Course Description: A detailed evaluation, including "hands-on" practice, of the laboratory skills needed in a typical exercise biochemistry laboratory. Experiences will include phlebotomy, titrations, and several spectrophotometric hematological laboratory techniques and assays.

Rationale: The experience of data collection in a laboratory environment provides a learning opportunity that often exceeds the educational potential of a classroom. This course will provide experience in measuring some of the most common hematological parameters used in exercise related research. The skills and knowledge learned from this class improve the independent research potential of our graduate students, and offers insights into laboratory methods that enhances their ability to teach certain topics within exercise physiology/science.

Course Justification Within College and Division Mission: The College of Education (COE) mission statement and Conceptual Framework can be found at www.unm.edu/~educ/mission.htm.

This course is integral to the appropriate training of our graduate students in exercise physiology. To be successful as a tenure track candidate at a university, students need to be able to have the knowledge and skills to develop their own research agenda. Being able to perform biochemical assays improves the quality of research that the students are able to do in the future, and this is a talent that is required in almost all jobs that pertain to our field. As such, this class is invaluable in the proper complete preparation of exercise science/physiology professionals. Based on this class, students should become better researchers, and tranfer these skills and content awareness to their teaching.

Academic Dishonesty: Academic Dishonesty is defined from the UNM Student Code of Conduct as follows:
   "...dishonesty in quizzes, tests or assignments; claiming credit for work not done or done by others; hindering the academic work of other students; misrepresenting academic or professional qualifications within or without the University;  and nondisclosure or misrepresentation in filling out applications or other University records."

The Exercise Science faculty support the importance of academic integrity.  A student violating academic dishonesty guidelines will receive an "F" for the course.  A second violation will result in the student being withdrawn from the Exercise Science program.

Course Objectives: To acquire,

1. knowledge and skills in phlebotomy and venous catheter placement.

2. knowledge of the theory of spectrophotometry, and the skills required to use a spectrophotometer.

3. skills in dilution, pippetting, handling of human body fluids, centrifugation, and the preparation of stock solutions.

4. experience in developing assays for specific metabolites and fuels for cellular metabolism.

Instructional Format: The format of instruction will vary during the semester. Typically, a brief explanation of the lab will be provided during class, and students will be required to return to the lab to complete each laboratory exercise in their own pre-arranged time.

Assessment: Student grades will be calculated from the total points earned from 6 laboratory reports and one biochemical assays manual project.

Text: No appropriate text is available for this course. Pertinent reading material will be provided each week, and links to pertinent internet websites will be provided. It is recommended that students prepare a class manual that includes the specific weekly handouts and assays manual project.

Course Evaluation: Teacher and class evaluation forms will be distributed in week 16.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty, which includes plagiarism, will not be tolerated.  The College of Education, as with the entire university, has policies on how to handle such infractions.  All faculty are required to abide by these rules and punishments, and students should read about such issues at the following sites: