Lecture: Monday & Wednesday: 12:10 – 1:35 p.m. (Room LS-102)
Lab: Tuesday & Thursday 8:00 – 11:10 a.m. (Room LS-101)
Lab: Tuesday & Thursday 12:10 – 3:20 p.m. (Room LS-101)
Office Room: Life Science 202
Office Hours: Monday 2:00-4:00 p.m., Tuesday 3:30 – 6 p.m.
Wednesday 3-6 p.m., Thursday 3:30-6 p.m. 6
Or make appointment w/ instructor
Email: phommas@lacitycollege.edu
Phone: (323) 953-4000 ext. 2795
This is a general biology class for students majoring in the life sciences. Biological themes and topics covered in this class include a comprehensive description and discussion of plant and animal Physiology,
Anatomy, Ecology and Evolution. In addition, students are required to complete two 3 hours laboratory exercises weekly. These laboratory exercises and activities will include performing experiments that demonstrate and reflect important biological concepts & themes, attending field trips, collection of specimens, and watching scientific videos.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have a thorough and in depth understanding of the major principles and concepts fundamental to biology. This understanding of biology will enable students to comprehend the role of humans as a living organism and its relation to other living organisms, and the environment. Students will also be able to integrate that understanding to current events and issues that impact and influence their daily lives.
1) Biology, 7 th, 8 th or 9 th edition by Campbell and Reece
2) A $ 10.00 lab fee (all lab materials provided)
3) Four 882E scantrons and 7 mini-scantrons
4) Field Work and Insect Collecting Materials (To be announced in class)
Quizzes:
Exams:
Lab Work:
Quizzes will be given at the start or end of class and they will be announced ahead of time. Each quiz is worth 15 points and will cover materials from the previous lecture & lab and /or any assigned readings.
There will be 3 exams each worth 125 points and one final exam. Exams will cover materials from the lectures and assigned readings. Each exam will consist of multiple choice, true / false, and/ or short essays . Note, the final exam cannot be dropped and all students must take the final exam.
Lab worksheets must be completed and turn in at the end of each lab. Late assignments and “no name on assignment” are subjected to a 50% point reduction. Each lab exercise is worth 8 points.
Field Trips: All students must attend 7 out of 8 field trips during the semester. Each completed field trip assignment is worth 15 points. There will not be a regular lab on field any trip dates.
Group Project: All students must participate in a group project assignment worth 50 points. The instructor will provide more information on group project in class.

Three exams each worth 125 pt
One Final exam
7 Lecture quizzes each worth 15 pts
10 Lab quizzes each worth 5 pts
10 Lab exercise each worth 8 pts
7 Field Trips each worth 15 pt
Two lab exams each worth 50 pt
Insect Collection
Group Project (Earth Day Poster and Presentation)
Total points possible
90% and higher = A
80% to 89% = B
70% to 79% = C
60% to 69% = D
375 points
150 points
105 points
50 points
80 points
105 points
100 points
30 points
50 points
1045 points
0% to 59% = F
Tardiness: Tardiness greater than 20 minutes is considered an absence and 3 absences are grounds for a drop from the class. Repeated tardiness will result in a grade reduction. Quizzes and exams will be given promptly at the beginning of class and anyone who arrives late will not be given extra time to take the quiz or exam.
Exams: Students will remain seated during exams and raise their hands when they have a question. No one is allowed to leave an examination until they have handed in their test. Rest rooms should be visited before the exam. There is absolutely no exam make-up except for verified illness.
Assign./HW: There is a 50% deduction for any late assignments. The same applies for quizzes, exams, or assignments turned in without a name.
Cheating:
Electronic:
Devices
Disability:
The academic honestly policy of L. A. City College will be strictly
Food: No food or drinks allowed in the classroom. Shoes and appropriate attires must be worn at all times in the classroom and in the fields.
Behavior/ Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in the student’s
Responsibility: expulsion from the class and/ or failure in the course. It is the student’s responsibility to drop or add the class by the due date . Failure to do so will result in the student not receiving credit or receiving an F in the class. enforce. Anyone found cheating will forfeit their grade for that quiz & exam and will have a record file with the Dean of Students OR may be expel from the class or college.
Cell phones, PDA, Ipod, etc: Turn off all such devices during class and refrain from texting. Repeated offenses will result in reduction in points or grade.
Students with a verified disability who may need reasonable accommodation(s) for this class are asked to notify the teacher and contact the Office of Special
Services (ext: 2270) as soon as possible. All information will remain confidential.

February 9
16
25, 27, 28, 31 The History of Life on Earth & Review (Bacteria and Archaea, Protist,
Fungi)
President’s Day (No Class)
& Review (Bacteria and Archaea, Protist,
Fungi)
Descent with Modification & Evolution of Populations
27, 28, 31
23
March 2
9
16
23
30
April 6
13
20
27
May 4
11
18
25
Origin of Species & Catch Up
Exam I (Monday) &
How Plants Colonized Land
Evolution of Seed Plants & Angiosperm Reproduction,
No Class Monday & Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals
Catch Up & An Introduction to Animal Diversity, Invertebrates
22 , 23
24
29
30, 38
39
32, 33
Spring Break
( No Class on Monday ) / Exam II
Vertebrates & Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function
Catch Up & Exam III (Wednesday)
Animal Nutrition & Circulation & Immune System
Osmoregulation & Hormones & Reproduction
Animal Development & Nervous System & Animal Behavior
Community Ecology & Conservation
34, 40
41, 42, 43
44, 45, 46
47, 49, 51
54, 56
June 3 Final Exam (Wednesday)
FINANCIAL AID
At Los Angeles City College, we believe that the cost of education should not prevent a person from attending college. Education is the single most important investment a person will make in a lifetime. If you would like information about financial aid, call (323) 953-4000 ext. 2010 or 2025 or go to http://www.lacitycollege.edu/services/finaid/financial-aid-info.html
.

February 10 & 12
17 & 19
24 & 26
March 3 & 5
10 & 12
17 & 19
24 & 26
31& April 2
7 & 9
14 & 16
21 & 23
28 & 30
May 5 & 7
12 & 14
19 & 21
26 & 28
Introduction to lab, Video: 100 Greatest Science Discovery & Video: Origin of Life, Survey of Life Diversity (Major Kingdoms)
FIELD TRIP TO LA BREA TAR PITS ( Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. ) & Survey of
Diversity of Life Lab cont., Video: Origin of Life
Taxonomy, Video: Classification, Cladistic & Soil Invertebrate Count and Video: TBA,
How To Create An Insect Collection
FIELD TRIP THE HUNTINGTON BOTANICAL CONSERVATORY ( Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. or Saturday at 11:30 a.m
) & How To Use A Dichotomous Key,
Video: Private Lives of Plants
Stomata Density & Pollen Count Lab & Fruit Lab, Video: Private Lives Of Plants
Plant Anatomy Lab, Video: Private Lives of Plants & FIELD TRIP TO RANCHO SANTA
ANA BOTANICAL GARDEN IN CLAREMONT ( Thursday at 9:30 a.m or 1:30 p.m )
Open Lab & Lab Exam I
Survey of Animal Diversity Using Dichotomous Key, Video: TBA & NO Class Thursday
SPRING BREAK ( NO SCHOOL)
FIELD TRIP TO AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFICS IN LONG BEACH (Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. OR Saturday at 11:30 a.m.) & Animal Anatomy Lab & Video: TBA
Earth Day Celebration & Earth Day Poster Class Presentation
Video: Inconvenient Truth Video / Eco-Home Tour
FIELD TRIP TO L.A ZOO ( Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. OR Saturday at 11:30 am. ) & Animal
Anatomy Lab, Video: TBA
Air Pollution Detection / FIELD TRIP TO A SALT MARSH COMMUNITY AT NEWPORT
BAY (Thursday at 11:00 A.M OR Saturday 11:30 A.M)
FIELD TRIP TO A CHAPARALL COMMMUNITY & Lecture Catch Up
Open Lab / LAB EXAM II & INSECT COLLECTION DUE
Important Dates
Feb. 16 – Last day to add classes
May 2 – Last day to drop class with a “W”