MBIOS-360-shane.a.thomas-2026-01-14-11-16-19
Below is a syllabus template that includes WSU's required syllabus elements. Please complete all items highlighted in yellow.
Title of Course [Cell & Molecular Lab ]
Prefix and Number [Mbios 360]
Semester and Year [tbd]
Number of Credit Hours [3.0]
Prerequisites [MBIOS 301; MBIOS 303 or concurrent enrollment]
Course Details
Day and Time: [Tuesdays & Thursdays 1:30-2:45]
Meeting Location: [SPARK G0010]
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Name: [Dr. Shane Thomas]
Instructor Contact Information: [office location, phone, email] [BLS 445, 509-335-7714, shane.a.thomas@wsu.edu]
Instructor Office Hours: [click here for best practices] [2:45-3:45 and by appointment]
TA Name: [tbd]
TA Contact Information: [office location, phone, email]: [tbd]
TA Office Hours: [click here for best practices] [tbd]
Course Description
[Laboratory methods in cell biology, genetics and molecular biology. The course aims to help you become more proficient in thinking through practices of science such as experimental approaches and interpreting results. We also focus on reading and writing in science.]
Course Materials
Books: [$0 - primary literature]
Other Materials: [n/a]
Fees: [n/a]
|
Course Learning Outcomes (students will be able to:) |
Activities Supporting the Learning Outcomes | Assessment of the Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| - Identify the big picture and the research question of a peer-reviewed publication. | Reading and writing, peer feedback, classroom discussion | Writing of formative assessments |
|
Reading and writing, peer and instructor/TA feedback, classroom discussion | Writing of formative assessments as well as Summative assessment |
|
Classroom discussion and reading. TA/Instructor feedback
|
Iteratively create an NIH specific aims proposal - Summative assessment |
|
Classroom discussion and reading. |
Formative writing assessments |
|
Classroom discussion and reading. |
Summative and formative assessments |
|
Reading and writing, peer feedback, classroom discussion |
formative assessments |
| Dates | Lesson Topic / Assignment | Assessment | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Week
|
Day |
Topic |
|
|
1 (08/18) |
Tuesday |
Intro, CREATE, Model experimental design |
Design proposal |
|
Thursday |
Covid-19 – measuring binding of spike protein |
Construct summary | |
|
2 (08/25) |
Tuesday |
Covid-19 – measuring binding of spike protein, writing summary |
Peer Feedback |
|
Thursday |
Covid-19 WSU Insider Summary |
Iterative summary | |
|
3 (09/01) |
Tuesday |
TRIM – (EGFR pathway) BRAF, Cyclins, checkpoints, cell cycle |
TRIM worksheet |
|
Thursday |
TRIM – (EGFR pathway) BRAF, Cyclins, checkpoints, cell cycle |
TRIM worksheet | |
|
4 (09/08) |
Tuesday |
TRIM – (EGFR pathway) BRAF, Cyclins, checkpoints, cell cycle |
TRIM worksheet |
|
Thursday |
TRIM – (EGFR pathway) BRAF, Cyclins, checkpoints, cell cycle |
Introduce modeling | |
|
5 (09/15) |
Tuesday |
NetLogo – Modeling Metastasis – Agent based modeling |
N/A |
|
Thursday |
NetLogo – Modeling Metastasis – Chemotherapeutics, experimental design |
N/A | |
|
6 (09/22) |
Tuesday |
NetLogo – Modeling Metastasis – data collection |
Peer Observation |
|
Thursday |
NetLogo – Modeling Metastasis – Write Up |
Summary of experiment and claims | |
|
7 (09/29) |
Tuesday |
Organoids – Overview and Article (read) |
TRIM worksheet |
|
Thursday |
Organoids – Article & summary |
TRIM worksheet | |
|
8 (10/06) |
Tuesday |
Model Organisms |
|
|
Thursday |
Model Organisms |
Present to class | |
|
9 (10/13) |
Tuesday |
Introducing Specific Aims Proposals, Tools of the Year (Nature) |
|
|
Thursday |
Tools of the Year (Nature) |
Present to class | |
|
10 (10/20) |
Tuesday |
Microbiota & Wellbeing – Article (experimental design) |
|
|
Thursday |
Microbiota & Wellbeing – Figure presentations |
Present to class | |
|
11 (10/27) |
Tuesday |
Specific Aims Proposals |
|
|
Thursday |
Specific Aims Proposals - Submit |
Summative Rough Drafts Due | |
|
12 (11/03) |
Tuesday |
NCBI – Blast |
|
|
Thursday |
NCBI – Gene Bank |
Blast worksheet | |
|
13 (11/10) |
Tuesday |
Primer Design |
|
|
Thursday |
Primer Design |
IDT Primer worksheet | |
|
14 (11/17) |
Tuesday |
Results & Specific Aims |
|
|
Thursday |
Results & Specific Aims |
||
|
15 (11/24) |
Thanksgiving Vacation |
||
|
16 (12/01) |
Tuesday |
Results & Specific Aims |
|
|
Thursday |
Results & Specific Aims |
Summative Assessments Due | |
|
17 (12/08) |
Finals |
||
Expectations for Student Effort
[Describe how much time students should expect to invest in the course each week. Graduate courses should state: "For each hour of lecture equivalent, students should expect to have a minimum of two hours of work outside of class." Note that Global campus courses will automatically include credit hour equivalents in the syllabus.]
You can expect to spend approximately 6 hours outside class per week.
This will largely include reading and writing
Grading [add more lines if necessary]
| Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) | Points | Percent of Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Formative Assessments | 150 | 48% |
| Summative Assessments | 100 | 32% |
| Professionalism | 60 | 20% |
| Grade | Percent | Grade | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A |
Above 94% |
C | 74-76.9% |
| A- | 90 - 93.9% | C- | 70-73.9% |
| B+ | 87-89.9% | D+ | 64-69.9% |
| B | 84-86.9% | D | 60-63.9% |
| B- | 80-83.9% | F | Less than 60% |
| C+ | 77-79.9% |
[Provide information about how grades will be rounded (eg, if 89% earns a B+ and 90% earns an A-, what grade is given to a student with an 89.5?]
Attendance and Make-Up Policy
[Provide details on how attendance affects final course grades. Indicate whether and how missed exams, laboratory sessions, etc. can be made up. Sample attendance statement: “Students should make all reasonable efforts to attend all class meetings. However, in the event a student is unable to attend a class, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor as soon as possible, explain the reason for the absence (and provide documentation, if appropriate), and make up class work missed within a reasonable amount of time, if allowed. Missing class meetings may result in reducing the overall grade in the class.” ]
You are expected to come to class prepared. This can include any assignments such as reading or
writing. In addition, this course is designed to socially engage you with your peers as we learn
tools and techniques, while enhancing your writing and reading skills. Please participate to your
best ability. This class, much like life, you will get the most out of it if you put in the effort.
Reasonable accommodations are available for students with documented disabilities or chronic
medical or psychological conditions. If you have such a condition and need accommodations to
fully participate in this class, please visit your campus’ Access Center/Services website to follow
published procedures to request accommodations. Students may also contact their campus offices
to schedule an appointment with a Access Advisor. All disability related accommodations are to
be approved through the Access Center/Services on your campus. It is a university expectation
that students connect with instructors (via email, Zoom, or in person) to discuss logistics within
two weeks after they have officially requested their accommodations. Please stop by or call 509-
335-3417 to make an appointment with a disability specialist. Access Center
https://www.accesscenter.wsu.edu or email at access.center@wsu.edu.
Academic Integrity Statement
You are responsible for reading WSU's Academic Integrity Policy, which is based on Washington State law. If you cheat in your work in this class you will:
Academic integrity is the cornerstone of higher education. As such, all members of the university
community share responsibility for maintaining and promoting the principles of integrity in all
activities, including academic integrity and honest scholarship. Academic integrity will be
strongly enforced in this course. Students who violate WSU’s Academic Integrity Policy
(identified in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 50426-010(3) and -404) will
receive zero points for the assignment, will not have the option to withdraw from the course
pending an appeal, and will be reported to the Center for Community Standards. You will receive
a grade of “X” until the Center for Community Standards decides of the validity of the
accusation brought against you. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism and
unauthorized collaboration as defined in the Standards of Conduct for Students, WAC 504-26-
010(3). You need to read and understand all of the definitions of cheating:
http://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=504-26-010
If you have any questions about what is and not allowed in this course after reading the previous
page, you should ask course instructors before proceeding. If you wish to appeal a faculty
member's decision relating to academic integrity, please use the form available at
conduct.wsu.edu. Feel free to contact the Center for Community Standards if you would like
more specific information about the process. The Center for Community Standards can be
reached at 509-335-4532 or community.standards@wsu.edu The School of Molecular
Biosciences does not tolerate Academic Dishonesty. If this is not clear check the following web
sites:
Academic Dishonesty overview; https://conduct.wsu.edu/policies/
WSU plagiarism website; http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/plagiarism/
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
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Pullman Campus Safety Plan; https://safetyplan.wsu.edu
Office of Emergency Management; https://oem.wsu.edu
WSU Alert; https://alert.wsu.edu
Classroom and campus safety are of paramount importance at Washington State University, and
are the shared responsibility of the entire campus population. WSU urges students to follow the
“Alert, Assess, Act,” protocol for all types of emergencies and the “Run, Hide, Fight” response
for an active shooter incident. Remain ALERT (through direct observation or emergency
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topics, please view the FBI’s Run, Hide, Fight video and visit the WSU safety portal. Full details
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and Harassment (Executive Policy 15) This policy expresses WSU’s commitment to maintaining
an environment free from discrimination, including sexual harassment. This policy applies to all
students, faculty, staff, or others having an association with the University. Key Policies
Reminder July 25, 2022, Page 4 Discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, sexual
harassment, and sexual misconduct (including stalking, intimate partner
violence, and sexual violence) is prohibited at WSU (See WSU Policy Prohibiting
Discrimination and Harassment (Executive Policy 15) and WSU Standards of Conduct for
Students). If you feel you have experienced or have witnessed discriminatory conduct, you can
contact the WSU Office of Compliance and Civil Rights (CCR) and/or the WSU Title IX
Coordinator at 509-335-8288 to discuss resources, including confidential resources, and
reporting options. (Visit https://ccr.wsu.edu/ for more information). Most WSU employees,
including faculty, who have information regarding sexual harassment or sexual misconduct are
required to report the information to CCR or a designated Title IX Coordinator or Liaison. Visit
https://ccr.wsu.edu/file-acomplaint/ for more information.
Lauren’s Promise – I will listen and believe you if someone is threatening you.
Lauren McCluskey, a 21-year-old honors student athlete, was murdered on October 22, 2018, on
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Policy 15 - WSU Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment, the WSU Standards of
Conduct for Students, and relevant employee manuals). WSU has instituted procedures to
respond to violations of these laws and standards, programs aimed at the prevention of such
conduct, and intervention on behalf of victims. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you
are experiencing sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, discrimination or harassment, you
have support and options. If you share information with me, please know that I am required to
reach out to the Title IX Coordinator in WSU Compliance and Civil Rights (CCR), and CCR will
reach out to you with information about on and off campus reporting options and resources. CCR
is a systemwide resource (all campuses) which is available for intake consultations for you to
learn more about available support. You can reach them directly at 509-335-8288, ccr@wsu.edu,
or report online (anonymous reports accepted). You can also speak to a victim advocate, a
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planning.
-Be reported to the Center for Community Standards
-Have the right to appeal my decision
-Not be able to drop the course of withdraw from the course until the appeals process is finished
If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask me.
If you want to ask for a change in my decision about academic integrity, use the form at the Center for Community Standards website. You must submit this request within 21 calendar days of the decision.