Houston Community College System
North West (Spring Branch)
BIOLOGY 1406 -42985
General Biology I
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Lecture/Lab Syllabus
(Tentative and subject to change at the Professor’s discretion)
Professor: Dr. H. I. Chukwu Ph. D.
PHONE: (713) 718-6803
E-mail: hyginus.chukwu@hccs.edu
Credit
Course interest
Lectures:
Laboratories:
Four semester hours (3 hours lecture; 1 hour lab)
Life Science Majors
T
Th
Room 515
Room 528
11:00 a.m. - 02:00 pm.
11:00 a.m. - 02:00 pm.
Course Description & Objectives: This 4 credit course focuses on the principles of
biology, including biological chemistry, cellular morphology, cellular respiration,
genetics, etc. The objective of this course is to provide an understanding of the basic
concepts of biology. Refer to the student handbook for the HCCS mission statement.
Prerequisite: One year of high school biology is required (high school chemistry is
recommended).
Required Textbooks and Course Material: Campbell, N.A., BIOLOGY, 10th Ed. Vol.
I, Benjamin/Cummings Pub. 2014 and Schwartz, D. and Dikeocha, N., BIOLOGY 1406
LABORATORY MANUAL, HCC/Blue Door Publishing, 2011. Reading your textbook,
lab book and any handouts IS required. You are expected to complete the assigned
reading for each topic prior to class
GENERAL GUIDELINES
1. Class and laboratory attendance are required. Students with 4 or more
absences are eligible for administrative withdrawal.
Tardiness: Be present for the class or laboratory session as close as possible
to the scheduled starting time. The time of arrival is particularly important for
Laboratory since instructions are provided concerning the activities for the
session. If you are late, particularly during lecture, enter the room and quietly
take a seat to avoid disrupting the class.
2.
Students are expected to participate in all scheduled examinations. If a student
misses a scheduled lecture exam for whatever reason, the makeup exam will be
conducted the last week of the semester. The format of the examination will
differ (i.e. fewer questions, true-false and matching questions) from the objective
format of the scheduled examination. If a student arrives late for a scheduled
examination the student will have only the time remaining from the official start of
the exam. Should a student arrive at the examination after the first examinee
has turned in the test materials, he/she will have to take an alternate
examination. There will be no Laboratory examination make-ups
3.
LABORATORY. Students are expected to abide by the rules of safety at all
times during the laboratory exercises. Students work in groups during the
laboratory sessions, but individual participation is expected in completion of
laboratory reports. These reports are to be completed and turned in at the
following laboratory session or when requested. A grade will be given for each
report. To encourage timely submission of laboratory reports points will be
deducted if they are turned in late.
4.
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY DURING EXAMINATIONS. A verbal warning will
be promptly issued if dishonesty is suspected with a possible F entered for the
test grade. If it should become a chronic and persistent problem the student will
be advised to withdraw from the course.
5.
STUDENT CONDUCT. Abusive language or disruptive behavior by a student(s)
will not be tolerated. If such situations arise, HCCS Spring Branch Security will
be immediately notified and the appropriate action taken. Absolutely no talking in
the class without permission. No food or drinks will be allowed in the classroom
or laboratory.
6.
Withdrawals: Any time at 4 absences, your Professor will discuss the option of
withdrawing you from this course as mandated by HCCS policy. November 1,
2013, however, is the last day a Counselor/Professor may withdraw you from
classes. After that date, withdrawal is not permitted and students may risk getting
an “F” in the course. You are responsible for withdrawing yourself from the class.
Do not ask or expect that the professor will withdraw you from class if you stop
attending classes.
7.
Student handbook: Important information for all students that is available on the
Houston Community College web site; also contains the mission statement of the
Houston Community College.
8.
Turn off all pagers and cell phones in the class and laboratory especially during
exams or quizzes. These instruments are distracting to others in the room and
may interfere with cardiac pacemakers. All phones and cameras must be kept
away from sight during lecture, lab and all exam sessions.
9.
DISABILITIES.
Students with disabilities should consult with the Disability
Counselor as soon as possible so that an accommodation plan can be drawn up
and implemented.
9.
TASP. All students must have taken the TASP test or similar examination before
attempting any college level credit hours. If you have not been tested see the
counselor immediately.
10.
CORE CURRICULUM. Essential to the learning process are six basic intellectual
competencies. Among the objectives covered in this course the following
components will be addressed such as reading, writing, speaking, listening,
critical thinking and computer literacy.
11
*Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System - EGLS3
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary
to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short
online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the
survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement of
instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online
near the end of the term.
12.
Exam:
Students are expected to participate in all scheduled
examinations. If a student misses a scheduled lecture exam for whatever reason,
the makeup exam will be conducted the last week of the semester. The format of
the examination will differ (i.e. fewer questions, true-false and matching
questions) from the objective format of the scheduled examination. If a student
arrives late for a scheduled examination he/she will have only the time remaining
from the official start of the exam. Should a student arrive at the examination
after the first examinee has turned in the test materials, the student will have to
take an alternate examination. Laboratory examination make-ups will be
determined on an individual basis.
13.
If a student lacks the prerequisite for this course he/she should meet as soon as
possible with the Instructor to determine the exact status of this situation.
GRADING
1. Grading Scale:
90 - 100 A
80 - 89.9 B
65 - 79.9 C
50 - 64.9 D
<50
F
2. There will be 5 lecture exams and 2 labs
a. Four Major lecture examinations.
b. One final comprehensive exam
c. Two lab exams
1. All Exams carry equal weight. (100%)
i.e.
Exam 1
Chapters 01, 05,
100 %
Exam 2
Chapters 06, 10,
100 %
Exam 3
Chapters 11, 15,
100 %
Exam 4
Chapters 16, 20,
100 %
Final Exam will be comprehensive 100 %
Two lab exams 50% each
100%
The average of six exams will be the final letter grade
No make up for missed lab practical
No grade will be dropped
Final Letter Grade
1. Grading Scale:
90 80 70 50 -
100
89.9
79.9
64.9
A
B
C
D
<50
F
FINAL EXAMINATION (Students must take the
Final during the scheduled time or a letter grade of F will be entered for the
semester)
RULES
1. Class attendance is required. Students with four (4) unexcused cuts may
result in administrative withdrawal from the class.
2. Smoking, drinking or eating of any food is not allowed in the class or lab.
3. Make-up examinations must be pre-approved by the instructor. There must
be a valid documented reason for a make-up exam. Students who have missed
an exam may apply for a make-up exam provided there is documented proof of a valid
reason for the absence. Acceptable reasons include hospitalization, doctor's certification
that the student was unfit to write the exam, or subpoenas for court appearances. All makeup requests must be submitted in writing, with the appropriate documentation, if no valid
reason can be substantiated, then a score of zero is issued for that exam.
The maximum grade for a make-up test is a B.
4. Thinking Beyond the Text
Neither the text nor the instructor can ever cover all of the material related to a particular
subject or chapter in the text. Students are advised to ‘think outside the text’ Students are
responsible for materials in the chapters.
5. Every student is required to do his/her own lab work. On occasion group
efforts are encountered in the lab. Individuality will be looked for in lab
reports.
6. Students must observe the laboratory safety rules (hand out).
7. Cheating is not allowed. Any cheating encountered will cause the
student to be subjected to administrative action and a grade of F will
be given for the course. Please report all cheating activities to the professor.
Expectations of Students
In general, in order to achieve the maximum benefits from this course, all students are
expected to:

Read all assignments and related materials, prior to each class, and be prepared to
discuss these materials

Maintain good class attendance (This will be given consideration for the final grade)

Actively participate in class discussions

Complete assignments on time when assigned

Maintain open communication with the instructor
Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) for the Biology Program:
 PSLO#1 - Students will display an understanding of biological systems and
evolutionary processes spanning all ranges of biological complexity, including


atoms, molecules, genes, cells, and organisms.
PSLO#2 -Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically and to integrate
factual and conceptual information into an understanding of scientific data by
written, oral and/or visual communication; this may include successful completion of
a course-specific research project or a case study module.
PSLO#3 - Students will apply principles of the scientific method to problems in
biology and apply basic laboratory safety procedures in the collection, recording,
quantitative measurement, analysis and reporting of scientific data.
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs) For Biology 1406:
 CSLO#1 (PSLO#1): The student will be able to describe the characteristics of life:
its unity and diversity and the evidence for evolution through genetics, variation, and
natural selection.
 CSLO#2 (PSLO#1): The student will be able to understand the basic requirements
of life: explain atomic structure, types of chemical bonding, properties of water, and
the structures/functions of the macromolecules of life: carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins, and nucleic acids.
 CSLO#3 (PSLO#1): The student will be able to compare and contrast the structures,
reproduction, and characteristics of viruses, prokaryotic cells, and eukaryotic cells.
 CSLO#4 (PSLO#1): The student will be able to identify the substrates, products,
and important pathways in the metabolic processes of energy transformation, cell
communication, cellular respiration, fermentation, and photosynthesis.
 CSLO#5 (PSLO#1): The student will understand the cell cycle and be able to
differentiate between the processes and functions of mitosis and meiosis.
 CSLO#6 (PSLO#1): The student will understand the principles of
genetics/inheritance and be able to quantitatively solve classical genetic problems.
 CSLO#7 (PSLO#1): The student will demonstrate knowledge of DNA structure, its
replication, the flow of genetic information from gene to protein, gene expression,
and ultimately their methodologies and applications in biotechnology.
 CSLO#8 (PSLO#1, PSLO#2, PSLO#3): The student will develop critical thinking
skills and habits of active collaborative learning by successfully participating in an
INSPIRE (Innovative Science Program Initiatives To Reform Education)-oriented
case study module(s).
 CSLO#9 (PSLO#2 and PSLO#3): The student will utilize the scientific method, as
well as quantitative and empirical skills to collect, record, measure, analyze, and
communicate scientific data.
CSLO#10 (PSLO#3): The student will exhibit competence in the laboratory by
appropriate use of the light microscope and other laboratory equipment to collect and
analyze data.