Faculty Syllabus
BIOL-1406 Cellular and Molecular Biology
Charles Bernhard
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
BIOL-1406-015 (15488)
LEC MW 4:30pm - 5:50pm RRC RRC8 8306.00
LAB W 6:00pm - 8:50pm RRC RRC8 8315.00
BIOL-1406-026 (49038)
LEC RRC ONL DIL
LAB W 12:00pm - 2:50pm RRC RRC8 8315.00
Course Requirements
Required Texts and Materials
- Lab gear 1: Safety glasses/goggles with Z87.1 rating You can buy these at the ACC bookstores or even cheaper at HEB, Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon, etc.
- Lab gear 2: Closed-toe shoes. If you drive to campus, consider keeping a pair in your trunk if possible.
- Broadband internet connection
- Choose 1 of the 2 textbook options below (pick a or b):
- Free Biology 2e from OpenStax™ (“OS” in the schedule): https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-2e
- Biology (10th, 11th, or 12th edition), Campbell et al. Pearson publishing Co. (“C” in the schedule) Available in Online bookstores, ACC/ University Co-Op or other bookstores. The latest edition or additional materials from this book are not needed. Cheaper used, electronic, and international edition books are encouraged.
BIOL 1406 Lab handouts are available for free on Blackboard. Please use the version posted on Blackboard. There are multiple versions we will NOT use.
Readings
Course Schedule Overview: Spring 2026
Course: BIOL 1406-015 M/W RRC F2F
Instructor: Bernhard
Lecture Location: RRC8 8306
Lecture Time: Mondays & Wednesdays, 4:30 PM – 5:50 PM
Lab Location: RRC8 8315
Lab Time: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM – 8:50 PM
Important Student Reminders
- Time Management: Students are expected to set personal deadlines. Do not attempt to complete all assignments on Sunday.
- Tentative Schedule: This schedule is subject to change; updates will be announced on Blackboard.
- Textbook Key: choose 1 of the 2 textbook options to read:
- C: Campbell Biology.
- OS: OpenStax Biology 2e.
Unit 1: The Chemistry of Life
|
Week |
Dates |
Lectures & Topics |
Chapter Readings |
Lab Activity (Wednesdays at 6 - 8:50 PM in RRC 8315) |
Assignments Due Sunday by 11:59 PM (Blackboard) |
|
1 |
Jan 19 – Jan 25 |
|
|
Lab 0: Spreadsheets Activity |
|
|
2 |
Jan 26 – Feb 1 |
|
|
Lab 1: Collecting & Analyzing Data & Lab Safety |
|
|
3 |
Feb 2 – Feb 8 |
|
|
Lab 2: Preparing Solutions |
|
|
4 |
Feb 9 – Feb 15 |
|
|
Lab 3: pH & Buffers |
|
|
5 |
Feb 16 – Feb 22 |
|
N/A |
Lab 4: Microscopes & Cell Structure |
|
Unit 2: The Cell & Energy
|
Week |
Dates |
Lectures & Topics |
Chapter Readings |
Lab Activity (Wednesdays at 6 - 8:50 PM in RRC 8315) |
Assignments Due Sunday by 11:59 PM (Blackboard) |
|
6 |
Feb 23 – Mar 1 |
|
|
Lab 5: Diffusion & Osmosis |
|
|
7 |
Mar 2 – Mar 8 |
|
|
Lab 6: Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity |
|
|
8 |
Mar 9 – Mar 15 |
|
|
Wed: Lab Exam 1 |
|
|
— |
Mar 16 – Mar 22 |
|
N/A |
No Lab |
N/A |
Unit 3: Genetics & Molecular Biology
|
Week |
Dates |
Lectures & Topics |
Chapter Readings |
Lab Activity (Wednesdays at 6 - 8:50 PM in RRC 8315) |
Assignments Due Sunday by 11:59 PM (Blackboard) |
|
9 |
Mar 23 – Mar 29 |
|
|
Lab 7: Thin Layer Chromatography |
|
|
10 |
Mar 30 – Apr 5 |
|
|
Lab 8.1: Purification of GFP & BFP |
|
|
11 |
Apr 6 – Apr 12 |
|
N/A |
Lab 8.2: SDS-PAGE |
|
Unit 4: Gene Expression, Viruses, & Biotechnology
|
Week |
Dates |
Lectures & Topics |
Chapter Readings |
Lab Activity (Wednesdays at 6 - 8:50 PM in RRC 8315) |
Assignments Due Sunday by 11:59 PM (Blackboard) |
|
12 |
Apr 13 – Apr 19 |
|
|
Lab 8.3: SDS-PAGE Analysis; Partner Presentations Begin |
|
|
13 |
Apr 20 – Apr 26 |
|
|
Lab 9.1: GMO foods PCR Cont. Partner Presentations |
|
|
14 |
Apr 27 – May 3 |
|
|
Lab 9.2: Agarose Gel Electrophoresis Cont. Partner Presentations |
|
|
15 |
May 4 – May 10 |
|
|
Wed: Lab Exam 2; Cont. Partner Presentations if necessary |
|
|
16 |
May 11 – May 17 |
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Course Subjects
Course Schedule Overview: Spring 2026
Course: BIOL 1406-015 M/W RRC F2F
Instructor: Bernhard
Lecture Location: RRC8 8306
Lecture Time: Mondays & Wednesdays, 4:30 PM – 5:50 PM
Lab Location: RRC8 8315
Lab Time: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM – 8:50 PM
Important Student Reminders
- Time Management: Students are expected to set personal deadlines. Do not attempt to complete all assignments on Sunday.
- Tentative Schedule: This schedule is subject to change; updates will be announced on Blackboard.
- Textbook Key: choose 1 of the 2 textbook options to read:
- C: Campbell Biology.
- OS: OpenStax Biology 2e.
Unit 1: The Chemistry of Life
|
Week |
Dates |
Lectures & Topics |
Chapter Readings |
Lab Activity (Wednesdays at 6 - 8:50 PM in RRC 8315) |
Assignments Due Sunday by 11:59 PM (Blackboard) |
|
1 |
Jan 19 – Jan 25 |
|
|
Lab 0: Spreadsheets Activity |
|
|
2 |
Jan 26 – Feb 1 |
|
|
Lab 1: Collecting & Analyzing Data & Lab Safety |
|
|
3 |
Feb 2 – Feb 8 |
|
|
Lab 2: Preparing Solutions |
|
|
4 |
Feb 9 – Feb 15 |
|
|
Lab 3: pH & Buffers |
|
|
5 |
Feb 16 – Feb 22 |
|
N/A |
Lab 4: Microscopes & Cell Structure |
|
Unit 2: The Cell & Energy
|
Week |
Dates |
Lectures & Topics |
Chapter Readings |
Lab Activity (Wednesdays at 6 - 8:50 PM in RRC 8315) |
Assignments Due Sunday by 11:59 PM (Blackboard) |
|
6 |
Feb 23 – Mar 1 |
|
|
Lab 5: Diffusion & Osmosis |
|
|
7 |
Mar 2 – Mar 8 |
|
|
Lab 6: Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity |
|
|
8 |
Mar 9 – Mar 15 |
|
|
Wed: Lab Exam 1 |
|
|
— |
Mar 16 – Mar 22 |
|
N/A |
No Lab |
N/A |
Unit 3: Genetics & Molecular Biology
|
Week |
Dates |
Lectures & Topics |
Chapter Readings |
Lab Activity (Wednesdays at 6 - 8:50 PM in RRC 8315) |
Assignments Due Sunday by 11:59 PM (Blackboard) |
|
9 |
Mar 23 – Mar 29 |
|
|
Lab 7: Thin Layer Chromatography |
|
|
10 |
Mar 30 – Apr 5 |
|
|
Lab 8.1: Purification of GFP & BFP |
|
|
11 |
Apr 6 – Apr 12 |
|
N/A |
Lab 8.2: SDS-PAGE |
|
Unit 4: Gene Expression, Viruses, & Biotechnology
|
Week |
Dates |
Lectures & Topics |
Chapter Readings |
Lab Activity (Wednesdays at 6 - 8:50 PM in RRC 8315) |
Assignments Due Sunday by 11:59 PM (Blackboard) |
|
12 |
Apr 13 – Apr 19 |
|
|
Lab 8.3: SDS-PAGE Analysis; Partner Presentations Begin |
|
|
13 |
Apr 20 – Apr 26 |
|
|
Lab 9.1: GMO foods PCR Cont. Partner Presentations |
|
|
14 |
Apr 27 – May 3 |
|
|
Lab 9.2: Agarose Gel Electrophoresis Cont. Partner Presentations |
|
|
15 |
May 4 – May 10 |
|
|
Wed: Lab Exam 2; Cont. Partner Presentations if necessary |
|
|
16 |
May 11 – May 17 |
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
COURSE RATIONALE
Biology 1406 is a major’s level course for those who wish to pursue careers in biology, biotechnology, the health sciences, and other related fields. There are four units that will be explored during the semester:
1) The chemistry of living organisms including the structure of atoms and molecules, pH, the macromolecules of living organisms, and energetics, enzymes and enzymatic pathways.
2) The structure and function of cells including the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, the eukaryotic organelles and biological membranes and intercellular communication.
3) Nucleic acids including mitosis and meiosis, DNA structure and replication, RNA transcription and translation, and gene regulation.
4) DNA technology, viruses, Mendelian genetics, molecular genetics, and Darwinian evolution.
Skills Requirements
Reading, writing, and mathematics proficiency determined by the COMPASS or ASSET test, by the statewide THEA test, or by providing an official transcript from another college.
Course Prerequisites
One year of high school chemistry or one semester of college chemistry and two years of high school algebra or MATD 0390 required.
Student Learning Outcomes / Course-Level
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
- Identify the 4 classes of macromolecules, their monomers, and their functions in cells.
- Describe the structures and functions of cell organelles.
- Discuss energy transfer, enzyme function and the pathways of cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
- Describe prokaryotic binary fission, the eukaryotic cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis.
- Identify DNA structure and replication, transcription, translation and gene expression.
- Solve problems in Mendelian genetics, including multiple alleles and X-linkage along with the Laws of Segregation and Independent Assortment.
- Describe modern biotechnological techniques and their impacts on society.
Program-Level Outcomes
As a required course for an Associate of Science in Biology, students will be able to:
- Compare the structure and function of cells.
- Describe the chemical basis of life including the importance of water, gases and macromolecules.
- Explain energy movement, enzyme structure and function, respiration and photosynthesis.
- Illustrate DNA structure and replication, protein synthesis, mutations and genetic analysis.
General Education Objectives
As a Core Curriculum course, students completing this course will demonstrate competence in:
- Critical Thinking - Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information.
- Interpersonal Skills - Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.
- Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning - Applying mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods.
- Written, Oral and Visual Communication - Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
Office Hours
M 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Zoom Meeting Room
NOTE Additional appointments available with sufficient notice.Published: 01/11/2026 10:17:14