BIOL 1406 CRN 54758 – GENERAL BIOLOGY I (Fall 2011)
INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Michael Sanregret (email: michael.sanregret@hccs.edu)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Discussions focus on biological chemistry, biological processes, cellular
morphology, metabolism, genetics and molecular biology. This is a Core Curriculum course and cannot be
used in conjunction with 1308.
Students will construct an understanding of biological concepts by participating in lab activities, online and
in-class discussion activities. Student comprehension of biological concepts will be assessed by Mastering
Biology homework assignments and lecture and lab exams.
TEXT BOOKS:
Lecture: Biology, Campbell, Neil, Reece, Jane 9th edition, Pierson Benjamin Cummings, 2011. The portion
of this book used for BIOL 1406 is sold separately as Volume I though the HCC bookstore.
The Campbell text comes with access to the website Mastering Biology. Use of this website is a required
activity and will included graded homeworks.
Lab: General Biology I Lab Manual: A Hands-on Experience, 2nd ed. Wagle, Turell (ed) Royal Publishing
Co. 2010
LEARNING WEB: All of the important documents for the course and other study aids will be made
available on the Learning Web at the following website:
http://learning.cc.hccs.edu/members/michael.sanregret
Try to check the Learning Web each day, since there may be important announcements about the course.
TIME AND LOCATION: Lab: Tuesday 5:30-8:30 in LHSB 305
Lecture: Thursday 5:30-8:30 in LHSB 304
GRADING: Grades will be determined by the following items:
Four lecture exams (100 points each)
Two lab practical exams (100 points each)
Lab participation (5 pts per lab)
Lab clean up (2 pts per lab)
Mastering Biology website homework (100 points total)
Eagle Online discussion participation (5 points each)
Lecture attendance (2 points per each lecture period)
One cumulative final exam (150 points)
Your lowest lecture exam grade will be dropped. The cumulative final exam grade will never be
dropped as a low grade, although you may gain an exemption from the final exam. Your final percent
grade will be calculated as your total points divided by the total possible times 100%. Your final letter
grade will be determined by your final percent grade as follows:
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
<60% = F
EXAMS: Lecture exams will test your knowledge and understanding of concepts learned in lecture or in
class activities during lecture. Lab topics will not be specifically covered, although there will of course be
overlap in the material. The format will be multiple choice, completion, matching, diagrams, definitions
and essays. On the day of a lecture exam, you will be given a one hour period to complete the exam. After
a break, we will start the next section of lecture material (attendance following the exam is required).
Lab practical exams test your understanding and recognition of specimens and concepts studied
during the lab sections. Quiz questions will vary in format. Fill in the blank, short answer, multiple choice
and short essay are all possible question formats. Lab quiz questions will almost always involve observing
a specimen or image studied during the lab section.
You get to drop the one lowest grade out of the six 100 point exams given during the semester
(four lecture and two lab).
The final exam will be cumulative. You will be exempted from the final exam if your grade
average before the final exam is 92% or higher (with the lowest exam and lowest quiz grades dropped).
Naturally, if you are exempt from the final exam this also means you get an A in the course.
After exams are graded they will be returned and we will review the answers. After the review,
you must return your exam question sheet to me (you may keep the scantron answer sheet). If you wish to
see an exam question sheet at a later point ask me I will make it available to you.
THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO MAKE UP EXAMS! If you miss one, it counts as your
dropped grade. If you miss a second exam for a serious reason, accommodations may be made.
LAB PARTICIPATION: Participation in the lab assignments is worth 5 points per lab session. If you
participate in the lab work, and stay the full duration of the class period, you will get a grade of 5/5. If you
feel you have completed your assignments and wish to leave early, I will need to check your work and or
give you an oral quiz to determine if you have sufficiently completed the assignments. If I’m not satisfied
that you have completed the assignments and learned the material sufficiently, you will get less than 5
points for your participation grade, unless you return and complete the work. If you stay and work for the
entire lab period, you will automatically receive 5/5 points for your participation grade.
MASTERING BIOLOGY HOMEWORK: You will be given a number of Mastering Biology homework
assignments during the semester, at times to be announced. These assignments must be completed online
at http://www.masteringbiology.com. You are required to buy the Campbell Biology textbook and and the
code that allows you to log in to the website. These assignments are based on chapters of the textbook and
will complement what is covered in class. The assignments will cover recently studied in class, and should
help you to comprehend the material. The procedures for logging in to the website will be discussed in
class.
EAGLE ONLINE PARTICIPATION: There will be weekly topics for you to discuss in forums on Eagle
Online. The topics will be announced in class. More on this will be explained in class.
ATTENDANCE and WITHDRAWALS: As noted in the grading section, you will be graded on
attendance. Make note, however, that I do not automatically drop students from the roster for lack of
attendance. If you intend to drop the class, you should ask me to submit a withdrawal online before the last
day for student withdrawals (November 3, 4:30PM). This is the only way to receive a “W” grade at the end
of the semester. If you do not arrange for withdrawal by November 3, 4:30PM, you will receive a regular
letter grade at the end of the semester (F, D, C, B, or A, depending on grade average). Just to be clear, I do
not have the power to give a W grade after November 23rd.
Texas law currently limits the total number of course withdrawals a new student may take in their
entire educational career to no more than six. Also be aware that the current policy in Texas public
colleges and universities requires students who repeat a course for a third time or more will be charged an
additional $50/credit hour.
There has been a recent change in the grading system for students who receive an F in a course.
Students who fail due to lack of attendance may be given the grade “FX,” which indicates the lack of
attendance. An FX grade may have an effect on the student’s eligibility for financial aid.
ASSISTANCE: If you have questions about the course material, I encourage you to ask me questions
during or outside of class, or over email (michael.sanregret@hccs.edu). We may also schedule a time to
meet to discuss course material. Tutoring is available (times and locations TBA).
The most reliable way to contact me is over email. If you make a request during class for some
later action, I will probably forget, so send me an email to remind me.
Exchange phone numbers with some of your classmates because you may want to form study
groups or you may need to find out about missed classes.
The Biology/Nutrition Dept. has developed lab study pages that are helpful when reviewing your lab
material. The URL is: http://cc.hccs.edu/Biology/AllStudyPages/StudyPagesSummary/1406.htm
APPEALING GRADES: If you believe that your work has been graded incorrectly, you must contact me within a
week (not counting holidays) after the grade is given to discuss the grade. Exceptions may be made for illness or
other valid excuses. Difficulties that cannot be resolved through me should be brought to the Biology Associate
Chair, Pramila Sen in LHSB 401.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. LAST day to register/add/drop/swap: .
2. Textbook and lab manual are required.
3. Full Class attendance is required. Students are responsible for everything covered during their
absence, and it is the student’s responsibility to consult with the instructor for make-up assignments.
4. To avoid disruption in the classroom, all pagers must be set on the silent mode. Cellular phones must
also be turned off during the class period.
5. No children are allowed in the laboratory.
6. Eating, drinking, or smoking is NOT allowed in the laboratory.
7. You must read the laboratory safety rules before doing any of the lab exercises.
8. The laboratory safety release form must be signed during the first lab session.
9. Lab reports are an important part of the course and to be completed one week after the lab period.
They will be spot-checked during the lab period. Although students work in groups, individual active
participation is expected. You are responsible for the completion of your individual lab report.
10. CHEATING IS NOT PERMITTED!!! If it occurs the student may receive a zero for the exam or a
grade of “F” in the course.
11. Grades will not be posted at any time during the semester. Your grade will be available on the web
(www.getgrades.com) or by telephone (1-877-341-4300)
12. Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are encouraged to
report to Room LHSB 106, or call (713) 718-6164 to make necessary arrangements.
Faculty are only authorized to provide accommodations requested by the
Disability Support Services Office
16. Open labs will be scheduled during the semester for review of lab materials. The
schedule will be available in your classroom during the semester
17. The Biology Computer lab is in Room LHSB 415, computers and biology software are
available for student use. Biology tutoring will also be available in the lab. The
scheduled will be posted in the classroom.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
Chapter
Week
1: 8/30-9/1
4: 9/20-9/22
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5: 9/27-9/29
8
6: 10/4-10/6
7: 10/11-10/13
9
10
8: 10/18-10/20
9: 10/25-10/27
11
12
13
2: 9/6-9/8
3: 9/13-9/15
10: 11/1-11/3
14
11: 11/8-11/10
15
16
17
18
12: 11/15-11/17
13: 11/22-11/24
14: 11/29-12/1
19
20
Lab (Tuesday)
Lecture (Thursday)
Orientation
1. Measurements
2. Basic Chemistry
3. Water and its Properties
4. Biomolecules: Carbs/Prot.
5. Biomolecules: Lipids/Nucl.
6. The Compound Microscope
7. Cell Structure and Function
8. Diffusion and Osmosis
Introduction
The Chemical Context of Life
Water and the Fitness of the Environment
Carbon and Molecular Diversity of Life
Macromolecules
Cell
First exam; Membrane Structure and
Function
An Introduction to Metabolism
9. Enzymes: Catalysts of Life
10. Cellular Respiration
11. Photosynthesis
Review for lab practical
Cellular Respiration
Photosynthesis
Lab Exam I: 3/23
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Mitosis
Meiosis
Karyotyping and Barr body staining
Genetics: Mendelian
Non-Mendelian genetics and human heredity
17. DNA extraction, structure and replication
18. Protein synthesis
19. Gel electrophoresis
15: 12/6-12/8
Lab Exam II: 5/6
16: 12/13
Final exam 5:30PM
Second exam; Cell Communication
Cell Cycle
Meiosis
Mendelian genetics
Chromosomal Inheritance
DNA structure
Third exam; Protein Synthesis
Genetics of Viruses and Bacteria
Thanksgiving
Eukaryotic Genomes
DNA Technology and Genomics
Fourth exam