Instructor: Ms. Jacki Kopycinski

Email:jkopycinski@lamarpa.edu

Phone: N/A

Office Location and Hours: off campus, adjunct instructor, by appointment only

Additional Contact Information: Email is my only method of communication. I will do my best to respond to any emails within 24 hours on weekdays (school days) (7:40 am-4pm).

Fundamental principles of living organisms will be studied, including physical and chemical properties of life, organization, function, evolutionary adaptation, and classification. Concepts of cytology, reproduction, genetics, and scientific reasoning are included.

Concepts of Biology

• Author: Fowler et al.
• Publisher: OpenStax College
• ISBN: 1938168119
• Availability: Online
• Price: Free

https://openstax.org/details/concepts-biology

Additional Computer Requirements and/or Skills

1. High-speed internet connection
2. Blackboard access
3. LamarPA email account access (I will send emails and announcements to your LamarPA email only)
4. Computer with the ability to open a PDF, Word, or PowerPoint document. (You can use Google Services, like Google Docs.)

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Prerequisites: Recommended: MATH 1314 or concurrent enrollment in higher-level mathematics

Corequisite: Recommended: BIOL 1306

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell structures.
2. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis.
3. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes, enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.
4. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results.
5. Describe karyotyping, pedigrees, and biotechnology and provide an example of the uses of each.
6. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation.
7. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.

Critical Thinking Skills-Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.

Communication Skills-Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication.

Empirical and Quantitative Skills-Applies the manipulation and/or analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.

Teamwork Skills-Shows the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.

1-Intro to Biology

2-Chemistry of Life

3-Cell Structure and Function

4-How Cells Obtain Energy

5-Photosynthesis

6-Reproduction at the Cellular Level

7-Cellular Basis of Inheritance

8-Patterns of Inheritance

9-Molecular Biology

10-Biotechnology

11-Evolution and Its Processes

Final Lab Exam – due December 9 at midnight CST

Group Project Submission 1: Due 10/2

Group Project Written Scientific Report – Due 12/1

Group Project Group Presentation – Due 12/2

Group Project Peer Evaluation due 12/2

LAB FINAL due by December 9 at midnight CST – NO EXTENSIONS

The course grade is evaluated on your performance in the lecture and lab portions. Lecture assignments are worth 60% of your final course grade. Lab assignments are worth 40% of your final course grade. 

Lecture Exams: There will be three regular exams. The exams will assess your learning of content in the corresponding chapters of the textbook and is collectively worth 225 points of the final course grade.

Lecture Chapter Quizzes: The course contains 11 Chapters of content and there are 11 Chapter Quizzes worth 220 total points of the final course grade.

Lab Assignments: There are 10 virtual lab assignments worth a total of 200 points of the final course grade.

Discussions: There are 4 discussion forums in the course worth a total of 80 points of the final course grade.

Lecture Final Exam: There will be one comprehensive final exam. The exam will be worth 75 points of the final course grade.

Lab Final Exam: There will be one comprehensive lab final exam covering all 10 labs completed in the course. The Lab Final is worth a total of 100 points of the final course grade.

Group Project: There is a group project where students work in groups of 3-4 students to complete an experiment virtually. The Group Project is worth a total of 100 points of the final course grade.

Points Summary

Attendance, as defined as logging into Blackboard and completing course activities, will be taken every week on Monday morning. In other words, on Monday morning I will be checking to see if you have logged in and completed the weekly assignments (quizzes, exams, homework, etc.). 

All assignments will be made available at the beginning of semester so that you can work ahead. However, assignments will be due each week at 11:59 PM. Because of the flexibility built-in to the schedule, there will be absolutely NO DEADLINE EXTENSIONS!! Make sure you have a study schedule, a reliable Internet connection, and full battery before you begin working on your course material.  Do not wait to complete your work until the last minute. Look at the "Schedule" link in the left menu to know when everything is due.

An Internet course does not take "less work" or "less time." An Internet course is flexible time; you can complete your work at any time of day, on your own schedule. You should expect to spend AT LEAST six to twelve hours a week on course activities, as that is the number of classroom hours a four credit hour face-to-face course would require. Outside of that, you should expect to spend several hours on homework and studying, as would be required in a face-to-face course.  The danger of an online course is "out of sight, out of mind." You must be proactive and manage your time wisely to be successful in this course. 

Attendance will be considered present for the following:

1. Completing Weekly assignments. Attendance is based on the timely submission of weekly assignments.

2. Participation Attendance is defined as active participation in the course, which can include completing assignments, tests, quizzes, and discussion forums.

Attendance, as defined as completing course activities, will be taken every week on Monday morning. In other words, on Monday morning I will be checking to see if you have logged in and completed the previous week's assignments (quizzes, exams, homework, etc.).

Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.

LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.