COURSE SYLLABUS
General Biology II
Biology 1407
CRN#76386
Spring 2014
Instructor: Curtis R Johnson Contact: 281-631-0555
Email:curtis.johnson@hccs.edu (preferred contact)
Office hours: Before or after class or during breaks
Location Pinemont: tu 5:30-8:30 Rm. 162 Tr 5:30-8:30 Rm. 131
Course Credit: 4hours
Credit Hours: Lecture 3 hours/ Lab 3 hours
Total Contact Hours: 96
Course Length: 16 weeks
Type of Instruction: Lecture and Laboratory
Course description: Topics include evolution, classification, and ecological relationships
and organ systems of animals and plants. Core curriculum course
Perquisite: Prerequisite(s)
*College level reading(or Gust 0342)
*College level writing ( or take English 0310 / 0349
* Biology 1406
Academic
Discipline/CTE
Program Learning
Outcomes
Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) for the Biology Discipline:
PSLO#1 - 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 - Will 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 - Will demonstrate proficiency and safe practices in the use of laboratory
equipment and basic laboratory techniques.
PSLO#4 - Will apply principles of the scientific method to problems in biology in the
collection, recording, quantitative measurement, analysis and reporting of scientific
data.
Course Student
Learning Outcomes
(SLO): 4 to 7
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs) for Biology 1407:
1. The student will be able to state observations and inferences leading to Darwin's
Theory of Evolution by means of natural selection, including perform an experiment
in population genetics and analyze the data using the Hardy-Weinberg equations; to
understand the importance of fossils and be able to calculate the age of a fossil by
means of isotopic decay.
2. The student will be able to explain the origin of species, the history of life on Early
Earth, and to identify the key events in life's history, including the origins of singlecelled organisms and the colonization of land.
3. The student will be able to describe the evolutionary history of biological diversity,
from bacteria/archaea to protists, plants, fungi, and ultimately to animals/humans,
including the structures, nutrition, reproduction, and characteristics of such
organisms.
4. The student will be able to compare and contrast taxonomic, morphological,
digestive, and reproductive characteristics of Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda,
Chordata, and Vertebrata in the Kingdom Animalia.
5. The student will be able to understand the basic principles of animal form and
function, including feedback control/homeostasis, to include the basic anatomy and
physiology of the following animal organ systems: digestive, cardiovascular,
respiratory, immune, excretory, endocrine, reproductive, and nervous systems.
6. The student will develop critical thinking, scientific problem-solving, and
communication skills by successfully participating in a case study or course-specific
research project.
7. The student will apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize
scientific tools such as microscopes, anatomical models, and other laboratory
equipment to collect and analyze data.
Learning Objectives
(Numbering system
should be linked to
SLO - e.g., 1.1, 1.2,
1.3, etc.)
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs) for Biology 1407:
1. The student will be able to state observations and inferences leading to Darwin's
Theory of Evolution by means of natural selection, including perform an experiment
in population genetics and analyze the data using the Hardy-Weinberg equations; to
understand the importance of fossils and be able to calculate the age of a fossil by
means of isotopic decay.
2. The student will be able to explain the origin of species, the history of life on Early
Earth, and to identify the key events in life's history, including the origins of singlecelled organisms and the colonization of land.
3. The student will be able to describe the evolutionary history of biological diversity,
from bacteria/archae to protists, plants, fungi, and ultimately to animals/humans,
including the structures, nutrition, reproduction, and characteristics of such
organisms.
4. The student will be able to compare and contrast taxonomic, morphological,
digestive, and reproductive characteristics of Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda,
Chordata, and Vertebrata in the Kingdom Animalia.
5. The student will be able to understand the basic principles of animal form and
function, including feedback control/homeostasis, to include the basic anatomy and
physiology of the following animal organ systems: digestive, cardiovascular,
respiratory, immune, excretory, endocrine, reproductive, and nervous systems.
6. The student will develop critical thinking, scientific problem-solving, and
communication skills by successfully participating in a case study or course-specific
research project.
7. The student will apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize
scientific tools such as microscopes, anatomical models, and other laboratory
equipment to collect and analyze data.
SCANS and/or Core
Curriculum
Competencies: If
applicable
Core Curriculum Competencies:
No Learning Outcomes Selected
Instructional Methods
Student Assignments
1. The student will be able to state observations and inferences leading to Darwin's
Theory of Evolution by means of natural selection, including perform an experiment
in population genetics and analyze the data using the Hardy-Weinberg equations; to
understand the importance of fossils and be able to calculate the age of a fossil by
means of isotopic decay.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
2. The student will be able to explain the origin of species, the history of life on Early
Earth, and to identify the key events in life's history, including the origins of singlecelled organisms and the colonization of land.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
3. The student will be able to describe the evolutionary history of biological diversity,
from bacteria/archae to protists, plants, fungi, and ultimately to animals/humans,
including the structures, nutrition, reproduction, and characteristics of such
organisms.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
4. The student will be able to compare and contrast taxonomic, morphological,
digestive, and reproductive characteristics of Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda,
Chordata, and Vertebrata in the Kingdom Animalia.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
5. The student will be able to understand the basic principles of animal form and
function, including feedback control/homeostasis, to include the basic anatomy and
physiology of the following animal organ systems: digestive, cardiovascular,
respiratory, immune, excretory, endocrine, reproductive, and nervous systems.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
6. The student will develop critical thinking, scientific problem-solving, and
communication skills by successfully participating in a case study or course-specific
research project.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
7. The student will apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize
scientific tools such as microscopes, anatomical models, and other laboratory
equipment to collect and analyze data.
Laboratory assignments will be used for this outcome.
Student
Assessment(s)
During the semester there will be four lecture exams, two laboratory Exams,
four quizzes and a comprehensive final. A departmental final exam will also
be administered. Assessments will consist of multiple choice and short
answer/essay questions. Lab reports are due the next laboratory session at the
beginning of class, this does not mean you leave class early and applies to if
the lab report is not completed in the allotted time. Lab reports will not be
accepted later than one week after the due date without extenuating
circumstances that can be substantiated. You will be given prior notice of
quiz dates before they occur.
Instructor's
Requirements
Academic Dishonesty
Cheating on exams if substantiated will result in a zero being issued for that exam.
A warning may be issued if cheating is suspected. Please consult HCCS student
handbook concerning academic dishonesty.
Attendance:
Attendance in class is expected for lab and lecture days. Coming to class on time is
also expected. Do not expect extra time if you arrive late for class especially if an
exam is being given. A total of four absence from class may result in administrative
withdrawal in accordance to HCC attendance policy. You are expected to stay for
the entire lab or lecture time period to avoid being counted absent. If you miss class
you miss information that will help you be successful in this course. Leaving class
early may result in an absence being recorded for that class period.
Class withdrawal Policy:
Faculty and staff can no longer “withdraw” students on their final semester roll
sheets.
The state of Texas has begun to impose penalties on students who drop courses
excessively. For example, if you repeat the same course more than twice, you have
to pay extra tuition. In 22007 the Texas Legislature passed a law limiting students to
no more than six total course withdrawals throughout their academic career in
obtaining a baccalaureate degree.
Talk to your instructor or counselor before withdrawing from a class. See if there are
opportunities for tutoring or other interventions. If you decide to drop a class , it must
be done prior to the last day to administratively drop a course to receive a “W” on
your transcript. If you do not follow the proper channel for dropping a course a “F”
will be issued. It is your responsibility to drop the course properly not mine.
Student Conduct:
1. Appropriate student conduct is expected in class at all times.
2. No eating or drinking in lecture or lab, follow all safety rules.
3. Please refrain from wearing sandals or slippers to lab.
4. You cannot bring children to lecture or lab- NO EXCEPTIONS.
5. You will be asked to leave class if you continue to have conversations while
6.
7.
8.
9.
the instructor is lecturing. Lab conversations must occur but all noise levels
must be kept at a minimum and cannot disrupt the academic environment or
other classes in the vicinity.
No cells phone should be out during an exam and cannot be used during
exams even to check the time. Cell phones must be inaudible during class.
Scantron sheets must be purchased by the student.
Lecture exams will be timed , so be on time and study hard
. All students must adhere to the policies in the HCCS Student Handbook.
Make-up Exam Policy:
1. No make-up exam for lab practicals . A zero will be issued.
2. Lecture make-up exams may be given under extreme circumstances with
substantial documentation. It is at the instructor’s discretion , so try to take
all exams at the scheduled time. All final exams will be taken on HCC’s
exam dates.
The final exam must be taken and if not a zero will be issued for the final exam
grade.
3. If a make-up exam is given it may take any form, but will most likely be short
answer or essay in format.
Cell phones:
I understand that emergencies arise, jobs call and sometimes you forget to turn
your cell phone off. Cell phone must be turned off or set to an inaudible
setting before the class starts
phone conservation must not take place in class. No phones should be on the
table or desk tops r in your hands during a quiz or exam.
Inclement Weather:
In the event of bad weather please check the Houston Community College
at www.hccs.edu. Please use your discretion in deciding to drive during
extremely bad weather.
Sexual Harassment:
It is a violation of HCC policy for an employee, agent , or student to engage in
sexual harassment as defined in the EEOC guidelines ( EEO/AA compliance
handbook p.47)
Program/Discipline
Requirements: If
applicable
HCC Grading Scale:
A = 100- 90
B = 89 - 80:
C = 79 - 70:
4 points per semester hour
3 points per semester hour
2 points per semester hour
D = 69 - 60:
1 point per semester hour
59 and below = F
0 points per semester hour
FX (Failure due to non-attendance)
0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress)
0 points per semester hour
W (Withdrawn)
0 points per semester hour
I (Incomplete)
0 points per semester hour
AUD (Audit)
0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must reenroll to receive credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing
education courses.
FINAL GRADE OF FX: Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw
themselves prior to the withdrawal deadline may either be dropped by their professor
for excessive absences or be assigned the final grade of "FX" at the end of the
semester. Students who stop attending classes will receive a grade of "FX",
compared to an earned grade of "F" which is due to poor performance. Logging into a
DE course without active participation is seen as non-attending. Please note that
HCC will not disperse financial aid funding for students who have never attended
class.
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.
To compute grade point average (GPA), divide the total grade points by the total
number of semester hours attempted. The grades "IP," "COM" and "I" do not affect
GPA.
Health Sciences Programs Grading Scales may differ from the approved HCC
Grading Scale. For Health Sciences Programs Grading Scales, see the "Program
Discipline Requirements" section of the Program's syllabi.
Instructor Grading
Criteria
4 Lecture Exams
2 Lab Exams
4 Quizzes
Lab reports
Final Exam (s)
Instructional
Materials
Campbell, N.A., BIOLOGY, 9th Ed; Vol II, Benjamin/Cummings Pub., 2011
Schwartz, D. and Dikeocha, N., BIOLOY 1407 LABORATORY MANUAL, 3rd Ed.,
HCC/Blue Door Pub., 2013
= 40%
= 15%
= 15%
= 10%
= 20%
HCC Policy Statement:
Access Student
Services Policies on
their Web site:
http://hccs.edu/student-rights
EGLS3 -- Evaluation
for Greater Learning
Student Survey
System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is
necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time near the end of
the term, 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 department 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.
Distance Education and/or Continuing Education Policies
Access DE Policies
on their Web site:
http://de.hccs.edu/Distance_Ed/DE_Home/faculty_resources/PDFs/DE_Syllabus.pdf
Access CE Policies
on their Web site:
http://hccs.edu/CE-student-guidelines
Important Dates:
Jan 12
last day for drop/add/registration ends
Jan 14
Classes begin
Jan 27
Official date of record
Mar 10-16 Spring break
Mar 31
last day for administrative /student withdrawals-4:30pm
May 4
Instruction ends
May 5-11 Final exams
.