Biology
Central College
Biology
Central College
BIOL 1308 – Introductory Biology I Section 55760
Central Campus
3 hour lecture course / 48 hours per semester/ 16 weeks
Instructor: Joan Whalen.
TEXTBOOK: Biology: Concepts and Applications, Vol. I by Cecie Starr,
Thomson/Brooks/Cole, 7th edition, 2009
Instructor Contact Information: Email: joan.whalen@hccs.edu
Office hours: Before or after class, by appointment
Please feel free to contact me concerning any problems that you are experiencing in
this course --- in person or by email.
Course Description
Topics include basic chemistry, cell morphology, metabolism, Mendelian and molecular
genetics. Core Curriculum Course. Cannot be used in conjunction with 1406.
Students desiring lab credit: A 1 credit hour BIOL 1108 is offered as a second start
course on campus or on line.
Prerequisites
None: However, it is assumed high school graduates have successfully completed a
high school biology course. It is helpful to have had a high school chemistry course.
Students who lack some knowledge of chemistry will probably find it necessary to spend
additional time studying during the first part of the semester. Students should be aware
that the required text book is written at the college level.
Course Goal
My hope is that students will find biology interesting and the course will increase their
appreciation of the “living world”. Since this is a “non-majors” course, students will be
encouraged to consider how the material covered relates to their intended major and
interests. Students will be expected to complete assignments that should improve their
competencies in reading, writing, speaking, critical thinking and computer literacy. It will
be necessary to complete some assignments using Blackboard on the internet.
Instructional Methods
This course is lecture based and web-enhanced. There are some required quizzes and
other supplementary material available on Blackboard.
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Schedule Biology 1308 Fall 2010
CLASS
Sept 1
Sept 8
Sept 15
Sept 22
Sept 29
Oct 6
Chapter
1
2
3
4
5
6 &7
Oct 13
Oct 20
Oct 27
Nov 3
Nov 10
Nov 17
Nov 24
Dec 1
Dec 8
Dec 15
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Final Exam
Topics covered
Invitation to Biology
Life’s Chemical Basis
Molecules of Life
1st Exam - Chapters 1-3 Cell Structure and Function
Ground Rules of Metabolism
Where It Starts – Photosynthesis
How Cells Release Chemical Energy
2nd Exam Chapters 4-7 How Cells Reproduce
Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction
Observing Patterns in Inherited Traits
Chromosomes and Human Genetics
3rd Exam Chapters 8-11 DNA Structure and Function
From DNA to Proteins
Controls Over Genes
Studying and Manipulating Genomes
4th Exam Chapters 12-15 Review for Final
Cumulative Final Exam
IMPORTANT DATES :
8/28
Drop/Add/Swap Fee ($15.00) begins
8/28 – 9/14 70% refund
9/15 -20
25% refund
11/18
Last Day for Drop with grade of “W” – 4:30 pm
12/15
BIOL 1308 Final Exam
Student Assignments
It is your responsibility to attend class regularly, always arrive on time and to participate
in class activities. You should read the textbook material prior to the lecture covering
each chapter. Most students will need to devote 6 hours per week outside of class
meetings to do well in the course.
In class oral presentation
During the semester each student will be expected to give a short (approximately 5
minutes) oral presentations related to biology.
Your information may be about a topic of interest to you from a current periodical
(newspaper or magazine) or downloaded from a current article from an appropriate
source on the internet. You may also choose a genetic disease or a famous scientist
whose work is of interest to you. Your topic should relate to some aspect of biology
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covered in Biol 1308 (See syllabus). An article you choose must be at least 500 words
long and have appeared after June 1st 2009.
A one-page outline of your presentation must be turned in when you give the
presentation. If your report is from a current article, a copy of your selected material
must be turned in at the time you give your report. The title of the periodical and the
date must be included. The website and the date you downloaded the article must be
included for internet topics.
You should keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and
returned assignments.
Please see me if you have a question about the appropriateness of your choice for
this assignment.
GRADING
A student’s total points for the course will be divided by 520 to assign a final grade
average.
4 mainly multiple choice lecture exams, (each worth 100 points)
NO makeup examinations will be given.
If all four exams are taken, the lowest exam score will dropped.
If a student misses an exam that zero grade will be the score dropped.
300
Assigned homework, in class and Blackboard quizzes will equal one exam
100
The cumulative final exam must be taken to get credit for the course.
100
In class oral report with outline
90% and above
80% - 89%
70% - 79%
60% - 69%
Less than 60%
20
A
B
C
D
F
HCC Policy Statement - ADA
Services to Students with Disabilities
Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities (e.g. physical,
learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) must contact the
Ability Services Department, LHSB Room 106. Phone: 713-718-6164
To visit the ADA Web site, please visit www.hccs.edu then click Future students, scroll
down the page and click on the words Disability Information.
Faculty members are only authorized to provide accommodations authorized by the
Disability Support Service Office
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
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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.
HCC Attendance Policy Statements
Class Attendance - It is important that you come to class! Attending class regularly is
the best way to succeed in this class. Research has shown that the single most
important factor in student success is attendance. Simply put, going to class greatly
increases your ability to succeed. You are responsible for materials covered during
your absences. It is a good idea to find a friend or a buddy in class who would be
willing to share class notes or discussion or be able to hand in assignments if you
unavoidably miss a class. Class attendance is checked daily.
Although it is your responsibility to drop a course for nonattendance, the instructor has
the authority to drop you for excessive absences. Students may be dropped from a
course after accumulating absences in excess of six (6) hours of instruction. The six
hours of class time would include any total classes missed or for excessive tardiness or
leaving class early.
If other commitments will make it impossible for you to regularly attend a class on
campus, you would be better served to sign up for an “on line” course. Do not sign up
for a course at all if you don’t have time to spend on it.
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy
If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw from the
course prior to the final date of withdrawal. Before, you withdraw from this course;
please contact me to discuss why you feel it is necessary to do so. I may be able to
provide you with suggestions that would enable you to complete the course. Your
success is very important. Beginning in fall 2007, 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.
To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an
Early Alert process by which your professors may “alert” you and HCC counselors that
you might fail a class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic
performance. It is your responsibility to visit with your professor and/or a counselor to
learn about what, if any, HCC interventions might be available to assist you – tutoring,
child care, financial aid, job placement, etc. – to stay in class and improve your
academic performance.
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If you plan on withdrawing from your class, you MUST contact a HCC counselor or your
professor prior to withdrawing (dropping) the class for approval and this must be done
PRIOR to the withdrawal deadline to receive a “W” on your transcript. **Final
withdrawal deadlines vary each semester and/or depending on class length, please visit
the online registration calendars, HCC schedule of classes and catalog, any HCC
Registration Office, or any HCC counselor to determine class withdrawal deadlines.
Remember to allow a 24-hour response time when communicating via email
and/or telephone with a professor and/or counselor. Do not submit a request to
discuss withdrawal options less than a day before the deadline. If you do not
withdraw before the deadline, you will receive the grade that you are making in the class
as your final grade.
Repeat Course Fee
The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat
failed classes. To increase student success, students who repeat the same course
more than twice, are required to pay extra tuition. The purpose of this extra tuition fee is
to encourage students to pass their courses and to graduate. Effective fall 2006, HCC
will charge a higher tuition rate to students registering the third or subsequent time for a
course. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing
grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study
habits, reading and writing homework, test taking skills, attendance, course
participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available.
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. As a fellow learner, you are
asked to respect the learning needs of your classmates and assist your instructor
achieve this critical goal.
Use of Camera and/or Recording Devices
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, you will turn off your phone and other electronic
devices, and will not use these devices in the classroom unless you receive permission
from the instructor.
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in
classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring,
or testing occurs. 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
Any changes or corrections necessary to the above material will be
made in as timely a fashion as possible
I look forward to having you in class and hope that you will find the material
interesting and relevant
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