Faculty Syllabus
BIOL-1308 Biology Fundamentals
Keighley Reisenauer
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
BIOL-1308-023 (15440)
LEC MW 12:00pm - 1:20pm RRC RRC3 3330.00
BIOL-1308-038 (26474)
LEC MW 4:30pm - 5:50pm RRC RRC3 3313.00
Course Requirements
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a paired course designed for students entering professional programs, with a focus on those pursuing careers in allied health. Students will cover both Biology Fundamentals (BIOL 1308) and Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 2401) objectives in one semester. Students taking this course will receive one overall grade, applied to both BIOL 1308 and BIOL 2401.
BIOL 1308 Biology Fundamentals is an introduction to basic biological concepts including the metric system, physical and chemical properties of life, cell structure and function, cell reproduction, and metabolism. Critical thinking skills, study skills, and basic math skills are also included. This course is designed to prepare students to take the anatomy and physiology assessment tests, anatomy and physiology courses, and general biology courses.
BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I is the first part of a two course sequence. It is a study of the structure and function of the human body including cells, tissues and organs of the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous and special senses. Emphasis is on interrelationships among systems and regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis. The lab provides a hands-on learning experience for exploration of human system components and basic physiology. Systems to be studied include integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, and special senses.
SKILLS REQUIREMENTS & PREREQUISITES
To succeed in this course, you need strong reading skills. Specifically, you must meet one of the following:
- ACC placement skill level 5 or above in reading
- Passing scores on a state-approved assessment test (TASP or COMPASS)
- Assessment exemption through official transcripts from another college showing sufficient coursework
- Appropriate ACT, SAT, TAKS, or TASS scores
If you don't yet meet these prerequisites, please reach out to me or an advisor right away — we can help you find the right path forward. If enrollment isn't resolved, I may need to administratively withdraw you to ensure you're in courses that set you up for success. This isn't about gatekeeping — it's about making sure you're positioned to thrive.
Questions about your placement? Contact Advising or reach out to me during office hours. I'm happy to help you figure out your next steps if this course isn't the right fit right now.
WHY TAKE THIS COURSE? (Course Rationale)
This course is designed for students entering professional programs. It provides a foundation for the clinical topics covered in those courses by requiring mastery of actual material, laboratory techniques, and problem-solving skills. This course is a prerequisite for Introduction to Microbiology (BIOL 2420) and Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 2402) and is intended to adequately prepare students for these courses and for health sciences programs.
Course Subjects
TOPICS BY UNIT
Unit 1: Introduction, Chemistry & Cells
- Introduction to the Human Body
- The Chemical Level of Organization
- The Cellular Level of Organization
Unit 2: Tissues, Integumentary & Bone Tissue
- The Tissue Level of Organization
- The Integumentary System
- Bone Tissue and the Skeletal System
Unit 3: Skeletal System & Joints
- Axial Skeleton
- The Appendicular Skeleton
- Joints
Unit 4: Muscle Tissue & Muscular System
- Muscle Tissue
- The Muscular System
Unit 5: Nervous System Foundations
- The Nervous System & Nervous Tissue
- Anatomy of the Nervous System
Unit 6: Somatic & Autonomic Nervous Systems
- The Somatic Nervous System
- The Autonomic Nervous Syste
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Course-Level | Specific skills and competencies expected of students who complete this course include the following:
BIOL 1308 | Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Describe basic physiochemical concepts that underlie the structure and function of cells
- Describe the structure and function of the four classes of biomolecules.
- Describe the structure and function of eukaryotic cells and their organelles
- Describe the processes by which substances move into and out of cells
- Describe the structure and function of enzymes
- Discuss energy transfer in cells and the pathways of cellular respiration
- Describe mitosis and meiosis
- Analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and apply information
- Apply mathematical, logical, and scientific principles and methods
BIOL 2401 | Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Lecture
- Use anatomical terminology to identify and describe the locations of major organs of each system.
- Explain interrelationships among molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ functions in each system.
- Describe the interdependency and interactions of the systems.
- Explain contributions of organs and systems to the maintenance of homeostasis.
- Identify causes and effects of homeostatic imbalances.
- Describe modern technology and tools used to study anatomy and physiology.
- Lab
- Apply appropriate safety and ethical standards.
- Locate and identify anatomical structures.
- Appropriately utilize laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, dissection tools, general lab ware, physiology data acquisition systems, and virtual simulations.
- Work collaboratively to perform experiments.
- Demonstrate the steps involved in the scientific method.
- Communicate results of scientific investigations, analyze data, and formulate conclusions.
- Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving skills, including, but not limited to, inferring, integrating, synthesizing, and summarizing, to make decisions, recommendations, and predictions.
Departmental | The ACC Biology Department has specified the content of this course in the departmental common course objectives. The departmental objectives are located at http://sites.austincc.edu/biology/common-course-objectives/. You are responsible for all material listed in those objectives, regardless of whether we cover it during lecture time. Some objectives are addressed in lab, and others you'll need to explore independently through your textbook and other resources.
Gen Ed Outcomes | As a Core Curriculum course, students completing this course will demonstrate competence in:
- BIOL 1308
- Demonstrating higher level critical thinking skills, solving problems, and following directions
- Directing their own learning activities to meet course objectives
- BIOL 2401
- Critical Thinking – Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating, and applying information.
- Interpersonal Skills – Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.
- Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning – Applying mathematical, logical, and scientific principles and methods.
- Written, Oral, and Visual Communication – Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
Office Hours
T Th 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Virtual
NOTEF 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Virtual
NOTEM W 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Adjunct Offices RRC 3341.00
NOTEPublished: 01/12/2026 16:17:14