208-539-2602
Online
Tuesday 10 am – 12 noon and by appointment
If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.
Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.
If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.
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
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.
NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.
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 .
BIOL-1409-DC015 Biology for Non-Science Majors II
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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website
Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:
Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:
Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me
You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.
(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 2 lab)
Dual Credit Course
Shuster, Michele. Biologyfor a Changing World with Physiology 3rd ed. WH Freeman, 2018
You are not required to have a LaunchPad code.
You DO NOT need to purchase a lab manual at the AC Bookstore.
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. 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.
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".
STUDENT BEHAVIOR:
Students will be respectful of other students and the instructor. This includes email, text, and other communications for the class.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE: If a student is having a problem with the course policies or the instructor, he or she should first try and resolve any such problems with the instructor. If the problem is not resolved the student may proceed to the Department Chairman, Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the College President, IN THAT ORDER.
SAFETY: "Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are stored in SCIE 110. A link to the online MSDS Sheets is in the Introduction Folder in the online class
For any emergency contact Campus Police 371-5911
WITHDRAW: A grade of "W" will be given for drops or withdraws on or before the published official withdraw date.
FINAL GRADE CHANGES: The final grade turned into the registrar office will not be changed unless approved by full time biology faculty committee. Request must be submitted in writing.
BIOLOGY CONTRACT FOR SUCCESS:You will be required to complete and submit the "Biology Contract for Success" within the first week of class.
TEST RULES: Do nothing which would appear to involve cheating. Failure to abide by the test rules will result in a grade of zero in the course. Once a quiz has been started you may not leave the computer for any reason. Use the facilities prior to starting the quiz. If you believe that a paper has been graded incorrectly, please return it with a written explanation which must include: 1) your name, 2) the number of the question(s) you wish to have reconsidered, and 3) a detailed explanation of the mistake and documentation for the correct answer (include page numbers and source).
You must also finish before the due date and time or a grade of zero will be assigned. Extra time will not be given to an individual student. Please do not ask.
CHAPTER LESSONS -You will get unlimited attempts on Chapter Lessons. The best score will be recorded. you must finish within the allotted time frame.
CHAPTER QUIZZES – You will get two attempts on quizzes. The last score will be recorded, for example you take the quiz and make a 80 the first attempt and then take it a second time and score a 60, the 60 will be recorded in the grade book. If a problem occurs during a quiz (example: loss of internet connection, computer lock up, accidently open it prematurely, or you simply forgot to submit it) you will have only one attempt. If the HS teacher and your instructor decides to reset the quiz, you will have only one attempt. You will get only one reset on a quiz or Lab assignment per semester for any reason. Also you must finish within the allotted time frame.
EXAMS - You will get only one attempt. If a problem occurs during an exam contact your instructor immediately. The instructor may reset only one exam due to a technical problem or any other reason. After the one reset any other problems will result in a zero on that assessment and it will be your drop. If your computer or connection is weak, please use a reliable computer or connection. Also you must finish within the allotted time frame.
STUDENTS MUST TAKE THE EXAM AT THE ALLOTTED TIME. LATE EXAMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. IF YOU MISS AN EXAM, QUIZ, OR ANY ASSIGNMENT FOR ANY REASON, A ZERO WILL BE ASSIGNED.
LAB QUIZZES and ASSIGNMENTS –– You will get only one attempt on Lab quizzes and Assignments. If a problem occurs during a quiz (example: loss of internet connection, computer lock up, accidently open it prematurely, or you simply forgot to submit it) you request a reset. If the instructor decides to reset the quiz or assignment, this will count as one reset on a quiz or Lab assignment per semester and you will not be allowed another reset for any reason. Also you must finish within the allotted time frame.
TAKING QUIZZES & EXAMS: If your computer, laptop, PC, Mac, tablet, and/or internet connection is slow, weak, problematic, unreliable, or possessed, it is “highly” recommended that you seek a reliable computer and/or internet connection such as those at the AC Science Testing Center. It is your responsibility to insure that you attempt all quizzes and exams on a reliable computer.
WAITING UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE: If you wait until the last minute to complete online assignments, quizzes, or exams, you’re almost guaranteed to encounter computer problems. Completing assignments in advance should insure technology will work as planned.
EVALUATION: Lecture and lab Quizzes and Assignments will count for 40 % of the course grade, and the exam will count for 60% of the course grade.
Chapters Lessons - 10%
Chapter Quizzes - 10%
Lab Quizzes and Assignments - 20%
Exam - 60%
100%
GRADING: Grades will not be curved and NO extra credit.
89.5 - 100 = A
79.5 - 89.4 = B
69.5 - 79.4 = C
59.5 - 69.4 = D
00.0 - 59.4 = F
CHAPTER LESSONS: 10% of the total grade.
There will be chapter lessons assigned each week of the semester. The lessons are SoftChalk activities that will help you learn the content for the exams and quizzes. You have unlimited attempts on the lessons prior to the due date and the highest grade will be recorded. The lowest grade from this category will be DROPPED. If you MISS the DUE DATE or TIME for any chapter lesson, a grade of zero will be assigned for that lesson and that will be your drop for the semester. NO MAKE-UPS will be given for any reason on any Chapter Lesson, so Please DO NOT ASK. IMPORTANT: Chapter Lessons will be due by 11:50 PM on the due date.
CHAPTER QUIZZES: 10% of the total grade.
There will be chapter quizzes assigned each week of the semester. The quizzes will cover the content form the lesson, the chapter, and any other assigned materials. You will get two attempts on chapter quizzes, but the last attempt will be recorded in the grade book. All quizzes will be fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, labeling, and/or short answer and will range from 5-30 questions. The lowest grade from this category will be DROPPED. If you MISS the DUE DATE or TIME for any chapter quiz, a grade of zero will be assigned for that quiz and that will be your drop for the semester. NO MAKE-UPS will be given for any reason on any quiz, so Please DO NOT ASK. IMPORTANT: Chapter Quizzes will be due by 11:50 PM on the due date.
LAB QUIZZES and ASSIGNMENTS: 20% of the total grade.
There will be lab quizzes and/or assignments made weekly during the semester. The lab assignments will supplement the lecture content. You will get only one attempt on lab quizzes and assignments. The quiz and assignment material will come from the lab materials. All lab quizzes and assignments will be fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, labeling, and/or short answer and will range from 5-30 questions. The lowest grade from this category will be DROPPED . If you MISS the DUE DATE or TIME for any lab quiz or assignment, a grade of zero will be assigned for that quiz or assignment and that will be your drop for the semester. NO MAKE-UPS will be given for any reason on any lab quiz or assignment, so Please DO NOT ASK. IMPORTANT: Lab Quizzes and Assignments will be due by 11:50 PM on the due date. This category may be assigned through your high school teacher.
Group Assignments For completion of this course, you must complete the group assignment and the quantitative/critical thinking assignments and upload it into the drop box.
EXAMS: 60% of the total grade.
Lecture and laboratory material will be combined into five(5) exams and a comprehensive final exam (total of 6 exams). Exams will be 40 - 50 multiple choice questions. The majority of exam material will come from the lecture and laboratory materials, but some material will come from the textbook, online assignments, and other assigned material. If you MISS the DUE DATE or TIME for any exam, for any reason, a grade of zero will be assigned. One grade from this category will be DROPPED. NO MAKE-UPs will be given for any reason on any exam. Please DO NOT ASK. Exams will be due by 5:00 PM on the due date.
The Final Exam is comprehensive. It will cover everything from the beginning of the semester both lecture and lab materials. Some material will come from previous exams and the rest comes from the textbook, or other notes, assignments, and laboratories. 100 multiple choice questions. IMPORTANT the Final Exam is part of the exam category, so if you are happy with your grade going into the Final Exam you can opt to use the Final Exam as your one drop grade for the semesters. NO MAKE-UPs will be given for any reason.
FINAL EXAM: Part of the exam category
See Exams (It can be your dropped grade)
MAKE-UP POLICY: NO MAKE-UPS
DEPARTMENT TESTING POLICY: All Lecture Exams will be will be proctered by your high school teacher ( they have the password for each exam) or taken in the Science Testing Center (STC): (Warren Hall 112). If you are taking the exams in the STC, you must notify your instructor one week prior to testing. Exams will not be taken at home.
Please note: No tests taken in the STC maybe started less than one and a half hours before the Science Testing Center closes. You must present an Amarillo College student ID every time you take a test. The Science Testing Center staff will retain your ID while you take your test and it will be returned to you when you finish your test.
When using the Science Testing Center students will scan in and out with their Amarillo College student I.D.
SCIENCE TESTING CENTER HOURS:
Mon-Tues Thur-Friday 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Last exam at 8:30 PM)
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Last exam at 4:00 PM)
Sat 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM (Last exam at 6:00 PM)
DEPARTMENT MANDATORY TUTORING: Science Tutoring and Success Center (STSC) (Warren Hall 110)
In an effort to increase retention in Biology courses, any student who scores below a 70 on any exam (excluding Exam 5) must complete mandatory tutoring session with HS Teacher or in the Science Tutoring and Success Center or in the Online Tutoring Center before taking the next exam. Before getting mandatory tutoring, students must first schedule a tutoring time with the STSC by either calling (806 345-5536) or visiting (Warren Hall 110)or by scheduling an online tutoring session in the online scheduler.
The STSC will do its best to accommodate a student’s schedule within the STSC hours of operation. This may require plenty of advanced notice by the student as time slots fill quickly.
Upon arrival in the STSC, Students must INFORM STSC staff that they are there for MANDATORY tutoring. Mandatory tutoring will not be remediation over the failed test, but over material for the next exam.
SCIENCE TUTORING AND SUCCESS CENTER HOURS:
Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
FREE DROP-IN TUTORING:
Peer tutors are available at the Science Tutoring and Success Center for Biology , Chemistry, Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology and other science courses.
CHEATING in the TESTING CENTER or on Test: See Biology Success Contract for other rules.
Cheating will not be tolerated in any biology course at Amarillo College. On the first day of class, you will be required to sign and date a Course Contract. Included in the contract is the following statement: "I fully understand that if I cheat, or attempt to cheat, on any test I will receive an automatic “F” in the course. This grade will go on my permanent transcript and cannot be removed. Cheating includes, but is not limited to: the illegal use of books, notes, cell phones*, copying or leaving the Science Testing Center with a test or questions from a test. Cheating also includes helping, or attempting to help, other students to cheat on a test." You will not be allowed to take your tests until this contract is signed and on file in the Science Testing Center.
*Please Note: NO CELL PHONES in the Testing Room or out on your desk. If we see your cell phone out AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, while in taking a test, YOU WILL RECEIVE an "F" for the course!
Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement, therefore it is the responsibility of the student to attend each class and complete all assignments.
If you stop doing class assignments and exams and do not officially drop the course you will receive an “F” for the course. You must contact your instructor to start the drop procedure prior to the official drop date. Texas law now mandates that students may only drop or withdraw 6 classes in their entire college career, which excludes drops prior to census date.
BIOL 1408 Chronology
| Week | Lecture | Laboratory |
| 1 | Ch 13 Natural Selection | Natural Selection |
| 2 | Ch 14 Speciation | Chromosome Banding |
| 3 | Ch 15/16 Evidence for Evolution and Life on Earth | Hardy Weinberg |
| 4 | Ch 17 Prokaryotic Diversity | Diseases |
| 5 | Ch 18 Eukaryotic Diversity | DNA Sequence and Evolution |
| 6 | Ch 19 Human Evolution | Invasive Species |
| 7 | Ch 20/21 Population and Community Ecology | Global Warming |
| 8 | Ch 22/23 Ecosystem Ecology and Sustainability | NO Lab |
| 9 | Spring Break | |
| 10 | Ch 26/27 Physiology and Digestive System | Nutrition |
| 11 | Ch 28 Cardiovascular System | Circulatory System |
| 12 | Ch 29 Respiratory System | Respiratory System |
| 13 | Ch 30 Nervous System | Drugs |
| 14 | Ch 31 Reproductive System | Reproduction |
| 15 | Ch 32 Immunity | Plants Growth |
| 16 | Ch 24/25 Plant Physiology | |
| 17 | Final Exam | |
Respondus Lockdown Browser (some HS do not use Respondus)
Respondus Lockdown Browser must be used to complete all online exams!
Amarillo College now requires all online exams and quizzes to be completed using a web browser called Respondus Lockdown Browser. This browser functions similar to other web browsers; however, it prevents a student from opening up other programs, web pages, notes, files, etc during an exam. This helps to maintain academic honesty, even when students are participating through online and distance education courses.
You will be required to 1) download and install Respondus Lockdown Browser on your computer, and 2) only use Respondus Lockdown Browser when you attempt exams, including the Final Exam. If you try to start an exam using Firefox, Safari, Chrome, etc, Blackboard will prevent you from starting the assessment until you navigate to the assessment using Respondus Lockdown Browser.
You can the download information once you log-in to Blackboard, and then click on “Student Tools” at the top right of your Blackboard page. Then, on the Student Tools page, you can find the Respondus Lockdown Browser information on the module on the left side of the screen. I have also posted some information on regarding Respondus Lockdown Browser in the Week 1 folder and inside the Course Syllabus folder!
Here is the Link explaining why you must use Respondus Lockdown Browser.
Here is the Link to Respondus Lockdown Browser download.
Here is the Link to Respondus Lockdown Browser installation tutorial.
You must also use Responds Monitor for each exam and quiz. This means you will need to set up your webcam and successfully initiate it for the software. You must show your Amarillo College ID or drivers license (if your AC ID is not handy) to the webcam to prove you are the one taking the test! You will also be required to use the webcam to show you have no books or notes around you before you start the exam or quiz. If you fail to do so, significant points will be reduced on your quiz or exam!
If you have ANY issues, errors, problems, or questions, please contact Amarillo College IT department as soon as possible!!! Contact your instructor about Respondus only if the AC IT Department is unable to resolve your problems or issues. If you are not comfortable taking exams or quizzes using Respondus Monitor, then you must take your exams and quizzes in the Amarillo College Testing Center.
Information Technology (IT) Department Info
Email Info: TIC@actx.edu
Washington Street Campus: Russell Hall, Room 121
West Campus: Building A, Room 102
West Campus Computing & Testing Center: Building D, Room 106
East Campus Testing Information Center: Building SSC, Room 106
Tutors are available at the:
Science Tutoring and Success Center (STSC)
Warren Hall
Room 110
Phone: (806) 345-5536
EMAIL: The instructor will check email Monday - Thursday by 5:00 PM and Fridays by 1:00PM. Emails after 5:00PM will be checked the following day. The instructor will try to respond within 24 hours, except on Fridays and weekends. Remember instructors teacher numerous other courses. Be patient.
01/11/19 11:53 AM
01/11/19 11:53 AM