Houston Community College
Northeast Campus
North Forest Vocational Technical Campus
BIOL 1406 – General Biology I (Biology for Science Majors I)
Spring 2016
Instructor:
Office:
Fax:
Email:
Office Hours:
TEXTBOOK:
Aaron D. Palmer, B.S., M.S.
(832) 355-7318
(832) 355-4205
aaron.palmer@hccs.edu
By appointment only
Biology, 9th Edition; Vol. 1, Campbell and Reece, et al.
Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co., 2011
LAB MANUAL: Biology: 1406 Laboratory Manual; 2nd Ed., Schwartz, et al.
HCC/Blue Door Publishing, 2012
CRN:
87606
COURSE LENGTH: 16 weeks
COURSE CREDIT HOURS: 4
CONTACT HOURS: 3 Lecture Hours
3 Lab Hours
TOTAL COURSE CONTACT HOURS: 96.00 hours
TYPE OF INSTRUCTION: Lecture and Laboratory
LECTURE:
Tuesday: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
North Forest Vocational/Technical Campus – Room 124
LAB:
Thursday: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
North Forest Vocational/Technical Campus – Room 124
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will focus on the topics involving the biological chemistry of the cell along with its organization in
multi-cellular organisms. Additional discussion topics covered include biological processes, cellular
morphology, metabolism, basic concepts of genetics and molecular biology. The primary objective of this
course is to provide students the foundation and knowledge of life sciences.
Discussions focus on biological chemistry, biological processes, cellular morphology, metabolism, genetics
and molecular biology. Core Curriculum course cannot be used in conjunction with 1308.
COURSE PREREQUISTES: College level reading (or takes GUST 0342) and college level writing (or takes ENGL 0310/0349)
ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE/CTE PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) for the Biology Discipline:
PSLO #1 - 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 - Will 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 - Will demonstrate proficiency and safe practices in the use of laboratory equipment and basic laboratory techniques.
PSLO #4 - Will apply principles of the scientific method to problems in biology in the collection, recording, quantitative measurement,
analysis and reporting of scientific data.
COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLO)
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs) for Biology 1406:
1.
The student will be able to describe the characteristics of life: its unity and diversity and the evidence for evolution through
genetics, variation, and natural selection.
1
Houston Community College
Northeast Campus
North Forest Vocational Technical Campus
BIOL 1406 – General Biology I (Biology for Science Majors I)
Spring 2016
2. The student will be able to understand the basic requirements of life: explain atomic structure, types of chemical bonding, properties
of water, and the structures/functions of the macromolecules of life: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
3. The student will be able to compare and contrast the structures, reproduction, and characteristics of viruses, prokaryotic cells, and
eukaryotic cells, including important pathways in the metabolic processes of energy transformation, cell communication, cellular
respiration, fermentation, and photosynthesis.
4. The student will understand the cell cycle and be able to differentiate between mitosis and meiosis, continuing with the principles of
genetics/inheritance and to quantitatively solve classical genetic problems.
5. The student will demonstrate knowledge of DNA structure, its replication, the flow of genetic information from gene to protein, gene
expression, and ultimately their methodologies and applications in biotechnology.
6. The student will develop critical thinking skills and habits of active collaborative learning by successfully participating in an INSPIRE
(Innovative Science Program Initiatives To Reform Education)-oriented case study module(s).
7. The student will understand the scientific method, as well as quantitative and empirical skills to collect, record, measure, analyze,
and communicate scientific data, including showing competence in the laboratory by appropriate use of the light microscope and
other laboratory equipment.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1.1. Explain fundamental concepts of biological sciences and how these concepts are connected within various areas of the biological
sciences, at the survey level.
2.1. Acquire basic knowledge of atomic structure, know the different types of chemical bonding important to living systems, and
understand the properties of water that make life possible.
3.1. Explain prokaryotic, animal, and plant structure and function at the level of molecules and cells, to include biological
macromolecules, cellular organization, communication, cell division and gametogenesis, energy transformations, and the metabolic
reactions associated with cellular activities, such as the processes of glycolysis, fermentation, cellular respiration, and
photosynthesis, at the survey level.
4.1. Understand basic knowledge of Mendelian genetics, perform and interpretation of genetics problems, and of advances in the
understanding of genes and chromosomes since Mendel.
5.1. Explain the molecular sequence of events involved in the flow and expression of genetic information in prokaryotic and eukaryotic
cells, with special emphasis on the understanding of DNA replication, RNA transcription, and protein biosynthesis, at the survey
level.
6.1. The student will develop critical thinking skills and habits of active collaborative learning by successfully participating in an
INSPIRE (Innovative Science Program Initiatives To Reform Education)-oriented case study module(s).
7.1. Apply safety procedures, design an experiment, stating a hypothesis, of the quantitative analytical skills necessary for recording
and analyzing data, and of the write-up of conclusions. Demonstrate basic proficiency in using the microscope and practice critical
thinking and communication skills have been developed by students working in groups.
7.2. Understand how technology has affected the development of science and how scientific knowledge can be applied to various
aspects of life, community, the environment, and the important social and ethical issues related to biology and medicine. Apply
basic knowledge of the methodologies and applications in biotechnology, and be aware of biotechnologic career paths in the
biological sciences.
Class Semester Schedule*
Week of
1: Jan. 19th
Chapter(s)
-
2: Jan. 26th
1,2
3: Feb. 2nd
3,4
4: Feb. 19th
5,6
Lecture(s)
Syllabus/Orientation
Introduction: Themes In The Study Of Life
The Chemical Context of Life
Water & the Fitness of the Environment
Carbon and Molecular Diversity of Life
Macromolecules: Structure & Function
A Tour of the Cell
Exam I Review Posted
2
Lab Exercise(s)
Syllabus/Orientation
Appendix 1-2
1: Basic Chemistry
2: Properties of Water
Houston Community College
Northeast Campus
North Forest Vocational Technical Campus
BIOL 1406 – General Biology I (Biology for Science Majors I)
Spring 2016
5: Feb. 16th
-
6: Feb. 23rd
7,8
7: Mar. 2nd
9,10
8: Mar. 9th
11,12
9: Mar. 16th
EXAM I: Ch. 1-5
-
rd
10: Mar. 23
13,14
11: Mar. 30th
15,16
12: Apr. 6th
17,18
13: Apr. 13rd
-
th
14: Apr. 20
19,20
th
15: Apr. 27
16: May 4th
16: May 11th
-
Membrane Structure and Function
An Introduction to Metabolism
Cellular Respiration
Photosynthesis
Cell Communication
The Cell Cycle
Exam II Review Posted
EXAM II (Ch. 6-10) Take Home
Meiosis and the Sexual Life Cycles
Mendel and the Gene Idea
The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance
The Molecular Basis of Inheritance
From Gene to Protein
Regulation of Gene Expression
Exam III Review Posted
EXAM III: Ch. 11-15
Viruses
Biotechnology
Final Exam Review Posted
Extra Credit Due/ (open)
Departmental Final Exam
3: Biochemistry: Detection of
Biological Molecules, the Scientific
Method, & Experimental Design
4: The Care & Feeding of the
Microscope
5: Cell Structure
7: Enzymes
8: Respiration & Fermentation
9: Photosynthesis
10: Cell Division
11: Genetics
12: DNA to Protein
(open)
(open)
Lab Practical Exam
-
(*): 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.
LAB STRUCTURE: Each student is expected to participate and complete the lab during the lab meeting time while also having the lab
reports along with the appropriate data sheet(s) completed and ready to turn in on or before the next lab meeting.
Reports turned in at the due date are to be turned in by the start of lab; otherwise reports will not be accepted.
Additionally, no lab report copies will be accepted.
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. Student groups will
present a chapter out of the required text to the class based on the provided schedule. Information
regarding student presentations will be given as a separate document. At the discretion of the instructor,
pop quizzes will be given within the first 10 minutes of class. Students will be given approximately 15
minutes to complete the quiz.
In the event of either lecture/lab 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.
GRADING COMPUTATION:
3 Lecture Exams:
Final Exam:
1 Lab Exam:
Lab Reports:
Lecture Presentations:
300 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
TOTAL:
700 points
3
Houston Community College
Northeast Campus
North Forest Vocational Technical Campus
BIOL 1406 – General Biology I (Biology for Science Majors I)
Spring 2016
Extra Credit
10 Pop Quizzes
10 Article Summaries
Attendance/Participation
50 points
50 points
50 points
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS: 950
HCC Grading Scale:
A = 100 – 85
4 points per semester hour
B = 84 – 74
C = 73 – 63
3 points per semester hour
2 points per semester hour
D = 62 – 52
1 point per semester hour
51 and below = F
0 points per semester hour
FX (Failure due to non-attendance)
0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress)
0 points per semester hour
W (Withdrawn)
0 points per semester hour
I (Incomplete)
0 points per semester hour
AUD (Audit)
0 points per semester hour
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:
800 – 700
699 – 600
599 – 500
499 – 400
399 – Below
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must re-enroll to receive credit. COM (Completed) is given
in non-credit and continuing education courses.
FINAL GRADE OF FX: Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw themselves prior to the withdrawal deadline may either
be dropped by their professor for excessive absences or be assigned the final grade of "FX" at the end of the semester. Students who
stop attending classes will receive a grade of "FX", compared to an earned grade of "F" which is due to poor performance. Logging into
a DE course without active participation is seen as non-attending. Please note that HCC will not disperse financial aid funding for
students who have never attended class.
Students who receive financial aid but fail to attend class will be reported to the Department of Education and may have to pay back
their aid. A grade of "FX" is treated exactly the same as a grade of "F" in terms of GPA, probation, suspension, and satisfactory
academic progress.
To compute grade point average (GPA), divide the total grade points by the total number of semester hours attempted. The grades "IP,"
"COM" and "I" do not affect GPA.
Health Sciences Programs Grading Scales may differ from the approved HCC Grading Scale. For Health Sciences Programs Grading
Scales, see the "Program Discipline Requirements" section of the Program's syllabi.
4
Houston Community College
Northeast Campus
North Forest Vocational Technical Campus
BIOL 1406 – General Biology I (Biology for Science Majors I)
Spring 2016
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.

Take advantage of the HCC Biology Lab Study Pages website: http://imc02.hccs.edu/BiologyLabs/index.html
RULES AND REGULATIONS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
The listed textbook and lab manual are required for the course.
ATTENDANCE:
a. Attend class regularly, be on time, and stay until the period ends, unless dismissed.
b. Full attendance is required for lab sessions. Students with more than four (4) unexcused absences may result in
administrative withdrawal. 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/lab 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.
Electronic devices are prohibited during exams.
EXAMS/QUIZZES/REPORTS: 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 lab exams and final exam are 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.
A departmental final exam may be issued as an additional final exam pending departmental requirements.
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).
EXTRA CREDIT: Ten (10) pop quizzes will be given at the discretion of the instructor the first 10 minutes of the lecture session. Each
quiz will be worth 5 points and could possibly be over previous information or information that is to be covered on that lect ure session
day.
Students are able to produce a portfolio of ten (10) article/research summaries. The portfolio will be due Tuesday, May. 5th. NO LATE
PORTFOLIOS WILL BE ACCEPTED! Key information will be provided about this as a separate document.
5
Houston Community College
Northeast Campus
North Forest Vocational Technical Campus
BIOL 1406 – General Biology I (Biology for Science Majors I)
Spring 2016
Students are to sign the attendance record sheet upon their arrival to lecture/lab each meeting session in which a grade would be taken
in to account.
STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs) for Biology 1406:
1.
The student will be able to describe the characteristics of life: its unity and diversity and the evidence for evolution through
genetics, variation, and natural selection.
No assignments selected for this outcome
2.
The student will be able to understand the basic requirements of life: explain atomic structure, types of chemical bonding,
properties of water, and the structures/functions of the macromolecules of life: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
No assignments selected for this outcome
3.
The student will be able to compare and contrast the structures, reproduction, and characteristics of viruses, prokaryotic cells, and
eukaryotic cells, including important pathways in the metabolic processes of energy transformation, cell communication, cellular
respiration, fermentation, and photosynthesis.
No assignments selected for this outcome
4.
The student will understand the cell cycle and be able to differentiate between mitosis and meiosis, continuing with the principles of
genetics/inheritance and to quantitatively solve classical genetic problems.
No assignments selected for this outcome
5.
The student will demonstrate knowledge of DNA structure, its replication, the flow of genetic information from gene to protein, gene
expression, and ultimately their methodologies and applications in biotechnology.
No assignments selected for this outcome
6.
The student will develop critical thinking skills and habits of active collaborative learning by successfully participating in an INSPIRE
(Innovative Science Program Initiatives To Reform Education)-oriented case study module(s).
A case study module on cellular respiration will be conducted.
7.
The student will understand the scientific method, as well as quantitative and empirical skills to collect, record, measure, analyze,
and communicate scientific data, including showing competence in the laboratory by appropriate use of the light microscope and
other laboratory equipment.
No assignments selected for this outcome
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.
ACCESS TO STUDENT SERVICES POLICIES: http://hccs.edu/student-rights
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.
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learni ng.
During a designated time near the end of the term, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of research-based questions
related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and department chairs f or
continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near the
end of the term.
DISTANCE EDUCATION AND/OR CONTINUING EDUCATION POLICIES
ACCESS TO DE POLICIES: http://de.hccs.edu/Distance_Ed/DE_Home/faculty_resources/PDFs/DE_Syllabus.pdf
ACCESS TO CE POLICIES: http://hccs.edu/CE-student-guidelines
6