Biology for Non-Science Majors II Syllabus for 2026-2027
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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 Web Accessibility Policy Statement

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.

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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

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.

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 .

Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

BIOL-1409-DC001 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

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.

Hours

(4 sem hrs 3 lec 2 lab)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Concepts of Biology, OpenStax, 2023 Rice University 

PDF Version is provided on Blackboard

You Do Not need to purchase a lab manual at the AC bookstore 

Supplies

Notebook and Pencil/Pen

Access to reliable computer 

Student Performance

After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by a staff member in the department:

1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize tools and 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. Research and present scientific information and questions. 

5. Identify major phyla of life with the emphasis on plants and animals, including the basis for classification, structural and physiological adaptions, evolutionary history, and ecological significance. 

6. Describe basic animal physiology and homeostasis as maintained by organ systems.

7. Compare different sexual and asexual life cycles, noting their adaptive advantages. 

8. Illustrate the relationship between major geological change, extinctions, and trends

Students 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

1. Be respectful at all times of other students and the instructor. This includes email, text, and other communications for the class. This also includes not talking during lecture times, unless a questions about the class is being asked. 

2. Bring any problems or concerns to instructor first. If instructor cannot help, you must talk to the site coordinator next, and then the principle of the school, and then AC. You must go in order to solve the problem or concern. 

3. Listen to all instructions, and follow them in the lab. 

4. If you need to talk about withdrawal from the class, please meet with your instructor and site coordinator for more information. 

5. No cheating of any kind will be tolerated. No use of AI is allowed, unless otherwise instructed. No use of phones is allowed in class, unless otherwise instructed. 

6. No make up exams, or extended homework dates are allowed unless you miss due to school event or church event, or otherwise discussed situation that is approved. You must give as much of a heads up as possible. 

Grading Criteria

1. Exams = 60%

- You will only get one attempt at each exam. There will be a total of 4 exams. No drops. 

- Lecture midterm will be October 19, 2026 at 9:15-10:15 am. 

- Lab midterm will be October 23, 2026 at 10-11 am. 

- Lecture final will be December 14, 2026 at 9:15-10:15

- Lab final will be December 16, 2926 at 9:15-10:15

2. Lab Assignments = 15%

- All lab assignments must be turned in at the end of the lab class, unless otherwise stated. 

3. Essays = 10%

- You will have 2 essays. One before the midterm, and one before the final. 

- You will submit a hand written rough draft first. It must be legible.

- You will then submit a final typed copy. 

4. Presentations = 10%

- You will have 2 presentations. 

- First will be an individual presentation based on your first essay. 

- Second will be a group (decided by instructor) presentation on your second essay. 

5. Attendance = 5%

Attendance

You are expected to be at every class on time if possible. Please notify instructor if you will be gone. 

Calendar

Additional Information

Communication is the key to success. Contact me if you need to meet, and I am not in my office. I will also be in your regular classroom, and you can ask questions then. 

Show up, and keep up with assignments, due dates, and test dates. This class is for you to learn to start being an adult. Use it to your advantage. 

AI will hurt you more than it will help you. Learn to use your own ability to put thoughts together, and to study. 

This class is 4 credit hours. This means you will need at least 4 hours a week outside of class time to study and prepare. Plan your time accordingly.