Spring 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: BIOL-1309 (Section: 1C, CRN: 11186)
Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lecture) 		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 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

Optional: ISBN-13: 978-1-50669-985-1
Additional Materials/Resources None.
Corequisites/Prerequisites Recommended co-requisite: BIOL 1109 Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lab)
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
  • Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.
  • Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.
  • Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
  • Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.
Lecture Topics Outline

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

Unit 4 Test : 2/24/2025 

Unit 5 Test : 3/31/2025 

Unit 7 Test : 4/28/2025

Lec Project: 4/28/2025

Final Exam: 5/12/2025 
Final Exam Date May 12, 2025 - 6:00 PM   Through  May 12, 2025 - 7:30 PM
Grading Scale 90 - 100=A 
80 - 89=B  
70 - 79=C   
60 - 69=D  
Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade

100% Exams and Final


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
  • 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 Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. 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