Houston Community College: Fall 2013
Biology 1407: General Biology II: CRN # 62484
Spring Branch Campus
Mon & Wed; Room 511; 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Instructor: Dr. Judith Solti
Office: Spring Branch Campus; (713) 718-5415
Availability: M/W 2 pm.; T/Th 11 am at Spring Branch office
Computer access: judith.solti@hccs.edu (HCC-related business); check your HCCS email daily before
class for any Instructor notifications; Facebook Judith Solti (personal) & Study Study School's Your Buddy
(anything interesting related to Bio 1407)
Course Description & Objectives: This 4 credit course focuses on the mechanisms of evolution,
biological diversity, and the form and function of both plants and animals. Emphasis is placed on the
anatomy/physiology of humans. The objective of this course is to give an in-depth study of the biological
sciences, especially for those students pursuing health or life sciences majors.
Prerequisite: General Biology I (Bio 1406 or equivalent) is required.
Required Textbooks: Campbell, N.A., BIOLOGY, 9th Ed;Vol. II, Benjamin/Cummings Pub., 2011 and
Schwartz, D. and Dikeocha, N., BIOLOGY 1407 LABORATORY MANUAL, HCC/Blue Door Publishing,
2011. Reading your textbook, lab book and any handouts IS required. You are expected to complete the
assigned reading for each topic prior to class. An in-depth copy of the syllabus, as well as all handouts,
homeworks, and test reviews may be found on Dr. Solti’s Learning Web at www.hccs.edu.
Optional Material: Class notes may be purchased in the Spring Branch HCCS Bookstore: Solti, Judith,
BIOS MEANS LIFE: Domains and Their Organisms, Vol. II, 4th Ed.2012. This is an optional, but
helpful purchase. Also helpful is the website Biology Lab Study Pages written by HCCS faculty at
hccs.edu/biologylabs. Online tutoring for all HCC students is available at www.hccs.askonline.net.
Attendance: Class attendance is MANDATORY. Attendance will be taken at some point during every
class period. By HCC District policy, four absences (either excused or unexcused) may result in
administrative withdrawal (W) from the class. There are no exceptions for veterans, international
students, students on financial aid, or on their parents' insurance. If you are absent, you are responsible
for all material covered and any homework/labs assigned. Class will start on time; tardiness is
disrespectful to the Professor and other students. If you arrive 30 minutes or more late, it will be counted
as an absence. If you arrive late, it is your responsibility to inform the Professor of your attendance
before you leave class that day and to catch up on any announcements given. If you must leave class
early for any reason, please discuss your departure with the Professor as it may be counted as an
absence. Late arrivals, early departures, and excessive absences will affect your attendance and grade.
Withdrawals: Any time at 4 absences, your Professor will discuss the option of withdrawing you from this
course as mandated by HCCS policy. November 1, 2013, however, is the last day a Counselor/Professor
may withdraw you from classes. After that date, withdrawal is not permitted and students may risk getting
an “F” in the course.
Student Conduct (refer to Student Handbook): HCC views college-level students as adults who
subscribe to a basic standard of conduct. Therefore, appropriate student conduct is expected in the
classroom at all times. Cell phones must be turned off or put on silent mode. If you must use your phone,
please step out of the classroom to do so. Texting is not allowed at any time during lecture or lab; the
student will be asked to leave the room and will be marked absent.
Lecture Examinations: Students are expected to participate in all examinations. If a student arrives
late, they will have only the time remaining from the official start of the exam. Students must take the final
exam during the scheduled time/date or a grade of “F” will be given for the final exam. No exam grades
will be dropped. Make up exams will be given only for valid excuses (must provide documentation).
Fall 2013
Biology 1407
CRN # 62484
Mon & Wed; Rm 511; 8-11am
Bonus Point Opportunities: Bonus quizzes will be given throughout the semester to gauge progress as
well as to earn extra points. There is NO make-up for a missed bonus quiz; it rewards attendance and
punctuality. Another bonus point opportunity that will be offered is service learning, which is a
volunteering program through HCC. This, however, will be optional.
Laboratory Conduct and Examinations: Students are expected to abide by the rules of safety at all
times during the laboratory exercises and are required to read and sign the HCC "Safety Guidelines
Acknowledgement”. Students will work in groups in the lab and may work within the group to complete lab
reports. These lab reports are worked on in your own lab book (no Xeroxes allowed).and shown/turned in
at the end of that class period. Late lab reports will start at a grade of 50% and must be turned in before
the scheduled Lab Practical Exam. There is no make-up for a missed Lab Practical Exam - it is a “0”.
Scholastic Dishonesty During Examinations: Cheating on a lab report would include actual copying of
answers from one student to another. A grade of "0" on those reports will be given to all students
involved. Cell phones must be turned off and out of sight, especially during exams. In the case of
dishonesty on a quiz or an exam (refer to Student Handbook), a grade of “0” will be given for the exam
and the student will not be allowed to finish or stay in the room. If dishonesty becomes a chronic and
persistent problem, the student may receive an “F” for the course.
Miscellaneous: Smoking is not allowed in the class or lab. Video recording is not permitted. Tape
recorders or laptops may be allowed with permission (laptops may only be used for course material). If
you have ANY problem that you would like us to address, please inform the Professor as soon as
possible. Students with disabilities (ADA) should inform their Professor as soon as possible for a referral
to the ADA counselor for "reasonable accommodations". Students who repeat a course for a 3rd or more
times WILL face tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges. Please ask your
Professor/Counselor about opportunities for tutoring/other assistance prior to considering course
withdrawal or if you are not receiving a passing grade.
Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System: (EGLS3): At HCC, Professors believe that
thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time,
you will be asked to answer a short, anonymous survey related to instruction, which will be made
available to your professors and department chairs for continual improvement of instruction.
Grade Computation
4 Lecture Exams
1 Lab Exam
1 Presentation
Final Exams
Lab Reports/Hmwrks
Partic/Attend.
Total
= 400 pts
= 100 pts
= 100 pts
= 200 pts
= 100 pts
= 100 pts
=1000 pts
= 40%
= 10%
= 10%
= 20%
= 10%
= 10%
=100%
Grading Scale....straight scale; no curve
1000 - 900 points = 100 - 90% = A
899 - 800 points = 89 - 80% = B
799 - 700 points = 79 - 70% = C
699 - 600 points = 69 - 60% = D
599 - 0 points = 59 - 0% = F
Important Dates
August 25, 2013
August 26, 2013
September 2, 2013
September 9, 2013
November 1, 2013
Nov 28-Dec 1, 2013
December 9-15, 2013
Last day for drop/add/swap
Classes begin
School closed- Labor Day Holiday
Official date of record
Last day for administrative/student withdrawals (4:30 p.m.)
School closed- Thanksgiving Holiday
Final exams
Page 2
Fall 2013
Biology 1407
CRN # 62484
Mon & Wed; Rm 511; 8-11am
Course Schedule
Date
Aug 26
Aug 28
Topic
Course Introduction/Syllabus
Introduction to Evolution
Chapter#
-22
Lab#
Lab Safety
--
Sept 2
Sept 4
Labor Day Holiday
Evolution of Populations
Holiday
23
-1
Sept 9
Sept 11
Origin of Species
Early Earth
24
25
2
--
Sept 16
Sept 18
Phylogeny & the Tree of Life
1st Exam (Ch 22-26)
26, Q#1*,Review
Exam
-3
Sept 23
Sept 25
Bacteria
Protists
27
28
-4
Sept 30
Oct 2
Introduction to Plants
Seed Plants
29
30
6
5
Oct 7
Oct 9
Fungi
2nd Exam (Ch 27-31)
31, Q#2*, Review
Exam
-Animal Specimens
Oct 14#
Oct 16#
Evolution of Animals/Invertebrates
Vertebrates
32, 33
34
---
Oct 21
Oct 23
Animal Tissues/Thermoregulation
Gastrointestinal System
40
41, Q#3*, Review
-Models
Oct 28
Oct 30
3rd Exam (Ch 32-34, 40-41)
Blood/Cardiovascular
Exam
42
Models
8, Models
Nov 4
Nov 6
Lymphatic/Respiratory Systems
Immune System
42
43
9, Models
Models
Nov 11
Nov 13
Excretory System/Homeostasis
Endocrine System
44
45
10, Models
Models
Nov 18
Nov 20
Reproductive System
4th Exam (Ch 42-46)
46, Q#4*,Review
Exam
Models
11
Nov 25
Nov 27
Animal Develop./Review for Lab Pract. 47
Lab Practical Exam+
--
Lab Review
Lab Exam
Dec 2
Dec 4
Neurons & Nervous Systems
No Class: Study Day
48, 49
--
---
Dec 9
Dec 11, Wed
No Class: Finals Week
Final Exams (Cumulative)
--Discipline Final and Dr. Solti’s Final
8 - 10 am
* These are the bonus quizzes. Graded pop quizzes will be given unannounced
# Mandatory dates for student presentations
+ Due date for optional service learning paperwork (found on HCCS website)
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Fall 2013
Biology 1407
CRN # 62484
Mon & Wed; Rm 511; 8-11am
Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) for the Biology Discipline:
 PSLO#1 - Students will display an understanding of biological systems and evolutionary processes
spanning all ranges of biological complexity, including atoms, molecules, genes, cells, and
organisms.
 PSLO#2 -Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically and to integrate factual and
conceptual information into an understanding of scientific data by written, oral and/or visual
communication; this may include successful completion of a course-specific research project or a
case study module.
 PSLO#3 - Students will apply principles of the scientific method to problems in biology and apply
basic laboratory safety procedures in the collection, recording, quantitative measurement, analysis
and reporting of scientific data.
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs) for Biology 1407:
 CSLO#1 (PSLO#1 & #2) - The student will be able to state observations and inferences leading to
Darwin's Theory of Evolution by means of natural selection including the concepts of mico and
macroevolution, genetic variation, and speciation.
 CSLO#2 (PSLO#1) - The student will be able to illustrate the relationship between major geologic
change, extinctions, and evolutionary trends.
 CSLO#3 (PSLO#3)- The student will be able to perform an experiment in population genetics and
analyze the data using the Hardy-Weinberg equations.
 CSLO#4 (PSLO#1, #2, #3) - The student will be able to distinguish between phlogenetic relationships
and taxonomic classification systems.
 CSLO#5 (PSLO#1 & #3) - The student will be able to explain the origin of species and the history of
life on Early Earth, including the importance of fossil documentation. Furthermore, the student will be
able to calculate the age of a fossil by means of isotopic decay.
 CSLO#6 (PSLO#1)- The student will be able to identify the major domains and kingdoms of life
(bacteria, archae, protists, plants, fungi, animals) including the basis for classification, structural and
physiological adaptations, reproduction, and evolutionary history.
 CSLO#7 (PSLO#1) - The student will be able to compare and contrast taxonomic, morphological,
digestive, and reproductive characteristics of Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda, Chordata, and
Vertebrata.
 CSLO#8 (PSLO#1) - The student will be able to understand the basic principles of animal form and
function, including feedback control and homeostasis.
 CSLO#9 (PSLO#1)- The student will be able to describe the basic anatomy and physiology of the
following animal organ systems: digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, excretory, endocrine,
reproductive, and nervous systems.
 CSLO#10 (PSLO#1 & #2): The student will develop critical thinking, scientific problem-solving, and
communication skills by successfully participating in a case study or course-specific research project.
 CSLO#11 (PSLO#3): The student will apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions, and utilize
scientific tools such as microscopes, anatomical models, computer simulations, and other laboratory
equipment to collect and analyze data.
Learning Methods: Read course textbook, notes, and any suggested course material; Read
laboratory manual; Attend lectures and participate
Resources: Campbell and Reese Biology 9th Ed, 2011; Dr. Solti's NOTES and test reviews; the
lab manual, hccs.edu/biologylabs; Mastering Biology; Dr. Solti's sources on The Learning
Web; Class discussions; hccs.askonline.net
Keep ahead of the material! Educators suggest studying 2-3 hours for each hour of class time. For this
class, that equals 12-15 hours/week of studying. However, this is a course that requires a lot of
memorization. So, if you have trouble memorizing, you may need to spend more time for the grade you
hope to achieve.
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