Provides a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including chemistry of life, cells, structure, function, and reproduction.

OpenStax Free online textbook: Biology 2e

link to TEXT BOOK

Optional: ISBN-13: 978-1-50669-985-1

Webcam for Respondus Monitor

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.

Laptop Computer (with webcam)

Respondus Lockdown Browser (Free Download)

Computer mouse (for drag and drop HW)

Apps used regularly in class:

Genially

Pear Deck

Quizizz

Blooket/Quizlet

Google Suite

TSI complete in reading

Corequisite(s): BIOL 1108 Biology for Non-Science Majors I (lab section)

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.

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.

Course introduction

Classroom Policy/Expectations and Navigating Blackboard

Unit 1: Basic Chemistry of Life (LO 3)

Chapter 2 - The Chemistry of Life (LO 3)

Chapter 6 - Energy and Metabolism (LO 3)

Chapter 3 - Biological Molecules (LO 3)

Unit 2: Cellular functions (LO 1&3)

Chapter 4 - Cell Structure and Function (LO 1)

Chapter 5 - Plasma Membrane (LO 3)

Chapter 9 - Cell Communication (LO 3)

Chapter 8/7 - Cellular Respiration (LO 3)

Unit 3: Genetic Basics (LO 2,3,4,5&6)

Chapter 10/11 - The Cell Cycle and Meiosis

(LO 2)

Chapter 12/13 - Mendel Heredity and Inheritance (LO 4&5)

Chapter 14/15 - DNA, Genes, and Proteins

(LO 6)

Chapter 16/17 - Gene Regulation and Biotechnology (LO 5)

Cumulative Review (LO 1,2,3,4,5,&6)

Deadline to complete course introduction: 8/28/26

Test 1:9/25/26 

Test 2: 10/30/26 

Test 3: 12/4/26 

Lec Project: 12/7/26

Final Exam: 12/9/26 

Assignments and exam must be completed online by 5:00 PM on the due date listed

Link to Lec CALENDAR

ONLINE BlackBoard using Respondus Monitor 12:01am - 05:00pm 12/9/26

90 - 100 = A

80 - 89 = B

70 - 79 = C

60 - 69 = D

Below 59 = F

10% Participation

20% Team Project

30% Assignments (Weekly Quiz)

40% Exams and Final

________________________

100% Total

Deadlines are Final, NO extensions will be granted for any reason

If an assignment or exam is missed, you will earn a score of zero (0).

All Email Communication must come from an @lamarpa.edu email address from the student enrolled in this course. I am unable to respond to any emails from outside parties. Concerned parents may contact my supervisor.

Instructor will respond to emails through official avenues only, this includes office phone, lamarpa.edu email and Bookings messages and meeting requests.

DO NOT add or message your instructor on ANY social media platform.

DO NOT call or text your instructor on a personal line, this information is not readily available to the public and will be considered Stalking.

Emails Must contain the students name, class section, and a detailed description of their question written in complete sentences. Please include screenshots when appropriate.

I will not discuss your grade via email, and will require a meeting via Bookings.

Instructor will respond to emails in the order they are received. Instructor will not be available to respond to emails outside of regular working hours (9am-4pm M-F). Emails sent outside of these hours may take up to two business days for a response. 

Assignments are assigned on Monday and Due on Friday of each week. Holidays and outages will be taken into consideration but generally do not affect this schedule. All work is due by Friday at 5 PM. If there is any issue or questions about assignments please contact me BEFORE Friday.

There will be no dropped or replaced grades. 

Exam dates are set. Exams will be open upon completion of unit assignments and closed at 05:00 PM on the assigned date. You will need to schedule to be available for exams during this time. All exams will be given online, in your own time, but will be monitored via Respondus Monitoring. Respondus Monitor is a REQUIRED part of the course, and is available for download for free in blackboard. For more information about respondus monitoring exams, please see the exam instructions in Blackboard. If you wish to opt out of Respondus Monitor, you must take your assignment in the student testing center by appointment only.

The Final Exam will be cumulative.

Extensions will NOT be granted for any reason. 

Any assignments or exams not completed by the end of the availability date will receive a grade of (0) zero. Deadlines will not be extended due to personal or technical issues. 

It is YOUR responsibility to have a RELIABLE computer and Internet access for the duration of this course. If you do not have a home computer or laptop, the school provides computer access in the library computer lab as well as in the Student Success Center lab.

Teamwork is a required part of this course and accounts for 20% of your grade. You must work on your group work throughout the semester in the team folder. If you have any questions regarding teamwork please refer to the team work folder in blackboard.

Class disruptions will be dealt with on a case by case basis, but students may be asked to complete the course online to better serve that student’s needs.

Posing a danger to yourself or others during class, inciting fear to classmates, or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in expulsion from the course. 

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students caught cheating during an exam or plagiarizing during the written assignments will receive a zero for that assignment. Repeat offenses may result in expulsion from the course. 

AI Policy

The use of AI tools (such as Grammarly or AI tutors) is encouraged when they are used to support your learning by helping with editing, brainstorming, or clarifying difficult concepts. However, copying AI-generated responses directly into your assignments is not acceptable. Work that relies solely on AI will typically earn a low score because it lacks depth, originality, and the critical thinking this course requires. You will be far more successful by engaging genuinely with the material and using AI as a support, not a substitute, for your own work.

This course will have weekly assignments and announcements via Blackboard. Please log in on Day 1 of class. Checking email and Blackboard Often will help to keep up to date on assignments and communication.

Class participation is mandatory and will also be reflected as 10% of your overall grade.

Attendance and participation will be measured weekly for online courses by assessing log-in dates and participation in certain assignments and discussion boards.

Face to face classes start promptly at the scheduled time. Students must be ready to begin at the specified time. Tardiness will not be tolerated, and the door will be locked exactly at class start time. No students will be admitted entrance to the classroom past the scheduled start time, this includes if a student leaves during class for any reason.

1st Day of Class - 8/24/26

Last day to register/change classes       - 9/9/26 

Last day to Opt out Book Bundle         - 9/9/26 

Last day to drop without Academic Penalty - 9/28/26 

Last day to drop with Academic Penalty   - 11/23/26

All Grades are Final on 12/10/26 at Midnight

Free tutoring services are provided by the school via study.com link in Blackboard.

Tutoring services are also offered by Title VI services in the Ruby Fuller Building.

Support Services are offered to students via Student services, Title V, and the SeaHawk Pantry.

Microsoft Office 365 suite is available to students Free of Charge

Blackboard and Respondus Monitoring Issues should be referred to the 24/7 Blackboard Hotline Provided by SHSU, link can be found in Blackboard or use the contact below:

24/7 Blackboard Help Hotline 

Tel:+19362942780

blackboard@shsu.edu

If you have any issues or questions, you can attend office hours, or email me at any time.

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 Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. 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.