Laboratory Procedures

 

Scheduling


Lab scheduling should be arranged with the MDL Director, Katherine Patenaude (401-863-3464). Requests for use of the MDL facilities for special sessions such as evening and weekend use should be made sufficiently in advance to allow for room assignments and rescheduling of the technical staff's time.


A protocol of experiments, together with lists of equipment and supplies needed for the experiment are to be submitted sufficiently in advance of the experiment to permit the staff to accumulate the materials. Course requests for laboratory preparations are filled on a "first come, first served" basis. Protocols that are handed in late cannot be met to the detriment of other course preparations.


The MDL Director and Technical Staff will be available for consultation and help with the organization and execution of laboratory exercises.


It is hoped that the instructors will utilize the Technical Staff to the fullest extent possible. The instructors are also encouraged to teach special procedures to the MDL Technical Staff.


All experiments involving radioactive materials must be cleared with the Radiation Safety Officer.


All experiments involving the potential risk of blood borne pathogens must be cleared with Risk Management.


Whenever possible, experiments should be terminated by 6 PM. It is understood that there will be times when meaningful experiments can only be done when they extend beyond 6 PM. In these cases, the following should be considered:
a) A faculty member should be present at all times after 6 PM and should secure the laboratory after the last student has left.
b) Whenever possible, preparations that can be accomplished before the beginning of the lab session should be done, so that the students can begin in a more advanced stage of the experiment and the experiment terminated at an earlier time.



Procedures for Students

Students are not to work in the Multidisciplinary Laboratories unless an instructor is present. Special arrangements can be made for study groups.

The Technical Staff is available to instruct students in the proper use of equipment and time should be made available during the lab for such instruction. Students should not use equipment without adequate instruction, and students are responsible for the care of equipment and supplies.


Instructors and their students will adhere to safety regulations.


Students are responsible for rinsing dirty glassware and placing it in the receptacles provided. Items to be sterilized should be placed in receptacles provided for that purpose. Students are responsible for cleaning their own area.


Broken glassware, needles, etc. should be thrown away only in the special receptacles or biohazard containers provided for them.


No food or drink is permitted in the MDL.


Students will not be allowed in laboratory areas with bare feet.


Any materials to be saved should be marked with the name of student, course number and date; otherwise, materials remaining after class will be discarded. Refrigerators and incubators will be emptied on a routine basis and any unlabeled materials discarded.


Spills, accidents, or other mishaps must be reported to the instructor or the MDL staff.


Casual visitors are not permitted in the MDL.


Care and Use of Microscopes


It is the responsibility of instructors to see that students receive adequate instruction in the use and care of microscopes. At the end of the laboratory exercise microscopes should be returned to their respective (numbered) cabinets. Microscopes should be used only in the area where they are housed and should not be moved from bench to bench.




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