2. Class Policies
(1) Classes meet two days a week; they usually run from 8:00 in the morning to 10:00 or so in the evening. A typical day consists of an hour or two of lecture and discussion, the remainder of the day in the field, early evening dissecting, identifying, analyzing data, etc., eventually a discussion of the exercise results, sometimes with individual presentations, and finally, cleanup.
(2) There is a set of drawers in the downstairs lab. Please pick one of these and use it however you wish during the session. These drawers can be locked if you choose.
(3) Certain areas of the various CPBS buildings have been designated as research areas. You are welcome to come in my research lab and interrupt me at any time, but other researchers in the same room or building should be respected. RESEARCH AREAS ARE NOT SUPPLY CABINETS; PLEASE DO NOT CONSIDER THEM AS SUCH!
(4) I am available for help about any time.
(5) There are computers available in the main lodge. Most students learn to use one or more of the word processing, spreadsheet programs, or statistical packages available for the computers. If you have never used a word processing program or spreadsheet now is a great time to learn. This course also requires that you master a statistical package for use in class exercises and projects. In the past, I have found that the quickest way to learn to use these packages is simply to use them; in the simpler one (FS or FS2) the commands and results are very self explanatory. In others, you may have to consult manuals, ask for help, and spend some extra time exploring and learning on your own.
(6) At the beginning of the session, you will be assigned certain items of field gear. It is your responsibility to make sure your assigned item is taken to the field, returned to the station, stored properly, and repaired if necessary.
(7) You are expected to know how to use the microscopes. You are also expected to exercise care in their use, keep them clean, and carry out any routine maintenance on them that you can. If there is a problem with a microscope, call it to my attention.
(8) Animal policy: This item is critical to the smooth operation of this course!
a. Do not bring animals into this lab and allow them to languish and die. If you bring animals into the lab, either kill them and dissect them for parasites the same day or let them go.
b. It is possible that your research project may require the keeping of animals for various lengths of time. Please make sure they are properly cared for until the time you are finished with them.
c. Items "a" and "b" above pertain to ALL animals, including invertebrates.
d. It is generally a violation of the law, including federal law in some cases, to kill wild vertebrate animals. My collecting permit covers the species we use in class. Expect to obey the law in your collection of parasite material for this class.
e. Animal remains will be buried nightly in the designated burial ground. There are shovels in the garage. Please bury remains deeply enough so that they won't be dug up by scavengers. It is not the TA's responsibility to actually do this; it is the TA's responsibility to see that it gets done. You will be expected to volunteer for burial detail.
(9) Cleanup: You are expected to clean up the lab each night, or after independent use, so that it is ready for the next class. You are free to use the lab any time, including the times other classes are in the field, but you should be out by the time they need it again. The particular class in session has first priority on the vans and lab space on a given day.
(l0) Vans: The vans may be used for student projects, and generally for any legitimate educational use associated with the program, however, only those employees whose names are on the annual travel authorization may drive the vans. This list includes faculty, teaching assistants, other non-student staff, and occasionally visiting researchers. Vans are to be cleaned out after each day's use.
(11) Security: Please keep an eye out for the safety of cameras, binoculars, etc., your own as well as others. CPBS has never had a security problem and none is expected.
(12) Safety: So far the major problems have been poison ivy, insect stings, flies in the eyes, barbed wire scratches, branches flipping back in people's faces, fingers slammed in van doors, and burns from beach fires. Please look out for your own personal safety in and out of class. See also the separate chapter on safety issues (chapter 15).
(13) Personal belongings: Things get very hectic at the end of the session. Please take full responsibility for your own equipment, especially such things as dissecting tools, cameras, calculators, etc. Items left at the end of the sessions usually become CPBS property.