Fall 2022 Course Syllabus
Course: BIOL-1309 (Section: 71, CRN: 92776)
Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lecture) 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Leah Alsibaa
Email trahanla@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6332
Office Educational I - Room: 131
Office Hours MWF 11am-12pm, T 9am-1:30pm, Th 9am-11am and 12:30pm-1:30pm
Additional Contact Information None
Course Information
Description This course will provide a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including evolution, ecology, plant and animal diversity, and physiology.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

OpenStax Free online textbook: Biology 2e

https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-2e

Optional: ISBN-13: 978-1-50669-985-1
Additional Materials/Resources Laptop Computer
Corequisites/Prerequisites TSI complete in reading

Corequisite(s):  BIOL 1108 Biology for Non-Science Majors I (lab section)
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell structures.

2. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.

3. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes, enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.

4. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results.

5. Describe karyotyping, pedigrees, and biotechnology and provide an example of the uses of each.

6. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.

7. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.  
Core Objectives PSLO Alpha: Reading Skills-Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material.

PSLO 1: Critical Thinking Skills-Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.

PSLO 2: Communication Skills-Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication.

PSLO 3: Empirical and Quantitative Skills-Applies the manipulation and/or analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.

PSLO 4: Teamwork Skills-Shows the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
 
Lecture Topics Outline
 
Laboratory introduction
 
 
Unit 1: Basic Chemistry of Life
 
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Life on Earth
 
Chapter 2 - The Chemistry of Life
 
Chapter 6 - Energy and Metabolism
 
Chapter 3 - Biological Molecules
 
 
Unit 2: Cellular functions
 
Chapter 4 - Cell Structure and Function
 
Chapter 5 - Plasma Membrane
 
Chapter 9 - Cell Communication
 
Chapter 8/7 - Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
 
 
Unit 3: Genetic Basics
 
Chapter 10/11 -  The Cell Cycle and Meiosis
 
Chapter 12/13 - Mendel Heredity and Inheritance
 
Chapter 14/15 - DNA, Genes, and Proteins
 
Chapter 16/17 - Gene Expression and Biotechnology
 
 
Unit 4: Evolution
 
Chapter 19 - Population Genetics
 
Chapter 18 - Natural Selection and Evolution
 
Chapter 20 - Phylogeny and the History of Life & Cumulative Review
Major Assignments Schedule

Deadline to complete course introduction: Aug 26, 2022

Test 1:Sep 16, 2022

Test 2: Oct 14, 2022

Test 3: Nov 11, 2022

Test 4: Dec 2, 2022

Project: Dec 5, 2022

Final: Dec 7, 2022


CALENDAR
Final Exam Date December 7, 2022 - 12:1 AM   Through  December 7, 2022 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade

25 % - Assignments

15% - Team Project

60% - Tests
________________________

100% Total


Deadlines are Final, NO extensions will be granted for any reason

If an assignment or exam is missed, you will earn a score of zero (0)

The Final Exam will be cumulative and will replace your lowest Test Grade
 
Course Policies
Instructor Policies

All Email Communication must come from an @lamarpa.edu email address

I will not discuss your grade via email and will require a meeting via cranium cafe

Assignments are assigned on Monday and Due on Friday of each week. Holidays and outages will be taken into consideration but generally do not affect this schedule. All work is due by Friday at 11:59 PM. If there is any issue or questions about assignments please contact me BEFORE Friday. Assignments will be accepted until Sunday at 11:59 pm for a small penalty.

There will be no dropped or replaced grades. Any assignments or exams not completed by the end of the availability date will receive a grade of (0) zero.

Exam dates are set. Exams will be open at midnight and closed at 11:59 PM on the assigned date. You will need to schedule time to be available for exams during this time. All exams will be given online, in your own time, but will be monitored via Respondus Monitoring. For more information about respondus monitoring exams, please see the exam instructions.

Extensions will NOT be granted for any reason.

The Final exam will be cumulative and will replace your lowest test grade.

Teamwork is a required part of this course and accounts for 15% of your grade. You must work on your group work throughout the semester in the team folder. If you have any questions regarding teamwork please refer to the team work folder in blackboard.

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students caught cheating during an exam or plagiarizing during the written assignments will receive a zero for that assignment. Repeat offenses may result in expulsion from the course.

Class disruptions will be dealt with on a case by case basis, but students may be asked to complete the course online to better serve that student’s needs.

Posing a danger to yourself or others during class, inciting fear to classmates, or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in expulsion from the course.
 
Attendance Policy

This course will have weekly assignments and announcements via Blackboard. Please log in on Day 1 of class. Checking email and Blackboard Often will help to keep up to date on assignments and communication.

Class attendance is taken daily. Class participation is mandatory and will also be reflected with a cumulative daily grade at the end of the semester.

It is YOUR responsibility to have a RELIABLE computer and Internet access for the duration of this course. If you do not have a home computer or laptop, the school provides computer access in the library computer lab as well as in the Student Success Center lab.
Additional Information

Last day to drop without Penalty Sept 26th

Last day to drop with Penalty Nov 17th

School Holiday November 23rd-25th

All Grades are Final on Dec 7, 2022 at Midnight

Free tutoring services are provided by the school via study.com link in Blackboard.

Tutoring services are also offered by Title VI services in the Ruby Fuller Building.

If you have any issues or questions, you can attend office hours, or email me at any time.
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been exposed to COVID 19 or diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition on the COVID 19 Notification Form (available via a link on the Student Code of Conduct COVID19 webpage). This information will be provided to the Dean of Student Services. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Dr. Michelle Davis
Email:davisml1@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6341