Spring 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: BIOL-1309 (Section: 71Z, CRN: 10547)
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 Education Annex Room 109

- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MTWTh
- 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM MTWTh

scheduled Via ConnexED
Additional Contact Information Meetings must be scheduled Via ConexEd for both video conference and face to face meetings
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

link to TEXT BOOK

Optional: ISBN-13: 978-1-50669-985-1
Additional Materials/Resources

Laptop Computer (with webcam)

Respondus Lockdown Browser (Free Download)


Computer mouse (for drag and drop HW)


Apps used regularly in class:

Genially

Pear Deck

Quizizz

Flipgrid

Blooket/Quizlet

Google Suite
Corequisites/Prerequisites TSI complete in reading

 


Suggested: BIOL 1308 Biology 1


Corequisite(s):  BIOL 1109 Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lab section)
Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 

1. Describe modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, micro and macroevolution, and speciation. 

2. Describe phylogenetic relationships and classification schemes. 

3. Identify the major phyla of life with an emphasis on plants and animals, including the basis for classification, structural and physiological adaptations, evolutionary history, and ecological significance. 

4. Describe basic animal physiology and homeostasis as maintained by organ systems. 

5. Compare different sexual and asexual life cycles noting their adaptive advantages. 

6. Illustrate the relationship between major geologic change, extinctions, and evolutionary trends. 
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

Course introduction

Classroom Policy/Expectations and Navigating Blackboard


Unit 4: Evolution

Chapter 19 - Population Genetics

Chapter 18 - Natural Selection and Evolution

Chapter 20 - Phylogeny and History of Life


Unit 5: BioDiversity

Chapter 21/22 - Viruses and Prokaryotes

Chapter 23/24 - Protists and Fungi

Chapter 25/26 - Plant Diversity

Chapter 27/28/29 - Animal Diversity


Unit 7: Animal Physiology

Chapter 39/40 - Respiration and Circulation

Chapter 33/38 - Movement and Structure

Chapter 34/41 - Digestion and Excretion

Chapter 35/36 - Nervous System and Senses


Cumulative Review
Major Assignments Schedule

Deadline to complete course introduction: 1/19/2024

Unit 4 Test : 2/16/2024 

Unit 5 Test : 3/29/2024 

Unit 7 Test : 5/3/2024

Lec Project: 5/6/2024

Final Exam: 5/8/2024 


Assignments and exam must be completed online by 5:00 PM on the due date listed


link to Lec CALENDAR
Final Exam Date May 8, 2024 - 12:1 AM   Through  May 8, 2024 - 5:0 PM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade

10% Participation

20% Team Project

30% Assignments (Weekly Quiz)

40% Exams and Final

________________________

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).
Course Policies
Instructor Policies

All Email Communication must come from an @lamarpa.edu email address from the student enrolled in this course. I am unable to respond to any emails from outside parties. Concerned parents may contact my supervisor.


Instructor will respond to emails through official avenues only, this includes office phone, lamarpa.edu email and ConnexED messages and meeting requests.
DO NOT add or message your instructor on ANY social media platform.
DO NOT call or text your instructor on a personal line, this information is not readily available to the public and will be considered Stalking.


Emails Must contain the students name, class section, and a detailed description of their question written in complete sentences. Please include screenshots when appropriate.

I will not discuss your grade via email, and will require a meeting via ConnexED.
 

Instructor will respond to emails in the order they are received. Instructor will not be available to respond to emails outside of regular working hours (9am-4pm M-F). Emails sent outside of these hours may take up to two business days for a response. 


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 5 PM. If there is any issue or questions about assignments please contact me BEFORE Friday.
There will be no dropped or replaced grades. 


Exam dates are set. Exams will be open upon completion of unit assignments and closed at 05:00 PM on the assigned date. You will need to schedule 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. Respondus Monitor is a REQUIRED part of the course, and is available for download for free in blackboard. For more information about respondus monitoring exams, please see the exam instructions in Blackboard. If you wish to opt out of Respondus Monitor, you must take your assignment in the student testing center by appointment only.

The Final Exam will be cumulative.


Extensions will NOT be granted for any reason. 

Any assignments or exams not completed by the end of the availability date will receive a grade of (0) zero. Deadlines will not be extended due to personal or technical issues. 


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.


Teamwork is a required part of this course and accounts for 20% 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 participation is mandatory and will also be reflected as 10% of your overall grade.

Attendance and participation will be measured weekly for online courses by assessing log-in dates and participation in certain assignments and discussion boards.


Face to face classes start promptly at the scheduled time. Students must be ready to begin at the specified time. Tardiness will not be tolerated, and the door will be locked exactly at class start time. No students will be admitted entrance to the classroom past the scheduled start time, this includes if a student leaves during class for any reason.

Additional Information

1st Day of Class - 1/16/2024


Last day to register/change classes - 1/31/2024 

Last day to Opt out Book Bundle - 1/31/2024 

Last day to drop without Academic Penalty - 2/26/2024 

Last day to drop with Academic Penalty       - 4/12/2024


All Grades are Final on 5/9/2024 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.


Support Services are offered to students via Student services, Title V, and the SeaHawk Pantry


Microsoft Office 365 suite is available to students Free of Charge


Blackboard and Respondus Monitoring Issues should be referred to the 24/7 Blackboard Hotline Provided by SHSU, link can be found in Blackboard or use the contact below:

24/7 Blackboard Help Hotline 

Tel:+19362942780

blackboard@shsu.edu


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 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:Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431