Fall 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: BIOL-1308 (Section: 1C, CRN: 93235)
Biology for Non-Science Majors 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Dr. Percy Jordan
Email jordanpj@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6335
Office Student Center - Room: 412
Office Hours Correctional Education students will be able to speak with the instructor when class meets or may send a correspondence.
Additional Contact Information
Course Information
Description Provides a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including chemistry of life, cells, structure, function, and reproduction. Laboratory activities will reinforce a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including chemistry of life, cells, structure, function, and reproduction.
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.

Instructor will provide all necessary handouts/worksheets.
Additional Materials/Resources None.
Corequisites/Prerequisites TSI complete in reading
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
  • Locate explicit textual information, draw complex inferences, and describe, analyze, and evaluate the information within and across multiple texts of varying length.
  • Comprehend and use vocabulary effectively in oral communication, reading, and writing. Identify and analyze the audience, purpose, and message across a variety of texts.
  • Describe and apply insights gained from reading and writing a variety of texts.
  • Compose a variety of texts that demonstrate reading comprehension, clear focus, logical development of ideas, and use of appropriate language that advance the writer’s purpose.
  • Determine and use effective approaches and rhetorical strategies for given reading and writing situations.
  • Generate ideas and gather information relevant to the topic and purpose, incorporating the ideas and words of other writers in student writing using established strategies.
  • Evaluate relevance and quality of ideas and information in recognizing, formulating, and developing a claim.
  • Develop and use effective reading and revision strategies to strengthen the writer’s ability to compose college-level writing assignments.
  • Recognize and apply the conventions of standard English in reading and writing.  
Core Objectives

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


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


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


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

Unit 1: Basic Chemistry of Life
Chapter 1- The Study of Life

Chapter 2 - The Chemistry of Life

Chapter 6 - Energy and Metabolism

Chapter 3 - Biological Molecules
Chapter Review Questions for Unit 1 are due on 10/3/24.
 

Unit 2: Cellular functions

Chapter 4 - Cell Structure and Function

Chapter 5 - Plasma Membrane

Chapter 9 - Cell Communication

 

Chapter 8/7 - Cellular Respiration
Chapter Review Questions for Unit 2 are due on 10/31/24.
 

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 Regulation and Biotechnology
Chapter Review Questions for Unit 3 are due on 11/21/24

Unit 4: Cumulative Review
There are NO Chapter Review Questions for Unit 4.
Major Assignments Schedule

Unit 1 Test: 10/3/2024 

Unit 2 Test: 10/31/2024 

Unit 3 Test: 11/21/2024 

Lecture Project: 12/5/2024

Final Exam: 12/5/2024
Final Exam Date December 5, 2024 - 5:00 PM   Through  December 5, 2024 - 7:0 PM
Grading Scale 90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D     Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade


20% Assignments (Chapter Review Questions; 100 points)

80% Exams and Final (400 points)
Lecture Project (Bonus Assignment; 10 points)

________________________

100% Total (500 Points)
Course Policies
Instructor Policies
  • Respect yourself and your classmates.
  • Any take home assignments are due the following class period. 
  • No late assignments are accepted. 
  • There are no make up exams without prior notification of absence. 
  • Students should not leave class without permission.
Attendance Policy Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success. A student with three or more absence may be dropped from the class.
Additional Information
  • Please follow all location rules. 
  • Late assignments are not accepted
  • No make-up exams without proper notification and/or written excuse.
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 diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 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. Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431