Houston Community College
Biology 1407 - General Biology – CRN 69082
Instructor: Dr. Harriette Block
Campus:
Spring Branch
E-mail Address: harriette.block@hccs.edu
Availability: After Class
Course Description & Objectives:
This course focuses on the mechanisms of evolution, biological diversity among plants
and animals. Emphasis is placed on the anatomy and physiology of human beings. 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. This is a 4-credit course.
Prerequisite:
General Biology I or equivalent is required.
Required Textbooks:
Campbell, N.A., BIOLOGY, 8th Edition, Benjamin/Cummings Pub., 2003.
Merritt, R.G. and Keating, R.J., LABORATORY EXERCISES FOR
COLLEGE
GENERAL BIOLOGY 2, 2nd Edition, 2003.
Course Material:
A textbook and lab manual are required for the course. Completion of lab assignments is
very important. As time does not allow for every detail of your textbook to be covered in
class, you are required to read the information prior to class. Lectures and labs on your
daily schedule are tentative; therefore it is important to have them with you, at every
session.
Attendance:
Attendance will be taken at each class meeting. You are responsible for the information
covered in class, whether your absence is excused or unexcused. Please provide
documentation of your absence if you desire an excused absence. If you are absent for a
lab assignment, you will not be given any credit for the missed lab.
Withdrawals:
The last day to withdraw from this class is 4/21/11. After that date, withdrawal is not
permitted and students must receive a final grade. If you are unable to complete the
course, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DROP OR WITHDRAW FROM THE
CLASS ON OR BEFORE THE LAST DROP DATE.
Student Conduct (Student Handbook):
Appropriate student conduct is expected in the classroom at all times. Please read the
student handbook for further information.
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Lecture Examinations: All exams should be taken at the scheduled time.
Make-up Exams:
Make-up exams will only be given after receiving a validated excuse. The
instructor will schedule all make-up exams. Failure to take the make-up exam on
the scheduled date (for any reason) will result in a zero for that exam (no
exceptions).
Laboratory Conduct and Examination:
Students are required to read and sign the HCC Biology Laboratory Safety Rules and
Regulations found in you lab manuals. Lab Manuals are a very important part of the
course work; they can be purchased along with your textbook. PLEASE DO NOT
COPY THE LAB MANUALS, THERE ARE COPY WRITE LAWS. Lab reports
must be stapled and turned in at the next lab session or as requested. LATE REPORTS
TURNED IN LATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. If you are absent from a lab session
your lab will not be accepted. THERE IS NO MAKE UP FOR MISSING A
SCHEDULED LAB PRACTICAL EXAM. Lab exams are practical, they are not
multiple choice, is subjective, it is taken directly from your lab exercises done in class.
Scholastic Dishonesty during Examination:
A final grade of F will be recorded for dishonesty on examinations. A zero tolerance will
be maintained at each exam time during the duration of the course.
Additional Information:
Cell Phones are very distracting and are not allowed in the classroom at Houston
Community College. My e-mail address is listed on the syllabus; your e-mail will be
answered in a timely manner. As an Adjunct Professor, I am not available during regular
operational hours. Therefore, I am available after class for appointments or meetings.
Disability (ADA)
Houston Community College has provided the least restrictive environment for all
students. We strive for excellence in providing equity for all students through
accommodations as required by the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title V,
Section 504 and the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 (ADA), this act enables
students with disabilities to benefit from all post-secondary activities.
If you require any accommodation because of physical, mental or learning
disability, please contact the Dean for Student Services who will provide you with
the forms you need to request accommodations. Please turn these forms in to the
Professor at the beginning of the class to arrange for those accommodations.
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PLEASE NOTE
“Students who repeat a course for a third time or more times may soon face
significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and
universities. Please ask your Professor/Counselor about opportunities for tutoring
or other assistance prior to considering course withdrawal or if you are not
receiving passing grades”
Dates to remember:
Jan 18th
Classes Begin, Drop/Add/Swap fee begin
April 21st
Feb 15th
Last Day for Administrative and student
withdrawal by 4:30p.m
President’s Day Holiday
March 14th- 20th
Spring Break
April 22 – 24th
Easter
May 8th
Instruction Ends
May 9-15th
Final Examinations
May 20th
Grades Available to students
Final exams for students will be given at the normal class hour on the meeting date.
Grade Determination:
There are no make-up Exams
Details
Your grades will be determined
by the following
Percent of
Final Average
Objective types/True and
False/Matching/Multiple
Choice/ Essay
4 Exams
Lecture Exams
80
Short answer questions and
completed lab assignments.
Lab Quizzes and Assignments
20
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Course Grade Assignment:
Lecture Grade
A
Final Average in Percent
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
0-59%
Tentative Topics to be covered:
Week
Chapters
1
Chapter 22-Descent with Modification
2
Chapter 23- The Evolution of Populations
3
Chapter 24- The Origin of Species
4
Chapter 25- Phylogeny and Systematic
5
Chapter 26- An Introduction to Biological
Diversity
6
Chapter 27- Prokaryotes
7
Chapter 28- Protists
8
Chapter 29- Plant Diversity I
9
Chapter 30 – Plant Diversity II
10
Chapter 31- Fungi
11
Chapter 32- An Introduction to Animal Diversity
Assignments
4
12
Chapter 33- Invertebrates
13
Chapter 34 - Vertebrates
14
Chapter 36- Transport in Vascular Plants
15
Chapter 38 – Angiosperm Reproduction/Biotechnology
16
Chapter 40 - Animal Form and Functions
17
Chapter 41- Animal nutrition
18
Chapter 42 – Circulation and Gas Exchange
19
Chapter 43 – The Immune System
20
Chapter 44 - Osmoregulation and Excretion
21
Chapter 45 – Hormones and the Endocrine
System
22
Chapter 46 – Animal Reproduction
These Chapters are your responsibility to read. It is important to understand that your
study skills must be exercised. Don’t wait until the last minute to read. READ constantly.
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