergency during
                       class, you are encouraged to discuss this in confidence with the instructor and/or
                       the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator.  If you have general
                       questions about the ADA, call the ADA Coordinator, Doris Lynch, at
                       439-3716.  All medical information will be held in strict confidence.

ATTENDANCEStudents are expected to attend all lecture sessions. PUNCTUALITY
                                  AND REGULAR ATTENDANCE ARE ESSENTIAL FOR
                                  SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE.  IF YOU
                                  MISS A CLASS, YOU SHOULD COMPLETE A NOTICE OF
                                  ABSENCE FORM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (IF POSSIBLE,
                                  WITHIN 24 TO 48 HOURS OF MISSING THE CLASS).  THE
                                  NOTICE OF ABSENCE FORM CAN BE COMPLETED ANY
                                  TIME DURING MY SCHEDULED OFFICE HOURS.
                                  Students who chronically disrupt class by either arriving to class late or
                                  by leaving class early will not be tolerated.

CLASSROOM RULES(1)  There is no smoking, eating, or drinking in any room
                                                        of the Science Center.

                                                 (2)  PLEASE REFRAIN FROM TALKING WHILE THE
                                                        INSTRUCTOR IS LECTURING.  Excessive and/or
                                                        loud talking is DISTRACTING AND ANNOYING.

                                                 (3)  If you miss a class, see the instructor as soon as
                                                       possible so that you can make arrangements to
                                                       complete a notice of absence form.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTSSpelling counts!  If you are not sure about the correct
                                                             spelling (or meaning) of a term, check the glossary at
                                                             the end of your text.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCYIf someone in your family needs to contact you in an
                                                           emergency, use the following telephone numbers:

                                                           DAYTIME:  439-3720
                                                           EVENING:  439-3751 or 439-3761

                                                           To expedite finding you in the evening, the person calling
                                                           should know the class that you are attending (for
                                                           example, Biology 260-01).
 
Laboratory Schedule
HGI Home Page
Instructor's Home Page