Textbook: BIOLOGY How Life Works, 1st ed. - Volume 2, by Morris, J, et al, 2014
Lab Manual : BIOLOGY 1407 Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed - by Schwartz & Dikeocha, Blue Door
Publishers
On-Line Materials : www.launchpad.com & hccs.edu Learning Web pages of Dr. Judith Solti
Mission Statement: The Houston Community College System is an open-admission, public institution of higher education offering associate degrees, certificates, academic preparation, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities that prepare individuals in our diverse communities for life and work in an increasingly international and technological society.
Course Description: This course will focus on the mechanisms of evolution, biological diversity, and the form and function of both plants and animals. Emphasis is placed on the anatomy/physiology of humans.
Attendance: Class attendance is MANDATORY . Attendance will be taken at some point during every class period . By HCC District policy, more than four absences ( for any reason) may result in administrative withdrawal (W).
There are no exceptions for veterans, international students, students on financial aid or on their parents' insurance. If you are absent, you are responsible for all material covered and any homework/labs assigned. Class will start on time; tardiness is disrespectful to the Instructor and other students. If you arrive 30 minutes or more late, it will be counted as an absence. If you arrive late, it is your responsibility to inform the
Instructor of your attendance before you leave class that day and to catch up on any announcements given. If you must leave class early for any reason, please discuss your departure with the Instructor as it may be counted as an absence. Late arrivals, early departures, and excessive absences will affect your grade. Missed quizzes or poppers will be a grade of 0.
Withdrawals: Any time at 4 absences, your Instructor will discuss the option of withdrawing you from this course as mandated by HCCS policy . October 30, 2015, however, is the last day a Counselor/Instructor may withdraw you from classes. After that date, withdrawal is not permitted and students may risk getting an “F” in the course.
Student Conduct (refer to Student Handbook): HCC views college-level students as adults who subscribe to a basic standard of conduct. Therefore, appropriate student conduct is expected in the classroom at all times. Cell phones must be turned off or put on silent mode. If you must use your phone, please step out of the classroom to do so. Texting is not allowed at any time during lecture or lab; the student will be asked to leave the room and will be marked absent.
Lecture Examinations: Students are expected to participate in all examinations. If a student arrives late, they will have only the time remaining from the official start of the exam. Students must take the final exam during the scheduled time/date or a grade of “F” will be given for the final exam. No exam grades will be dropped. Make up exams will be given only for valid excuses (must provide documentation); the format for a make-up exam will be primarily essay.

Fall 2015 Biology 1407 CRN # 73383 Mon & Wed; Rm 511; 8-11am
Poppers & Pre-Class Homeworks: Poppers are in-class MANDATORY quizzes given at any time during the day. They are 5 questions given to assess understanding of that chapter's material. Answers will be written on blank notebook paper and will be graded. Pre-class homework is to done on LaunchPad prior to the assigned lecture date for that chapter.
Homeworks are graded by LaunchPad. Prior to every exam, students must show evidence for meaningful studying (EMS). This will be a homework grade and can be earned by hand-written
(only, no exceptions!) notes, flash-cards, etc. EMS' are due first thing on the day of each lecture exam.
Case Studies & In-Class Activities: There will be assigned case studies to be done either at home or in class. You will be graded on group and individual work assignments.
Bonus Point Opportunities : Bonus quizzes will be given throughout the semester to gauge progress as well as to earn extra points. There is NO make-up for a missed bonus quiz; it rewards attendance and punctuality. Additionally, bonus points may be earned on LaunchPad in the Learning Curve Activity (up to 50 pts or 5% for completion). This must be completed by
November 25, 2015.
Laboratory Conduct and Examinations: Students are expected to abide by the rules of safety at all times during the laboratory exercises and are required to read and sign the HCC
"Safety Guidelines Acknowledgement”. Students will work in groups in the lab and may work within the group to complete lab reports. These lab reports are worked on in your own lab book
(no Xeroxes allowed).and shown/turned in at the end of that class period.
Late lab reports will start at a grade of 50% and must be turned in before the scheduled Lab Practical Exam.
There is no make-up for a missed Lab Practical Exam - it is a “0”.
Scholastic Dishonesty During Examinations: Cheating on a lab report would include actual copying of answers from one student to another. A grade of "0" on those reports will be given to all students involved. Cell phones must be turned off and out of sight, especially during exams.
In the case of dishonesty on a quiz or an exam (refer to Student Handbook), a grade of “0” will be given for the exam and the student will not be allowed to finish or stay in the room. If dishonesty becomes a persistent problem, the student may receive an “F” for the course.
Miscellaneous: Smoking is not allowed in the class or lab. Video recording is not permitted.
Tape recorders or laptops may be allowed with permission (laptops may only be used for course material). If you have ANY problem that you would like us to address, please inform the
Professor as soon as possible. Students with disabilities (ADA) should inform their Professor as soon as possible for a referral to the ADA counselor for "reasonable accommodations".
Students who repeat a course for a 3rd or more times WILL face tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges. Please ask your Professor/Counselor about opportunities for tutoring/other assistance prior to course withdrawal or if you are not receiving a passing grade.
Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System: (EGLS3): Professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. You will be asked to answer a short, anonymous survey related to instruction, which will be made available to your professors/department chairs for continual improvement of instruction.
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Fall 2015 Biology 1407 CRN # 73383 Mon & Wed; Rm 511; 8-11am
Course Schedule
Sept 21
Sept 23
Sept 28
Sept 30
Oct 5
Oct 7
Oct 12
Oct 14
Oct 19
Oct 21
Date
Aug 24
Aug 26
Aug 31
Sept 2
Sept 7
Sept 9
Sept 14
Sept 16
Topic
Syllabus & Technology
Evolution
Species & Speciation
Evolutionary Patterns
Labor Day Holiday
Eukaryotic Cells/Protists
At Home: Case Study Assignment
Plant Reproduction
Human Origins & Evolution
Bacteria & Archae
1 st Exam (Ch 21-24& 26)
Plant Structure and Function
Plant Diversity
2 nd Exam (Ch 27-30 &33)
Fungi
Animal Diversity
Animal Tissues/Thermoregulation
Digestive System
Oct 26
Oct 28
Nov 2
Nov 4
Nov 9
Endocrine System
Cardiovascular System
Renal System
3rd Exam (Ch34,44a,b,40,38)
Nov 11
Nov 16
Nov 18
Nov 23
Nov 25+
Nov 30
Reproductive System
Immune System
4th Exam (39,41-43)
Nervous System
Brain Organization & Function
Lab Practical Exam
Final Review
Dec 2 At Home: Study Day
December 9, Wed Final Exams (Cumulative)
Chapter#
--
21
22
23
--
Cumulative
--
24
26, Q#1*,Review
Exam
27 & 28
Assignment
29
30
44b
40
38, Q#3*, Review
Exam
39
41
42
43, Q#4*, Review
Exam
35
36.5
--
8 - 10 am
33, Q#2*, Review
Exam
34
44a
Lab#
--
--
Lab Safety
1
--
2
--
3
Assign Case Study
--
6, Case Study Due
5
--
--
--
Animal Specimens
8
Models
Models
Models
9, Models
Models
11, Models
Models
Lab Practical Review
12
Models
Lab Exam
--
--
* These are the bonus quizzes. Mandatory graded poppers will be given unannounced
+ Due date for Learning Curve bonus points.
Note: Dr. Solti reserves the right to modify the schedule, including exam dates. Students will be advised of any changes as soon as possible.
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Fall 2015 Biology 1407 CRN # 73383 Mon & Wed; Rm 511; 8-11am
Grade Computation
4 Lecture Exams = 400 pts
1 Lab Exam
Final Exams
= 100 pts
= 200 pts
= 40%
= 10%
= 20%
Lab Reports = 100 pts
Homeworks/Poppers = 100 pts
Case Study
Total
= 100 pts
= 10%
= 10%
= 10%
=1000 pts =100%
Grading Scale....
straight scale; no curve
1000 - 900 points = 100 - 90% = A
899 - 800 points = 89 - 80% = B
799 - 700 points = 79 - 70% = C
699 - 600 points = 69 - 60% = D
599 - 0 points = 59 - 0% = F
IMPORTANT DATES
Aug 24
Sept 7
Sept 8
Oct 30
Classes begin
School closed-Labor Day Holiday
Official date of record
Last day for administrative/student withdrawals-4:30 p.m.
Nov 26-29 School closed-Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec 7-12 Final examinations
Specific Concepts you will be expected to learn:
Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) for the Biology Discipline:

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.
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Fall 2015 Biology 1407 CRN # 73383 Mon & Wed; Rm 511; 8-11am
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs) for Biology 1407:

CSLO#1 (PSLO#1 & #2) - The student will be able to state observations and inferences leading to
Darwin's Theory of Evolution by means of natural selection including the concepts of mico and macroevolution, genetic variation, and speciation.

CSLO#2 (PSLO#1) - The student will be able to illustrate the relationship between major geologic change, extinctions, and evolutionary trends.

CSLO#3 (PSLO#3)- The student will be able to perform an experiment in population genetics and analyze the data using the Hardy-Weinberg equations.

CSLO#4 (PSLO#1, #2, #3) - The student will be able to distinguish between phlogenetic relationships and taxonomic classification systems.

CSLO#5 (PSLO#1 & #3) - The student will be able to explain the origin of species and the history of life on Early Earth, including the importance of fossil documentation. Furthermore, the student will be able to calculate the age of a fossil by means of isotopic decay.

CSLO#6 (PSLO#1)- The student will be able to identify the major domains and kingdoms of life
(bacteria, archae, protists, plants, fungi, animals) including the basis for classification, structural and physiological adaptations, reproduction, and evolutionary history.

CSLO#7 (PSLO#1) - The student will be able to compare and contrast taxonomic, morphological, digestive, and reproductive characteristics of Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda, Chordata, and
Vertebrata.

CSLO#8 (PSLO#1) - The student will be able to understand the basic principles of animal form and function, including feedback control and homeostasis.

CSLO#9 (PSLO#1)- The student will be able to describe the basic anatomy and physiology of the following animal organ systems: digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, excretory, endocrine, reproductive, and nervous systems.

CSLO#10 (PSLO#1 & #2): The student will develop critical thinking, scientific problem-solving, and communication skills by successfully participating in a case study or course-specific research project.

CSLO#11 (PSLO#3): The student will apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions, and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes, anatomical models, computer simulations, and other laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.
Learning Methods: Read course textbook, notes, and any suggested course material; Read laboratory manual; Attend lectures and participate
Resources: Campbell and Reese Biology 10 th Ed, 2014; Dr. Solti's NOTES and test reviews; the lab manual, hccs.edu/biologylabs; Mastering Biology; Dr. Solti's sources on The Learning
Web; Class discussions; hccs.askonline.net
Keep ahead of the material! Educators suggest studying 2-3 hours for each hour of class time . For this class, that equals 12-15 hours/week of studying . However, this is a course that requires a lot of memorization. So, if you have trouble memorizing, you may need to spend more time for the grade you hope to achieve.
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Fall 2015 Biology 1407 CRN # 73383 Mon & Wed; Rm 511; 8-11am
Biology 1407
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