10007136Laboratory Math for Biotechnology
Course Information
Description
This course introduces mathematical tools that are used in the biotechnology laboratory. Students apply mathematical concepts to solve problems such as calculating amounts of chemicals required to make solutions, graphing and interpreting data, and calibrating instruments. Basic statistical concepts may also be introduced.
Total Credits
1
Course Competencies
  1. Use exponents and scientific notation
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz, and/or exam
    Criteria
    Perform basic calculations using exponents
    Express numbers in scientific notation
    Convert numbers between scientific and standard notation
    Add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers in scientific notation format

  2. Convert between units of measurement
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz, and/or exam
    Criteria
    Convert between metric units using unit cancellation method
    Convert between metric units using ratios and proportions method
    Describe the meaning of significant figures as related to measurements in the laboratory

  3. Perform calculations for solution preparation
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz, and/or exam
    Criteria
    Perform Molarity calculations
    Perform weight/volume and density calculations
    Perform percent solution calculations
    Perform ppm calculations
    Inter-convert solution concentrations expressed in Molarity, weight/volume, percent (w/v), percent (v/v), ppm

  4. Perform dilution calculations
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz, and/or exam
    Criteria
    Prepare dilutions of a particular volume
    Determine the concentration of a solution following dilution
    Determine the concentration of a stock solution from a dilution
    Perform calculations involving serial dilutions
    Correctly apply the C1V1 = C2V2 equation

  5. Graph linear equations
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz, and/or exam
    Criteria
    Determine slope and intercept values using the equation of a line
    Graph linear equations manually
    Graph linear equations using Excel
    Apply graphing to standard curves

  6. Graph exponential equations
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz, and/or exam
    Criteria
    Explain the difference between linear and exponential relationships
    Graph exponential relationships manually, using semi-log graph paper
    Graph exponential relationships using Excel

  7. Perform basic statistical analysis of measurements
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz, and/or exam
    Criteria
    Distinguish between mean, median, average, range
    Use standard deviation and %CV to expression precision of measurements
    Use percent error to express inaccuracy of measurements

  8. Perform basic calculations related to qualitative and quantitative spectrophotometry
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz, and/or exam
    Criteria
    Create and analyze absorbance spectra
    Create a standard curve and use it to determine the concentration of an unknown sample
    Use Beer’s law to determine the concentration of an unknown sample