Mon/Tues/Wed/Thur 30 minutes before start of class and Mon/Tues/Wed/Thur 30 minutes after class; Virtual appt. as requested after hours.
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
The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.
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-DC014 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
Biology for a Changing World with Physiology. 3rd Ed. By Michele Shuster, et al. ISBN 9781319050580.
Note taking supplies such as pens, paper, or spirals
Laptops for notetaking are acceptable only when using word processor format (GoogleDoc/WordDocx/etc.).
Pencil for scantrons at science testing center
*Life Science II Laboratory Manual Biol 1409 by Schwarzlose, Moore, Porter, and Price - AC bookstore only (Required)
STUDENT PERFORMANCE, COMPETENCIES AND OBJECTIVES:
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.
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".
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 grievance is not resolved, he or she can contact the Department of Biological Sciences Chairperson, the Dean of Sciences and Engineering, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the College President, IN THAT ORDER.
WITHDRAWAL: A grade of "W" will be given for drops or withdraws on or before the published official withdraw date. You may not drop or withdraw after that date. The final date for Withdrawal is TBA.
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 in writing.
TEST RULES: Do nothing which would appear to involve cheating. Failure to abide by the test rules will result in a grade of zero. If you believe that an exam or assignment has been graded incorrectly, please email a written explanation which must include: 1) the number of the question you wish to have reconsidered, 2) the question, and 3) a detailed explanation of the mistake and documentation for the correct answer (include page number). It may also be advantageous to take a photograph of the item in question and send as an attachment.
Exams count for 60%, Quizzes and Assignments count for 20%, and Lab Assignments count 20% of the course grade.
GRADING SCALE:
89.5 - 100 = A
79.5 - 89.4 = B
69.5 - 79.4 = C
59.5 - 69.4 = D
00.0 - 59.4 = F
LECTURE EXAMS - 60%
Exams are worth 60% of the overall grade for the course and will be administered at the Science Testing Center (STC). There will be 5 exams and a comprehensive final exam. One exam grade (lowest) may be dropped. Five lecture exams with approximately 50 questions each (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer). The exam material may come from the lecture outlines, textbook readings, web videos, and other assignments. One exam grade will be dropped, this may include the final exam. If you MISS the due date and time for an exam for any reason, a grade of zero will be assigned for that exam, and this will be your drop exam for the semester. NO MAKE-UPS or extra time will be given for any reason on any exam.
FINAL EXAM OPTION: If you have taken a total of (5) lecture exams and you are satisfied with your grade prior to the final exam, you can elect to use your final exam grade as the drop grade INSTEAD of one of the lecture exams. (Remember NO MAKE - UPS on exams).
QUIZZES AND ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS - 20%
There will be quizzes and additional assignments made weekly during the semester. The quizzes will be fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, labeling, and/or short answer. NO MAKE-UPS or extra time will be given for any reason on any quiz or assignment, so please do not ask. IMPORTANT: Quizzes and other assignments will be due by 11:59 PM.
LAB - 20%
Your Lab grade will be determined by laboratory exercises that will be completed and turned in weekly and a comprehensive lab practical.
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.
Science Testing Center (STC):
Room 112 Warren Hall
Washington Street Campus Science Testing Center hours: Mon-Thur 8am-10pm, Friday 8am-4pm, Saturday 9am-4pm, closed Sunday. *Hours subject to change per staffing level at the STC
All lecture tests, excluding take-home exam and final exam, will be taken in the Science Testing Center during days scheduled by the instructor during normal Testing Center hours. Tests will be taken outside of class lecture time. Please note: No test may be started less than 1 hr. before the Science Testing Center closes. You must present an Amarillo College student ID every time you take a test. The Testing Center staff will retain your ID while you take your test and will return it to you when you turn in your test. No appointments are necessary (However, I suggest you check for availability)
Science Enrichment Center (SEC): Free tutoring is available to help you with science classes
Room 110 Warren Hall (806)-345-5536
Washington Street Campus Science Enrichment Center hours: Mon-Thur 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-3pm, Saturday 9am-3pm, closed Sunday.
Mandatory Tutoring:
In an effort to increase retention in Biology courses, any student who scores below a 70 on any exam (excluding the Final Exam) must complete a mandatory 1 hour tutoring session before taking the next exam. Before getting mandatory tutoring, students must first make a tutoring session appointment.
Tutoring hours in person by appointment or online are available.
Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement, therefore it is the responsibility of the student to attend each class and complete all assignments. Attendance will be an incorporated component of grading and will be regularly evaluated.
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LECTURE |
LABORATORY |
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WEEK 1 Class start Mon Jan 14th |
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Introduction Evolution/Natural Selection |
Safety Rules |
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WEEK 2 |
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Evolution and Biological Diversity |
Evolution |
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WEEK 3 |
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Evolution of Animals and Populations |
Classification |
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WEEK 4 |
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Prokaryotic Diversity/ Epidemiology |
Epidemiology |
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WEEK 5 |
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Microbial Life |
Virus/Bacteria/Immunity |
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WEEK 6 |
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Invertebrates |
Invertebrates |
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WEEK 7 |
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Vertebrates |
Vertebrates |
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WEEK 8 |
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Digestive Mid-Term Break March 11-15 |
Digestive |
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WEEK 9 |
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Cardiovascular |
Cardiovascular |
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WEEK 10 |
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Respiratory |
Respiratory |
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WEEK 11 |
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Nervous/Endocrine |
Special senses |
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WEEK 12 |
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Reproductive |
Reproductive |
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WEEK 13
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Plant |
No Lab |
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WEEK 14 |
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Plant |
Plant Lab Practical Review |
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WEEK 15 |
Lab Practical TBA |
| Ecology |
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EMAIL: The instructor will check email Monday - Thursday by 4:30 PM and Fridays by 1:00 PM. Emails after 5:00 PM will be checked the following day. The instructor will try to respond within 24 hours, except on Fridays and week ends. Remember instructors teach numerous other courses. Be patient.
Also remember Instructor's emails are sent to your default email address. Please email your instructor from inside the course using the email link on the left side of the screen.
CLASS WEBSITE: AC Online is utilized in this class as a grade book and e-mail system. There may be quizzes and other assignments to be completed through Blackboard/AC Online. I will post announcements, lecture and lab handouts, photos, and other important material via AC Online. The login for AC Online is the same as with WebAdvisor. If you do not have a computer or internet access at home, you have available to you the computer lab on campus in the library second floor.
Science Enrichment Center is available for tutoring
MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet may be requested from your instructor.
Campus Police: Campus Police Non-Emergency 371-5163, in case of Emergency call 371-5911 or call 911 for city police and ambulance assistance.
Expectations: Every student will take personal responsibility for his/her learning in this course. To succeed, each student must...
Attend all lecture and lab meetings.
Spend at least 1 hour of study for each hour spent in lecture and lab.
Complete chapter reading assignments before coming to class. (Independent reading)
Participate in lecture and lab by asking questions and being active in lab.
Demonstrate college-level effort and behavior.
Complete all assignments when due.
Information in this syllabus is subject to change and can be modified at the discretion of instructor at any time, students will be notified of such changes.
02/16/20 12:14 PM
02/16/20 12:20 PM