BIOL 1406 CRN 20970 – GENERAL BIOLOGY I (Spring 2012)
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.
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Explain synthesis of polymers, and the properties of the classes of biomolecules.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of shape, structure, and function of all eukaryotic cellular organelles
and cell systems.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of base pairing rules for both DNA and RNA.
4. Demonstrate understanding of replication and transcription and translation.
5. Be able to properly use and focus microscope to find specimen on slide.
6. Understand principles of heredity in terms of chromosomal inheritance.
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
EAGLE ONLINE: All of the important documents for the course and other study aids will be made
available on Eagle Online: https://hccs1.mrooms3.net/login/index.php
Try to check Eagle Online daily, since there may be important announcements about the course.
TIME AND LOCATION: Lab: Tuesday 5:30-9:30 in LHSB 305
Lecture: Thursday 5:30-9:30 in LHSB 304
GRADING: Grades will be determined by the following items:
Five exams (100 points each)
Lab exit checks (10 pts per lab)
Lab clean up (2 pts per lab)
Mastering Biology website homework (TBA points total)
Attendance (2 points per each lecture period)
One cumulative final exam (100 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). The
first three lecture exams will be given on scheduled class days. The fourth lecture exam will be given
during the final exam period during finals week.
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 four 100 point exams given during the semester.
In general, I do not give make up exams. The departmental final will count for 100 points and cannot be
counted as your drop grade.
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.
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 EXIT CHECK: Participation in the lab will be assessed by an “exit check.” This will include me
observing your performance of the lab activities as well as checking your lab manual answers. If you fail
to complete the exit check, you can return again to try to do better. The exit check is worth 10 points per
lab exercise.
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. To enroll in this course in Mastering Biology, you will need the Mastering Biology name of this
course. It is TBA.
The availability and dues dates for Mastering Biology assignments will be posted on Eagle Online.
EAGLE ONLINE PARTICIPATION: There will be extra credit assignments available on Eagle Online.
The topics will be announced in class and in the news forum on Eagle Online.
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 (Nov. 12th, 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 Nov. 12th, 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 Nov. 12th.
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: imc02.hccs.edu/BiologyLabs/Index (or just click the link Central campuses Biology
department webpage).
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:
Week
1: 9/25-9/27
Lab (Tuesday)
Lecture (Thursday)
Orientation
1. Measurements
2. Basic Chemistry
Finish lab 2 Basic Chemistry
1 Introduction
2 The Chemical Context of Life
3 Water and the Fitness of the
Environment
First Exam
4 Carbon and Molecular Diversity of Life
5 Macromolecules
6 Cell
2: 10/2-10/4
3.
4.
5.
Water and its Properties
Biomolecules: Carbs/Prot.
Biomolecules: Lipids/Nucl.
3: 10/9-10/11
6.
7.
8.
The Compound Microscope
Cell Structure and Function
Diffusion and Osmosis
7 Membrane Structure and Function
5: 10/2310/25
6: 10/30-11/1
9.
Enzymes: Catalysts of Life
7: 11/6-11/8
10.
11.
12.
13.
9 Cellular Respiration
10 Photosynthesis
Third Exam
11 Cell Communication
12 Cell cycle
13 Meiosis
14 Mendelian genetics
15 Chromosomal Inheritance
Fourth Exam
16 DNA structure
17 Protein Synthesis
18 Genetics of Viruses and Bacteria
19 Eukaryotic Genomes
20 DNA Technology and Genomics
21 Genomes and their Evolution
Thanksgiving vacation
4: 10/1610/18
8: 11/1311/15
9: 11/2011/22
10: 11/2712/29
11: 12/4-12/6
12: 12/11
Respiration and Photosynthesis activities
Mitosis
Meiosis
Genetics: Mendelian
Chi-Square
14. Non-Mendelian genetics and human
heredity
15. Karyotyping
DNA extraction, structure and replication
Protein synthesis
Second Exam
8 An Introduction to Metabolism
Fifth Exam
Gel electrophoresis
Departmental final 5:30 in LHSB 305