This lab course can never teach you all the techniques used in the various subspecialties encapsulated by the bioengineering field. Instead, the goal for this course is to teach you some important techniques for bioengineers, but more importantly, to teach you:
Not only will you learn the specific techniques covered in this lab course, but you should be equipped to learn and use new and more advanced techniques in your future careers as bioengineers. You should begin to compile a skill set and mental tool-box from which you can pull ideas, references, concepts, and examples to help you face any new scientific challenge and problem that come your way, and not just the specific activities done in your lab sections. One of the key characteristics of good scientists and engineers is proper documentation of experiments and studies that he or she does. In Lab 0, you will get familiar with the teaching labs, the safety requirements, and lab notebooks.
Prior to the lab you must complete and submit a certificate of completion from Lab Safety Fundamentals on Bruin Learn. Also watch the lab primer video.
Also to lab, bring your lab coat, and a notebook as outlined by the syllabus.
In BE167L, the purpose of your Lab Notebook is to record your experiments while you are doing them. You should have an entry for each lab session including your methods and raw data. You can print out and paste in protocols from online; however, you must make notes on any changes in your notebook during your lab session. Your raw data must also be recorded when you get the data during your lab session. Your TA will check your notebook to make sure you have recorded everything during each lab session. Each lab session (Labs 1-12) will be work 1 pt towards your final participation grade.
Below is a sample of the type of information that should be recorded in the lab notebook. The original instructions were printed out, and then annotations were made over the original instructions, specifying observations and deviations from the protocol. Your TA will discuss these in detail during the section, and specify exactly what he/she will be grading.
buffer.acid+, and the other base+.buffer solution add 25 mg of NaHCO3 then repeat steps 3 and 4, except label these tubes buffer acid+, and buffer base+.acid+ add 500 µL of the HCl solution provided by your TA, and to your tubes labelled base+ add 500 µL of the NaOH solution provided by your TA. Record any observations at this time.During this session, your TA will also perform your site specific safety orientation. Be sure to follow along as your TA highlights the different rooms, their equipment, and relevant safety information.