LABORATORY INSTRUCTOR:Mr. John LongOFFICE:SCI/TECH 206

Human Anatomy Laboratory Manual with Cat Dissections. 3^rd ed. 2001. Elaine N. Marieb, Benjamin Cunnings.

Cat Musculature; A Photographic Atlas 2^nd ed.1980. Gordon M. Greenblatt, The University of Chicago Press.

Student Dissection Kits (Available from Campus book store)

Non-sterile Latex or non-latex examination gloves. (Available from local drug  and discount stores)

GENERAL INFORMATION:

1. Students should familiarize themselves with the policies concerning the laboratory, academic integrity etc. stated in the lecture syllabus as these policies will be followed for the laboratory portion of the course.

2. Ask questions if you are uncertain about materials covered during the lab sessions.Questions concerning the lab material should be directed to the laboratory instructor.

3. Students should bring their laboratory manual (Marieb) to each lab session.Students who have purchased any of the supplemental texts should also bring those materials for reference.

4. Labs will begin promptly at the scheduled starting time.Students arriving late may miss important introductory material.

5. Due to the volume of material covered, students will need to spend some "out-of-class" time in the laboratory. A schedule of times during the week when the lab is available will be announced in lab.As a prerequisite for maintaining an open lab policy, students must: follow all lab safety policies when working in the lab; clean-up after completing work; and return all materials to their appropriate locations when finished with them.As a rule, the lab should be cleaner and more organized when you leave than when you arrived.For security reasons, students are not permitted to be in the lab during the weekends and during vacations.

6. Students will be working in groups of 3 or 4 individuals during most of the lab periods.Each student should actively participate in the group activities.A handout describing the dynamics of group activities will be distributed at the first lab meeting.

7. Most students enrolled in Biology 129 have the ultimate goal of becoming a health care professional.Professionals are expected by potential employers and the patients they serve to be able to communicate information (both verbally and written) in an accurate and effective manner.To that end, students in Biology 129 are required to demonstrate proficiency in both spelling and pronunciation of the terminology presented in this course.Failure to use correct spelling on an exam or quiz will result in a deduction of points!

EVALUATIONS:

1. Practical exams:There will be four (4) practical exams given during the semester.Each exam will be worth 100 points.The exams (including Practical IV) are NOT cumulative.The exams will be practical in nature, that is identify/classify the structure etc., however a small number of short answer and/or multiple choice questions may be used.Please note that spelling counts.Misspelled answers will result in the deduction of points from the exam/quiz.Lab sessions will start 30 minutes later than the normal start time on days that exams are given.

2. Quizzes: A series of quizzes will be administered throughout the semester.A total of forty points will be possible for the semester for quizzes. The format of the quizzes may be multiple choice, short answer, matching, and/or fill-in.Quizzes WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE.

3. Participation: Sixty(60) points will be awarded as a participation grade.Factors such as attendance, (see Attendance policy below) technique, failure to prepare for lab sessions and laboratory clean-up will be used to determine the number of points earned by each student for this component of the lab grade.

4. Exam/Quiz Make-up policy:Attendance at all exams/quizzes is mandatory.Missing an exam/quiz will result in a zero unless you provide a valid reason 1) as documented by a medical professional or campus administrator or 2) as determined by the lab instructor PRIOR to the absence.Students are responsible for all materials missed due to absence.The format of the make-up lab evaluations may differ from the original test.Students will have one week from the date of the original evaluation to schedule the make up exam/quiz.

5.Point Distribution:The laboratory points will be distributed as follows:
 

Attendance Policy:

Because of the volume of the material presented in this course, it is critical that students attend all lab sessions.Students must give prior notification to the lab instructor to be considered for an excused absence.One unexcused absence will result in the loss of 30 participation points, the second unexcused absence will result in the loss of all participation points.Two late arrivals (10+ minutes) to class will constitute one unexcused absence and result in the loss of participation points. Students should note the attendance policy in their lecture syllabus for further information concerning absences. 

Inclement Weather Policy:

The weather policy for Penn State Mont Alto can be found at http://www.ma.psu.edu/inclement.html.In the event of inclement weather, students should listen to the designated radio/television stations to find out whether classes are cancelled or on a modified schedule.Students may also call the campus’ weather hotline (717-749-6090) for this information.This information should be available by 6:00 am for that day.

In addition to the campus policy, I have developed a weather policy for students in my classes.My policy is as follows.

If it is snowing and/or if roads are ice/snow covered and the University is not operating on a modified schedule or has not cancelled classes, I ask that Commuting students use their discretion.Whether or not commuting students wish to attempt to drive to campus is a decision best left to the individual.If it is too treacherous to drive, please do not risk life or limb to come to class.I will excuse your absence under these circumstances.Please bear in mind that this policy applies only to commuter students.

Students living in the dorms or off-campus housing are expected to attend class as long as the University has not cancelled classes.If the campus is operating on a modified schedule, please arrive for class at the time designated for our class (see the web page listed above for times).

Please note that if you are late arriving for a class during inclement weather, I will not count that tardiness against you.I would much rather you safely arrive late than not at all. 

In the event that the campus is on a modified schedule or classes are cancelled on a day that a lab exam is scheduled, the evaluation will be given during the next regularly scheduled lab session.

In the rare event that I am not able to drive to campus, I will post a message on my office voicemail by 8:00 am.