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Spring 2026 Course Syllabus
Course: BIOL-1309 (Section: 4D, CRN: 11722) Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lecture) |
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| Instructor Information | |||||||||
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| Instructor | Aaron Figueroa | ||||||||
| 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 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 |
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| Additional Materials/Resources | Functional Laptop device | ||||||||
| Corequisites/Prerequisites |
Recommended co-requisite: BIOL 1109 Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lab)
"> Recommended co-requisite: BIOL 1109 Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lab) |
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| 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. |
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| Core Objectives |
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| Lecture Topics Outline |
Unit 4: Evolution Chapter 19 - Population Genetics Chapter 18 - Natural Selection and Evolution Chapter 20 - Phylogeny and History of Life
Chapter 21/22 - Viruses and Prokaryotes Chapter 23/24 - Protists and Fungi Chapter 25/26 - Plant Diversity Chapter 27/28/29 - Animal Diversity
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 |
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| Major Assignments Schedule |
Tentative Exam schedule: Week of Exam |
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| Final Exam Date | May 4, 2026 - 8:10 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 700 points. There will be 4 lecture exams for a total of 400 points, Homework assignments for a total of 200 points and a Group Project for a total of 100 points. Grade calculation Final Grade = (E1+E2+E3+E4+Homeowork+Group Project)/700 *100%
If an assignment or exam is missed, you will earn a score of zero (0). |
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| Course Policies | |||||||||
| Instructor Policies |
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| 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). |
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| Additional Information |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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