Spring 2026 Course Syllabus
Course: BIOL-1109 (Section: 3D, CRN: 11721)
Biology for Non-Science Majors II Laboratory 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Aaron Figueroa
Email figueroaa9@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6235
Office Educational I - Room:
Office Hours Office Hours: M-Th 11:10-12:00pm, M,W 1:40-340pm. Friday 10am -12pm or by appointment.">Office Hours: M-Th 11:10-12:00pm, M,W 1:40-340pm. Friday 10am -12pm or by appointment.
Additional Contact Information Student communications will be answered during regular business hours and within 3 business days of receipt when at all possible. While I recognize that course concerns often feel urgent at the time, remember that your email will be time-stamped and there is very little about our course that cannot be fixed if we pause the situation until the regular work day.
Course Information
Description This laboratory-based course accompanies BIOL 1309, Biology for Non-Science Majors II. Laboratory activities will reinforce 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

Lab Activities will be provided by instructor and will be posted on BlackBoard
Additional Materials/Resources Laptop computer. 
Corequisites/Prerequisites TSI complete in reading

Corequisite(s): BIOL 1309 (Lecture Section)">TSI complete in reading

Corequisite(s): BIOL 1309 (Lecture Section)
Learning Outcomes 1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data. 

2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory. 

3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations. 

4. Define modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, micro and macroevolution, and speciation. 

5. Describe phylogenetic relationships and classification schemes. 

6. 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. 

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

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

9. Illustrate the relationship between major geologic change, extinctions, and evolutionary trends.
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 Lab 1- Natural Selection & Hardy Weinberg
Lab 2 – Binomial Nomenclature and Prokaryotes – Bacteria: Microscopic Observation
Lab 3 – Protist
Lab 4 – Plant Diversity – Flower Dissection
Lab 5 – Animal Diversity –
Lab 6 –Human Musculoskeletal system
Lab 7 – Cardiovascular System- 
Lab 8 – Digestion and Excretion
Lab 9 – Nervous System – 
Lab 10-Special Senses
Major Assignments Schedule Midterm Lab Practical - 3/2/26
Final Lab Practical - 4/20/26
Herbarium Group Project - 5/4/2026



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).
Final Exam Date April 20, 2026 - 8:1 AM
Grading Scale  90 - 100 = A     80 - 89 = B     70 - 79 = C     60 - 69 = D     Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade		 The final grade will be determined out of a total of 500 points. There will be 2 lab practical exams for a total of 200 points, lab assignments for a total of 200 points and a Herbarium Group Project worth 100 points. 

Grade Calculation:

Final Grade = (Midterm Practical + Final Practical +  Lab Assignments + Herbarium Group Project)/500 *100%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies
  • Respect yourself and your classmates.
  • All home assignments are due at the beginning of the following class period prior to lecture. All homework covers content that will be covered in lecture prior to delivery of lecture over said content. 
  • No late assignments are accepted. 
  • There are no make up exams without prior notification of absence. 
  • Students must ask permission to leave class.
  • NO CELLPHONES, WATCHES, OR ELECTRONIC DEVICES (other than those allowed by instructor) are allowed during class and during exams. 
  • Grades will only be discussed in person
  • Any instance of academic dishonest will result in a 0 on the assignment/exam on the first offense and an F in the course on any subsequent offense. 
Attendance Policy Absences, Tardiness, and Make-ups: Attendance is required, and punctuality is expected. You are responsible for all materials covered in class. If you quit coming to class and do not officially drop, your grades will be averaged, and you will receive the grade represented by this average. The administrative details are your responsibility (You must officially drop the course).
Additional Information
  • Please follow all 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