Biological Lab Techniques

Biological Lab Techniques, usually shortened to Lab Techniques, is a single term, single period elective course open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students may choose from Biological Lab Techniques, Vertebrate Zoology, Genetics, or Molecular Science to fill the pre/corequisite requirement for AP Biology. Proficiency in elementary biology is assumed, and a strong background in molecular biology and microbiology is advantageous. Often, students decide to continue the projects started in this class and work on an Intel Research Project under Dr. Gastel.

Curriculum
The curriculum changes almost completely from semester to semester. However, certain techniques are relevant to all biological lab work and are always taught. These essential techniques include:
 * How to write reproducible, exact procedures
 * How to operate a microscope
 * How to operate micropipettes (this assumes proficiency in solution chemistry)
 * How to operate a spectrophotometer
 * How to prepare agar plates
 * How to maintain sterility throughout an experiment

The segment of the class where students design and execute their own experiments is largely variable, but a formal lab report must be written after every experiment. Students are also required to complete an extensive research paper and submit it to the DuPont Science Essay Challenge; while Dr. Gastel guides students through the rigorous editing process, essential techniques in scientific research and writing are taught.

Dr. Gastel
Dr. Gastel is a very friendly, jovial teacher. At the beginning of the semester, students must select lab partners. This selection is very important, as lab partners will collaborate in experiments and writing lab reports for the entire course. The initial part of the class is highly structured; however, once students have learned the basics, they begin experimenting with their own ideas, all connected under a central theme. Past themes include treatment of the SOD1 mutation in C. Elegans, and production of oil from golden brown algae. Several guided experiments and open ended experiments are performed, then work on the research paper is started. Towards the end of the term, papers are perfected through peer edits and teacher edits.

Assignments
Lab reports must be submitted after every experiment, and must follow a very high standard. The same goes for the term paper and students' lab notebooks. Dr. Gastel appreciates writing that is concise, but not so much as to be terse.

Grading Policy
Grades are based on improvement, lab reports, the term paper, experimental success/failure, and lab notebooks. Grades are capped at 95, and most students receive grades between 90 and 95.