Course Material: The course pack is available from the Rice Bookstore. Additional handouts will be given out the class before they are needed. See the reading list at the end of the syllabus for the specific dates we will be covering the different components in the course pack.

Final Course Grades (A, B, etc.) will be determined by the distribution of grades in the class, but you will not receive a letter grade lower than your average numerical grade (A=90, B=80, etc., Pass = 60 and above).

Discussion groups will be formed in the second class and you will have the same group partners all semester. Everyone in each discussion group:

• is expected to contribute equally to the discussion
• will rotate roles in recording discussion and reporting a summary to the class (roles will be observed and documented)
• is encouraged to study together for quizzes and the midterm exam
• will contribute to the group special topic report

Although discussion about homework is encouraged, turned in homework assignments are expected to represent individual work in accordance with the Rice Honor Code . Proper citations should be included for any and all work.

Expectations:
Of the Instructor
I am trying to teach you about important concepts in the field of Extracellular Matrix Biology and Mechanics. Although there will be some quantitative explanations of the topics and some demos, this is not a cookbook class. I will not be giving you all the information in class that you need to solve the homework problems. However, I will attempt to engage your attention and interest with information about current topics in the field and by using interactive teaching methods. I am here to learn as well.if I do not know the answer to your questions, I will try to find out and get back to you.

Of the Students
I expect you to take the initiative in understanding the material. If you do not understand something, discuss it with me, the TA, or your classmates, or venture to the library or online to seek more information. I expect you to take the concepts that you read about and that we discuss in class and apply these to the material in future lectures and in your own future.

New to cell biology? Refer to http://www.ncbi.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=Books and search in the Molecular Biology of the Cell textbook, 3 rd edition. The other books, too, are a great resource.

Assignment Policy: ALL homework and project milestones are due in class by 10:00 a.m. on the date that they are due. If assignments totaling 10% or more of the final course grade are not turned in, the instructor retains the right to fail the student for the course. No late homework will be accepted without permission of the instructor before the homework is due. If an assignment is turned in late, the grade will be reduced 10% per day. If your assignment is late, you must write the number of days it is late on the first page (Honor Code). Illness and family emergencies will be dealt with on an individual basis.

All assignments (homework and group report milestones) should be neatly typed. Handdrawn figures and handwritten equations are acceptable but they need to be very easy to read. Using a computer to draw figures and type equations is encouraged. Neatness and correct grammar are important. Use a computer program (i.e., Excel, Matlab) to tabulate and plot data.

Attendance Policy: Students are required to attend all quizzes, exams and planned in-class discussion dates. The remaining lectures will have required attendance but given that class participation is 10% of your grade and that not all in-class discussions will be announced in advance, you are strongly encouraged to attend the lectures. Other classes and extracurricular activities are not valid excuses. Absences for job interviews and graduate/medical school interviews (documentation required) must be cleared in advance and any work must be made up.

A student choosing to miss one of these dates to attend another commitment must make up the quiz/exam at a time convenient to Dr. Grande-Allen. Missed in-class discussions (planned or unplanned) must be made up by meeting individually with Dr. Grande-Allen within 1 week of the missed class and having a 10-minute discussion about a slightly different but related topic of her choice.

If a convenient time cannot be established or the student chooses not to make up the quiz or discussion, the student will receive zero points for this particular quiz/discussion/exam in the final course grade. If you choose to miss a day, planning ahead will help. You can have another student turn in your homework for you.

Illness and family emergencies will be dealt with on an individual basis. Contact Dr. Grande-Allen immediately as soon as an emergency arises.

Disability accommodations: If you have a documented disability that will impact your work in this class, please contact me to discuss your needs. Additionally, you will need to register with the Disability Support Services Office in the Ley Student Center .

Lecture Schedule (subject to change)

Readings Schedule (subject to change)
Students are expected to have READ the appropriate material for that day.