HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE-SOUTHWEST COLLEGE
SYLLABUS FOR GENERAL BIOLOGY II –Spring 2011
INSTRUCTOR: DR. LEENA SAWANT
leena.sawant@hccs.edu
Course Title: Biol.1407 General Biology II
CRN: 70660 Credit Hours: 4 Class Time: Thursday: 2 pm to 5 pm, Rm. S103
Text Book: BIOLOGY Volume II: Eighth Edition by Neil A. Campbell & Jane B. Reece
Laboratory Manual: Biology 1407: Laboratory Manual, HCCS-Southwest
Contributing Authors: David Schwartz, Leena Sawant & Tom Loesch
Course Description:
It includes a study of the broad diversity of organisms in the five kingdoms, evolution, and the organ system in animals. This
course is designed to give basic knowledge of life sciences to students going for biology major or applied health sciences.
Course Prerequisite:
This course has a prerequisite of BIOL 1406 (General Biology I).
COURSE GOAL: To help the student in becoming a scientifically aware individual and to prepare the students for advanced course work in
biology.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To establish an understanding of the major historical events in evolutionary biology and their impact on the formulation of evolutionary
principles.
2. To describe basic cell physiology as it relates to biochemistry, metabolism, nutrition, and gas exchange.
3. To demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of taxonomy, and of taxa.
4. To demonstrate knowledge of basic plant and animal structure at the level of the cell, of tissue/organ systems and of the organism as a
whole.
5. To demonstrate skill in basic laboratory methodology, and the careful analysis of laboratory data and results.
"The following Student Learning Outcomes with their associated assessment criteria are not meant to be all inclusive, and are
meant to be used along with all other course learning outcomes and assessment devices, listed under Course Objectives, in the
determination of the student's final course grade. Completion of the specific Student Learning Outcomes listed below, at any
assessment grading level, does NOT and will NOT guarantee the student that final course grade at the end of the semester!"
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PROGRAM LEVEL STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Program SLO #1
To recognize, identify, and describe the basic structures and functions associated with most life forms.
Program SLO #2
To develop basic laboratory techniques appropriate to the field of Biology.
Program SLO #3
To develop study skills and habits appropriate for pre-professional students interested in health-related fields.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
SLO1: The student will be able to state the observations and inferences leading to Darwin's theory of evolution by natural
selection.
SLO2: The student will be able to compare and contrast the important morphological, taxonomic and developmental
characteristics of the:
a) Mollusca, b) Annelida, c) Arthropoda, d) Chordata, e) Vertebrata
SLO3: The student will be able to describe and explain the important anatomical and operational aspects of the following
animal systems:
a) digestive system, b) respiratory system, c) circulatory system, d) immune system, e) endocrine system, f) reproductive
system, g) nervous system, h) muscular system
SLO4: The student will be able to analyze the data from experiments in human population genetics, deriving the relative
frequencies of alleles or genotypes in a population by means of the Hardy-Weinberg equation.
SLO5: Given a half-life in an appropriate scenario, the student will be able to calculate the age of an object by means of
radioisotopic decay.
SLO6: The student will develop the habit of reliable attendance by being absent from class no more than four times per
semester.
SLO7: The student will demonstrate punctuality in the submission of class assignments on their due date.
SLO8:
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Wk
1
1/18-1/22
2
1/25-1/27
3
2/1-2/3
4
2/8-2/10
5
2/10
2/15-2/17
6
2/22-2/24
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3/1-3/3
8
3/8-3/10
9
10
3/14-3/18
3/22-3/24
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3/30-4/1
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4/5-4/7
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4/15
4/12-4/14
14
4/19-4/21
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4/26-4/28
16
4/28
5/3-5/5
17
5/12
Lecture Schedule
Ch. 22 Decent with modification
Ch. 23 The Evolution of Population
Ch. 24 The Origin of Species
Ch. 25 The History of Life on Earth
Ch. 26 Phylogeny and the Tree of Life:
Ch. 27 Bacteria and Archaea
Ch. 28 Protists
Ch. 35 & 36 Self Study, quiz online only
Lecture Exam 1 Ch22-28
Ch. 29 Plant Diversity I: How Plants Colonized Land
Ch. 30 Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants
Ch. 31 Fungi
Ch. 32 An Introduction to Animal Diversity
Ch. 33 Invertebrates
Ch. 34 Vertebrates
Ch. 40 Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function
Ch. 41 Animal Nutrition
Ch. 37 &38 Self Study, quiz online only
Lecture Exam 2 Ch29-41
Spring Break
Ch. 42 Circulation & Gas Exchange
Ch. 43 The Immune System
Laboratory Exam (March 24)
Ch. 44 Osmoregulation & Excretion
Ch. 45 Hormones and the Endocrine System
Ch. 48 Neurons, Synapses and Signaling
Ch. 49 Nervous Systems
Lecture Exam 3 Ch42-49
Ch. 46 Animal Reproduction
Ch. 47 Animal Development
Ch. 50 Sensory and Motor Mechanisms
Ch. 52 An Introduction to Ecology and Biosphere
Last day for student/administrative withdrawal 4/14,4.30pm
Ch. 54 Community Ecology
Ch. 55 Ecosystems
Lecture Exam 4
Ch.39 Self study, quiz online only
Laboratory Exam 2 (May 5)
Instruction ends 5/8
Final Exam (comprehensive)
Laboratory Schedule
Lab. 1 Human Genetics
Lab. 2 Evolutionary Observations
Lab. 3 Prokaryotes
Lab. 4 Kingdoms Protista and Fungi
Lab. 5 Kingdom Plantae
Lab. 6 Animal Tissue
Lab. 7 The Circulatory System
Lab. 8 The Respiratory System
Lab. 9 The Urinary and Reproductive System
Lab. 10 The Nervous System
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Instructor’s contact:
Email: leena.sawant@hccs.edu
Contact number: 713 718 7771 (Biology Department Rm. S113, during campus office hours)
Office Hours: Monday to Thursday: 8 a.m. to 2 pm
You can access the syllabus and course material on Blackboard at: http://hccs.blackboard.com/webct/entryPageIns.dowebct . The
course syllabus and contact hours are also available at the learning web at http://learning.swc.hccs.edu . You can also go to the
learning web page or blackboard from the HCCS home page: http://www.hccs.cc.tx.us, under southwest college.
Blackboard Student User ID
Your Blackboard login user ID will be your HCC User ID (sometimes referred to as the “W” number). All HCC students have a
unique User ID. If you do not know your User ID you can look it up by visiting the HCC home page:
From www.hccs.edu, under the column “CONNECT”, click on the “Student System Sign In” link
Then click on “Retrieve User ID” and follow the instructions.
Or use the direct link to access the Student Sign In page: https://hccsaweb.hccs.edu:8080/psp/csprd/?cmd=login&languageCd=ENG
The default student password is “distance.” Students will then be prompted to change their password after their first login. Please
visit the DE Technical Support website if you need additional assistance with your login.
Instructor Requirements:
Basic requirements
Students should be on time for class and be prepared with required materials including textbook and lab manual. Full class
attendance is required including lecture and lab portions. Full attention during lecture and lab is required. . No use of any
electronic devices during the class period. Students are expected to conduct themselves as adults. This includes courteous and
respectful behavior towards instructor and classmates. Disruptive behavior or any behavior that interferes with any educational
activity being performed by the instructor will not be allowed. Additionally, no student may interfere with his/her fellow students’
right to pursue their academic goals to the fullest in an atmosphere appropriate to a community of scholars. Disruptive behavior
may result in removal from the class.
Attendance:
Attendance is important and students are expected to attend classes regularly and on time. Latecomers will not be tolerated.
Students are responsible for materials covered during their absences. Class attendance is checked daily by instructors.
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy
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The State of Texas imposes penalties on students who drop courses excessively. Students are limited to no more than SIX total
course withdrawals throughout their educational career at a Texas public college or university.
To help you avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, contact your DE professor regarding your academic performance. You
may also want to contact your DE counselor to learn about helpful HCC resources (e.g. online tutoring, child care, financial aid,
job placement, etc.).
In order to withdraw from your DE class, you MUST first contact your DE professor, PRIOR to the withdrawal deadline to
receive a “W” on your transcript. After the withdrawal deadline has passed, you will receive the grade that you would have
earned. Zeros averaged in for required coursework not submitted will lower your semester average significantly, most likely
resulting in a failing grade of an “F”. It is the responsibility of the student to withdraw from the class; however, your professor
reserves the right to withdraw you without your request due to excessive absences. If you do not feel comfortable contacting your
professor to withdraw, you may contact a DE counselor. However, please do not contact both a DE counselor and your DE
professor to request a withdrawal; either one is sufficient.
SPRING Final Withdrawal Deadlines:
 REGULAR SPRING COURSES: THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2011 4:30pm
Classes of other duration (mini-term, flex-entry, 8-weeks, etc.) may have different final withdrawal deadlines. Please contact the
HCC Registrar’s Office at 713.718.8500 to determine mini-term class withdrawal deadlines.
Examination:
Lecture exams (65% of the grade). There will be a total of five lecture exams (four lecture exams and a comprehensive final)
and all exams are on-campus. The questions will be primarily multiple choices. Each exam has equal weight-age (100 pts each).
Out of the above four lecture exams you have a choice to drop one exam grade. If you take all four exams, your lowest grade
automatically becomes your drop grade. All lecture exams are closed book. If you miss an exam it automatically becomes your
drop exam, if you miss two exams it is time to withdraw from the course. Otherwise, you will receive an "F" in this course for
missing two exams. Make up exams will be given only in case of emergency and at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor
reserves the right NOT to give make-up exams. You will be asked to provide documentation for an emergency that causes you to
miss an exam. No cell phones or any other electronic items will be allowed in use at any time as it disturbs the class.
Audible cell phone ringing may result in your removal from class that day. Cell phone use during examination is
cheating and will result in course failure.
Online chapter quizzes (10% of the grade): Each week you will be required to attempt a quiz from the chapter/s designated for
the week. The deadline for submitting the quiz will be posted on the calendar. Each quiz may have 20 or more questions.
Lab Exams (20% of the grade)
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There will be 2 lab. Exams and they must be taken in the lab. Each exam will be practical exam with stations set up in the lab. You
will go from one station to another answering specific question. Go to blackboard homepage to access study tools for the lab
exams.
Lab Reports (5% of the grade)
Lab reports must be completed as you work on specific exercises in the lab. Grades will be assigned on the basis of accuracy of
the information, completion in timely manner, and neatness. Lab. Reports will be graded on the day of the lab. Exam. Lab.
Manuals will not be graded if they are not submitted on time.
Laboratory Policy:
Lab safety will be reviewed on the first day of lab. Experiments will be performed in groups. Each student should arrive at the lab.
on time, with his or her lab. manual.
Grade Determination:
All the exams will be considered towards final grade (100%)
Three Lecture exams, & Final exams = 65%
Online Quiz on Blackboard
= 10%
Lab. exam
= 20%.
Lab. Report
= 5%
A = 90-100,
B = 80-89,
C = 70-79,
D = 60-69,
F = Below 60.
Student Services
DISTANCE EDUCATION ADVISING AND COUNSELING SERVICES:
The Distance Education Student Handbook contains policies and procedures unique to the DE student. Students should have
reviewed the handbook as part of the mandatory orientation. It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with the handbook's
contents. The handbook contains valuable information, answers, and resources, such as DE contacts, policies and procedures
(how to drop, attendance requirements, etc.), student services (ADA, financial aid, degree planning, etc.), course information,
testing procedures, technical support, and academic calendars. Refer to the DE Student Handbook by visiting this link:
http://de.hccs.edu/de/de-student-handbook
Early Alert
HCC has instituted an Early Alert process by which your professor will “alert” you through Distance Education (DE) counselors of
concerns that you might fail a class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance.
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International Students:
International Students are restricted to ONLY ONE online/distance education class per semester. Receiving a W in a course may
affect the status of your student Visa. Once a W is given for the course, it will not be changed to an F because of the visa
consideration. Please contact the International Student Office at 713-718-8520 if you have any questions about your visa status and
other transfer issues.
Tutoring:
The college will provide tutoring for the students. More information will be available later. You can check the tutoring and open lab.
schedule at http://learning.swc.hccs.edu
Disability Support Services (DSS)
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 Outside of the HCC District service areas.
Northwest: 713.718.5422
Northeast: 713.718.8420
Southeast: 713.718.7218
Southwest: 713.718.7909
After student accommodation letters have been approved by the DSS office and submitted to DE Counseling for processing,
students will receive an email confirmation informing them of the Instructional Support Specialist assigned to their professor.
Virtual Classroom Conduct:
As with on-campus classes, all students in HCC Distance Education courses 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.
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Notice for Students who live outside of Houston:
Students who live or work outside the HCC service area and cannot take paper exams at one of our HCC testing locations MUST
make arrangements for a proctor. Please see the DE Student Services Additional Resources webpage for more information.
ASSESSMENT RUBRICS
GENERAL BIOLOGY II - BIOLOGY 1407
Performance Factors
F
1] The student will be
able to state the
observations and
inferences leading to
Darwin's theory of
evolution by natural
selection.
2] The student will be
able to compare and
contrast the important
morphological,
taxonomic and
developmental
characteristics of the:
a) Mollusca
b) Annelida
c) Arthropoda
d) Chordata
e) Vertebrata
Unable to state either
the observations or
inferences. Unable to
state how these
observations and
inferences lead to
Darwin's theory of
evolution by natural
selection.
Unable to compare
and contrast the
important
morphological,
taxonomic and
developmental
characteristics of any
of these groups.
D
Able to state some
observations but not
the inferences. Unable
to state how these
observations and
inferences lead to
Darwin's theory of
evolution by natural
selection.
Able to demonstrate
taxonomic knowledge
of these groups, but
unable to compare or
contrast them on either
a morphological or
developmental basis.
Rating Scale
C
Able to state some
observations and
inferences. Unable to
state how these
observations and
inferences lead to
Darwin's theory of
evolution by natural
selection.
Able to demonstrate
taxonomic knowledge
of these groups. Able
to compare and
contrast them by
morphological
characteristics, but not
by developmental
characteristics, or only
partially able to
compare and contrast
them by both
morphological and
developmental
characteristics. Needs
frequent assistance
B
Able to state all
observations and
inferences. Unable to
state how these
observations and
inferences lead to
Darwin's theory of
evolution by natural
selection.
Able to demonstrate
taxonomic knowledge
of these groups. Able
to compare and
contrast them by
morphological
characteristics, and by
developmental
characteristics, with
few errors. Needs
infrequent assistance
from the instructor.
A
Able to state all
observations and
inferences. Able to
state how these
observations and
inferences lead to
Darwin's theory of
evolution by natural
selection.
Able to demonstrate
taxonomic knowledge
of these groups. Able
to compare and
contrast them by
morphological
characteristics, and by
developmental
characteristics, without
error. Able to
determine the identity
of an unknown
organism, within these
groups, when given a
verbal or written
description of its
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from the instructor.
Performance Factors
morphological and
developmental
characteristics. Works
independently of
instructor.
Rating Scale
F
D
C
B
A
3] The student will be
able to describe and
explain the important
anatomical and
operational aspects of
the following animal
systems:
a) digestive system
b) respiratory system
c) circulatory system
d) immune system
e) endocrine system
f) reproductive system
g) nervous system
h) muscular system
Unable to describe or
explain the important
anatomy and function
of animal systems,
their component
tissues and organs, or
their respective control
mechanisms.
Able to describe the
important anatomy of
animal systems.
Unable to describe and
explain the anatomy
and function of their
component tissues and
organs, or their
respective control
mechanisms.
Able to describe and
explain the important
anatomy and function
of animal systems.
Able to describe and
explain their
component tissues and
organs, with numerous
errors. Unable or only
partially able to
describe and explain
their respective control
mechanisms. Needs
frequent assistance
from the instructor.
Able to describe and
explain the important
anatomy and function
of animal systems.
Able to describe and
explain their
component tissues and
organs, with few
errors. Able to
describe and explain
their respective control
mechanisms, with
some errors. Needs
infrequent assistance
from the instructor.
Able to describe and
explain the important
anatomy and function
of animal systems
without error. Able to
describe and explain
their component
tissues and organs,
without error. Able to
describe and explain
their respective control
mechanisms, without
error. Works
independently of
instructor.
4] The student will be
able to analyze the
data from experiments
in human population
genetics, deriving the
relative frequencies of
alleles or genotypes in
a population by means
of the HardyWeinberg equation.
Consistently cannot
derive the relative
frequencies of alleles
or genotypes in a
population by means
of the HardyWeinberg equation.
Occasionally can
derive the relative
frequencies of alleles
or genotypes in a
population by means
of the HardyWeinberg equation.
Needs frequent
assistance from the
instructor.
Occasionally can
derive the relative
frequencies of alleles
or genotypes in a
population by means
of the HardyWeinberg equation.
Needs infrequent
assistance from the
instructor.
Consistently can
derive the relative
frequencies of alleles
or genotypes in a
population by means
of the HardyWeinberg equation.
Needs infrequent
assistance from the
instructor.
Consistently can
derive the relative
frequencies of alleles
or genotypes in a
population by means
of the HardyWeinberg equation.
Needs no assistance
from the instructor –
works independently.
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Performance Factors
Rating Scale
F
5] Given a half-life in
an appropriate
scenario, the student
will be able to
calculate the age of an
object by means of
radioisotopic decay.
6] The student will
develop the habit of
reliable attendance by
being absent from
class no more than
four times per
semester.
Consistently cannot
derive the age of an
object by means of
isotopic half-life.
7] The student will
demonstrate
punctuality in the
submission of class
assignments on their
due date.
Is tardy at turn-in
frequently enough to
interfere with class
instruction. Submits
assignments two or
more weeks late, or
ignores assignments.
Is absent frequently
enough to interfere
with instruction and
the completion of the
course objectives,
and/or is frequently
not where he/she is
expected to be.
Infracts the HCC
attendance policies.
D
Occasionally can
derive the age of an
object by means of
isotopic half-life.
Needs frequent
assistance from the
instructor.
When absent, is never
aware of the schedule
for the day upon
return, and must be
reminded or
encouraged to
complete objectives
missed during the
absence. Is
occasionally not where
he/she is expected to
be.
Is tardy at turn-in
frequently enough to
interfere with class
instruction or submits
assignments no more
than one week late.
C
Occasionally can
derive the age of an
object by means of
isotopic half-life.
Needs infrequent
assistance from the
instructor.
When absent, is only
occasionally unaware
of the schedule for the
day upon return.
Completes objectives
missed during the
absence only with the
help of the instructor
and/or classmates, and
is where he/she is
expected to be at all
times.
Is occasionally a few
minutes late for
assignment turn-in.
Submits assignments
no more than one day
late.
B
A
Consistently can
derive the age of an
object by means of
isotopic half-life.
Needs infrequent
assistance from the
instructor.
When absent,
independently or with
little help completes
objectives missed
during the absence.
Always aware of the
schedule for the day,
and is where he/she is
expected to be at all
times.
Consistently can
derive the age of an
object by means of
isotopic half-life.
Needs no assistance
from the instructor –
works independently.
Is never absent, always
aware of the schedule
for the day, and is
where he/she is
expected to be at all
times. Consistently
and willingly follows
HCC attendance
policies without being
reminded.
Is rarely late for
assignment turn-in.
Submits assignments
late, but on the due
date.
Is consistently on time
for assignment turn-in.
Always submits
assignments on the
due date.
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