Spring 2016
Houston Community College
Biology 1406
CRN# 88723, 89275
Instructor: Dr. Marie-Therese Simms
Telephone: Katy Campus / 713-718-5866
E-mail address: marie.simms@hccs.edu
Course Description & Objectives:
This course focuses in biological chemistry, biological processes, cellular morphology,
metabolism and biotechnology. This course provides an understanding of the basic concepts of
biology. It is designed to introduce students to biochemical pathways, cellular organization and
general metabolic and morphological features of both plants and animals.
Prerequisite:
College level reading, or successfully passing English with a “C” or better. High School Biology,
High School Chemistry or equivalent.
Required Textbooks:
Campbell, N.A., BIOLOGY, 10th Edition, Benjamin/Cummings Pub, 2002.
LAB BOOK: BIOLOGY 1406 - ISBN #13: 978-1-59984-314-8.
Course Material:
A textbook and lab manual is required for the course. Completions of lab assignments are very
important. As time does not allow for every detail of your textbook to be covered in class, you
are required to read the information prior to class. Lectures and labs on your daily schedule are
tentative; therefore it is important to have them with you, at every session.
Attendance:
Attendance will be taken at the start of class, it is therefore very important to maintain good
attendance. You are responsible for the information covered in class, whether your absence is
excused or unexcused. Two absences (either excused or unexcused) may result in administrative
withdrawal (W) of the student from the class. Tardiness can be very disturbing to the Professor,
check your name on the roll as begin present. Late arrivals and early departures will be noted as
this may affect your final grade. If you are absent for a lab assignment, you will not be given
partial or credit for the lab.
Withdrawals:
The last day to withdraw from this class is April 5th 2016.. After that date, withdrawal is not
permitted and students must receive a final grade. If you are unable to complete the course, IT IS
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DROP OR WITHDRAW FROM THE CLASS ON OR
BEFORE THE DUE DATE.
Student Conduct (Student Handbook):
Appropriate student conduct is expected in the classroom at all times. Please read the student
handbook for further information.
Lecture Examinations:
NO MAKE UP EXAMS ARE GIVEN. There are no exceptions to the rule; therefore students
are accepted to participate in all scheduled examinations. Students not taking the exam will
receive an “F”. A student who arrives late for the test has only the remaining time to complete
the examination from the official time of the test.
Students must take the Final exams on the scheduled dates or an “F” will be given for the Final
exams. Exams are objective along with true and false and matching questions. Quizzes and any
extra work will be given as bonus points.
Laboratory Conduct and Examination:
Students are required to read and sign the HCC Biology Laboratory Safety Rules and
Regulations found in you lab manuals. Lab Manuals are a very important part of the course
work; they can be purchased along with your textbook. PLEASE DO NOT COPY THE LAB
MANUALS, THERE ARE COPY WRITE LAWS. Lab reports must be stapled and turned in
at the next lab session or as requested. LATE REPORTS TURNED IN LATE WILL NOT
BE ACCEPTED. If you are absent from a lab session your lab will not be accepted. THERE IS
NO MAKE UP FOR MISSING A SCHEDULED LAB PRACTICAL EXAM. Lab exams are
practical, they are not multiple choice, is subjective, it is taken directly from your lab exercises
done in class.
Scholastic Dishonesty During Examination:
A verbal warning will be given and “F” will be entered for the grade. A zero tolerance will be
maintained at each time during the duration of the course.
Additional Information:
Cell Phones are very distracting and are not allowed in the classroom at Houston Community
College. My e-mail address is listed on the syllabus; your e-mail will be answered in a timely
manner. As you Professor, due to my busy schedule, I am not available to any student on a
weekend or on cell phone. Therefore, meeting after class with me, is the best time to ensure a
prompt response.
Disability (ADA)
Houston Community College has provided the least restrictive environment for all students. We
strive for excellence in providing equity for all students through accommodations as required by
the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title V, Section 504 and the Americans with
Disability Act of 1990 (ADA), this act enables students with disabilities to benefit from all postsecondary activities.
If you require any accommodation because of physical, mental or learning disability, please
contact the Dean for Student Services who will provide you with the forms you need to
request accommodations. Please turn these forms in to the Professor at the beginning of the
class to arrange for those accommodations.
PLEASE NOTE
Students who repeat a course for a third time or more times will face significant tuition/fee
increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask your
Professor/Counselor about opportunities for tutoring or other assistance prior to
considering course withdrawal or if you are not receiving passing grades.
Dates to remember:
January 11th
Classes Begin, Drop/Add/Swap fee begin
January 18th
MLK Holiday
February 15th
President’s Day Holiday
Spring Break
March 14th-21st
April 5th
Final Exam - 88723- Monday May 9th
89275- Wednesday May 11th
May 4th
May 15th
Last Day to Withdraw
Final Examinations (Comprehensive)
Departmental Examination
Instructions End
Semester ends
Spring Semester
Final exams for students will be given at the normal class hour on the meeting
date.
Grade Determination:
There are no make-up Exams
Details
Your grades will be
determined by the
following
Percent of
Final Average
Objective types/True
and False/Matching
4 Exams
Lecture Exams
Chap. 1-5; 6-10; 12-15;
16-20
40%
Objective types
True and False
Matching
Comprehensive
Mandatory
Types of questions vary
2 lab exams
Final Exams +
20%
Labs Exams
25%
Objective type
True/False
Matching,
comprehensive
Mandatory
Genetic Presentation
Departmental Finals
5%
Research Presentation
Teacher Approval
10%
Department Final is MANDATORY – it is comprehensive.
1.You make the grades; I record and report your grades. Your grades are earned not given.
2.Grades are not curved.
3.NO extra credit will be given.
Lecture Grade Assignment:
Lecture Grade
A
Final Average in Percent
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
0-59%
TENTATIVE INSTRUCTIONAL OUTLINE:
ACTIVITIES & ASSIGNMENTS
Organization of Class
Chapter 1 – Intro. To Biology
Chapter 2- Chemicals of Life
Chapter 3 – Water and the Fitness of the
Environment
Chapter 4 – Carbon and Molecular
Diversity
Chapter 5- The Structure and Functions of
Macromolecules
Lecture Exam #1 – Chapter 1-5
LAB ASSIGNMENTS
Lab 1 – The Microscope
Lab 2 - Biological Measurements
Lab #3- The Chemicals of Life
Lab #4 – Molecules of Life
Chapter 6 – The Tour of the Cell- website:
www.cellsalive.com
Label parts of the cells /Compare and
contrast worksheets. /Video/
Chapter 7- Cell Membrane and Structure
Video/worksheets www.cellsalive.com
Chapter 8 – An Introduction to metabolism
Lab #5 - Enzymes
Chapter 9- Cellular Respiration
Lab #8 – Osmotic Relationships of Plant
Cells
Chapter 10 - Photosynthesis
Lab # 9 – Fermentation & Respiration
Lecture Exam #2 – Chapter 6-10
Chapter 12 – The Cell Cycle
Lab #10 – Photosynthesis
Chapter 13 – Meiosis & Sexual Life Cycle
Lab #11 – Division of the Cell Nucleus
Chapter 14 - Genetics
Lab #12 – Reduction of Chromosome
Number
Lab #13 – Lab 13 & 14
Chapter 15 - Genetics
Lab #6 – Morphology of Plant and Animal
cells
Lab #7 – Diffusion & Osmosis
Chapter 16 – Genes/Technology
Lecture exams #3 Chapter 12 -15
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Lecture Exam #4 Chapter 16 - 20
FINAL EXAMS - COMPREHENSIVE
Additional Assignments will be given during the lab Exercises – Students will be given
instructions. NO CREDIT IS GIVEN IF A STUDENT MISSES A LAB. Consider a zero
for the lab missed. Please do not copy the lab from another student as your attendance is
taken at every lab session.
CLASS RULES:
NO – cell phones are allowed in class, during an exam they cannot
be used as a calculator or any kind of equipment. Your computers
are used only as a note taking device, not for surfing or searching.