Lab Strategies

Strategies for biology labs relate to finishing labs in a timely manner, following the directions correctly, and preparing for lab exams.

• Preparation
• Slide Identification with Flash Cards
• Time Management
• Information Organization
• Lab Testing Format

Preparation

Prepare for each lab by reading the procedure before class. Prepare an "abbreviated lab procedure." In other words, write out a shortened, step-by-step version of what you will be doing for the next lab, eliminating all extraneous words and explanations. Then just refer to the lab manual for clarification during lab.

For example, the abbreviated procedure might be:

• Get corn
• Count purple and yellow kernels
• Record

Some students prefer to highlight the lab manual instead of writing an abbreviated procedure, but writing is preferred because entering information with more than one sense increases understanding and retention.

Slide Identification with Flash Cards

Some lab evaluations require identification of slides. The slides may be of cells, cell structures, species, or parts of the anatomy. Flash cards are a good way to approach this lab task.

First you must xerox the diagram or figure from your lab book or text book. You may have to reduce the figure so it will fit on an index card. Use white-out to cover over the terms that identify structures on the diagram or figure. Number the structures to be identified. Cut out and attach this altered form of the illustration to one side of the index card. Identify the numbered structures on the back side of the card.

Time Management

Make use of the entire lab time. Resist the temptation to leave early. Be prepared with flash cards or other study aids to review if you have extra time. Many lab courses run only part of the semester; some only last one month. It may seem that you are working all the time, but remember that it will only last a few weeks! If you get behind it will be difficult to catch up.

Some students will not prepare for labs because they have a quiz at the beginning of every lab and the "don't want to confuse the old and new material." With this time management strategy, one can do both.

• If the labs are on Tuesday and Thursday, reserve Tuesday night for the abbreviated lab procedure and quiz preparation.
• On Wednesday, just review for the quiz.
• On Thursday, take the quiz and then review the abbreviated procedure and complete the lab.
• On Thursday evening, prepare the abbreviated lab procedure for next Tuesday's lab and prepare for the upcoming quiz.
• The following Monday, just review for the quiz.
• On Tuesday, take the quiz and then review the abbreviated lab procedure.
• Repeat the process.

It often helps to put this schedule on a monthly planner, such as the one below.

Lab Schedule for Biology 111:

Information Organization

Keep a separate notebook for lab materials. A three-ring binder is recommended as handouts and study aids may be added easily. Use dividers to separate different labs or different types of material (e.g. notes, tests, handouts). Binders with pockets or dividers with pockets allow you to keep flash cards with the other lab material.

Lab Testing Formats

The lab testing format depends on the type of lab and instructor. The format of the lab test will influence how you should prepare for the test. Ask the instructor about the testing format you should expect. Although it is best to ask the instructor, you can also find other students who have taken the class and ask them about test formats.

For Muskingum College's instructors, the following formats may be expected unless told otherwise.

• For Dr. Quinn's labs, the midterm and final exam require identification of cell types that are shown on the overhead projector. The remainder of the test usually includes fill-ins and short answer essays.
• For Dr. Ingold's labs, quizzes covering the previous lab are given at the beginning of each lab session. The final exam includes slide identification with slides shown on the overhead projector. The remainder of the test is objective questions.
• For Dr. Akinwunmi's labs, quizzes covering the previous lab are given at the beginning of each lab session. The final exam includes multiple choice, short answer, and (depending on which lab you take) questions requiring the use of math. You may be required to label diagrams.
• For Dr. Saksena's labs, it is essential that complete lecture notes be taken in a separate notebook since lectures are given at the beginning of lab. Students are advised to form study groups of three to four students for comparison of notes and self-testing. Lab drawings need to be neat; draw lines with a ruler and be as precise as possible. Be sure to check spelling. The final exam consists of fill-ins and short answer questions. Students may be required to draw and label structures. The test may also include essay questions.