Houston Community College: Spring Branch Campus: Spring 2016
Syllabus General Biology I , Biology 1406; CRN# 88664 (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 1406 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/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. April 5, 2016, 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 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. 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
Fall 2016
Biology 1406
CRN #88664
Tue (Rm515) & Thr (Lab528); 8-11am
mandatory and 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 in the Learning Curve Activity (up to 50 pts or 5%
for completion) on LaunchPad. This must be completed by May 3, 2016.
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.
TITLE IX OF THE EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1972, 20 U.S.C. A§ 1681 ET. SEQ.: Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972 requires that institutions have policies and procedures that protect
students’ rights with regard to sex/gender discrimination. Information regarding these rights are on the
HCC website under Students-Anti-discrimination. Students who are pregnant and require
accommodations should contact any of the ADA Counselors for assistance. It is important that every
student understands and conforms to respectful behavior while at HCC. Sexual misconduct is not
condoned and will be addressed promptly. Know your rights and how to avoid these difficult
situations. Log in to: www.edurisksolutions.org . Sign in using your HCC student e-mail account, then go
to the button at the top right that says Login and enter your student number.
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Fall 2016
Biology 1406
CRN #88664
Tue (Rm515) & Thr (Lab528); 8-11am
COURSE SCHEDULE
CHAPTER#
Syllabus & Technology
1
DATE
Jan 19
Jan 21
TOPIC
Introduction
Life
Jan 26
Jan 28
Molecules of Life
Molecules of Life
2
2
1
2
Feb 2
Feb 4
NA & Transcription
Proteins and Translation
3
4, Q#1^, Review
-3
Feb 9
Feb 11
EXAM #1 (Ch 1-4)
Lipids & Membranes
EXAM
5
--l
4
Feb 16
Feb 18
Cell Compartments
Energy
5
6
12
5, 6
Feb 23*
Feb 25*
Cellular Respiration Module
Cellular Respiration Module
7
7
-8
Mar 1
Mar 3
Photosynthesis
EXAM #2 (Ch 5-8)
8, Q#2^, Review
EXAM
---
Mar 8
Mar 10
Cell Communication & Form
No Class : Study Day
9 & 10
Assignment
7
--
Mar 14 & 17
Spring Break
--
--
Mar 22
Mar 24*
Mitosis
Module Presentations
11
Module
---
Mar 29
Mar 31
Meiosis & Cancer
DNA Replication & Manipulation
11
12, Q#3^, Review
-9
Apr 5
Apr 7
EXAM #3 (Ch 9-12)
Genomes & Viruses
EXAM
13
11
--
Apr 12
Apr 14
DNA Repair & Genetic Variation
Mendelian Inheritance
14 & 15
16
-Genetics Probs
Apr 19
Apr 21
Mendelian Inheritance
Sex Chromosomes
16
17, Q#4^, Review
Genetics Probs
Hand out Genetics
Apr 26
Apr 28
EXAM #4 (Ch 13-17)
Complex Traits
EXAM
18
May 3+
May 5
Genetic Regulation & Final Review 19
No Class: Study Day
--
May 12, Thrs 8 - 10am
Cumulative Final Exam: Ch 1-19
Page 3
.
LAB#
Lab Safety
--
Return Genetics Exam
---
Fall 2016
Biology 1406
CRN #88664
Tue (Rm515) & Thr (Lab528); 8-11am
* These dates are mandatory for successful completion of Module.
^ Bonus quizzes. Mandatory 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
"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
Jan 19
Classes begin
Feb 1
Official date of record
Feb 15
Presidents’ Day Holiday
Mar 14-18
Spring Break
Mar 25
Spring Holiday
Apr 5
Last day for administrative/student withdrawals-4:30 p.m.
May 9-13
Final examinations
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Fall 2016
Biology 1406
CRN #88664
Tue (Rm515) & Thr (Lab528); 8-11am
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 demonstrate proficiency and safe practices in the use of laboratory
equipment and basic laboratory techniques.
 PSLO#4 - Students will apply principles of the scientific method to problems in biology 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.
Resources: Morris 1st ed, 2014; Dr. Solti's PPTs and test reviews; LaunchPad and Learning Curve,
the lab manual, hccs.edu/biologylabs; Dr. Solti's sources on The Learning Web; class discussions;
hccs.askonline.net
Learning Methods: Read course textbook, notes, PPTs, and any suggested course material; Read
laboratory manual; Attend lectures and participate
Page 5
Fall 2016
Biology 1406
CRN #88664
Tue (Rm515) & Thr (Lab528); 8-11am
Biology 1406
Acknowledgement Page
I acknowledge that I have read the syllabus for Biology 1406 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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