Houston Community College: Spring Branch Campus: Fall 2015
Syllabus General Biology I , Biology 1406; CRN# 73375 (4 Credit hours)
Tue (Room 515) & Thr (Lab 528) 8 am - 11 am
Instructor: Dr. Judith Solti
judith.solti@hccs.edu
Textbook: BIOLOGY How Life Works, 1st ed. - Volume 1, by Morris, J, et al, 2014
Lab Manual: BIOLOGY 1407 Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed – Blue Door Publishers, 2012
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.
Each of the 4 lecture exams will have 48 questions, for a total of 96 pts. The remaining 4 points
may be earned by evidence for meaningful studying (EMS). This is a mandatory part of each
test grade and can be earned by hand-written (only, no exceptions!) notes, flash-cards, etc.
Fall 2015
Biology 1406
CRN # 73375
Tue (Rm515) & Thr (Lab528); 8-11am
They are due as homework first thing on the day of each lecture exam.
Module/Group Project: Students will be working on a module related to Chapter 7, Cellular
Respiration. Individual quiz and group project/presentation will count towards this Module grade.
Missing any of the Module days is STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.
Poppers, Pre-Class Homeworks & In-Class Activities: 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. You will be graded on in-class activities both as a group
and individually.
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 24, 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 1406
CRN # 73375
Tue (Rm515) & Thr (Lab528); 8-11am
COURSE SCHEDULE
CHAPTER#
Syllabus & Technology
1
DATE
Aug 25
Aug 27
TOPIC
Introduction
Life
Sept 1
Sept 3
Molecules of Life
Molecules of Life
2
2
1
2
Sept 8
Sept 10
NA & Transcription
Proteins and Translation
3
4
-3
Sept 15
Sept 17
EXAM #1 (Ch 1-4)
Lipids & Membranes
EXAM
5
--l
4
Sept 22
Sept 24
Cell Compartments
Energy
5
6
12
5, 6
Sept 29*
Oct 1*
Cellular Respiration Module
Cellular Respiration Module
7
7
-8
Oct 6
Oct 8
Photosynthesis
Cell Communication
8
9
-7
Oct 13
Oct 15*
EXAM #2 (Ch 5-8)
Module Presentations
EXAM
Presentations
--
Oct 20
Oct 22
Cell Form and Function
Mitosis
10
11
---
Oct 27
Oct 29
Meiosis & Cancer
DNA Replication & Manipulation
11
12
-9
Nov 3
Nov 5
Genomes & Mutations
EXAM #3 (Ch 9-12)
13, 14
EXAM
Nov 10
Nov 12
Genetic Variation
Mendelian Inheritance
15
16
Nov 17
Nov 19
Mendelian Inheritance
Sex Chromosomes
16
17
Nov 24+
Nov 26
EXAM #4 (Ch 13-17), Ch 18
No School Holiday
EXAM
--
Dec 1
Dec 3
Genetic Regulation & Final Review 19
No Class: Study Day
--
Dec 10, Thurs
8 - 10am
.
Page 3
-11
-Genetics Probs
Genetic Take-Home Exam
Return Genetics Exam
Cumulative Final Exam: Ch 1-19
* These dates are mandatory for successful completion of Module.
+ Due date for Learning Curve bonus points.
LAB#
Lab Safety
--
----
Fall 2015
Biology 1406
CRN # 73375
Tue (Rm515) & Thr (Lab528); 8-11am
Note: Dr. Solti reserves the right to modify the schedule, including exam dates. Students will be
advised of any changes as soon as possible
"Teachers open the door;
but you must enter by yourself."
Chinese Proverb
GRADE COMPUTATION
4 Lecture Exams
Final Exam(s)
Lab/Genetics Exam
Lab Reports
Poppers, Pre-Class, In-Class
Module/Group Project
TOTAL
= 400 pts
= 200 pts
= 100 pts
= 100 pts
= 100 pts
= 100 pts
=1,000PTS+
= 40%
= 20%
= 10%
= 10%
= 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
Aug 24
Classes begin
Sept 7
School closed-Labor Day Holiday
Sept 8
Official date of record
Oct 30
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
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Fall 2015

Biology 1406
CRN # 73375
Tue (Rm515) & Thr (Lab528); 8-11am
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 - 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 - 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 - The student will be able to compare and contrast the structures, reproduction,
and characteristics of viruses, prokaryotic cells, and eukaryotic cells.
 CSLO#4 - 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 - The student will understand the cell cycle and be able to differentiate between the
processes and functions of mitosis and meiosis.
 CSLO#6 - The student will understand the principles of genetics/inheritance and be able to
quantitatively solve classical genetic problems.
 CSLO#7 - 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 - 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 - 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 - The student will exhibit competence in the laboratory by appropriate use of the
light microscope and other laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.
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 1406
CRN # 73375
Tue (Rm515) & Thr (Lab528); 8-11am
Biology 1406
Acknowledgement Page
I acknowledge that I have read the syllabus for Biology 1407 and
understand the effort and time commitment necessary to succeed
in this Science Majors Class. (over 200 hours of study)
Name: ________________________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________________
Date: ____________________________________________________
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