INTRODUCTION:

Biological techniques are methods or procedures that are used to study living things. They include experimental and computational methods, approaches, protocols and tools for biological research.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES / OUTCOMES:

1.Develop scientific technical expertise, culture and work habits.

2. Familiarize with the basic tools and techniques of scientific study with emphasis on biological sciences.

3. Develop basic understanding of the equipments usage.

COURSE CONTENTS:

1.    Microscopy: Principles of light microscopy. Magnification, Resolution,Contrast. Types of microscopy, Bright field (Compound Microscope), Scanning microscopy, Eyepiece micrometers, Camera Lucida Phase Contrast Dark field Interference microscope, Electron microscope (Observation of wet mounts of human cheek cells employing bright and dark field microscopy ).
2.    Micrometery and Morphometry: Use of stage and ocular micrometer.Calibration of ocular micrometer. Size measurement (length, width, diameter), (Measurement of cell size: bacterial and eukaryotic ).
3. Standard system for weight, length, volume: Calculations and related conversions of each:-  Metric system- length; surface; weight- Square measures- Cubic measures (volumetric)- Circular or angular measure         - Concentrations- percent volume; ppt; ppm - Chemical molarity, normality -Temperature- Celsius, centigrade, Fahrenheit. Preparation of stock solutions of  various strengths
4. Specimen preparation for optical microscopy: Microtomy: Fixation,embedding, Section cutting (transverse, longitudinal section, mounting and staining. Sections in paraffin and cryosections.
5. Extraction techniques: Centrifugation, Ultracentrifugation, cellfractionation, filtration, Distillation, Use of Soxhalet and Rotary evaporator for extraction.
6. Separation Techniques: Chromatography: Principle, applications, types,thin layer, column, gas, ion exchange chromatography. Electrophoresis: Principle, applications, types.
7. Spectrophotometery: Principle, applications, types, visible spectrum, UVspectrum, atomic absorption.
8. Basic principles of Sampling and Preservation: Sampling soilorganisms, Invertebrates, Aquatic animals, Mammals, Estimation of population size, Preservation of dry and wet specimens. Preservation techniques – Taxidermy - Rearing techniques, Laboratory and field.

PRACTICALS:

1.  Recording of microscopic obervations with the help of camera lucida
2.  Liquid handling: proper use of pipettes and micropittes
3.  Histological preparations: skeletal muscle, intestine liver and testes
4.  Handling of centrifuge machines
5.  Thin layer chromatography of amino acids
6. Spectrophotometric estimation of glucose
7. Spectrophotometric estimation of total proteins
8. Preservation of representative animals of various phyla
9. Electrophoretic separation of proteins
10. Electrophoretic separation of DNA

Recommended BOOKS AND READING MATERIAL

1. Dean, J. R. 1999. Extraction Methods for Environmental Analysis. John Wiley and Sons Ltd. UK.
2. Cheesbrough, M. 1998. District Laboratory Practice in Tropical.
3. Countries. Part I. Cambridge University Press, UK.
4. Cheesbrough, M. 1998. District Laboratory Practice in Tropical.
5. Countries. Part II. Cambridge University Press, UK.
6. Curos, M. 1997.Environmental Sampling and Analysis: Lab Manual. CRC Press LLC. USA.
7. Curos, M. 1997.Environmental Sampling and Analysis: For Technician. CRC Press LLC. USA.
8. Slings by, D., Cock, C.1986. Practical Ecology. McMillan Education Ltd. London.

PRESCRIBED BOOKS

1. Dean, J. R. 1999. Extraction Methods for Environmental Analysis. John Wiley and Sons Ltd. UK.
2. Cheesbrough, M. 1998. District Laboratory Practice in Tropical.
3. Countries. Part I. Cambridge University Press, UK.

ASSESSMENT METHODS/PROCEDURES:

1. Attendance
2. Behaviour
3. Assignment & presentation
4. Mid term exam
5. Final exams
6. Practicals
7. Practical Exam

TIME TABLE: