20.109(S10)

Spring 2010

Instructors: Jacquin Niles, Alan Jasanoff, and Agi Stachowiak

Writing Instructor: Neal Lerner,  Linda Sutliff Oral Presentation Instructor: Atissa Banuazizi

TAs: Christina Birch, Xiaosai Yao, Nicole Casasnovas

Lecture: T/R 11-12 (4-237) Lab:     T/R 1-5 or W/F 1-5 (56-322)

Welcome to 20.109! For many of you this will be the first time in a research lab and for others it will not, but it is our goal to make this class a useful and fun introduction to experiments and techniques in biological engineering. There is not time enough to show you everything you’ll need to know if you go on to do research, but after taking this class you should feel confident and familiar with some fundamental experimental approaches and lab protocols. You will develop good habits at the bench, ones that will increase the likelihood of success in your work and ensure the health and safety of you and those around you. By the end of the semester, you should also be aware of good scientific practice, having had some experience with report writing, notebook keeping and publicly presenting your data. All of us involved in teaching 20.109 hope you will find it a satisfying challenge and an exciting experience that has lasting value.

Announcements

 * W/F folks, your final piece of data for 20.109 ever (!) is posted on the Day 7 Talk page, should you want to get an early start on analysis. You will have all of Day 7 (less a short pre-lab lecture, etc.) to finish any remaining analysis and your reports.


 * Re: module 3 report length. Some of you have inquired about an appropriate report length for module 3. Last year, students were typically able to successfully discuss their investigation in 4-5 double-spaced pages, not counting figures.


 * T/R folks, your final piece of data for 20.109 ever (!) is posted on the Day 7 Talk page, should you want to get an early start on analysis. You will have all of Day 7 (less a short pre-lab lecture, etc.) to finish any remaining analysis and your reports.


 * You can find the latest changes to the 20.109 wiki at Recent changes for 20.109
 * You can find old announcements here