Instructor: Nancy Bushnell
Office: FACULTY I, ROOM 111
Office Hours: W(12:00-1:30p.m.) T,Th(7-8a.m. & 3-4 p.m.) and by appointment
Office Phone: 245-8251
Email Address: bushnell@hawaii.edu
REQUIRED BOOKS:
"KAUAI'S GEOLOGIC HISTORY" by Chuck Blay and Robert Siemers; and
Lab Packet to be handed out in class.
OTHER REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Computer Account, Graph paper, metric ruler, colored pens or pencils, lab field book
(composition book found in bookstore)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This one credit, three hour laboratory complements BIOL 123 lecture which needs to be
taken concurrently or in a previous semester. Subject matter illustrates topics and methods
in science using examples from Hawaiian Natural History. Credit toward fulfilling the NS 1
or UHM general education core diversification science lab (DY) requirement is given for BIOL 123L.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of Biology 123L, the student should be able to:
1. describe and employ the scientific method in laboratory investigation
2. demonstrate approved techniques of handling specimens and equipment
3. write a computer generated project proposal to include a title page, introduction, methods and
materials, description of a final report, references and acknowledgements, resume and a budget
4. carry out independent research on project proposal (#3 above)
5. work effectively in a group to accomplish goals
6. perform measurements including mathematical analysis required in lab project
7. record data accurately and in proper form
8. analyze and interpret data showing problem solving techniques
9. use a computer to analyze data creating at least one chart and/or one graph
10. write a computer generated Final Report to include a title page, abstract, table of contents,
introduction and background, methods and materials, data results with a discussion of those results,
evaluation, and references and acknowledgements
11. create a media presentation (poster, video, handout, or powerpoint) of the project data
for the research report
12. present research project orally to the class
GRADES:
The final grade will be determined by completion of the project rough draft proposal (25 points),
final written research proposal report (100 points), presentation by poster, video, or
powerpoint (15 points), oral report (30 points), attendance, participation and service
project participation (30 points).
Failure to attend or participate in labs can result in your final grade being dropped,
one full letter grade for every two labs missed.
Final grades will be assigned on the following basis:
Please feel free to check with me during the semester regarding your progress. If a student has a complaint or concern regarding the class or teaching, that person needs to make an appointment and talk with the instructor to resolve the problem.
WITHDRAWALS and INCOMPLETES:
Remember that the final date for withdrawal is _____________. A "W" (withdrawal grade)
after ____________requires the instructor's signature and is given only in cases of extreme or
unusual circumstances such as 1) a certified medical reason or, 2) a death in the immediate
family. Grade related excuses are unacceptable.
Incomplete ("I" grade): Students must present the "request for incomplete" form prior to
the last day of instruction. "I" grades will be given only to students who are achieving
passing grades and are very close to completing the course. In addition, the student must have a
very good reason for not being able to complete all the work on time, such as those listed under
the withdrawal policy.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD:
This laboratory emphasizes a "hands on" approach with independent projects designed to demonstrate research methods under the supervision of the instructor. Science mentors are matched with student projects to give students a rigorous field experience. Lab time is used to meet with instructor, mentor, and carry out planned research project. The projects are set up to foster group interaction, organizational skills, experiment skills, thinking skills, and writing skills. Students will need to set aside extra time outside of lab class to collect data, work on the computers, and meet with other students if necessary.
If you have a disability and have not voluntarily disclosed the nature of your disability and the support that you need, you are invited to contact the Student Services Office, 245-8314 or 245-8212 as soon as possible. This is to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
STUDENT CONDUCT and ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
As members of the academic community students are expected to promote
an atmosphere of honesty and learning, respect for others, and appropriate
classroom behavior to maintain the academic integrity essential to the
educational process. "Academic dishonesty cannot be condoned by the
University. Such dishonesty includes cheating and plagarism which
violate the Student Conduct Code and may result in expulsion from the University."
(Kauai Community College 2007-8 Catalog, p. 53)
BIOL 123L HAWAIIAN ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE LAB SCHEDULE
| JANUARY | (1/15) Syllabus and Release Forms | (1/17)LRC Presentation |
| JANUARY | (1/19) SATURDAY SERVICE WHALE PROJECT | 9A.M. UNTIL 12:30 |
| JANUARY | (1/22)Lecture on Proposal Paper | (1/24)Work on Resume |
| JANUARY | (1/26) SATURDAY SERVICE WHALE PROJECT #1 | 8A.M. UNTIL NOON |
| JANUARY | (1/29) Work on Proposal Paper | (1/31) Using EXCEL for charts and graphs |
| FEBRUARY | (2/5)Work on Proposal Paper | (2/7) Powerpoint Presentation |
| FEBRUARY | (2/12)Work on Proposal Paper | (2/14)PROPOSAL ROUGH DRAFT DUE |
| FEBRUARY | (2/19)Work on Final Report Packet | (2/21)Work on Final Report Packet |
| FEBRUARY | (2/23)SATURDAY SERVICE WHALE PROJECT #2 | 8A.M. UNTIL NOON |
| FEBRUARY | (2/26)Work on Final Report Packet | (2/28) FINAL Proposal Packet DUE-end of class |
| MARCH | (3/4) Work on Oral Report | (3/6)Work on Oral Report |
| MARCH | (3/11)Work on Oral Report | (3/13) Oral/media Presentation |
| MARCH | (3/18) Oral/media Presentation | (3/19)Oral/media Presentation |
| MARCH | (3/24-28) HOLIDAY | SPRING BREAK |
| MARCH | (2/29)OPTIONAL SATURDAY SERVICE WHALE PROJECT #3 | MAKE UP FOR AN ABSENCE 8A.M. UNTIL NOON |
| MARCH | (4/1)NO CLASS-SERVICE WHALE PROJECT | (4/3)NO CLASS-SERVICE WHALE PROJECT |
| APRIL | (4/8)NO CLASS-SERVICE WHALE PROJECT | (4/10)NO CLASS-SERVICE WHALE PROJECT |
| APRIL | (4/15)NO CLASS-SERVICE WHALE PROJECT | (4/17)NO CLASS-SERVICE WHALE PROJECT |
| APRIL | (4/22)NO CLASS-SERVICE WHALE PROJECT | (4/24)NO CLASS-SERVICE WHALE PROJECT |
| APRIL | (4/29)NO CLASS-SERVICE WHALE PROJECT | (5/1)NO CLASS-SERVICE WHALE PROJECT |
| MAY | (5/6)NO CLASS-SERVICE WHALE PROJECT |