C. Estrella
Botany
Notebook Instructions
You will be keeping a lab notebook throughout the semester. This is used as a study guide to help you keep track of material covered in each lab. Each completed lab topic is to be included in your notebook and must be in the approved format. Specifically, there will be a general report format that must be followed and drawings and labels of the specimens and structures studied in lab. You will need colored pencils and white drawing paper for the illustrative portion of the report. A well done lab notebook serves as an excellent source of study for lab exams. You will hand in your notebook for grading at each lab exam. You will lose 10% for each day late (weekends and holidays counts as one day).
The grade assigned for your notebook will reflect what I feel is the degree of learning that you have clearly demonstrated (in writing, interpreting, drawing, and labeling.
It is your responsibility to demonstrate (in your notebook) that you:
1. have a clear and concise idea of the objectives of the lab,
2. describe each exercise and give reasons why the exercise was done and what was demonstrated (how does the exercise relate to the concept to be learned and what is the concept),
3. Draw, diagram, label, chart, graph, etc. specimens, experiments, and observations using a word processor, colored pencils, etc. (or fac simile.)
In order to receive full credit for lab reports (notebook) you must demonstrate what and how much you have learned for each lab. Anything omitted in your lab report will be assumed omitted in your learning and you will not gain those points.
Your grade on the lab notebook will be based on several criteria:
1. Organization: easy to read and follow with a logical progression through the lab material (10%)
2. Neatness: body must be typed. Figures, drawings, etc. must be neatly printed and complete (10%)
3. Drawings and diagrams: including graphs and tables where appropriate, properly and completely labeled (40%)
4. Explanation: of all observations and the results of observations and/or experiments. I am more interested in what you understand and have demonstrated (in writing/drawing) what you have learned. Therefore, your explanation of WHY certain results or observations occurred, what should have occurred or how it compares to other concepts, and what significance organisms and structures have in terms of the area of study for that lab is more important than just stating what you did in that exercise. (40%)
You must have these FIVE sections clearly labeled in your report:
I. OBJECTIVES
LIST the goals of learning for each lab. There should be at least 3 or 4 objectives listed and numbered.
II. DESCRIPTION OF EXERCISES AND/OR OBSERVATIONS
Discuss the taxonomy, life cycle, function of structures of the specimens observed in lab. All sturctures identified on illustrations in your report needs to be discussed. Make sure you divide your discussions by each exercise and part. Each part needs to be titled and devote a paragraph or two to the discussion of the activity or specimen.
Do NOT state what you did in lab. Your lab manual already has specific instructions which needs not be reported in your report. Report only information learned to demonstrate your knowledge of the concept, structures, and specimens discussed. If in doubt, see me or check a report model to see what format to use.
Remember, you are not reporting on what you did. You are reporting on what you learned or should have learned or what is the concept.
III. NEW TERMS
(List and defined IN YOUR OWN WORDS all terms that are new to you - there should be more than two or three for each lab. These are terms you have identified as those you will be learning.
IV. PERSONAL CRITIQUE AND STATEMENT OF LEARNING
(WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THIS LAB?) - You complete this section by answering the following questions:
a. What important concept(s) did you learn from this lab?
b. How might these concepts be used in your life now or in the future (as you may continue in your studies in biology or related science)?
c. What was difficult for you?
d. Why was it difficult?
e. What was easy for you?
f. Why was it easy?
g. What could be done to improve this lab to make it more effective in learning the material?
V. ILLUSTRATIONS
Most of what you will be doing in this class is drawing what you observe during lab. All drawings, graphs, and charts need to be identified as Fig. or Table or Graph 1, 2, 3, etc. You decide how you want to design this. You may put up to 4 drawings on one page. Each drawing needs to be identified (Fig.), titled (name of what you are trying to illustrate), and the total magnification stated. Place a measurement scale within the field of the drawing. This technique will be explained in class. If you do not understand how to do this, see me for an explanation before you turn in your lab notebook). All pages containing drawings, graphs, and charts must be placed at the end of each lab report. All drawings must be fully labeled.
**The above first 4 parts must to be typed - no exceptions please. (There is a computer center at both the Merced and Los Banos campuses. At the Merced campus, computers are also available in the Biology 1AT (S-15) lab.)
Peer Evaluation of Notebooks: At the end of the semester (usually within the last two formal labs) you will be given the opportunity to evaluate another student's notebook. This means that your notebooks will need to be completed at least in draft form a little earlier for this to occur. You will be graded on how well you evaluate the notebook (the final notebook evaluation will be done by me).