Course Syllabus

General Biology, (Biology for Science Majors II)

BIOL 1407

Semester with Course Reference Number (CRN)

Spring, 2012 87060

Instructor contact information

Konstantin Galaktionov, Ph.D. konstantin.galaktionov@hccs.edu

Office Location and Hours

By apppointment

Course Location/Times Mondays and Wednesdays 2:30 pm- 5:30 pm Felix Morales Building, room 218 (M) and room 314 (W) 6815 Rustic, Houston, TX 77087

Course Semester Credit Hours (SCH) (lecture, lab) If applicable

Credit Hours 4.00

Lecture Hours 3.00

Laboratory Hours 3.00

Total Course Contact Hours

96

Course Length 12 weeks

Type of Instruction On campus lectures instruction and Labs

Course Description: The objective of this course is to give students the basic knowledge of evolutionary processes and the evolutionary history of biological diversity. Topics include plant structure and function, elements of biotechnology, animal form and function (including major organ systems) and ecology. This course covers chapters 22-56 of Campbell’s Biology. Core Curriculum course.

Course Prerequisite(s) • College-level reading (or take GUST 0342) and • College-level writing (or take ENGL 0310/0349) • Biology 1406

Academic Discipline/CTE Program Learning Outcomes

Course Student Learning Outcomes (SLO):

1. Explain descent with modification and the fact that evolution is supported by an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence. Learn genetic variation and the use of Hardy-Weinberg equation. Explain natural selection, genetic drift and gene flow. Demonstrate understanding of biological species concept; explain speciation. Understand theories of the life’s origin, fossil record, and key events in life’s history. Understand phylogeny and the “tree of life” 2. Learn the biology of major phyla: bacteria and archaea, protists, plant diversity (including land colonization by plants and evolution of seed plants), fungi, overview of animal diversity (including introduction to invertebrates); understand the origin and evolution of vertebrates 3. Understand plant form and function, including plant structure, growth and development, resource acquisition and transport, soil and plant nutrition, angiosperm reproduction and biotechnology, plant responses to internal and external signals. 4. Acquire knowledge of animal form and function, including basic principals of animal form and function and animal nutrition. 5. Understand major organ systems and functions, such as circulation and gas exchange, the immune system, osmoregulation and excretion; learn about hormones and the endocrine system. 6. Understand animal reproduction and animal development; acquire knowledge of neurons, synapses and signaling; learn about nervous systems, sensory and motor mechanisms; explain animal behavior. 7. Learn ecology, including the concept of biosphere; understand community ecology, ecosystems and the restoration ecology; demonstrate understanding of conservation biology and the concept of global change.

Learning Objectives Explain descent with modification and the fact that evolution is supported by an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence, genetic variation. Learn to use the Hardy-Weinberg equation. Understand natural selection, genetic drift and gene flow. Demonstrate comprehension of biological species concept; explain speciation. Understand theories of the life’s origin, fossil record, and key events in life’s history. Understand phylogeny and the “tree of life”

Learn the biology of major phyla: bacteria and archaea, protists, plant diversity (including land colonization by plants and evolution of seed plants), fungi, overview of animal diversity (including introduction to invertebrates); understand the origin and evolution of vertebrates Understand plant form and function, including plant structure, growth and development, resource acquisition and transport, soil and plant nutrition, angiosperm reproduction and biotechnology, plant responses to internal and external signals. Acquire knowledge of animal form and function, including basic principals of animal form and function and animal nutrition. Understand major organ systems and functions, such as circulation and gas exchange, the immune system, osmoregulation and excretion; learn about hormones and the endocrine system. Understand animal reproduction and animal development; acquire knowledge of neurons, synapses and signaling; learn about nervous systems, sensory and motor mechanisms; explain animal behavior. Learn ecology, including the concept of biosphere; understand community ecology, ecosystems and the restoration ecology; demonstrate understanding of conservation biology and the concept of global change.

SCANS and/or Core Curriculum Competencies: If applicable

Course Calendar Week Chapter Lecture content Lab exercise 1 22, 23,

24, 25 Descent with Modifications; The Evolution of Populations; The Origin of Species; The History of life on Earth

1, Human Genetics; 2, Evolutionary observations

2 Holiday (no lecture) 3, Prokaryotes

3 26, 27, 28, 29

Phylogeny and the Tree of Life; Bacteria and Archaea; Protists; Plant Diversity I: How Plants Colonized Land

4, The Protista and the Fungi; 5, Kingdom Plantae

4 30, 31 Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants; Fungi Review Exam 1 (Ch 22-31, Mar 5)

6, Dichotomous keys and the Invertebrates

5 Spring break 6 32, 33,

34 An Overview of Animal Diversity; An Introduction to Invertebrates; The Origin and Evolution of Vertebrates

Review Lab exam 1 (Exercises 1-6), Mar 21

7 35, 36, 37, 38, 39

Plant Structure, Growth, and Development; Resource Acquisition and Transport in Vascular Plants; Soil and Plant Nutrition; Angiosperm Reproduction and Biotechnology; Plant responses to Internal and External signals

7, Animal Tissues

Vascular Plants; Soil and Plant Nutrition; Angiosperm Reproduction and Biotechnology; Plant responses to Internal and External signals

8 40, 41, 42

Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function; Animal Nutrition; Circulation and Gas Exchange Exam 2 (Ch 32-39), April 2

8, The Circulatory System

9 43, 44, 45

The Immune System; Osmoregulation and Excretion; Hormones and the Endocrine System

9, The Respiratory System

10 46, 47 Animal reproduction; Animal Development Review Exam 3 (Ch 40-47), Apr 16

10, The Urinary and reproductive Systems, Development

11 48, 49, 50, 51

Neurons, Synapses and Signaling; Nervous Systems; Sensory and Motor Mechanisms; Animal Behavior

11, The Nervous System

12 52, 53, 54, 55, 56

Animal Behavior; An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere; Population Ecology; Communuty Ecology; Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology; Conservation Biology and Global change

12, Pig Dissection Pre-Lab and The Pig Dissection Lab book review

Finals Exam 4 (May 7) Lab exam 2 (Exercises 7-12), May 9

Lab exercise schedule could be altered due to the equipment’s availability at the time.

Instructional Methods I feel that it is my responsibility to provide you with knowledge of general biology. The study of biology requires your familiarization with scientific terms and understanding of body organ systems locations and functions. As an instructor, I want my students to be successful. It is your responsibility, however, to read the textbook, submit assignments when required, study for the exams, participate in classroom activities, attend class and labs regularly, and enjoy yourself while experiencing the real world of education. You are required to be prepared before coming for each class. The preparation includes reading the relevant chapters of the textbook, class notes and preview the practice chapter quizzes. Please remember that attendance is your responsibility. You will be responsible for all work that was done in class, even if you were absent, so try NOT to be absent. It is very hard to catch up! A student

who accumulates 4 or more unexcused absences will be administratively withdrawn. Please note that late arrivals disrupt the class. Final grade of students who are often late will be affected. Devote a block of time each day for your biology course. Set up a study schedule and stick to it. Develop the skill of memorization and practice it regularly. As soon as you experience difficulties with the course, seek assistance. I will help you with understanding of difficult concepts during class, but I will feel no guilt to fail a student who did not put up required effort to prepare for exams and did not answer exam questions adequately. During lectures and labs, you will be involved in discussions with your classmates and your instructor. As you will want to contribute to these discussions, you will need to come to class prepared to discuss, analyze and evaluate information from your text and other assigned readings.

Student Assignments Assignments (quizzes) will be periodically given to test the understanding of the current study material (chapters).

Student Assessment(s)

There will be four exams to access student’s understanding of the basic concepts introduced by each content unit. The assessment method will be based on a multiple-choice test. Each test will have 50-90 multiple-choice questions. Lecture exams – again, there will be four lecture exams during each semester. See your syllabus for dates, hours and place of the examination. You will be given a maximum of 1.5-2 hours to complete your exam. If you are late for a lecture exam, you will be allowed to take the exam as long as no student has completed the exam and left the room. You will get only the remaining time to complete your exam. NO MAKE-UP EXAM WILL BE GIVEN. Lab exams – there will be two exams (lab exam 1 & 2). Everyone has to start the lab exam at the same time. No one will be allowed late for the lab exam. Scholastic Integrity: CHEATING IS NOT PERMITTED. If it occurs, the student will receive a zero for the exam or a grade “F” in the course. Grades will not be posted anytime during the semester. You may receive your final grade at the end of the semester on-line. Proper identification is required to receive the final grade. HCC System Office will mail the transcripts to you after the information has been entered in the computer.

Quiz and self-testing: There will be a practice test (self-testing style) in each chapter materials. Please read class notes, textbook and preview these practice quizzes before go to the class. These quizzes will help you prepare for the class and will not be counted as your grade.

Program/Discipline Requirements: If applicable

HCC Grading Scale A = 100- 90 4 points per semester hour

B = 89 - 80: 3 points per semester hour

C = 79 - 70: 2 points per semester hour

D = 69 - 60: 1 point per semester hour

59 and below = F 0 points per semester hour

IP (In Progress) 0 points per semester hour

W(Withdrawn) 0 points per semester hour

I (Incomplete) 0 points per semester hour

AUD (Audit) 0 points per semester hour

IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must re-enroll to receive credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing education courses. To compute grade point average (GPA), divide the total grade points by the total number of semester hours attempted. The grades "IP," "COM" and "I" do not affect GPA.

See "Health Science Program/Discipline Requirements" for grading scale.

Instructor Grading Criteria

There will be total 4 exams, and two lab exams and final average will be total 600 points divided by 6. 2/3 of your course grade is based on the lecture exams. There will be a total of four lecture exams. The exams will be at campus, the exam will be cover for each content module. Each exam will contain a number (50-90) of multiple-choice questions and time limited to up to two hours. There will be NO EXTENSION or make up or second attempt for the exam, if you missed the exam, that exam will be counted as 0.

1/3 of your course grade is from Lab exams. There will be NO EXTENSION or make up or second attempt for the exam, if you do not take the exam, that exam will be counted as 0. Grading Scale 90 - 100 = A 80 - 89 = B 70 - 79 = C 60 - 69 = D Below 60 = F

Instructional Materials Textbook: Campbell Biology 9th Ed. Volume II by Reece, URRY, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky and Jackson Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co. 2011, HCC Custom Edition Lab Manual: Biology 1407 Lab manual by Schwartz D. and Dikeocha N, 2011 HCC edition

HCC Policy Statement:

Access Student Services Policies on their Web site:

http://hccs.edu/student-rights

Distance Education and/or Continuing Education Policies

Access DE Policies on their Web site:

http://de.hccs.edu/Distance_Ed/DE_Home/faculty_resources/PDFs/DE_Syllabus.pdf

Access CE Policies on their Web site:

http://hccs.edu/CE-student-guidelines