Current View - HCC Learning Web

HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE-CENTRAL COLLEGE
1300 Holman, Houston, TX 77004
General Biology I, BIOL 1406 (CRN# 26122) FALL 2014
4 credit hour: 3 hours lecture/3 hours laboratory per week /16 weeks
Instructor: Dr. Pauline Ward
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------LAB:
Monday, 8.30-11.30 am, Room LHSB 305
LECTURE:
Wednesday, 8.30-11.30 am, Room LHSB 304
CONTACT INFORMATION: You can reach me by email me through Eagle Online
during the regular semester. Please use my HCCS email (Pauline.ward@hccs.edu) only
if Eagle Online is unavailable or after the semester ends. My Office phone # is 713 718
2538.
OFFICE LOCATION: My office is in LHSB 401. Please go to LHSB 402, the science
office, and ask the assistant to call my extension.
OFFICE HOURS: Monday: 2.30-4.30 PM Thursday: 9.30-11.30 AM. Please feel free to
contact me if you are unavailable to meet during this time.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: General Biology I (1406) topics focus on biological chemistry,
biological processes, cellular morphology, metabolism, genetics and molecular biology.
It is a core curriculum course; it cannot be used in conjunction with BIOL 1308.
Students must buy and read the correct textbooks. In addition to the lectures, the course
includes notes and Power Points on material covered in the text. These notes are not
designed to be a comprehensive review, but an overview of material covered in the text
with added insights provided by your instructor. They may be updated during the course.
PREQUISITES: College-level reading (or take GUST 0342) and College-level writing (or
take ENGL 0310/0349)
TEXTBOOK AND ONLINE HOMEWORK: Biology, How Life Works, 1st Ed; James
Morris et al, W.H. Freeman and Company Pub., 2013. The new, Macmillan/Freeman
BIOL 1406 materials include a textbook and Printed Access Card for LaunchPad; an
online supplement to your BIOL 1406 course that contains an interactive e-book with
multimedia content, quizzes for learning the material in your text, as well as graded
homework as part of the completion of your course. The materials have been bundled
exclusively for HCC at a discount, and are only available at the HCCS campus
Bookstores. The ISBN for the discounted bundle is: 978-1-4641-9918-9. If you have not
purchased your course materials, there is a 21-day grace period to which gives you the
ability to complete your assignments in LaunchPad.
After 3 weeks, if you have not entered your purchased access code, your work will be
lost.
To register for Launchpad ,
1. Go to http://www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpad/morris1e/644217 (Link is
also in Eagle online course)
2. If you have an access code (comes with textbook) ,click the button "Enter Your
Student Access Code" in the upper right corner and follow the instructions. If you
don't have an access code, click the "Temporary Access" button.
3. If you have any problems registering, purchasing, or logging in, please contact
Technical Support. You can reach a representative 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week: through our online form, by chat Or from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. EST, 7 days a
week (800) 936-6899 . System Requirements:
www.macmillanhighered.com/sysreq
LAB MANUAL: Biology: A Hands-On Experience, 2nd edition, Marsha
Turell and Jyoti R. Wagle (ed), Royal Publishing Co., 2009
COURSE GOAL: Students should become knowledgeable about various properties of
living organisms, and use this knowledge to gain science literacy so they become
informed of and evaluate health-related research and other issues that impact society.
Students should understand how biologists use the scientific method as they observe
phenomena and critically evaluate data.
PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OOTCOMES (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 organisms.
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 techniques.
4. 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):
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.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1.1 Explain fundamental concepts of biological sciences and how these concepts
are connected within various areas of the biological sciences, at the survey level.
2.1 Acquire basic knowledge of atomic structure, know the different types of
chemical bonding important to living systems, and understand the properties of
water that make life possible.
3.1 Explain prokaryotic, animal, and plant structure and function at the level of
molecules and cells, to include biological macromolecules, cellular organization,
communication, cell division and gametogenesis, energy transformations, and
the metabolic reactions associated with cellular activities, such as the processes
of glycolysis, fermentation, cellular respiration, and photosynthesis, at the survey
level.
4.1 Understand basic knowledge of Mendelian genetics, perform and
interpretation of genetics problems, and of advances in the understanding of
genes and chromosomes since Mendel.
5.1 Explain the molecular sequence of events involved in the flow and
expression of genetic information in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, with special
emphasis on the understanding of DNA replication, RNA transcription, and
protein biosynthesis, at the survey level.
6.1 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).
7.1 Apply safety procedures, design an experiment, stating a hypothesis, of the
quantitative analytical skills necessary for recording and analyzing data, and of
the write-up of conclusions. Demonstrate basic proficiency in using the
microscope and practice critical thinking and communication skills have been
developed by students working in groups.
7.2 Understand how technology has affected the development of science and
how scientific knowledge can be applied to various aspects of life, community,
the environment, and the important social and ethical issues related to biology
and medicine. Apply basic knowledge of the methodologies and applications in
biotechnology, and be aware of biotechnologic career paths in the biological
sciences.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND ACCESS TO COURSE MATERIAL
We will meet at college for both the lecture and laboratory sessions. In addition, this
course is web-enhanced with important resources available on Eagle online.
Lecture: We will meet in class for Lecture. PowerPoint presentations and important
course material can be accessed through HCC Eagle Online 2.0 (see below). You
should use this material as an outline and study the content in detail in the textbook.
Because learning requires active (not passive) involvement on the part of the learner,
you must come to class prepared. This includes having read the relevant chapters in
the textbook, completing pre-lecture assignments prior to coming to class. It may also
be helpful to take notes and you should think about personal application of the text
material. In addition to our classroom lecture time
Lab: We will meet in class for Lab. Weekly laboratory exercises are designed to
help with understanding the course material. You must have the prelabs completed
independently for the scheduled labs the day before coming to lab. Lab reports are
due at the end of each lab session and completed exercises must be delivered to
Dr. Ward’s desk before lab session is considered complete. During lab, we may
also cover lecture material. An excellent Lab Review is available 24/7 for HCC
Students at www.hccs.edu/biologylabs. You will get access to digital images,
animations, and labeling exercises to review models, slides, and experiments that
we cover in lab. Important: Please bring your text book on all Lab days.
EAGLE ONLINE 2 (EO2)
The course material will be accessible through Eagle online with an account password and
is to be used only for this course and only by you, the student. You will have access on the
first day of the semester, after enrolling into the course at:
https://eo2.hccs.edu/login/index.php. You must use Firefox to log-in. Your Eagle Online 2
username and password are the same as your HCC Email (issued upon enrollment
through the Student System). Please check Eagle online daily for information and course
updates! Course material handed out in class or posted online is for your personal use only
and it is not permissible to share or distribute any of this material without my prior consent.
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.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Note: The Instructor reserves the right to modify the schedule, including exam dates.
Students will be advised of any changes as soon as possible.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Week
1: 8/25-8/27
Monday:
CLASS ORIENTATION
Lab Orientation
Lab 1. Measurements
Wednesday
Chapter 1 Life
Chapter 2-1 The Molecules of Life
2: 9/1-9/2
Labor Day: No Class
Chapter 2-2 The Molecules of Life
3: 9/8-9/10
Lab 2. Basic Chemistry
Chapter 3 Nucleic acids and the encoding of
biological information
Chapter 4 Translation
Lab 20. Protein synthesis
4: 9/15-9/17
Lab 3. Water and its Properties
Lab 4. Biomolecules: Carbs/Proteins
Lab 5. Biomolecules: Lipids/Nucleic Acids
Lab 6. The Compound Microscope
Lab 7. Cell Structure and Function
LECTURE EXAM #1: Chapters 1-4
Chapter 5 Organizing Principles
6: 9/29-10/1
Chapter 7-1 Cellular Respiration
MODULE Chapter 7 Cellular Respiration
Chapter 7-2 Cellular Respiration
Chapter 8 Photosynthesis
7: 10/6-10/8
MODULE QUIZ
Lab 9. Enzymes: Catalysts of Life
Lab 10. Cellular Respiration
Lab 11. Photosynthesis
LECTURE EXAM #2: Chapters 5-8
Chapter 10 Cell Form and function
Chapter 9 Cell Communication
Lecture Exam #2 review
5: 9/22-9/24
8: 10/13-10/15
Chapter 6 Making life work
MODULE GROUP PROJECT
PRESENTATIONS
Chapter 11 Cell Division
Lab 13. Cell division: Meiosis
Chapter 12-1 DNA Replication and
Manipulation
9: 10/20-10/22
LAB EXAM #1
Lab 12. Cell division : Mitosis
10: 10/27-10/29
Chapter 12-2 DNA Replication and Manipulation
Lab 19. DNA Extraction, Structure & Replication
LECTURE EXAM #3: Chapters 9-12
11: 11/3-11/5
Chapter 13-1 Genomes
Lab 21. Gel Electrophoresis
Chapter 13-2 Genomes
Chapter 14-1 Mutation and DNA
Repair
12: 11/10-11/12
Chapter 14-2 Mutation and DNA Repair
Chapter 15 Genetic variation
Chapter 16-1 Mendelian Inheritance
13: 11/17-11/19
Chapter 16-2 Mendelian Inheritance
Lab 14. Mendelian genetics
14:11/24-11/26
Chapter 18 The genetic and environmental basis of
complex traits
Lab 16. Non-Mendelian Genetics/human heredity-
LECTURE EXAM #4: Chapters 13—
16
Chapter 17. Beyond Mendel
Chapter 19 Genetic and Epigenetic
Regulation
Chapter 20 Genes and Development
15:12/1-12/3
LAB EXAM #2
LECTURE EXAM #5: Chapters 1720
16: 12/8-12/10
NO CLASS
Comprehensive Final Lecture
Exam:
Chapters 1-20
.
TESTING AND GRADING:
Important Notice: Exams and assignments may include material covered in class
(activities, handouts, notes, etc), in addition to material in powerpoints, reviews and
textbook. You are responsible for obtaining all material covered in in class.
 Lecture and Lab Exams (60%): Out of the five regular lecture exams and 2 lab
exams, one exam grade will be dropped so six exams (10% each) will count
towards your grade. If you take all six exams, your lowest grade automatically
becomes your drop grade. If you miss an exam it automatically becomes your
drop exam. If you miss a second exam, you will receive a grade of 0% for that
exam.
Compulsory Comprehensive Final Lecture Exam (10%): The HCC districtwide comprehensive final is mandatory and cannot be one of your dropped
grades.
 Pre Lecture Online Launchpad Learning Curve Assignments (10%). Online
pre-lecture assignments will be given through LaunchPad. These “Learning
Curve” assignments are due before the start of each chapter. Note: Full grades
for these assignments will be given for completion of the assignments by the
due date. 0% credit will be given for completion after the due date.
 Homework Assignments (5%): This will be awarded for homework
assignments including short essays, genetic problems and take home lab
exercises (Note: this is separate from the Learning curve assignments).
 Module/Group Project (5%): Students will be working on a module related to
Chapter 9. Individual quiz and group project and presentation will count towards
this Module grade. Missing any of the Module days is STRONGLY
DISCOURAGED. More information will be given in class.
 Laboratory Reports and Performance (10%). Prelabs (3%) must be
completed independently the day prior to the corresponding lab session and will
be checked at the start of the class. Lab reports (7%) are due at the end of
each lab session and completed exercises must be delivered to Dr. Ward’s desk
before lab session is considered complete. Every student is required to do
his/her own lab report and participate equally with team members in all lab
activities. Students must be in lab for entire period. The Instructor will also collect
the lab manuals at the end of the semester to ensure completion of all required
activities.
 Extra Credit: An extra credit assignment(s) will be offered. This will account for
no more than 4% of your final grade and must be turned in in class by 8.30
AM November 19th 2014. The Extra credit project details are available on
Eagle Online.
GRADING
6 exams (out of 5 lecture exams/2 lab exams)
10 % each for a total of
Comprehensive Final
Pre-Lecture Online Launchpad Learning Curve Assignments
Homework Assignments
Module/group Project
Laboratory Reports & Performance
TOTAL
60%
10%
10%
5%
5%
10%
100%
No compensation for sloppy eraser on scantron
All lecture and laboratory exams are closed book
GRADING SCALE
A = 100- 90
B = 89 - 80:
C = 79 - 70:
D = 69 - 60:
59 and below = F
FX (Failure due to non-attendance)
IP (In Progress)
W (Withdrawn)
I (Incomplete)
4 points per semester hour
3 points per semester hour
2 points per semester hour
1 point per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. Attendance is mandated by the state. Students are expected to be in attendance for
the entirety of the scheduled class, including lab and lecture portions. Attendance will be
recorded electronically at any time during the class session and will be given only if
you attend full class period. Tardiness will not be accepted. Coming late to the class or
leaving early for whatever reason, is considered a disruption and no attendance will be
given for that day. You are responsible for everything covered or announced during your
absence and it is the student’s responsibility to consult with the instructor for make-up
assignments. Your attendance begins on the first day of the semester. More than four
unexcused absences may result in an Instructor or Administrative withdrawal without
notice. If you stop attending the course or do not participate in the assessment, you are
responsible for withdrawing from the course before the withdrawal deadline. Failing to
do so will result in an FX grade at the end of the semester.
2. Textbook and lab manual are required.
3. You will not be allowed to leave the classroom until completion of your exam. If you
are late for a lecture or a lab exam, you will be allowed to take the exam if 1) you arrive
less than 15 minutes after the class has started and 2) as long as no one else has
completed the exam and left the room. Also, you will get only the remaining time to take
your exam.
4. If you miss one exam, that exam will automatically become your drop exam. If, for
whatever reason, you miss a second exam, it will be counted as a zero score.
NO MAKE-UP EXAMS will be given unless exceptional circumstances. There must be a
valid documented reason for a make-up exam and it must be pre-approved by the
instructor. Acceptable reasons include hospitalization, doctor's certification that the
student was unfit to write the exam, or subpoenas for court appearances. Make-up
requests must be submitted in writing, with the appropriate official documentation.
Makeup exams must be taken by the time designated by the instructor. The format of
the make-up exam may vary from the scheduled examination. Lab exams are not
eligible for makeup exams.
5. Classroom Behavior As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our
shared responsibility to develop and maintain a positive learning environment for
everyone. I take this responsibility very seriously and will inform members of the class if
their behavior makes it difficult for him/her to carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you
are asked to respect the learning needs of your classmates and assist your instructor
achieve this critical goal. All students in HCC are required to follow all HCC Policies &
Procedures, the Student Code of Conduct, the Student Handbook, and relevant sections
of the Texas Education Code when interacting and communicating in a virtual classroom
with faculty and fellow students. Students who violate these policies and guidelines will
be subject to disciplinary action that could include denial of access to course-related
email, discussion groups, and chat rooms or being removed from the class.
6. Cellphone, Laptop, Camera, Recording and/or other Electronic Devices are
prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where
instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. As a student active in the learning community of
this course, it is your responsibility to be respectful of the learning atmosphere in your
classroom. To show respect of your fellow students and instructor, phones and other
electronic devices, must be turned off in class. If electronic devices are used during a
test, a grade of F will automatically be assigned. Students with disabilities who need to
use a recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for
Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable accommodations.
7 No children are allowed in the laboratory. Eating, drinking, or smoking (including
electronic cigarettes) are NOT allowed in the laboratory.
8. You must read the laboratory safety rules before doing any of the lab exercises.
9. The laboratory safety release form must be signed during the first lab session.
10. You may contact me to find out about your status at any time during the semester.
Grades will also be posted on Eagle online. At the end of the semester, your overall
grade will be available through HCC
11. CHEATING IS NOT PERMITTED!!! Students are responsible for conducting
themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or
disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a student
accused of scholastic dishonesty.
12. Please refer to Student Handbook for complete instructions and rules.
SUGGESTED STUDY TIPS FOR GENERAL BIOLOGY!
1. Read the chapters/lab exercises before coming to class and again after class is
complete.
2. Review, review, review!
3. It will be very helpful to define and summarize important terms and concepts using
hand written flashcards, concept maps, diagrams and summaries in your own
words.
4. Read the chapter outline at the end of each chapter.
5. Try to answer the questions at the end of each chapter in your textbook.
6. Your course has resources from the publisher, including many interactive
exercises.
7. The college has a Biology Computer Lab for tutorials and classroom assignments.
8. Forming a study group with a small group of fellow students is an excellent way to
review course content. Share email/phone #s with fellow students in case you need
to find out about missed classes or assignments
9. Take advantage of the HCC Central College tutoring service available to you at no
cost: Learning Emporium: SJ 384; 7 am - 6 pm M—TH; 8 am - 4 pm Friday.
Phone: 46356. Please check for Biology tutoring hours which will be posted shortly
after the semester starts. If needed,see the tutor early, not the day before the
exam. For HCC 24/7 OnLine Tutoring, Please Go To: http://www.hccs.askonline.net
HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty
A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the
coursework has been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available to
other students. The instructor is responsible for measuring each student's individual
achievements and also for ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field.
Thus, in our system, the instructor has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You
are expected to be familiar with the University's Policy on Academic Honesty, found in
the catalog. What that means is: If you are charged with an offense, pleading ignorance
of the rules will not help you. Students are responsible for conducting themselves with
honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary
proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a student accused of
scholastic dishonesty. “Scholastic dishonesty”: includes, but is not limited to, cheating
on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:







Copying from another students’ test paper;
Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test;
Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization;
Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or
part the contents of a test that has not been administered;
Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged
incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
Collusion mean the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing
written work offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty
may include a grade of 0 or F in the particular assignment, failure in the course,
and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal from the College System.
(See the Student Handbook)
ADVISING AND COUNSELING SERVICES: Counselors and Student Services
Associates (SSA) can assist students with admissions, registration, entrance testing
requirements, degree planning, transfer issues, and career counseling. In-person,
confidential sessions, can also be scheduled to provide brief counseling and community
referrals to address personal concerns impacting academic success.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Any student with a documented disability (e.g.
physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc) who needs to arrange reasonable
accommodations must contact the Disability Support Services Offices: Central:
LHSB 106 713.718.6164 at the beginning of the semester. Faculty is authorized to
provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
HCC Course withdrawal and Attendance Policy
An Instructor can no longer give any student a grade of W after the official drop date
(Oct 31st 4.30 pm). The Texas Legislature passed a law limiting first time entering
freshmen to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their educational
career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree. If you feel that you cannot complete
this course; you will need to withdraw from the course prior to the withdrawal
deadline to receive a “W” on your transcript. Before, you withdraw from your course;
please take the time to meet with the instructor and/or counselor to discuss why you
feel it is necessary to do so. Remember to allow a 24-hour response time when
communicating via email and/or telephone with a professor and/or counselor. The
instructor/counselor may be able to provide you with suggestions that would enable
you to complete the course. Your success is very important. To help students avoid
having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early Alert process by
which your professor may “alert” you and HCC counselors that you might fail a class
because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. It is your
responsibility to visit with your professor or a counselor to learn about what, if any,
HCC interventions might be available to assist you – online tutoring, child care,
financial aid, job placement, etc. – to stay in class and improve your academic
performance.
Withdrawal procedure: Although an Instructor or administrator may withdraw a
student for excessive absences, it is the student’s responsibility to withdraw
themselves before the official drop deadline (October 31st 4.30 pm) if that is their
decision. The student can drop online without having to see a faculty member prior
to the deadline through their HCC Student Center.
GRADES AND GPA:
FINAL GRADE OF FX: Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw
themselves prior to the withdrawal deadline may either be dropped by their professor
for excessive absences or be assigned the final grade of "FX" at the end of the
semester. Students who stop attending classes will receive a grade of "FX", compared
to an earned grade of "F" which is due to poor performance. If you are on financial aid
or an F1 student, you may be particularly affected and could forfeit your financial aid or
be out of compliance, and have your F1 status revoked. Please note that HCC will not
disperse financial aid funding for students who have never attended class. Students
who receive financial aid but fail to attend class will be reported to the Department of
Education and may have to pay back their aid. A grade of "FX" is treated exactly the
same as a grade of "F" in terms of GPA, probation, suspension, and satisfactory
academic progress. These are serious consequences, and it is your responsibility to
maintain required attendance. Check with your instructor about specific attendance
policies. See Student Handbook for more details on class attendance.
GPA: 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.
Course Repeat Policy:
Students who repeat a course for a third time or more time will be charged a tuition/fee
increase of $50/credit hour at HCCS and other Texas public colleges and universities.
Please contact your counselor or me for tutoring/other assistance prior to considering
course withdrawal or if you are not receiving passing grades.
ISSUANCE OF EXAM GRADES:
Grades will be posted on the Internet as soon as possible. You can check your final
grade on the web site www.hccs.edu OR call toll free 1-877-341-4300. The HCC system
office will no longer mail the transcripts to you.
TITLE 9: HCC is committed to provide a learning and working environment that is free
from discrimination on the basis of sex which includes all forms of sexual misconduct.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires that when a complaint is filed, a
prompt and thorough investigation is initiated. Complaints may be filed with the HCC
Title IX Coordinator available at 713 718-8271 or email at oie@hccs.edu.
INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS: As your Instructor, it is my responsibility to:






Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student
grades are to be derived
Facilitate an effective learning environment through class activities, discussions,
and lectures
Description of any special projects or assignments
Inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, tardiness and make
up
Provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a description of
any special projects or assignments
Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required
STUDENT REQUIREMENTS:
To be successful in this class, it is the student’s responsibility to:
 Attend class and participate in class discussions and activities
 Read and comprehend the textbook and lab manual
 Login to Eagle online to access course material and check for updates at least
weekly (preferably daily)
 Complete the required assignments and exams:
 Ask for help when there is a question or problem
 Keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and all
assignments
 Complete the course with a minimum of a passing score
IMPORTANT DATES
August 26th
Classes begin
September 8th
Official Date of Record
October 31st
Last Day for Administrative/Student Withdrawal
(4.30 PM)
December 7th
December 15
Instruction ends
th
Grades available to Students
PERSONAL MESSAGE TO STUDENTS: I am excited to have the opportunity to teach
at HCC! I have more than twenty years’ experience as a biologist, reflecting a career
focused on innovative molecular biology research, management of undergraduate
educational training programs, and teaching. Throughout my career, I have always
availed of the opportunity to mentor students in whatever capacity I can, an activity I find
extremely rewarding. With your help and commitment, it is my hope that each of you will
gain a strong background in Biology, embrace a life-long love of learning and be
equipped with the critical thinking and problem solving skills necessary to thrive in a
world increasingly driven by science, innovation and technology.
Good-luck! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions