The College of Biological Sciences’ instructional laboratory staff provide preparative support for instructional laboratories in the Departments of Biology Teaching and Learning; Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics; Genetics, Cell Biology and Development; Plant and Microbial Biology; Ecology, Evolution and Behavior; and Neuroscience. 

Generally, this means that solutions and media will be made for the labs, cultures will be prepared, labs and glassware will be cleaned, and equipment will be functional and ready to use. We also supply more specialized support for each course as we are able.

We appreciate any suggestions you have to improve our role and activities in the labs. We are ready to work with you; if any problems arise, please feel free to talk to us. Director: Sandy Mand

Responsibilities of our unit

1. Overall coordination of CBS Instructional Labs, including lab room scheduling, lab section size limits, equipment purchases, instructional lab safety, trouble shooting, budget.
2. Lab course improvement and design, as needed and requested.
3. TA training.
4. Physical set up of laboratory space - equipment, supplies, media, reagents and cultures.
5. Provide the “continuity” for a class. Even though faculty and lab instructors may change, we are here year round. This allows us to
   • demonstrate equipment use and precautions
   • orient lab instructors to the physical space in the lab
   • alert them to problems encountered in previous quarters so that mistakes are not repeated.
6. Inform lab instructors about our policies for safety and hazardous waste disposal.
7. When class is in session, check to assure that all supplies and equipment are in place and that students and instructors are finding them.
8. When class is in session, alert lab instructor if a student is having a problem (safety hazard, technical difficulties).
9. Inform lab instructors about clean-up policy. Remind instructors to announce clean-up time so that there is adequate clean-up/set-up time between sections.
10. Pre-run experiments, either alone or with the lab instructors if they need the experience before leading the lab session, and trouble-shoot unexpected results.
11. Maintain instructional cultures, animals and specimen collections.
12. Help students with projects if required by course.
13. Provide equipment and reagents for make-up labs. The lab instructors coach the student(s) making up the lab.
14. Provide instructional equipment and supplies for courses offered at the Lake Itasca Forestry and Biological Station.
15. Other responsibilities are discussed and divided between the faculty, lab instructors and lab coordinator each semester.

Instructional laboratory staff

Minneapolis staff are located in the Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) Building:

• Sarah Borgen coordinates Biol 1001, Biol 1003 and GCD 4025. 
• Ashley Breiland coordinates Biol 1009 and Biol 1055.  
• John Kettinger coordinates Biol 1012 and Biol 1015.
• Margaret McDermott-Kubeczko coordinates BioC 4025W and BioC 4125.
• Hanoof Alahdal helps support all the courses.
• Sandy Mand, Director of the CBS Instructional Labs

St. Paul staff are located in Biological Sciences (BioSci):

• Stephanie Grieb coordinates EEB 3411/3412W.
• Michael Jarcho coordinates Biol 3004.
• Aziz Khazaeli coordinates Biol 1961 and EEB 3409/5409.
• Teresa Mattila coordinates PMB 2022, PMB 3005W, PMB 3007W, PMB 4321, PMB 4511.
• Missy Rudeen coordinates Biol 2005/2007/2012, EEB 3407/5407 and EEB 3408W.
• Hanoof Alahdal helps support all the courses.
• Sabrina Marconie supports animals for all courses.

Service animal policy

• Review the service animal policy for CBS instructional labs.