The list to the left comprises the general categories of frequently asked questions about 7.02. Click on the link to go to the questions in the category. If your question isn't answered here, please email the Course Instructor, Dr. Michelle Mischke (mischke [at] mit.edu). We may want to add it!

Please note: all references in the FAQ to 10.702 and ChemE apply ONLY to Spring terms; 10.702 is not offered in the Fall.

1. The Registrar's Office assigned me to the T/Th lab section. Does that mean that I am definitely enrolled in the class?

NO. We will hold a lottery on the first day of lecture (Thursday, September 6th for Fall 2007). Final laboratory and writing (SciComm) sections will be assigned after the lottery is held. For more information on the lottery, see the questions below.

 

2. The Registrar's Office assigned me to a Recitation section that meets at the same time as my assigned Laboratory section. What do I do?

As described above, assignments made by the Registrar's Office are not binding for 7.02/10.702. Final laboratory and writing (SciComm) sections will be assigned after the lottery is held. The staff will ensure that your SciComm and laboratory sections do not conflict with each other.

 

3. Do you always hold a lottery?

We expect to hold a lottery every semester because of historically high enrollments. If you do not have a high priority in the lottery, you may not get into the class in a given semester. Please plan your course schedule accordingly!

 

4. I registered for 10.702. Does this course have a lottery as well?

All students registered for either 7.02 or 10.702 will be entered in the same lottery and the same class. Our goal is to maximize the number of students enrolled in the course.

 

5. Why do you hold a lottery?

The lottery is held whenever enrollment in the course exceeds the space and/or staffing capacity of the course. Our laboratory in the basement of Building 68 can safely accommodate 54 students per laboratory section. For safety reasons, we strive for no greater than 10:1 student to TA ratio.

 

6. OK - so how do I enter the lottery?

To enter the lottery, you must attend the first scheduled lecture for 7.02/10.702. For Fall 2007, this will be held on Thursday, September 6th, at 11 AM in Room 54-100. Before leaving class, you will be asked to fill out a student information form/lottery entry. Specifically, you will be asked to provide us with your name, class standing, major, information about biology/chemistry courses you have taken, and preferred laboratory and writing sections. From this information, we will assign students to both writing and laboratory sections.

 

7. Why don’t you run the lottery before the semester starts, like other courses at MIT?

Simply put — we tried it, and it didn’t work for our course. Most MIT students register for many more courses than they actually end up enrolling in; thus, preregistration numbers are quite misleading. By running the lottery on the first day of class, we include only those students who are committed to taking 7.02/10.702 that term.

 

8. What is the priority order for the lottery?

Priority order for the lottery (as determined by the Departments of Biology and Chemical Engineering) is as follows:
     1. Seniors, regardless of major
     2. Course 7 and Course 10 juniors
     3. Non-Course 7/10 juniors
     4. Sophomores
     5. Freshmen

 

9. I’ve been lotteried out of 7.02/10.702 in a previous semester. Does that help me at all in this semester’s lottery?

Yes. Sophomores and juniors (but not freshmen) that have been lotteried out in a previous semester (that is, filled out an information form but were not placed in a laboratory section) have priority within their class in future semesters.

 

For example, let’s say Joe Student is a course 10 major. He entered the lottery in Fall 2006 as a sophomore and got lotteried out. If he reentered the lottery in Spring 2007, he would be on the top of the "sophomores" list. If he reentered the lottery in Fall 2007, he would be on top of the Course 7/10 junior list, and so forth.

 

10. I’m pretty low on the lottery priority list, but I really want to take 7.02/10.702 this term. Is there anything I can do to improve my chances?

The best piece of advice we can give is to be flexible with regard to what laboratory section and writing section you enroll in.

 

11. All the Scientific Communication (SciComm) sections conflict with my other classes. Can I still take the course?

No. The scientific communication aspect of 7.0210.702 is vital to the course. Additionally, the work done in 7.02 SciComm makes up 20% of your final grade in the course. Therefore, you must be enrolled in a SciComm section to take the course.

1. What are the prerequisites for 7.02/10.702?

The prerequisites for 7.02/10.702 are
        1) successful completion of any of the 7.01x, Introductory Biology, classes at MIT; or
        2) MIT course credit based on your performance on the AP test.
We will confirm that all students have completed the prerequisite before enrolling them in the course.

 

2. Can I enroll in one of the 7.01x classes concurrently with 7.02/10.702?

No. You must have completed the prerequisite before enrolling in 7.02/10.702.

 

3. Are 7.03 and 7.05 prerequisites for 7.02/10.702?

No. However, many students have taken 7.03 and/or 7.05 before taking 7.02/10.702, or take one of these courses along with 7.02/10.702.

 

4. I achieved the necessary score on the AP test to get credit for 7.01x, but haven’t completed the paperwork yet. Can I still take 7.02?

No. The Registrar’s Office will have no record of your AP score, and will therefore not consider you to have completed the necessary prerequisite for 7.02/10.702. So get your paperwork done before Registration! :-)

 

1. What kinds of things will I learn in 7.02/10.702?

7.02/10.702 is a laboratory course introducing you to experimental techniques in microbiology, biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics. The course emphasizes integrating factual knowledge with understanding the design of experiments and data analysis. Additionally, you will receive instruction and practice in scientific communication. The skills you learn in 7.02/10.702 will be very important should you later pursue a UROP, take a Project Lab course, enter any research environment, or go on to graduate or medical school.

2. I’ve heard that 7.02/10.702 is organized into four “modules.” What does that mean?

For Fall 2007, the organization of the class has been changed. It will no longer be presented in modules. Details are available in the course syllabus and at the first class meeting.

3. 7.02/10.702 has a large teaching staff. What do they all do?

You’re right! We have professors who give the lectures; laboratory instructors who run the laboratory and take care of the logistics of the course; writing instructors who teach scientific communication; graduate student TAs who give recitations and serve as resource people for individual modules; and undergraduate TAs who supervise small groups of students in the laboratory. Though we each have our individual roles, we work as a team to ensure that the course runs smoothly. You should feel free to talk to any member of the staff if you have questions or concerns.

4. How are grades determined in 7.02/10.702?

Final grades are calculated based on laboratory performance, exams, and scientific communication. Details are provided in the syllabus.

1. What are the goals of the scientific communication portion of 7.02/10.702?

The writing instructors describe it this way:
“If the goal of science is to contribute to our understanding of the natural world, then the goal of scientific writing is to communicate that understanding with precision, accuracy, and economy. In this portion of the course, you will develop your skills as a writer of scientific research, skills that will contribute to your learning of course material and to creating your identity as a scientist. Writing exercises will have you explore the genre of the research article and its components and develop your grasp of the material you are learning in the laboratory. In this way, writing will be both a tool of communicating and a tool of learning. In addition, you will develop your skills as a writer, reviser, and editor - working with your peers and your instructor - and, ultimately, develop a solid foundation for writing up your future independent research.”

 

2. All the 7.02/10.702 scientific communication sections conflict with my other classes. Can I still take 7.02/10.702?

No. See question and answer #11, above.

 

3. Besides the writing instructors, are there other resources on campus that can help me with my SciComm assignments?

Yes. MIT has a Writing Center that provides feedback to members of the MIT community on both written assignments and oral presentations. They are located in the Stata Center, Building 32-081.

1. When does 7.02/10.702 meet?

There are three major meeting times for students enrolled in 7.02/10.702. These are:
        1. Lectures: TR 11-12 noon
        2. Laboratory: TR or WF 1-5 p.m. (Note: Recitation occurs during lab)
        3. Scientific communication sections: see the Stellar site for more information.

 

2. I have a class that meets during my laboratory section. Can I make up that hour another day?

No. In order to enroll in 7.02/10.702, you will need to attend all meetings of laboratory sections, unless you provide an excused absence.

 

3. What are considered “excused absences” from 7.02/10.702 laboratory and scicomm?

Absence from 7.02/10.702 laboratory or scicomm will be excused in the case of illness with a note from the MIT Medical Department, or for a death in the family with documentation from the Counseling and Support Services (Counseling Deans) Office. Additionally, students who need to miss a laboratory period for religious reasons will be accommodated, per MIT’s policy.

 

4. Are recitations optional in 7.02/10.702?

No. Recitations are held during the laboratory period. In recitation, the graduate TA will provide background information about the day’s experiments, safety information, as well as relate any changes to the protocol. Therefore, attending recitation is essential to your success in the course, and your attendance will be noted.

 

5. I’ve heard that you don’t really need to attend lectures to do well in 7.02/10.702. Is this true?

No. Lectures provide context for the experiments that you will be performing in the laboratory, and describe other uses for the techniques that you will learn in lab. Lectures, then, will reinforce and expand on what you learn in laboratory. Additionally, exams cover material from both lecture and laboratory.

 

6. I have to miss a laboratory session. What do I do?

Call or send email to the 7.02 instructors and contact your laboratory partner.

 

7. I’m an intercollegiate athlete, and have to be at practice each day at 5 PM. Can I still take 7.02/10.702?

Yes. Most laboratory sessions are completed by 5 PM each day. Occasionally, we may ask you to come in a bit early with your laboratory partner to set up so that you can get started right away. To help us get you to practice on time, please let one of the Laboratory Instructors know your practice schedule at the beginning of the semester.

1. Do I have to have a laboratory partner? I prefer working alone.

Students in 7.02/10.702 work in teams of two. In order to complete all the experiments in a given laboratory period, multiple experiments must be carried out at once. Additionally, scientific research is a collaborative exercise; thus, learning to work with others in a laboratory setting is an important part of your development as a scientist.

 

2. How are laboratory partners assigned?

When filling out the “student information form” to enter the lottery, we ask students to tell us about the biology and chemistry courses they’ve taken, as well as whether they have had an intensive laboratory experience prior to 7.02/10.702. Based on this information, we try to match up partners with similar levels of experience. We’ll also take into account where students live (what side of campus, Boston, etc.), as often times partners need to contact each other outside of class during the course of the term.

 

3. A friend of mine is also taking 7.02/10.702. Can I choose him/her as my laboratory partner instead of having an assigned partner?

As long as you both are assigned to the same laboratory section and both choose each other as laboratory partners, that’s fine. However, in our experience, best friends don’t always make the best laboratory partners, so choose carefully!

 

4. How is the teaching lab set up? Where will we work?

The teaching lab in Building 68 consists of a long room with 15 work benches. Each bench contains one or two work stations, and every laboratory group will be assigned a station at which to work. At or near your work station, you will find the equipment and reagents needed to complete each day’s experiments. Additionally, there is common equipment throughout the laboratory that will be shared among laboratory groups.

 

5. I’ve never worked in a laboratory before! Am I going to be hopelessly behind before I even start?

Though many of our students have worked in a laboratory setting before 7.02/10.702, we don’t expect you to have done so. Before the laboratory experiments begin, you’ll participate in our training lab — a short series of exercises intended to help you get your feet wet in the laboratory before starting the first laboratory module. We hope that you will feel comfortable asking questions of the teaching staff as you are learning, and we’ll do our best to answer them for you.

1. What textbooks are required for 7.02/10.702?

We recommend the workbook, A Problems Approach to Introductory Biology, to all students as a way to review background information and expand that information into a working knowledge.  This workbook is available at the COOP. The following texts are good sources of background information for the lectures and laboratory:

• 7.01 Notes and Text

• Maloy, Cronan, Freifelder, Microbial Genetics

• Moran, Biochemistry

• Gilbert, Developmental Biology

Copies of these textbooks will be on reserve in the Reserve Book Room of the library.

In addition, the appendix of each laboratory manual, the Virtual Lab, and the resources page of this website contain a wealth of information relating to the experiments in each module.

 

2. Where do I get the laboratory manuals and a laboratory notebook?

The laboratory manual contains the background and experiments for each module of the course, and must be purchased from Copy tech prior to the first day in Lab.

Notebooks used in 7.02/10.702 must be bound and contain carbons. Loose sheets of paper or data recorded on scraps of paper which are to be recopied into a notebook later will not be accepted. As long as your notebook meets these criteria, you can use it for 7.02/10.702. Additional notebooks may be purchased for $11 from the 7.02 staff. You may also purchase acceptable notebooks from the MIT Coop, though they are usually more expensive there.

3. I have an old laboratory notebook from another class. Can I use it for 7.02/10.702?

As long as the notebook meets the criteria described above, you may use it for 7.02/10.702.

 

4. My friend told me that you have to “prelab” before coming to lab, and that the notebook entries have to follow a certain format. How will I know what to do?

You will be provided with detailed instructions on how to complete your laboratory notebook entries, as well as what needs to be done before laboratory (“prelab”) at the training laboratory sessions held on September 6th and 7th. Your TAs will also provide you with feedback on your notebook entries (“yellow sheets”).

1. I’ve lost my syllabus. Where can I find out when exams are and what we’re doing in lab today?

Check the Stellar website.

 

2. I’m struggling with the course material. How can I get some extra help?

There are a number of resources available to you. You can make an appointment with one of the Instructors for extra help, or speak to the professor during his/her office hours. Additionally, the Grad TAs and Undergrad TAs can answer questions during free time in the laboratory. Finally, BUSA (the Biology Undergraduate Student Association) maintains a list of tutors for Course 7 subjects.

 

3. I didn’t do as well as I would have liked on the first exam, and I want to do better. Can you give me some study strategies?

Please make an appointment to talk to one of the Instructors. There are a number of strategies that have worked successfully for previous students, and they would be happy to talk with you about some that might work for you.

 

4. I really enjoyed 7.02/10.702, and working with my undergraduate TAs. How can I become a TA for 7.02/10.702?

We’d love to have you back! Toward the end of each semester, the Instructors will post a signup sheet for TAs for the course for the following semester. We’ll ask you some questions about why you’re interested in TAing, and see if you’ll be a good fit for our teaching team. If you think you might be interested and want to know more about what the job entails, speak to your undergraduate TA or one of the Instructors.