biology for non-science majors ii 2015 syllabus for winter ... · biol 1409 biology for non...

Disclaimer – It is the responsibility of the student to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the course schedule/content. The instructor, North Lake College and the Dallas County Community College District will be held blameless should the course schedule or content be changed.

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NORTH LAKE COLLEGE 5001 N. MacArthur Blvd. Irving, Texas 75038-3899 DALLAS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

Biology for Non-Science Majors II

2015 Syllabus for Winter 2015-2016 (Dec 18-Jan 16)

Science Learning Center: P333, 972-273-3273, Call for open hours

This course syllabus is intended as a set of guidelines for Biology for Non-Majors II. Both North Lake College and your instructor reserve the right to make modifications in content, schedule, and requirements as necessary to promote the best education possible within prevailing conditions affecting this course.

Instructor Information: Mrs. Amy Bridges, B.S., M.Ed. [email protected]

Course Information: Course title: Biology II for Non-Majors Course number: 1409 Section number: 72428, 92401 Credit hours: 4 Class meeting time: Online Course, Open Course prerequisites: One of the following must be met: (1) Developmental Reading 0093 AND Developmental Writing 0093; (2) English as a Second Language (ESOL) 0044 AND 0054; or (3) have met Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Reading and Writing standards AND DCCCD Writing score prerequisite requirement. If these requirements have been met there are no other prerequisites. Course description: Presentation of biological concepts for the non-science major. Emphasis will be on classical and current concepts pertaining to evolutionary and behavioral adaptations, biological diversity, ecology, form & function of organisms.

Required Textbook and Access: 1. Lecture – Purchase your textbook from North Lake bookstore or www.efollett.com:

Biology: Concepts & Apps 1409 (w/Mindtap)(Custom) : 9th by Starr New customized edition: Biology: Concepts & Applications, 9th edition by Starr ISBN-13 978-1-305-02939-2 or

ISBN-10 1-305-02939-9 Old customized edition: Biology: Concepts & Applications, 8th edition by Starr ISBN-13 978-1-133-23379-4 or

ISBN-10 1-133-23379-1 2. Lab - Purchase the online lab access called: Totally Online Basic BIOL 1409 - Biology II : 3rd by Shelp at

North Lake bookstore, and register your access at www.biolabmanual.com .

http://www.efollett.com/

https://www.bkstr.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CourseMaterialsResultsView?storeId=230907&orderItemStoreId=230907&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&courseId_1=47914501&demoKey=d&categoryId=9604

https://www.bkstr.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CourseMaterialsResultsView?storeId=230907&orderItemStoreId=230907&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&courseId_1=47914501&demoKey=d&categoryId=9604

http://www.biolabmanual.com/


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Program-Level Objectives for BIOL 1409: BIOL 1409 develops the following objectives from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board:

- Communications: Written

- Communications: Visual

- Critical Thinking

- Empirical & Quantitative Skills

Course Objectives:

The goal of this course is to prepare the student to be an informed and educated citizen. The course will fulfill requirements for the student that is majoring in fields other than the biological sciences. See the Course Outcomes, Exemplary Educational Objectives and the Core Curriculum Intellectual Competencies at the end of the syllabus.

Course Outline:

Unit Chapter Test or Exam Content

Textbook Chapters & Topics (8th edition)

Corresponding Labs

1 Test 1 16, 17, 40, 42: Evolutionary & Behavioral Adaptations, Population Ecology

Lab 1 Taxonomy Lab 2 Ecology Concepts Lab 3 Population Ecology

2 Test 2 32, 33, 36, 34: Organisms: Movement, Digestion, Circulation, & Immunity

Lab 5 Bones and Muscles Lab 6 Digestion Lab 7 Circulation Lab 8 Immunity

3 Test 3 35, 37, 38, 29: Organisms: Respiration, Internal Environment, Reproduction/Development, & Neural Control

Lab 9 Respiration Lab 10 Urogenital Lab 11 Nervous System

Major Exams: 2 Lab Practicals #1: Labs 1-6 (omitting lab 4) #2: Labs 7-11 (omitting lab 12) 1 Comprehensive Final Exam (covering all chapters)


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Evaluation Procedures: Exams and Assignments: Every assessment/assignment is worth a particular number of points toward your total point score.

Item Points Per Number of Items Total Points

Chapter Tests 50 3 150 points

Laboratory Quizzes 10 10 100 points

Laboratory Practicals 40 2 80 points

Essays 20 2 40 points

Discussion Boards 5 2 10 points

Final Exam 1 70 70 points

Total 450 points

Grading Scale:

Grade Points Percentages

A 405-450 90 – 100

B 360-404 80 – 89

C 315-359 70 – 79

D 270-314 60 – 69

F 000-269 0 – 59

Student Learning Outcomes: (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board) BIOL 1409 Biology for Non-Science Majors II (lecture + lab) This course will provide a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including evolution, ecology, plant and animal diversity, and physiology.

Student Learning Outcomes (lecture): 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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Student Learning Outcomes (lab): Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 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.

Specific Learning Activities: Student Learning Outcomes: Biological Science 1409 1. Chapter Tests. Six timed online multiple choice tests worth 50 points will be given over the content of

both textbook reading and laboratory. 2. Laboratory. Twelve labs will coordinate with the text material. When you complete each lab, submit your

lab report to your instructor. 3. Laboratory Practicals. Two lab practicals worth 40 points each will be given during the semester. The first

Lab Practical will cover the content of labs 1-6 and the second Lab Practical will cover content of labs 7-12. Laboratory understanding, critical thinking skills, and the ability to interpret data will be evaluated.

4. Essays. Three times during the semester the usual text reading and laboratory procedure will be replaced with an activity that will relate the textbook biology to the world around you. The essay may or may not consist of selected topics and websites, television programs, assigned movies, and other opportunities.

Each special event will count 20 points. 5. Discussion Boards. Four times during the semester group interaction activities will give students the

opportunity to discuss issues related to topics in the course. Each discussion will count 5 points. 6. Midterm Exam. A comprehensive, 60-question multiple choice exam covering the major objectives of the

first half of the semester will be given. 7. Final Exam. A comprehensive, 60-question multiple choice exam covering the major objectives of the

second half of the semester will be given. 8. Late Policy. Late work with a documented medical or legal excuse will count for credit. Late work without

documentation will not receive credit.


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INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES

DROP POLICY

If you are unable to complete this course, you must officially withdraw by January 16, 2016. Withdrawing is a

formal procedure which you must initiate; your instructor cannot do it for you. All Dallas County Community

Colleges charge a higher tuition rate to students registering the third time for a course. This rule applies to the

majority of credit and Continuing Education / Workforce Training courses. Developmental Studies and some

other courses are not charged a higher tuition rate. Third attempts include courses taken at any DCCCD college

since the fall 2002 semester. For further information, go online to:

http://www.DCCCD.edu/thirdcourseattempt .

CLASSROOM POLICY Consider eCampus as your classroom that is attended by other students taking the same course as you. Your consideration of their rights and attention to the rules of the course are important. Maintain honesty in all assignments and exams. Do not ask fellow students for specific information concerning assignments or exams. Those who study and do their own work do not appreciate this type of behavior. The instructor considers this type of behavior dishonest and will access penalties. ATTENDANCE POLICY Lecture attendance: There is no attendance of a lecture for the online course. A schedule of reading assignments and exams is maintained. Print off the schedule and post in a prominent place of study. Do not fall behind on the reading, labs, quizzes, exams, and assignments. Lab Attendance: Each week one lab is due. Turn in your lab template as required as early in the week as you can complete the assigned lab. Earlier submission results in faster replies.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

The Student Code of Conduct prohibits academic dishonesty and prescribes penalties for violations.

According to this code, which is printed in the college catalog, "academic dishonesty", includes (but is not

limited to) cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, plagiarism, and collusion".

1) The Vice-President of Academic & Student Affairs may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a

student accused of academic dishonesty.

2) Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion.

3) Cheating on a test includes:

a) Copying from another student’s test paper;

b) Using, during a test, materials not authorized by the person giving the test;

c) Collaborating with another student during a test without permission to do so;

d) Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the

contents of an un-administered test.

http://www.dcccd.edu/thirdcourseattempt


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e) Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for you to take a

test; and

f) Bribing another person to obtain an un-administered test or information about an un-

administered test.

4) “Plagiarism” means the appropriation of another’s work (ideas and/or words) and the unacknowledged

incorporation of that work in one’s written work offered for credit. Quotes not identified as quotes

constitute a form of plagiarism even if the borrowed ideas are documented.

5) “Collusion” means an unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work

offered for credit.

Academic dishonesty may result in the following sanctions, including, but not limited to:

1. A grade of zero or a lowered grade on the assignment or course.

2. A reprimand.

3. Suspension from the college.

NOTIFICATION OF ABSENCE DUE TO RELIGIOUS HOLY DAY(S)

Students who will be absent from class for the observance of a religious holiday must notify the instructor in

advance. Please refer to the Student Obligations section of the college catalog for more explanation. You are

required to complete any assignments or take any examinations missed as a result of the absence within the

time frame specified by your instructor.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (A430)

North Lake College provides academic accommodations to students with disabilities, as defined under ADA

law. It is the student's choice and responsibility to initiate any request for accommodations. If you are a

student with a disability who requires such ADA accommodations, please contact North Lake College's

Disability Services Office in person (A430) or by phone at 972-273-3165.

http://www.northlakecollege.edu/resources/disability

ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL

Students with valid extenuating circumstances may be eligible for an administrative withdrawal by the Dean of

the Division in which the course or courses are taught. An administrative withdrawal will not be awarded to

students who simply fail to withdraw prior to the last day to receive a “W.” The request for an administrative

withdrawal must be made in writing to the Dean of the Division with any supporting documentation attached.

This must occur before the last official day of the semester.

STOP BEFORE YOU DROP

For students who enrolled in college level courses for the first time in the fall of 2007, Texas Education Code

51.907 limits the number of courses a student may drop. You may drop no more than 6 courses during your

entire undergraduate career unless the drop qualifies as an exception. Your campus counseling/advising

http://www.northlakecollege.edu/resources/disability


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center will give you more information on the allowable exceptions. Remember that once you have

accumulated 6 non-exempt drops, you cannot drop any other courses with a “W”. Therefore, please exercise

caution when dropping courses in any Texas public institution of higher learning, including all seven of the

Dallas County Community Colleges. For more information, you may access:

https://www1.dcccd.edu/coursedrops

FINANCIAL AID STATEMENT

Students who are receiving any form of financial aid should check with the Financial Aid Office prior to

withdrawing from classes. Withdrawals may affect your eligibility to receive further aid and could cause you to

be in a position of repayment for the current semester. Students who fail to attend or participate are also

subject to this policy. To apply for financial aid in the DCCCD, students must complete FAFSA (Free Application

for Federal Student Aid) on the web at:

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

FINANCIAL AID CERTIFICATION OF ATTENDANCE You must attend and participate in your on-campus or online course(s) in order to receive federal financial aid. Your instructor is required by law to validate your attendance in your on-campus or online course in order for you to receive financial aid. You must participate in an academic related activity pertaining to the course such as but not limited to the following examples:

initiating contact with your instructor to ask a question about the academic subject studied in the course;

submitting an academic assignment; taking an exam; completing an interactive tutorial; participating in computer-assisted instruction; attending a study group that is assigned by the instructor; or participating in an online discussion about academic matters relating to the course.

In an online class, simply logging in is not sufficient by itself to demonstrate academic attendance. You must demonstrate that you are participating in your online class and are engaged in an academically related activity such as in the examples described above.

COUNSELING SERVICES (A430)

Counseling services for personal issues are provided to all students currently enrolled at North Lake College.

These services are provided by licensed professionals who are bound by confidentiality (within ethical

parameters) at no charge. With the assistance of a counselor, students are able to identify, understand,

resolve issues and develop appropriate skills. To make an appointment call 972-273-333 or visit A 430.

THE ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER (A332)

The Academic Skills Center (ASC) is designed to provide assistance to students in the following areas:

https://www1.dcccd.edu/coursedrops

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/


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Labs for students enrolled in foreign language, Developmental Reading, and ESOL courses. One-on-one tutoring is available.

The Writing Center can help students clarify writing tasks, understand instructors’ requirements,

develop and organize papers, explore revision options, detect grammar and punctuation errors, and

properly use and document sources. Rather than merely editing or "fixing" papers, tutors focus on

helping students develop and improve their writing skills.

The Online Writing Lab (OWL) allows students to submit papers to our writing tutors electronically and

get feedback within 24-72 hours. The OWL can be accessed through eCampus. After logging on to

eCampus, click on the Community Tab at the top. Type “Owl” in the search field and click “Go.” Next,

click on the double drop-down arrows next to “NLC-OWL2,” and then click on “Enroll.” Once enrolled,

students can receive services from the OWL.

For more information or to schedule a tutoring appointment, come by A-332 or call 972-273-3089.

TESTING CENTER (A 425)

Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

No tests will be issued after7:00 p.m. Other cut-off times may be in effect for specific exams by the

instructor’s direction. All exams collected at 8:00 p.m.

Friday-Saturday: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

No tests will be issued after 2:30 p.m. Other cut-off times may be in effect for specific exams by the

instructor’s direction. All exams collected at 3:30 p.m.

Sunday – CLOSED

If your instructor requires you to complete an exam in the Testing Center, be sure to have the following

information when you request your test:

1. Instructor’s name

2. Subject, course number, and section number (ex: Speech 1311.7011)

3. Exam number (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.)

4. Exam deadline (Get this information from your instructor. The testing staff cannot look up this

information on computers).

You should also bring the following supplies:

1. Pencil

2. A Test Request Form must be completed before entering the Testing Center.

3. Money for coin-return lockers (quarter). Please do not share lockers.

4. Government or school issued photo identification is required & enforced.

You may not bring personal items into the Testing Center. This includes bags, cell phones, and pagers.

Please show courteous and cooperative behavior while using the services provided by the Testing Center. DO

NOT bring children to the Testing Center. You must make arrangements for the care of your children prior to

your exam date. The police department will be notified of any unattended children. DO NOT take any testing


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materials with you when you leave the Testing Center. This includes the test, answers, charts, scratch paper.

These items will be attached to your test. To do so constitutes Academic Dishonesty. Questions? Please visit

the Testing Center (A 425) or call 972-273-3160.

COUNSELING SERVICES Counseling services for personal issues are provided to all students currently enrolled at North Lake College at NO CHARGE. These services are provided by or supervised by licensed professionals who are bound by confidentiality (within ethical parameters). With the assistance of a counselor, students are able to identify, understand, resolve issues and develop appropriate skills. To make an appointment call 972-273-3333 or go to A 311. For additional information go to: http://northlakecollege.edu/services-and-resources/health-and-wellness/counseling-services/Pages/default.aspx

Course Calendar/Schedule:

There is 1 major deadline for this course. Assignments will turn off on due date/time.

Students may work ahead of at their convenience.

Start Date – December 18, 2015

Class Certification Deadline –Log into eCampus before this date for attendance purposes: December 22, 2016 Last Day to Withdraw from Class: January 11, 2016 End Date – January 16, 2016

Recommended Sequence of Assignments/Assessments Due Date

http://northlakecollege.edu/services-and-resources/health-and-wellness/counseling-services/Pages/default.aspx

http://northlakecollege.edu/services-and-resources/health-and-wellness/counseling-services/Pages/default.aspx


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Bonus Orientation Quiz Bonus Discussion Board: Introductions Lab Quiz 1 Lab Quiz 2 Lab Quiz 3 Discussion Board 1 Test 1 Ch. 16, 17, 40, 42 Lab Quiz 5 Lab Quiz 6 Essay 1 Test 2 Ch. 32, 33, 36, 34 Lab Practical #1 (Exam covers Labs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6) Lab Quiz 7 Lab Quiz 8 Lab Quiz 9 Discussion Board 2 Test 3 Ch. 35, 37, 38, 29 Lab Quiz 10 Lab Quiz 11 Essay 2 Bonus Essay Lab Practical #2 (Exam covers Labs 7-11) Final Exam (Comprehensive)

All assignments are due by

1/16 @ 9pm


biology for non-science majors ii 2015 syllabus for winter ... · biol 1409 biology for non...

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