Houston Community College
Northeast Campus
BIOL 1308 – Introductory Biology I
Fall 2015
Instructor:
Office:
Cell:
Fax:
Email:
Aaron D. Palmer, B.S., M.S.
(832) 355-7318
(281) 785-2425
(832) 355-4205
aaron.palmer@hccs.edu
TEXTBOOK:
Campbell Essential Biology, with Physiology; 3rd ed., Vol. I,
Simon, Reece and Dickey; Benjamin-Cummins, 2011
CRN:
75173
TIME/LOCATION: Monday/Wednesday: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
North Forest Vocational/Technical Campus – Room 124
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The objective of this course is to give students the basic knowledge of life sciences. Topics include
biological molecules, cell structure and function, energetics, cell division, genetics and molecular biology (DNA/RNA structure and
function) and evolution.
The goal of this course is to become knowledgeable about various properties of living organisms, and to use this knowledge to gain
science literacy enabling you to become informed health-related research and other issues that impact society.
NOTE: This is a core curriculum course, thus can’t use BIOL 1308 in conjunction. No prerequisites are required.
Class Semester Schedule*
Week of
1: Aug. 24th
2: Aug. 31st
Chapter(s)
1
3: Sept. 7th
2
th
4: Sept. 14
3
5: Sept. 21st
4
th
6: Sept. 28
7: Oct. 5th
8: Oct. 12th
5
6
7
9: Oct. 19th
8
th
10: Oct. 26
11: Nov. 2nd
12: Nov. 9th
9
10
11
13: Nov. 16th
12
14: Nov. 23rd
13
th
15: Nov. 30
16: Dec. 7th
-
Lecture(s)
Syllabus/Orientation
Introduction to Biology
No Class Monday (Labor Day)
Basic Chemistry for Biology
Biological Macromolecules
The Cell
EXAM 1 – Chs. 1-3
The Working Cell
Cellular Respiration
Photosynthesis
Mitosis/Meiosis
EXAM 2 – Chs. 4-7
Genetics
Structure and Function of DNA
How Genes Are Controlled
DNA Technology
EXAM 3 – Chs. 8-10
How Populations Evolve
No Class Wednesday (Thanksgiving Holiday)
Class Presentations
FINAL EXAM (Chs. 11-13)
(*): The above schedule is tentative, thus the instructor holds the right to adjust it accordingly. Students will be notified in a timely
manner of any such changes during lecture meeting times.
LECTURE STRUCTURE: 3 lecture exams will be given based on the lectures that are conducted during lecture meeting times. No
information that is not covered during the lecture meeting time will be on the exam. Students will individually present a topic based on
one of the covered chapters out of the required text to the class. Information regarding student presentations will be given as a
separate document.
In the event of lecture having to be postponed or cancelled, the class will be notified accordingly.
CLASS WEBSITE: Students can access the course website via http://learning.hccs.edu and by searching the instructor’s name.
Resources including lecture presentations, reviews, multimedia files, and assignment instructions are made available on this site.
Students are encouraged to view the site for updates periodically though any changes to the site will be discussed in class.
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Houston Community College
Northeast Campus
BIOL 1308 – Introductory Biology I
Fall 2015
GRADING COMPUTATION:
3 Lecture Exams:
Final Exam:
Lecture Presentations:
300 points
100 points
100 points
TOTAL:
500 points
The grading scale is based on a point system. The more points you accrue, the higher the grade that you receive. Below is the letter
grade designation that is also synonymous for final grades:
Cumulative
A:
B:
C:
D:
F:
450 – 500
400 – 449
350 – 399
300 – 349
349 - Below
Success in this course depends solely on the individual student!
The following are some strongly recommended tips for students:

Understand and complete all elements within the syllabus.

Stay ahead of the schedule. Read the chapters, and their outlines, that are to be covered that day before coming to class.

Do not procrastinate! You do not want to play the “catch-up” game with this course.

Contact your professor if you have any questions regarding any aspect of the course you do not understand.

Network! Establish study groups, attend tutorials and study sessions (exchange contact information). Get to know your
classmates and faculty.

Utilize note cards.
RULES AND REGULATIONS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The listed is required for the course.
ATTENDANCE:
a. Attend class regularly, be on time, and stay until the period ends, unless dismissed.
b. Students are responsible for everything covered during the absence, and it is the student's responsibility to consult
with the instructor for make-up exams.
c. If you have an attendance issue, please notify me. Any student who wishes must understand it is their responsibility
and officially do so on or before the drop date. Failure to withdraw officially will result in a letter grade, not a “W” in
this course.
Cell phones must be placed on silent or vibrate during class meetings.
Smoking is not allowed in the laboratory. Eating and drinking is permitted as long as it does not cause disturbances.
Children or anyone not officially enrolled in this course are not allowed in the lecture/lab rooms unless given my approval.
Cheating/plagiarism are not tolerated. First infraction of cheating/plagiarism will result in a warning. The second infraction of
cheating/plagiarism will result in a “zero” on the exam or other work involved. The third infraction will result in a letter grade
“F” in the course. Cheating/plagiarism is defined as giving or receiving, offering or soliciting information, or using prepared
material without permission or proper documentation. Please refer to the Houston Community College System policies within
the most current Student Handbook.
Office hours are by appointment only. Please feel free to contact me and arrange an appointment.
The class website can be access via learning.hccs.edu and searching the instructor’s name. It should be updated accordingly
throughout the semester.
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Houston Community College
Northeast Campus
BIOL 1308 – Introductory Biology I
Fall 2015
EXAMS/PRESENTATIONS: Exams will consist of multiple choice questions with possible fill-in-the-blank, diagrams, completion,
definitions, matching, and/or essay questions based on the material covered in the lecture session and the text. The following are
guidelines that will govern all exams:

Students will not be allowed to leave the classroom before completing an exam.

Students arriving late will not be allowed to take the exam if any student has completed the exam and left the classroom.

The instructor holds the right to conduct timed exam.

Students arriving late will not be given extra time to complete the exam.

The final exam is mandatory in order to pass the course.

All exams will utilize the standard scantron forms. Students will be notified in advance if they will have to provide their own
scantrons.
Grades will not be publicly posted at any time during the semester, however feel free to contact me to inquire about your status at any
time during the semester. At the end of the semester, your grade will be made available on the web via (www.getgrades.com) or
telephone (1-877-341-4300).
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Any student with a documented disability (i.e. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.)
who require reasonable accommodations of disabilities are encouraged to call (713) 718-6164 to make necessary arrangements with
the appropriate HCC Disability Support Service (DSS) Counselor at the beginning of the semester. Faculty is only authorized to provide
accommodations requested by the Disability Services Office via approved student accommodation letters and confirmation of an
Instructional Support Specialist assigned to their instructor.
EGLS3 Online Surveys: Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System will be utilized for the students to conduct a semester
evaluation of the course. Students are asked to complete the survey towards the end of the semester through the PeopleSoft system.
Notifications throughout the semester will be given accordingly.
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