HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (CAMPUS)

GENERAL BIOLOGY I/BIOL 1406/

CRN# 33253

 

 

FALL Second Start 2017 (12 WEEKS)

 

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION

 

Instructor	Dr. Samridhdi Paudyal
Email address	[email protected]
Office location and hours	LHSB, Central Campus; After class otherwise by email

 

 

WELCOME TO  GENERAL BIOLOGY I

 

Course Title:	General Biology I	Semester and Year:	Fall 2017
Course Prefix:	BIOL 1406
Course Registered Number:		Class Days & Times:
Credit Hours:	4	Lecture: Day, Time, Room # 304 (lecture) /305 (lab)	Mon/Wed, 6:00-9:45,

 

Learning web: https://learning.hccs.edu/

Mastering Biology: www.pearsonmastering.com

Biology Lab.study: http://ctle.hccs.edu/biologylabs/index.html

Tutoring: http://www.hccs.edu/district/students/tutoring/

 

 

	Monday (labs)		Wednesday (Lecture )
09/25	Lab: 1 (Lab safety, procedures and scientific method)    Lab: 2 (Measurements)	09/27	Orientation Chapter 1(Themes of Biology)    Chapter 2 (The chemical context of life)
10/02	Lab: 3 (Basic Chemistry)   Lab: 4 (Water and its properties)	10/04	Lecture: Chapter 2 (Water and life)  Lecture: Chapter 3 (Carbon and molecular diversity of life)
10/09	Lab: 5 (Biomolecules: Carbohydrates and Proteins) Lab: 6 (Biomolecules: lipids and nucleic acid) Prelab 6 due	10/11	Lecture: Chapter 4 (A tour of the cell) Lecture: Chapter 5 (Membrane transport and cell signaling)
10/16	Lab: 7(The Compound microscope) Lab8: cell structure and function	10/18	LECTURE EXAM -1 (Ch.1-5) Lecture: Chapter-6 (An introduction to metabolism) Lecture: Chapter-7 (Cellular respiration and fermentation)   Mastering Biology (chapter 1-5) due
10/23	Lab 9: (Diffusion and osmosis) Lab:10 (Enzymes: catalysts of life)	10/25	Lecture- 8 (Photosynthesis) Lecture 9 (Cell Cycle)
10/30	LAB EXAM-1 (1-10) Lab: 11 (Cellular respiration) Lab:12 (Photosynthesis) [Lab books will be collected for grading]	11/01	Lecture: Chapter 10: (meiosis and sexual life cycle Lecture: Chapter 11 (Mendelian and the gene idea)
11/06	Lab 13: Cell division, Mitosis Lab-14: Cell division, Meiosis	11/08	LECTURE EXAM -2 (Ch.6-10) Lecture: Chapter 12 (The chromosomal basis of inheritance) Lecture: Chapter 13(Molecular basis of inheritance   Mastering Biology (chapter 6-10) due
11/13	Lab: 15 (Mendelian genetics) Lab 16: Non mendelian genetics and human heredity	11/15	Lecture: Chapter 14 (Gene expression from gene to protein) Lecture: Chapter 15 (Regulation of Gene expression)
11/20	Lab 17: DNA extraction, structure and replication Lab 18: Protein synthesis (HW)	11/22	LECTURE EXAM -3 (Ch.11-15) Lecture: Chapter 16 (Development, Stem Cells, and Cancer) Lecture: Chapter 17 (Viruses) Mastering Biology (chapter 11-15) due
11/27	Lab 19: Gel electrophoresis	11/29	Lecture: Chapter 18 (Genomes and their evolution)
12/04	LAB EXAM-2 (11-19) [Lab books will be collected for grading	12/06	LECTURE EXAM -4 (Ch.16-20) Mastering Biology (chapter 16-20) due   Lab books will be returned
12/11	Final Exam Preparation/Self study	12/13	DEPARTMENTAL FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM (chapter 1-20)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE OVERVIEW

 

Course Description:

Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) for the Biology Discipline

1. Will display an understanding of biological systems and evolutionary processes spanning all ranges of biological complexity, including atoms, molecules, genes, cells, and organism
2. Will 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).
3. Will demonstrate proficiency and safe practices in the use of laboratory equipment and basic laboratory technique
4. Will apply principles of the scientific method to problems in biology in the collection, recording, quantitative measurement, analysis and reporting of scientific dat

 

Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs) for BIOL 1406

Completion of the specific Student Learning Outcomes listed below does NOT and will NOT guarantee the student any specific final course grade at the end of the semester!

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.
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.
3. The student will be able to compare and contrast the structures, reproduction, and characteristics of viruses, prokaryotic cells, and eukaryotic cells, including important pathways in the metabolic processes of energy transformation, cell communication, cellular respiration, fermentation, and photosynthesis.
4. The student will understand the cell cycle and be able to differentiate between mitosis and meiosis, continuing with the principles of genetics/inheritance and to quantitatively solve classical genetic problems.
5. 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.
6. 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).
7. The student will understand the scientific method, as well as quantitative and empirical skills to collect, record, measure, analyze, and communicate scientific data, including showing competence in the laboratory by appropriate use of the light microscope and other laboratory equipment.

 

In our efforts to prepare students for a changing world, students may be expected to utilize computer technology while enrolled in classes, certificate, and/or degree programs.  The specific requirements are listed below:

 

 

GETTING READY

 

Prerequisites:  

Math 0106 or higher placement by testing must be placed in college level reading.

Co-requisites:  None required

 

Required Materials:  

Textbook: Campbell, Biology In Focus, 2^nd edition

ISBN: 9780321962751 for HCCS Custom edition

Required Laboratory Manual:  Biology 1406, Laboratory manual.  HCCS-central, Dept. of Life Sciences.

 

Learning Web: Assignments may be posted on the Learning web found at the following link:

http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/

 

 

INSTRUCTOR GUIDELINES AND POLICIES

 

Attendance: You are expected to attend all lecture classes and labs regularly. You are also responsible for materials covered during your absences. Instructors may be willing to consult with you for make-up assignments, but it is your responsibility to contact the instructor. Class attendance is monitored daily. Although it is your responsibility to drop a course for nonattendance, the instructor has the authority to drop you for excessive absences. You may be dropped from a course after accumulating absences in excess of 12.5 percent of the total hours of instruction (lecture and lab). For example:

 

• For a 3 credit-hour lecture class meeting 3 hours per week (48 hours of instruction), you can be dropped after 6 hours of absence.
• For a 4 credit-hour lecture/lab course meeting 6 hours per week (96 hours of instruction), you can be dropped after 12 hours of absence.

Departments and programs governed by accreditation or certification standards may have different attendance policies. Administrative drops are at the discretion of the instructor. Failure to withdraw officially can result in a grade of “F” or “FX” in the course.

Lab and Lecture Exams (50%):

There will be a total of four lecture exams (not including the Comprehensive final exam). All multiple choice questions need to be answered on a Scranton. Lecture exams may be comprised of multiple choice, true or false, fill in the blanks, short/long essay questions. Essay questions may be provided as take home exams which will be notified to students before the exam week. Scantrons will not be provided; it is the student’s responsibility to have a scantron and pencils the day of exams.

 

There will be two Lab Practical Exams during the course and you have to take both exams. These will be explained in detail during our lab sessions. Stations will be setup for the various labs. Questions may be multiple choice, completion, matching, diagrams, problem solving, definitions, identification, and short essay type questions.

 

 Note: No scantrons are needed for Lab Practical Exams. There will be no makeup exam for labs.

 

Make-up Exams/Quizzes: No makeup exams and quizzes are given under any circumstances.

 

Mandatory Comprehensive Final Lecture Exam (10%): The comprehensive final exam is mandatory and cannot be one of your dropped grades. This comprehensive final exam will cover chapter 1 through 20 from your textbook and will be administered in the final week.

 

Mastering Biology Homework Assignments(10%): Mastering Homework Assignments are assignments that have to be done online. Mastering Biology home assignments are due on the day before each lecture exam. Your new textbook will have the access code needed to register for Mastering Biology. This will account for 10% of the final grade. Please log into mastering using the website

 

www.pearsonmastering.comand use the code for respective sections

CRN#33253: paudyal11124

 

Pre Lab reports, lab reports (20%) & performances, class participation, attendance (10%):

20% of the final grade. Prelabs must be completed by the students prior to the corresponding lab session and must be placed on the instructor’s desk before lab session begins. Lab reports must be completed at the end of each lab session and students must show their completed work to the instructor before leaving. Each student is required to do his/her own lab work and individuality will be looked for in the lab reports. With the instructor’s approval, group effort will be allowed in the lab but each student must

 

Grade Computation  4 lecture exams+2 lab exam (lowest 1 to be dropped)		10% each Total 50%
Comprehensive Lecture Final exam		10%
Mastering Biology Quizzes		10%
Lab participation/attendance/take home exam Pre-lab reports, lab reports		10% 20%
Total		100%

 

 

IN CLASS TECHNOLOGY (Cell Phones, Laptops, etc.)

 

No cell phones or electronic devices are allowed to use unless they are permitted to use by the instructors.

 

 

NO EATING OR DRINKING OR SMOKING IN LABORATORY: No food or drinks are allowed in the laboratory.  In addition, no smoking is allowed.

 

 

DRESS CODE: No open toed shoes and short clothing are allowed in the labs due to safety reasons. Please dress appropriately!

 

QUESTIONS/PROBLEMS: Please make sure that if you have any questions or problems at any time, that you first contact me as soon as possible.  The worst thing you can do is wait to contact me or to not take advantage of the resources available to you.  By taking an active part in your education, you will make your academic experience much more rewarding and exciting!!

 

EGLS₃ (Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System)

At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time near the end of the term, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and department chairs for continual improvement of instruction.  Go to www.hccs.edu/egls3 for more information.

 

 

 

Letter Grade Assignment:      

 

Grading Scale

A = 90-100%

B = 80-89%

C = 70-79%

D = 60-69%

F =< 60%

FX (Failure due to non-attendance)

IP (In Progress)

W (W ithdrawn)

I (Incomplete)

 

REPEATING COURSES (THREE-PEAT RULE)

 

As a result of recent Texas legislative changes, please be advised that HCC is charging additional tuition for students who enroll in the same class three or more times at HCC. While it is the hope of HCC that students will be successful in their first attempt at classes, we realize that life demands, academic struggles, and other issues may result in students needing to take the same class more than once. Speaking with an advisor will help you develop student success skills, improving your overall academic performance. If a student repeats a course in which a grade (A-F) has been received, the highest grade received at HCC is the permanent grade for the course and will be used in computing the GPA. All grades earned in a given course will be reflected on the transcript. Other colleges may compute the GPA differently than HCC.

 

COURSE WITHDRAWLS (6-Drop Rule)

 

Students must withdraw by the withdrawal deadline in order to receive a “W” on a transcript. Final withdrawal deadlines vary each semester and/or depending on class length, please visit the online Academic Calendar, any HCC Registration Office, or any HCC advisor to determine class withdrawal deadlines.

 

Be certain you understand HCC policies about dropping a course and consult with a counselor/advisor to determine if withdrawing is in your best interest. It is your responsibility to withdraw officially from a class and prevent an “F” from appearing on your transcript. Senate Bill 1231 limits the number of W’s a student can have to 6 classes over the course of their entire academic career. This policy is effective for students entering higher education for the first time in fall 2007 and subsequent terms. Withdrawals accumulated at any other Texas public higher education institution count toward the 6 course total. Withdrawals for certain circumstances beyond the students control may not be counted toward the 6-drop limit.

 

In addition, withdrawing from a course may impact your financial aid award or eligibility. Contact the Financial Aid Office or website to learn more about the impact of withdrawing on financial aid.

 

HCCS IS COMMITTED TO YOUR SUCCESS

 

Early Intervention Program and Services

 

Your success is our primary concern! If you are experiencing challenges achieving your academic goals, please contact your instructor or an early intervention coach. We can provide assistance with academic needs, ADA accommodations, classroom difficulties, financial concerns, and other issues.

 

Tutoring

HCCS provides free online tutoring for all HCC students.  Go to www.hccs.askonline.net; use your own e-mail address; choose a username and password you will remember; put your HCC student ID number in the Comment Box.

 

 

Counseling Services

Counseling services are available to students who are experiencing difficulty with academic issues, selection of college major, career planning, disability accommodations, or personal issues.

 

TENTATIVE INSTRUCTIONAL OUTLINE: The Instructor reserves the right to change the instructional outline if needed. Students will be informed in a timely manner of any changes.

 

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTOR AND INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

This instructor is committed to a high standard of academic integrity in the academic community. In becoming a part of the academic community, students are responsible for honesty and independent effort. Failure to uphold these standards includes, but is not limited to, the following: plagiarizing written work or projects, cheating on exams or assignments, collusion on an exam or project, and misrepresentation of credentials or prerequisites when registering for a course. Cheating includes looking at or copying from another student's exam, orally communicating or receiving answers during an exam, having another person take an exam or complete a project or assignment, using unauthorized notes, texts, or other materials for an exam, and obtaining or distributing an unauthorized copy of an exam or any part of an exam. Plagiarism means passing off as his/her own the ideas or writings of another (that is, without giving proper credit by documenting sources). Plagiarism includes submitting a paper, report, or project that someone else has prepared, in whole or in part. Collusion is inappropriately collaborating on assignments designed to be completed independently. These definitions are not exhaustive. When there is clear evidence of cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or misrepresentation, disciplinary action may include but is not limited to requiring you to retake or resubmit an exam or assignment, assigning a grade of zero or "F" for an exam or assignment; or assigning a grade of "F" for the course. Additional sanctions including being withdrawn from the course, program or expelled from school may be imposed on students who violate the standards of academic integrity.

 

STUDENT BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately while on College property or in an online environment. The instructor would institute established HCCS disciplinary action. Students who pose a threat to the safety of others will be subject to immediate withdrawal from the classroom. Please refer to the HCC Student Handbook.

 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT

HCCS is dedicated to providing the least restrictive environment for all students. We promote equity in academic access through the implementation of reasonable accommodations as required by the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title V, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) which will enable students with disabilities to participate in and benefit from all post-secondary educational activities.

 

If you require reasonable accommodations because of a physical, mental, or learning disability, please contact the Counseling Office to obtain the necessary information to request accommodations. Upon completion of this process, please notify your instructor as soon as possible and preferably before the end of the first two weeks of class to arrange for reasonable accommodations. Counselors contact information at the HCC campuses can be found here: http://www.hccs.edu/district/students/disability-services/ada-counselors/

 

 

COMPUTER VIRUS PROTECTION

Computer viruses are, unfortunately, a fact of life. Using removable devices on more than one computer creates the possibility of infecting computers and diskettes with a computer virus. This exposes the computers of the college, your personal computer, and any others you may be using to potentially damaging viruses. The college has aggressive anti-virus procedures in place to protect its computers, but cannot guarantee that a virus might not temporarily infect one of its machines. It is your responsibility to protect all computers under your control and use and ensure that each diskette you use, whenever or wherever you use it, has been scanned with anti-virus software. Since new viruses arise continually, your anti-virus software must be kept current. And, since no anti-virus software will find every virus, keeping backup copies is extremely important.

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

It is the policy of the HCCS to provide equal employment, admission and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, veteran's status, sexual orientation, or disability.

 

FERPA

The academic, financial and non-directory information on your student account is confidential and protected by the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA). We cannot release certain information to another person without your written authorization.  Further information regarding Student Records and FERPA can be found at; http://www.hccs.edu/district/about-us/procedures/student-rights-policies--procedures/

 

FINAL EXAMINATIONS

A final evaluation activity will occur during the published final evaluation period. The appropriate dean, director, or department chair must approve any variation to this schedule.

 

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. 

 

IMPORTANT DATES

 

Sept 25	Second Start Classes begin
Nov 13	Last Day for Administrative/Student Withdrawal
Nov 22	School closed: Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec 11-16	Final Examinations
Dec 13	Last day of the classes