It is your task to solve 18 genetic problems (6 per module) by developing an experimental strategy and succesfully executing it. You will be assessed not only on successful completion of the task at hand (creation of a strain, identification of genotype/genetic phenomenon, etc.) but also on how you documented your experimental findings in your notebook report.

Unlocking of Scenarios/Problems:
- Remember, to unlock a "red labeled" scenario/problem before you do your experiments (unlocked scenarios are green; you can practice in red labeled scenarios but you can't save your work!).
- To activate a problem, you need to BRIEFLY tell me or a T.A. your rationale and concept for solving the problem and the experimental approach you will take. You can do this in class or in by an email. If you are on the right track to solve problem, we will unlock the problem.

Required Format of Report:

RATIONALE: Describe the thinking and principles behind your approach. This is not a description of experiments you will do. It is the logic that will enable anybody to understand why you choose those experiments.
For example, the rationale for cooking pizza is 'by preparing a scrumptious, heat-killed, carbohydrate and protein rich morsel, I can satisfy my neurological craving and nourish my body'. This is different from 'take some flour, tomato paste, etc.'
Until you have told me the why in the rationale, I'll be damned if I'm going to collect flour, tomatoes, etc. Hence, rationale precedes instructions and is a vital part of the game.

EXPERIMENT(S) and RESULT(S): Briefly but exactly describe the key experiments and the results such that somebody else can repeat it (i.e., 'Plating a 1 in 10^4 dilution of Phage #1 on E. coli B gave me 12 small plaques'). Key experiments are those from which you will derive your conclusion - don't tell me everything you did, tell me only what I need to know to assess your conclusions. Most importantly, describe appropriate controls for your experiment.
For example:
- Plated phages 1 & 2 using 1:10 dilution with E. coli K, no progeny after multiple attempts.
- Plated phages 1 & 2 using 1:2 dilution with E. coli K, 2 progeny found, placed in fridge, slot 4 and 5.
Controls:
- Plated only phage 1 using a 1:10 dilution ratio on E. coli K, no progeny
- Plated only phage 1 using a 1:2 dilution ratio on E. coli K, 3 progeny placed in slots 5, 6, 7.

NOTE that the control differs only in one respect from the experiment, the kind of phages used, all other conditions (dilution, E coli strain, etc.) are the same!

CONCLUSION: Describe the conclusion you have derived from the experimental results that you have you listed in the results section and which need to summarize here. Importantly, tell us why you come up with this particular conclusion.
Example: "I conclude that phage #1 and phage 2 are xxxxx because wild type phage grows on E, coli K."

Submitting your notebook report electronically:
- To write up your report use any text processor software (word, word perfect, etc) and submit your report in the "Dropbox" of the D2L web-site of the course
- Use the following file formats: microsoft word document (report.doc), rich text format (report.rtf), or Acrobat pdf format (report.pdf)."
- To save your report as an rtf file, most word processors have the "File/Save As/rich text format (rtf)" option.
- The easiest way of generating a pdf file is usually to use the print option. Select "File/print", and in the upcoming print window select "save as/pdf".
To log in to the D2L web-site use your UA-net-ID and open link to MCB422 in "academic courses" window.
- Note that the D2L web-site will not accept submission after 10pm of the due date.

Example of a good and bad notebook report

Note that any report turned in with only your name on it, is presumed to be solely your work; if you worked as a team, the contributions of your teammate should be clearly delineated. Outside sources of assistance (tutors, etc.) should be clearly and exhaustively acknowledged. Quoted or paraphrased material should be suitably referenced.
Cheating and Plagiarism may have severe consqiences as the University of Arizona Student Code of Conduct and other Policies are strictly applied (see http://dos.web.arizona.edu/uapolicies/).