Biology for Non-Science Majors II Syllabus for 2013-2014
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Office Hours

No set office hours. Email or IM to set up meeting.

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

BIOL-1409-001 Biology for Non-Science Majors II

Prerequisites

Course Description

This course will provide a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including evolution, ecology, plant and animal diversity and physiology. Laboratory activities will reinforce lecture content.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 2 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\  Biology: Concepts and Investigations second edition. Hoefnagels 2012

Supplies


Computer access with internet connection.

Various materials will be required to complete the labs.

Student Performance

 

STUDENT PERFORMANCE, COMPETENCIES AND OBJECTIVES: After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department.

 

1. Explain the basic principles of evolution.

2. Describe the scientific evidence that led to the evolutionary theory.

3. Describe the difference between a hypothesis and a theory.

4. Describe the basic body tissues, organs, and systems.

5. Describe how viruses affect living organisms and how they are classified and reproduce.

6. Describe the biology of bacteria.

7. Describe the diversity of the animals

8. Describe the diversity of the plants.

9. Discuss the animal body and its coverings.

10. Discuss the concept of animal support and locomotion.

11. Describe the idea of gas exchange and internal transport.

12. Discuss animal responsiveness and sensation.

13. Discuss the processes of chemical regulation.

14. Describe how humans affect the environment.

15. Discuss animal behavior.

16. Discuss current issues in biology.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

COMMUNICATION: Important class information and updates will be posted in the course shell and/or emailed to the class.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE: If a student is having a problem with the course policies or the instructor, they should first try and resolve any such problems with the instructor. If the problem is not resolved the student may proceed to the Department of Biological Sciences Chairman, the Division of Sciences and Engineering Chairman, the Dean of Instruction, and the College President, IN THAT ORDER.

CHEATING: Do not give any indication of cheating. Cheating on any assessment will result in a zero for the grade and possible expulsion (removal) from the class.

Students are expected to abide by the Amarillo College Student Rights and Responsibilities as a guide for college behavior. Please take time to review the Student’s Rights and Responsibilities available on the AC website (http://catalog.actx.edu/content.php?catoid=10&navoid=407)

 

Grading Criteria

 

GRADING: Grades are not curved.

89.5 - 100 = A

79.5 - 89.4 = B

69.5 - 79.4 = C

59.5 - 69.4 = D

Below 59.5 = F

One quiz grade and one lab grade will be dropped. If you MISS the DUE DATE and TIME for any homework assignment, a grade of zero will be assigned for that homework. I want you to complete assignments on time so I do not encourage make-up work, but I will work with you if you have special circumstances. All late assignments will be given a maximum grade of 70. I will not accept make-up quizzes.

 

REQUIRED EXAMINATION: There will be a mid-term exam that is comprehensive for the first units covered and a final exam that covers material from the mid-term to the end of the course.

EXAMS: 35% of the total grade for the semester. Each exam will be online and consist of 100 questions (multiple choice, fill in the blank and True/False). Exam material will come from the text book and the other assigned reading and labs.

QUIZZES (25%), LABS (25%), AND WRITING ASSIGNMENTS (15%): 65% of the total grade for the semester. There will be quizzes and additional assignments made during the semester. The quizzes will be fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, labeling, and/or short answer. Assignments and online quizzes will be made at least one week prior to the due date. All written assignments will be submitted online.  The lowest quiz and lab grades will be DROPPED.

 

ASSIGNMENTS: Assignments will be made in the Chapter Instructor Notes near the top of the document and are displayed with completion dates in the unit folders and on the calendar. Please check for these assignments and plan accordingly. There will be no MAKE UPS quizzes, or exams past the posted deadline. I have attempted to make all labs with minimal required equipment. The equipment that is required should be readily available at your local store. I will require that you post pictures of your labs to show that it was completed. Lab content and results are fair game to be included as questions in the exams and quizzes.

 

Attendance

\ No face-to-face contact is required but weekly participation is required.

\

\  

Calendar

There will be a quiz every week. The quiz opens on Friday and is due Monday. There will be a lab every week. The lab is available the week prior to its due date and will  be due on the Sunday of the unit week.

CHRONOLOGY OF LECTURE TOPICS

Week (Unit)

Chapter(s)

Topic

Lab

1

11, 12

Forces and Evidence of Evolution

Classification

2

13

Speciation and Extinction

Candy Camouflage

3

14

Origin and History of Life

Chromosome Connection

4

15, 16

Viruses and Bacteria

Microwaved Bacteria

5

18

Plants

Seeds of Gravity

6

20

Animals

Animal Diversity

7

 

Mid-Term

 

8

23, 34

Reproduction – Plants and Animals

Plant Reproduction

9

24

Tissues, Organs and Systems

Circulatory System

10

25, 26

Nervous System and Senses

Nervous System

11

28

Skeleto-muscular System

Muscular System

12

31, 33

Digestion and Immune System

Nutrition and Health

13

35

Animal Behavior

Tradeoff in Selection

14

36

Ecology

Invasive Species

15

37, 38

Communities, Ecosystems, Biomes

Green House Gas

16

 

Finals

 

 

Additional Information

\N

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM