Houston Community College: Fall 2013
Biology 1406: General Biology I: CRN # 62475
Spring Branch Campus
Tues (Room 515) & Thr (Lab 528); 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Instructor: Dr. Judith Solti
Office: Spring Branch Campus ; (713) 718-5415
Availability: T/Th 11 am or M/W 2 pm.; at Spring Branch office
Computer access: judith.solti@hccs.edu (HCCS related work), Facebook: Judith Solti (personal) and
Dr. Solti's 1406 Biology Course (anything interesting related to Bio 1)
Course Description & Objectives: This 4 credit course focuses on the principles of biology, including
biological chemistry, cellular morphology, cellular respiration, genetics, etc. The objective of this course is
to provide an understanding of the basic concepts of biology. Refer to the student handbook for the
HCCS mission statement.
Prerequisite: One year of high school biology is required (high school chemistry is recommended).
Required Textbooks and Course Material: Campbell, N.A., BIOLOGY, 9th Ed;Vol. I,
Benjamin/Cummings Pub., 2011 and Schwartz, D. and Dikeocha, N., BIOLOGY 1406 LABORATORY
MANUAL, HCC/Blue Door Publishing, 2011. Reading your textbook, lab book and any handouts IS
required. You are expected to complete the assigned reading for each topic prior to class. An in-depth
copy of the syllabus, as well as all handouts, homeworks, and test reviews may be found on Dr. Solti’s
Learning Web at www.hccs.edu.
Optional Material: Class notes may be purchased in the Spring Branch HCCS Bookstore: Solti, Judith,
BIOS MEANS LIFE: Origins in Chemistry, Vol. I, 4th Ed.2012. This is an optional, but helpful purchase.
Also helpful is the website Biology Lab Study Pages written by HCCS faculty at hccs.edu/biologylabs.
Online tutoring for all HCC students, in all subjects, is available at www.hccs.askonline.net.
Attendance: Class attendance is MANDATORY. Attendance will be taken at some point during every
class period. By HCC District policy, four absences (either excused or unexcused) may result in
administrative withdrawal (W) from the class. 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 Professor 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 Professor 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 Professor as it may be counted as an
absence. Late arrivals, early departures, and excessive absences will affect your attendance and grade.
Withdrawals: Any time at 4 absences, your Professor will discuss the option of withdrawing you from this
course as mandated by HCCS policy. November 1, 2013, however, is the last day a Counselor/Professor
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).
Fall 2013
Biology 1406
CRN # 62475
Tues (Rm515 ) & Thr (Lab528); 8-11am
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. Another bonus point opportunity that will be offered is service learning, which is a
volunteering program through HCC. This, however, will be optional.
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 chronic and
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 considering course
withdrawal or if you are not receiving a passing grade.
Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System: (EGLS3): At HCC, Professors believe that
thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time,
you will be asked to answer a short, anonymous survey related to instruction, which will be made
available to your professors and department chairs for continual improvement of instruction.
Grade Computation
4 Lecture Exams
1 Lab/Genetics Exam
1 Case Study Module
Final Exams
Lab Reports/Assignmts
Partic/Attendance
Total
= 400 pts
= 100 pts
= 100 pts
= 200 pts
= 100 pts
= 100 pts
=1000 pts
= 40%
= 10%
= 10%
= 20%
= 10%
= 10%
=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
August 25, 2013
August 26, 2013
September 2, 2013
September 9, 2013
November 1, 2013
Nov 28-Dec 1, 2013
December 9-15, 2013
Last day for drop/add/swap
Classes begin
School closed- Labor Day Holiday
Official date of record
Last day for administrative/student withdrawals (4:30 p.m.)
School closed- Thanksgiving Holiday
Final exams
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Fall 2013
Biology 1406
CRN # 62475
Tues (Rm515 ) & Thr (Lab528); 8-11am
Course Schedule
Date
Aug 27
Aug 29
Topic
Syllabus/Living Things
Chemicals of Life
Chapter#
1
2
Lab#
-Lab Safety
Sept 3
Sept 5
Water
At Home Assignment (Chs 4&5)
3
--
1
2
Sept 10
Sept 12
Macromolecules
Macromolecules (cont’d)
4, 5
5, Q#1*, Review
-3
Sept 17
Sept 19
1st Exam (Ch 1-5)
The Cell
Exam
6
-4
Sept 24
Sept 26
Membranes
Metabolism
7
8
-5
Oct 1+
Oct 3+
Case Study/Cellular Respiration
Case Study/Cellular Respir.(cont’d)
9
9
---
Oct 8
Oct 10
Photosynthesis
Review Ch 6 - 10
10
Q#2*, Review
Review Labs 1-6
--
Oct 15
Oct 17+
2nd Exam (Ch 6-10)
Case Study Presentations
Exam
Presentations
---
Oct 22
Oct 24
Cell Communication/Mitosis
Meiosis
11, 12
13
-10
Oct 29
Oct 31
Mendelian Genetics
Chromosomes
14
15
-Genetics Probs.
Nov 5
Nov 7
Review Ch 11-15
3rd Exam (Ch 11-15)
Q#3*, Review
Exam
Genetics Probs.
Genetics Exam Handed Out
Nov 12
Nov 14
DNA Replication
Protein Synthesis
16
17
Genetics Exam Due
12
Nov 19
Nov 21
Protein Synthesis (cont'd)
Bacteria & Gene Regulation
17
18
---
Nov 26
Nov 28
Viruses
Holiday--No Class
19, Q#4*, Review
--
---
Dec 3
Dec 5
4th Exam (Ch 16-19)
Biotechnology & Final review
Exam
1-20
---
Dec 10
Dec 12, Thrs
No Class: Finals Week
Final Exams (Cumulative)
--Discipline Final and Dr. Solti’s Final
8 - 10 am; Lab 528
+ Mandatory
Class Sessions
* Bonus Point Quizzes
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Fall 2013
Biology 1406
CRN # 62475
Tues (Rm515 ) & Thr (Lab528); 8-11am
Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) for the Biology Program:
 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.
Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs) For Biology 1406:
 CSLO#1 (PSLO#1): The student will be able to describe the characteristics of life: its unity and
diversity and the evidence for evolution through genetics, variation, and natural selection.
 CSLO#2 (PSLO#1): The student will be able to understand the basic requirements of life: explain
atomic structure, types of chemical bonding, properties of water, and the structures/functions of the
macromolecules of life: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
 CSLO#3 (PSLO#1): The student will be able to compare and contrast the structures, reproduction,
and characteristics of viruses, prokaryotic cells, and eukaryotic cells.
 CSLO#4 (PSLO#1): The student will be able to identify the substrates, products, and important
pathways in the metabolic processes of energy transformation, cell communication, cellular
respiration, fermentation, and photosynthesis.
 CSLO#5 (PSLO#1): The student will understand the cell cycle and be able to differentiate between
the processes and functions of mitosis and meiosis.
 CSLO#6 (PSLO#1): The student will understand the principles of genetics/inheritance and be able to
quantitatively solve classical genetic problems.
 CSLO#7 (PSLO#1): The student will demonstrate knowledge of DNA structure, its replication, the
flow of genetic information from gene to protein, gene expression, and ultimately their methodologies
and applications in biotechnology.
 CSLO#8 (PSLO#1, PSLO#2, PSLO#3): The student will develop critical thinking skills and habits of
active collaborative learning by successfully participating in an INSPIRE (Innovative Science Program
Initiatives To Reform Education)-oriented case study module(s).
 CSLO#9 (PSLO#2 and PSLO#3): The student will utilize the scientific method, as well as quantitative
and empirical skills to collect, record, measure, analyze, and communicate scientific data.
 CSLO#10 (PSLO#3): The student will exhibit competence in the laboratory by appropriate use of the
light microscope and other laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.
-Learning Methods:
 Read course textbook, notes, and any course material suggested
 Read laboratory manual
 Attend lectures and participate
-Resources:
 Campbell and Reese Biology 9th ed, 2011; Dr. Solti's NOTES, test reviews
 Mastering Biology
 The laboratory manual; hccs.edu/biologylabs
 Dr. Solti's Learning Web and sources
 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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