Week Chap Topics covered online for Lecture 2/12 2/14 1 2 Orientation Introduction The Chemical Context of life 2/19 2/21 3 4 5 Water and the Fitness of the Environment Carbon and the molecular diversity of life Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules 2/26 2/28 6 A tour of the Cell Laboratory exercises Measurements Basic Chemistry Water and its Properties Biomolecules Mastering Biology Assignments (1-5) due by February 28th11:30pm Microscopy Cell Structure and Function FIRST LECTURE EXAM 2/28: (Chap 1-5) 3/53/7 7 8 3/113/18 3/19 3/21 Membrane Structure and Function An introduction to metabolism Diffusion an Osmosis Enzymes Cellular Respiration SPRING BREAK 9 10 Cellular Respiration and Fermentation Photosynthesis Cellular respiration Photosynthesis Review for lab exam Mastering Biology Assignments (6-10) due by March 28th11:30pm 1st Lab exam 3/28 3/26 3/28 4/2 4/4 4/9 4/11 11 12 13 14 Meiosis and sexual life cycles Mendel and the Gene Idea Mendelian genetics Chromosomal inheritance Chi- squares 15 16 Chromosomal Inheritance Molecular Basis of Inheritance Non-Mendelian genetics and human heredity Karyotyping Mastering Biology Assignments (1115) due by April 18th11:30pm 17 THIRD LECTURE EXAM 4/12 (Chapters 11-15) From Gene to Protein 4/16 4/18 4/23 4/25 Cell Communication The Cell Cycle Cell Division: Mitosis SECOND LECTURE EXAM 3/26. (Chapters Meiosis 6-10) 18 19 Regulation of Gene Expression Viruses DNA extraction, structure and replication Gel Electrophoresis Protein Synthesis Review for 2nd lab exam 2nd LAB EXAM 5/02 4/30 5/2 5/8 20 Biotechnology FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 5/8) Departmental final (chapters 1-20) Mastering Biology Assignments (16-20) due by May 5th Review sheet for the comprehensive final Houston Community College, Central College 1300 Holman, Houston, TX 77004 Course Syllabus General Biology I (Biol 1406) Spring 2013, CRN# 40121 Credit: 4 Semester hours/12 weeks Instructor: Office: Office Hours: Phone: E-mail: Aparna Rao Learning Hub Science Building (LHSB), Rm 401, Central College Available by appointment only (713) 718-2537 aparna.rao@hccs.edu Course Description This course focuses on the biological chemistry of the cell and its organization in multi-cellular organisms. Discussions include biological processes, cellular morphology, metabolism, heredity and molecular genetics. The objective of this course is to give the students a basic understanding of life sciences, especially those entering nursing or other applied health sciences. Please set aside adequate time to grasp this course - you will probably need to spend at least 6 hours per week!! OPTIONAL Instructional Materials Text Book Campbell Biology 9th edition, volume I by Reece, Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky and Jackson. Benjamin/Cummins publishing Co. 2011. This edition is packaged and priced specifically for HCCS. Please buy the new textbook from the HCC bookstore that comes packaged with the mastering biology access code. We will be using this site for this course. Lab Manual: General Biology 1 Lab Manual”A hands on experience” 2nd edition, Marsha Turell and Jyoti R. Wagle, Royal Publishing Co., 2009 Important Dates: February 9th Last Day for drop/add(fee $15) April 9th before 4:30 pm Last Day for Administrative and Student Withdrawal March 11 -17th Spring break May 17 Grades available to students th COURSE SCHEDULE: Note: The Instructor reserves the right to modify the schedule. Students will be advised of any changes as soon as possible. LECTURE: Tuesdays, 5:30-9:30 PM Room LHSB 304 Lab: Thursdays, 5:30-9:30 Room LHSB 305 CONTACT INFORMATION: You can reach me by email me during the regular semester. Please use my HCCS email (aparna.rao@hccs.edu) My Office phone # is 713 718 2538. OFFICE LOCATION: My office is in LHSB 401. Please go to LHSB 402, the science office, and ask the assistant to call my extension. OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays and Thursdays: half hour before the class. Please feel free to contact me if you are unavailable to meet at that time. COURSE GOAL: Students should become knowledgeable about various properties of living organisms, and use this knowledge to gain science literacy so they become informed of and evaluate health-related research and other issues that impact society. Students should understand how biologists use the scientific method as they observe phenomena and critically evaluate data. BIOLOGY PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (PSLO): 1. To recognize, identify, and describe the basic structures and functions associated with most life forms. 2. To develop basic laboratory techniques appropriate to the field of Biology. 3. To develop study skills and habits appropriate for pre-professional students interested in health-related fields. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs): 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. Apply safety procedures design an experiment, state a hypothesis, gain 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. Understand basic knowledge of Mendelian genetics, perform and interpret genetics problems, and of advances in the understanding of genes and chromosomes since Mendel. 6. 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. 7. 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 biotechnological career paths in the biological sciences. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Appropriate learning objectives will be supplied in relation to the above listed SLOs, and in accordance with the material covered in each of the text’s chapters. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND ACCESS TO COURSE MATERIAL We will meet at college for both the lecture and laboratory sessions. In addition, this course is webenhanced with important resources available on Mastering Biology. Lecture: We will meet in class for Lecture. PowerPoint presentations and important course material can be accessed through learning web (see below). You should use this material as an outline and study the content in detail in the textbook. Because learning requires active (not passive) involvement on the part of the learner, you must come to class prepared. This includes having read the relevant chapters in the textbook and studied the PowerPoint slides prior to coming to class. It may also be helpful to take notes and you should think about personal application of the text material. Lab: We will meet in class for Lab. Instruction includes use of lab materials and equipment through demonstration, and hands on lab activities. Weekly laboratory exercises are designed to help with understanding of the course material. You must complete the prelabs prior to the labs for that day and you will complete the lab exercise in class. An excellent Lab Review is available 24/7 for HCC Students at http://hccs.edu/biologylabs You will get access to digital images, animations, and labeling exercises to review models MASTERING BIOLOGY Online graded homework Assignments will be given through Mastering Biology which is provided by the publisher of your textbook. On this website, you will get assignments that are linked to the course SLOs. The assignments and due dates can be found on the Mastering Biology calendar (Due dates are also listed on the syllabus). Go to the Mastering Biology website (www.masteringbiology.com) and follow these step and Click on Register as STUDENTS. If you have purchased a new textbook through HCC bookstore, the access code is included in the textbook package. If you do not have the access code you will have to purchase one online at the Mastering Biology site using a credit card. Our School zip code is 77004 and the Course ID is Spring2013RAO40121. In addition to assignments, MasteringBiology has many excellent resources available to students in the study area including videos, animations, quizzes, activities and Interactive Resources. Learning web A copy of your syllabus and course power points will be posted on the learning web for you to download and use as notes. The link is given below. http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/aparna.rao/biol1406-1/Biol1406_Sp13_aparna.doc/view EVALUATE YOUR INSTRUCTOR: EGLS3 Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System Dear students, We need your input in evaluating your instructor this semester. The EGLS3 (Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System) will be available for most courses near the end of the term until finals start. This brief survey will give invaluable information to your faculty about their teaching. Results are anonymous and will be available to faculty and division chairs after the end of the term. Take the EGLS3 survey by going to the Student System: [-] STEP 1 Go to www.hccs.edu [-] STEP 2 Select Student System Sign In. [-] STEP 3 Select EGLS3 - Begin Evaluation under the EGLS3 Evaluation of Instruction to complete the survey. Pop-ups must be enabled as the Smarter Services site opens in a new window. Any questions? ... Call the HCC Helpdesk at 713.718.8800 or email customer.support@hccs.edu TESTING AND GRADING: Lecture Exams: There will be a total of three lecture exams (not including a Comprehensive final exam, see below). Each exam will contain a number of questions, which may include multiple choice, completion, matching, diagrams, definitions and short essay type questions. Multiple choice questions need to be answered on a scantron. Scantrons will not be provided; it is the student’s responsibility to have scantron and pencils the day of exams. Lab Exams: There will be two Lab Practical Exams during the course. These will be explained in detail during our lab sessions. Stations will be setup for the various labs. Questions may be multiple choice, completion, matching, diagrams, problem solving, definitions, identification, and short essay type questions. Note: No scantrons are needed for Lab Practical Exams. Each lecture and lab exam accounts for 15 % of your grade. Out of the three lecture exams and 2 lab exams, one lowest exam grade will be dropped. If you take all of these five exams, your lowest grade automatically becomes your drop grade. If you miss an exam it automatically becomes your drop exam. If you miss a second exam, you will receive a grade of 0% for that exam. Manditory Comprehensive Final Lecture Exam (15%): The comprehensive final exam is mandatory and cannot be one of your dropped grades. This final will consist of two parts; the first part will be the Instructors comprehensive exam and the second part will be a HCC district-wide comprehensive standardized final (both consisting of multiple choice questions). Mastering Homework Assignments: Mastering Homework Assignments will account for 10% of the final grade. Pre Lab reports, lab reports & performances, attendance : 10% of the final grade. Prelabs must be completed by the students prior to the corresponding lab session and will be checked at the start of the class. Lab reports are due at the end of each lab session and completed exercises must be delivered to the desk before lab session is considered complete. Every student is required to do his/her own lab work and individuality will be looked for in the lab reports. With instructor’s approval, group effort will be allowed in the lab but each student must participate. Students must be in lab for the entire period. Overall Attendance and Participation in Course will be evaluated. This will be awarded for attendance during the semester and for overall class participation including homework assignments (Note: this does not include the Mastering homework assignments). Take home assignments: A take home assignment will be handed out at the end of every lecture on Tuesdays which must be completed and brought back by the next lecture day. These assignments will account for 5% of the grade. GRADING 4 exams (out of 3 lecture exams/2 lab exams) 15 % each for a total of 60% Comprehensive Final 15% Take home assignments 5% Mastering Homework Assignments 10% Pre Lab reports, lab work, overall attendance and participation in course activities 10 % TOTAL Grading Scale: 100% 90 – 100 % A 80 - 89 % B 70 - 79 % C 60 - 69 % D <60 % F No make up for missed exams.No compensation for sloppy eraser on scantron and all lecture and laboratory exams are closed book RULES AND REGULATIONS 1. Attendance is mandated by the state. Students are expected to be in attendance for the entirety of the scheduled class, including lab and lecture portions. Attendance will be recorded in each class session and will be given only if you attend full class period. Tardiness will not be accepted. Coming late to the class or leaving early for whatever reason, is considered a disruption and no attendance will be given for that day. You are responsible for everything covered or announced during your absence and it is the student’s responsibility to consult with the instructor for make-up assignments. Your attendance begins on the first day of the semester. More than four unexcused absences may result in an administrative and/or instructor withdrawal without notice. If you stop attending the course or do not participate in the assessment, you are still responsible for withdrawing from the course before the withdrawal deadline. Failing to do so can result in an F or FX grade at the end of the semester. 2. Textbook and lab manual are required. 3. If you are late for a lecture or a lab exam, you will be allowed to take the exam as long as no one else has completed the exam and left the room. Also, you will get only the remaining time to take your exam. 4. If you miss one exam, that exam will automatically become your drop exam. If, for whatever reason, you miss a second exam, it will be counted as a zero score. NO MAKE-UP EXAMS will be given unless exceptional circumstances. There must be a valid documented reason for a make-up exam and it must be pre-approved by the instructor. Acceptable reasons include hospitalization, doctor's certification that the student was unfit to write the exam, or subpoenas for court appearances. Make-up requests must be submitted in writing, with the appropriate official documentation. Makeup exams must be taken by the time designated by the instructor. The format of the make-up exam may vary from the scheduled examination 5. Classroom Behavior: As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared responsibility to develop and maintain a positive learning environment for everyone. I take this responsibility very seriously and will inform members of the class if their behavior makes it difficult for him/her to carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you are asked to respect the learning needs of your classmates and assist your instructor achieve this critical goal. All students in HCC are required to follow all HCC Policies & Procedures, the Student Code of Conduct, the Student Handbook, and relevant sections of the Texas Education Code when interacting and communicating in a virtual classroom with faculty and fellow students. Students who violate these policies and guidelines will be subject to disciplinary action that could include denial of access to course-related email, discussion groups, and chat rooms or being removed from the class. 6. Cell phone, Camera, Recording and/or other Electronic Devices are prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. As a student active in the learning community of this course, it is your responsibility to be respectful of the learning atmosphere in your classroom. To show respect of your fellow students and instructor, phones and other electronic devices, must be turned off in class. If electronic devices are used during a test, a grade of F will automatically be assigned. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable accommodations. 7. No children are allowed in the laboratory. Eating, drinking, or smoking is NOT allowed in the laboratory. 8. You must read the laboratory safety rules before doing any of the lab exercises. 9. The laboratory safety release form must be signed during the first lab session. 10. You may contact me to find out about your status at any time during the semester. Grades will also be posted on Eagle online. At the end of the semester, your overall grade will be available through HCC 11. CHEATING IS NOT PERMITTED!!! Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. 12. Please refer to Student Handbook for complete instructions and rules. SUGGESTED STUDY TIPS FOR GENERAL BIOLOGY! 1. Read the chapters/lab exercises before coming to class and again after class is complete. 2. Review, review, review! 3. You may find it helpful to define important terms, using note cards is a good way to do this. However, knowing the key terms just provides the foundation for understanding key concepts in biology. It is important to fully understand the course material covered. 4. Read the chapter outline at the end of each chapter. 5. Try to answer the questions at the end of each chapter in your textbook. 6. Your course has resources from the publisher, including glossary of terms, quizzes, and many interactive exercises, please try to utilize them. 7. The college has a Biology Computer Lab for tutorials and classroom assignments. 8. Forming a study group with a small group of fellow students is an excellent way to review course content. 9. Share email/phone #s with fellow students in case you need to find out about missed classes or assignments. 10. Take advantage of the biology tutoring and open labs available to you at no cost. Information on tutoring, open labs etc can be found on the HCC Central Biology homepage http://central.hccs.edu/central/academic-departments/biology-physical-sciences/biology as needed, see the tutor early, not the day before the exam. For HCC 24/7 Online Tutoring, Please Go To: http://www.hccs.askonline.net HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the coursework has been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available to other students. The instructor is responsible for measuring each student's individual achievements and also for ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field. Thus, in our system, the instructor has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You are expected to be familiar with the University's Policy on Academic Honesty, found in the catalog. What that means is: If you are charged with an offense, pleading ignorance of the rules will not help you. Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. “Scholastic dishonesty”: includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. Cheating on a test includes: • • • • • • • Copying from another students’ test paper Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of a test that has not been administered Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered. Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit. Collusion mean the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F in the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal from the College System. (See the Student Handbook) ISSUANCE OF EXAM GRADES: Grades will be posted on the Internet as soon as possible. You can check your final grade on the web site www.hccs.edu OR call toll free 1-877-3414300. The HCC system office will no longer mail the transcripts to you. ADVISING AND COUNSELING SERVICES: Counselors and Student Services Associates (SSA) can assist students with admissions, registration, entrance testing requirements, degree planning, transfer issues, and career counseling. In-person, confidential sessions, can also be scheduled to provide brief counseling and community referrals to address personal concerns impacting academic success. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the appropriate HCC Disability Support Service (DSS) Counselor at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office. Students who are requesting special testing accommodations must first contact the appropriate (most convenient) DSS office for assistance: Disability Support Services Offices: System: 713.718.5165 Central: 713.718.6164 – also for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services and Students Room LHSB 106. HCC Course withdrawal and Attendance Policy An Instructor can no longer give any student a grade of W after the official drop date (See below under “Important dates”). The Texas Legislature passed a law limiting first time entering freshmen to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their educational career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree. Your grade is your responsibility. If you decide to withdraw from a class upon careful review of other options, you can withdraw online prior to the deadline through your HCC PeopleSoft account. An I or incomplete is assigned to students who have finished all requirements of the course except for one project or one exam. An I is given to those who encounter extraordinary circumstances that prevent them from completing the course. Documentation of this extraordinary circumstance is required and will be considered by me and also my department chair in deciding whether to allow a student to make up the missing work. HCCS policy for faculty states that the instructor may administratively drop any student missing 12.5% of class time. The Department of Education now requires that we make a distinction between an “earned” grade of “F” (i.e. for poor performance) and a grade of “F” due to lack of attendance. To make that distinction, a new grade “FX” for failure due to lack of attendance. 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. If you are on financial aid or an F1 student, you may be particularly affected and could forfeit your financial aid or be out of compliance, and have your F1 status revoked. These are serious consequences, and it is your responsibility to maintain required attendance. Check with your instructor about specific attendance policies. See Student Handbook for more details on class attendance. Course Repeat Policy: Course Repeaters Students who repeat a course for a third time or more time will be charged a tuition/fee increase of $50/credit hour at HCCS and other Texas public colleges and universities. Please contact your counselor or me before withdrawing or if you are not receiving passing grades. HOW TO DROP: Students should check HCC’s Academic Calendar by Term for drop/withdrawal dates and deadlines. If a student decides to drop or withdraw from a class upon careful review of other options, the student can drop online prior to the deadline through their HCC Student Center. HCC and/or instructors may drop students for excessive absences without notification. INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS: As your Instructor, it is my responsibility to: • Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student grades are to be derived Facilitate an effective learning environment through class activities, discussions, and lectures Description of any special projects or assignments Inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, tardiness and make up • • • Provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a description of any special projects or assignments • Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required STUDENT REQUIREMENTS: To be successful in this class, it is the student’s responsibility to: • • • • • • • Attend class and participate in class discussions and activities Read and comprehend the textbook and lab manual Login to Eagle online to access course material and check for updates at least weekly (preferably daily) Complete the required assignments and exams: Ask for help when there is a question or problem Keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and all assignments Complete the course with a minimum of a passing score PERSONAL MESSAGE TO STUDENTS: I am excited to have the opportunity to teach at HCC! I have more than fifteen years’ experience as a biologist, reflecting a career focused on innovative molecular biology research, management of undergraduate educational training programs, and teaching. Throughout my career, I have always availed of the opportunity to mentor students in whatever capacity I can, an activity I find extremely rewarding. With your help and commitment, it is my hope that each of you will gain a strong background in Biology, embrace a life-long love of learning and be equipped with the critical thinking and problem solving skills necessary to thrive in a world increasingly driven by science, innovation and technology. Good-luck! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions