Welcome Students
BIOL 1406: GENERAL BIOLOGY I
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A contemporary biology course, including applications of the scientific
method, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, classical and human genetics, virology and
mechanisms of evolution.
Course Title
General Biology I
Course Number
BIOL 1406 – section 61435
Credit Hours
4
Prerequisites
English
Semester and Year
Fall 2011
Instructor
Andrew C. Evans, MS
Class Days and Times
TUE / THU 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Class Room Locations
HCC Spring Branch rm 511 (lecture TUE and lab THU)
Office
n/a
Office Hours
by appointment
E-mail
balistes1@hotmail.com , Andrew.Evans@HCCS.edu
Phone
n/a
ADA Statement
Houston Community College is dedicated to providing the least restrictive learning environment
for all students. The college promotes equity in academic access through the implementation of
reasonable accommodations as required by the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title V,
Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), which will enable students with
disabilities to participate in and benefit from all post-secondary educational activities.
If you require reasonable accommodations because of a physical, mental, or learning disability,
please notify the instructor of this course as soon as possible and preferably before the end of the
first two weeks of class to arrange for reasonable accommodations.
Course Learning Outcomes: BIOL 1406

Apply the scientific method in a laboratory setting.

Demonstrate an understanding of basic organic chemistry and apply chemical concepts to living
systems, and examine cell structure, function, and reproduction utilizing cell theory as a unifying
theme in biology.

Examine the importance of energy flow by analyzing the interrelated processes of cellular
respiration and photosynthesis.

Analyze the genetic components responsible for heredity and examine current advances in
bioscience technologies.

Demonstrate basic knowledge of virology and the impact of viruses on living things.

Demonstrate an understanding of the components of Darwin's theory of evolution and contrast
microevolution with macroevolution.
Required Materials:
Lecture: Biology, 9th Ed., Campbell and Reece.
Lab: Biology 1406 Laboratory Manual, Schwartz and Dikeocha (found only at the HCC bookstore).
Evaluation:
Lecture Grade: There will be 3 lecture exams in the course of the semester, as well as a
comprehensive final exam. Exams may consist of multiple-choice, fill in the blanks, matching, short
essay, and long essay. Each exam will include an extra credit question. An optional paper will also be
assigned, for extra credit. Make-up exams will not be given. No exceptions.
Lab Grade: There will be 1 hands-on lab practical in the course of the semester. Make-up
practicals will not be given. No exceptions. I will also take up your lab manuals at the end of the
semester for a grade.
Final Examination: The final is comprehensive and mandatory. There will be no make–up on
the final exam, period.
This is a credit course. Grades will be assigned using the following table. I do not curve grades,
period.
Grading Scale:
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
D
60-69
F
below 60
Homework:
There will be no graded homework. I will regularly hand out worksheets or review sheets to help you
prepare for exams and practicals. I will regularly assign readings from the textbook. The readings are
mandatory, and will be considered as fair game for test questions. You need to do the readings to gain a
full understanding of the material.
Class Participation and Attendance:
Class participation is a reflection of your daily preparation and daily appendance. Students should come
to class prepared, and able to participate in class discussions. Attendance to all classes is expected.
Class attendance records will be kept to satisfy veterans and work program needs. An excessive number
of absences will prohibit the successful completion of this course. If you should miss a class, it is the
student’s responsibility to obtain lecture notes and assignments from a classmate. Also, if you aren’t
going to be here, contact me. If you are falling behind, I need to keep abreast of the situation, so we
can work it out, and get you back on track.
Make-up policy, repeated:
Make-up exams will not be given for lecture or lab. No exceptions.
Withdrawal Policy:
Withdrawal from the course after the official day of record (see current catalog) will result in a final grade
of “W” on the student transcript and no credit will be awarded. It is the student’s responsibility to
initiate and complete a request for withdrawal from any course. I will counsel all students on their
grades prior to this deadline, but, I repeat, it is the student’s responsibility to drop. I keep a current
database of everyone’s grades, so you can come to me at any time, and I can give you your grades for
the semester.
Just as a note, a “W” has no bearing on your grade. If you are falling behind, or doing exceedingly poorly,
it is far better to withdraw, and retake the course, than it is to get a “D” or an “F.” No stigma is attached to
a withdrawal, but a failing grade is another matter.
Academic Integrity:
HCC is committed to a high standard of academic integrity in the academic community. In becoming a
part of the academic community, students are responsible for honesty and independent effort. Failure to
uphold these standards includes, but is not limited to, the following: plagiarizing written work or projects,
cheating on exams or assignments, collusion on an exam or project, and misrepresentation of credentials
or prerequisites when registering for a course. Cheating includes looking at, or copying from another
student's exam, orally communicating or receiving answers during an exam, having another person take
an exam or complete a project or assignment, using unauthorized notes, texts, or other materials for an
exam, and obtaining or distributing an unauthorized copy of an exam or any part of an exam.
Plagiarism means passing off as his/her own the ideas or writings of another (that is, without giving
proper credit by documenting sources). Plagiarism includes submitting a paper, report or project that
someone else has prepared, in whole or in part. Collusion is inappropriately collaborating on assignments
designed to be completed independently. These definitions are not exhaustive.
When there is clear evidence of cheating, plagiarism, collusion or misrepresentation, a faculty member
will take disciplinary action including but not limited to: requiring the student to retake or resubmit an
exam or assignment, assigning a grade of 0 for an exam or assignment; or assigning a grade of "F" for
the course. Additional sanctions, including being withdrawn from the course, program, or expelled
from university, may be imposed on a student who violates the standards of academic integrity. It
is much better to fail a test, than it is to be expelled from school for cheating.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
It is the policy of the HCC to provide equal employment, admission and educational opportunities without
regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability. HCC strives to provide an excellent
learning environment free from harassment or intimidation directed at any person’s race, color, religion,
national origin, sex, age, or disability. Any form of harassment will not be tolerated.
You need to feel comfortable coming to class, in order to learn effectively. If anyone is harassing you, I
need to know immediately, and I will take care of the problem.
Biol 1406 Grade Sheet
Test
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Lab Practical 1
Final Exam
Lab Manual Write-Ups
Optional Extra Credit Paper
% of Total
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
Either Grade or Extra Credit
(will make decision later)
up to 20 pts. added to a test
Grade
This sheet is for you to keep track of your grades. You may check with me at any time to verify grades.
Please keep an ACCURATE accounting of your grades to know your standing.
Course Calendar:
Week of
Aug 30
Class Topic
Reference
Chapters / Notes
Introduction
1
Sep 6
ch 1 – Introduction / 10 themes of biology
ch 2 – Chemical context of life.
ch 3 - Water and the fitness of the environment.
2, 3
Sep 13
Sep 20
Sep 27
LABS - The microscope, and biological measurements and
equipment.
ch 4 - Carbon and molecular diversity of life.
ch 5 - The structure and function of macromolecules.
4, 5
LABS - The chemicals of life and the molecules of life.
Lecture Test 1 (Ch. 1-5)
LABS - Enzymes, and morphology of animal and plant cells.
ch 6 - An introduction to metabolism.
ch 7 – A tour of the cell.
6, 7
Oct 4
LABS - Diffusion and osmosis, and osmotic relationships of plant
cells.
ch 8 - Membrane structure and function.
ch 9 - Cellular respiration.
8, 9
Oct 11
Oct 18
LABS - The scientific method, and the difference between good
and bad science / research
ch 10 - Photosynthesis.
ch 11 - Cellular communication.
LABS - Fermentation and respiration.
Lecture Test 2 (Ch. 6-10)
ch 12 - The cell cycle and mitosis.
Oct 25
Nov 1
10, 11
LABS – Mitosis, and Photosynthesis.
ch 13 - Sexual life cycles and meiosis.
ch 14 - Mendelian genetics.
12
13, 14
LABS - Meiosis.
ch 15 - Chromosomal basis of inheritance.
15
LABS - Genetics.
Nov 8
Lecture Test 3 (Ch. 11-15)
Nov 15
LABS – REVIEW for LAB PRACTICAL 1
ch 16 - Molecular basis of inheritance.
Nov 22
Lab Practical 1 (Comprehensive)
TURKEY DAY – NO CLASS ON THU
16
17
Nov 29
Dec 6
ch 17 - From gene to protein.
ch 18 - Microbial models (viruses and bacteria).
ch 19 – Organization and control of eukaryotic genomes.
REVIEW for FINAL
18, 19
20
Dec 13
ch 20 - DNA technology and genomics.
Final Exam 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. TUE Dec 13
(over Ch. 16-20, and comprehensive)
All dates are subject to change with prior notice.
It is your responsibility to stay informed as to any changes announced in class. Absence from
class is not an excuse for failure to observe any announced changes. Good luck, and see you in
class. Call me with any questions.