SALALE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY AND FIELD TECHNIQUES (BIOL 2021)

COURSE GUIDEBOOK

Department Biology
Course Title: Biological laboratory and field techniques
Course Code Biol 2021
Course credit: 2 [Link] (1 theoretical class + 1 practical/week)
ECTS 3
Target group Year II Students
Instructor’s contact information Course Information: Semester
Name: Israel Sebsibe (Ass. Professor) Academic year:2024
E-mail: israelmaru4@[Link] Semester: II

1. Course Description

This course is aimed to equip students with various skills. It also creates the opportunity to explore
biology both in the laboratory and in the field. It deals with laboratory safety rules, introduces basic
biological tools with more emphasis on microscope; parts and function of the microscope: basic
methods of mounting, focusing, magnifying and microscopic observation of animal cells, plant cells
and other microorganisms. Testing of biologically important molecules (carbohydrate, protein and
fats) will also be addressed. Moreover, cellular structures, diffusion and osmosis will be demonstrated
with selected animal and plant cells. It also covers topics related with techniques of flora and fauna
sampling, preservation and finally identification to the level possible (quadrant methods, capturing and
marking techniques, recording of behavioral data) etc.
2. Course objectives

After completing the course, the students should be able to:

 Recognize biological safety rules and handle biological tools safely.

 Develop skills and techniques of using basic biological equipment, chemicals, reagents and
media in the laboratory
 Use the microscope properly
 Prepare wet-mount temporary slides (Single and double stain) for microscopic observations;
 Conduct simple biological experiments;
 Describe mechanisms of material transportation across biological membranes;
 Collect and preserve plant and animal specimens from terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems;
 Identify materials and equipment for field studies of plants and animals;
 Plan and carry out scientific field trips and report writing;
 Conduct field survey of plants and animals using different techniques (quadrants, gear, net,

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 capture-mark-release, visual observation, etc).
3. Teaching Learning Methods
 Lectures
 Pre lab talk
 Experimental learning (Laboratory activities), and demonstrations.
 Group discussion (during laboratory activity to share ideas)
 Field visit
 Reading assignments
Tentative Course Schedule

WEEK TOPIC

Practical 1: Introduction
1.1. The scientific method
Week 01 1.2. Laboratory safety rules
1.2.1. Protective equipment
1.2.2. Handling common laboratory equipment, chemicals, reagents,
media, cultures and other materials
1.2.3. Laboratory organization
1.3. Introduction to basic biological laboratory equipment
1.3.1. Dissecting kits
1.3.2. Sterilization equipment and other materials
1.4. Laboratory report writing methods

Practical 2: The Microscope

Week 02 2.1. Types of microscopes
2.2. Parts and functions of the light microscope
2.3. Handling of the microscope
2.4. Setting the microscope for use (adjusting the light)

Week 03 Practical 3: Magnification and resolution

3.1. Estimating magnification, resolution and diameter of field of vision
3.2. Depth of field of vision
3.3. Single and double staining of plant sections (T.S.)
3.4. Mounting (dry, wet and permanent mount)
3.5. Focusing with low high power and oil immersion objectives
Practical 4: Observing cellular structures
Week 04 4.1. Plant cell (onion epidermal cell)
4.2. Animal cell (cheek cells)
4.3. Observation of microorganisms (pond water organisms).

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 Practical 5: Diffusion and osmosis
5.1. Brownian movement
5.2. Diffusion
5.3. Osmosis

Practical 6: Testing for important biological molecules

6.1. Test for carbohydrates
[Link] test
Week 05 [Link]’s test
[Link] test
[Link] hydrolysis of disaccharides and polysaccharides

Week 06 & 07 Practical 7: Testing for important biological molecules

7.1. Testing for fats and oils
7.1.1. Grease spot test
7.1.2. Emulsion test
7.1.3. Test with dyes
7.2. Testing for proteins
7.2.1. Biuret test
7.2.2. Xanthoproteic test
7.2.3. Million’s test

Practical 8: Introduction to Field Technique

Week 08 8.1. Purpose of biological field trips
8.2. Materials and equipment used in field trips
8.3. Planning field trips (organization)

Week 09 Practical 9: Methods of sample collection and preservation

9.1. Collection, pressing, drying, mounting and labeling of plant specimens
9.2. Collection, preservation and labeling of animal specimens (terrestrial and aquatic)
9.3. Capturing of rodents and other small mammals and birds
Practical 9: Population and density estimates
Week 10 10.1. Census Vs sampling
10.2. Block count of tress
10.3. Total count of large animals
10.4. Transect and quadrant methods
10.5. Capture - Mark - Release (CMR) methods.

Weak 11 Practical 11: Methods of recording behavioral data

11.1. Brief introduction of animal behavior
11.2. Methods used to collect behavioral data

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 Week 12 Practical 12: Field work I
12.1. Outdoor plant survey and specimen collection, identification, and labeling

Week 13 Practical 12: Field work II

12.1. Outdoor animal survey and specimen collection, identification, and labeling

Week 14 &15 Reporting and presenting the field works

Week 16 Final Exam 40%

5. Assessment Methods:

 Laboratory report (Individual activity report and Group report) (30%),

 Laboratory practical exam (10%)
 Field visit report (20%) and
 Laboratory practical exam (40%).
o Laboratory report should be written on the spot at the end of every laboratory session.
But, some of laboratory activities may require more than a day to get result or to
complete the report. Therefore, it is important to do such reports after the class as an
assignment.
6. Course Policy
 At the beginning of each lab session the instructor will give a pre-lab talk. Students should be
attentive while t h e pre-lab talk is given.
 It is mandatory for a student to attend at least 85% of the laboratory sessions and abide by the
rules and regulations of the University throughout this course.
 Academic dishonesty including cheating, fabrication and plagiarism during the class,
examinations and in any academic activity will not be tolerated and will have disciplinary
consequences.
 Students have to prepare themselves ahead of each laboratory session by reading their lab
manual.
 It is advisable that they work carefully because most of the laboratory equipment’s are
sensitive and very expensive.
 In addition, different hazardous chemicals and reagents are found in laboratory. Therefore; taking
care is important before using them and they have to follow the laboratory safety rules and its
instruction before any laboratory activities.
REFERENCES
Lalitha Jayant, Matthew Geddis, Christine Priano, O.M. (20116) La boratory manual for Biology. Second
Edi. united states of America: Kendall Hunt Publishing company.

Adams, B. J., & Crawley, J. L. (2008). Van De Graaff’s Photographic Atlas for the Biology laboratory.
[Link]
Vodopich, D.S.R.M. (2017) Biology Laboratory Manual. eleventh edition. New York, McGraw-Hill
Education.

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