Faculty Syllabus

Course Description:  

Introductory biology course designed for non-science majors who desire a conceptual approach to biological topics. An introduction to the nature of science, the characteristics of life, the molecular and cellular basis of life, genetics, reproduction, and development. An emphasis will be placed on how these topics are related to current issues such as genetic engineering, biotechnology, and problems facing modern society. BIOL 1406 and BIOL 1408 may not both be counted toward graduation.  

Skills Requirements: 

Reading, writing, and mathematics proficiency as determined by the COMPASS or ASSET test, or by the statewide THEA test, or by providing an official transcript from another college. 

Course Rationale: 

This course is one of two introductory non-science major classes. This one focuses on the cellular and molecular basis of life and the similarities found among all living things. 

The course is intended to foster an understanding of biological issues and provide students with the tools to critically analyze biological data and intelligently relate these data to issues in our society such as cloning, genetic engineering, etc.

Instructional Methodology

Credits Earned: 

BIOL 1408 is a 4-credit course.  Three credits are awarded for lecture, which consists of a traditional 45 (virtual) contact hours in a classroom, plus a minimum 90 hours of preparation and homework completed outside of lecture time.  One credit is awarded for lab, which requires thirty (30) contact (virtual) hours, as well as moderate outside work.  Completion of a lab report is also required on a daily basis for the lab.

Course Overview: 

Students will conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking.  This course is designed so that students will connect core topics in biology to current issues such as genetic engineering, biotechnology, and problems facing modern society.    

GRADE POLICIES

Grading System:

Students may earn up to 1,000 possible points during this course.  

Grades will be assigned as follows:

900 – 1,000 points:  A   (90-100%)

800 – 899 points:    B    (80-89%)

700 – 799 points: C    (70-79%)

600 – 699 points: D    (60-69%)

< 600 points:  F     (0-59%)

Lecture Grading Breakdown:

Lecture Grade: 700 possible points (70% of course grade)

  40 points – Homework Assignments 

  60 points – Skeleton Notes

375 points – 4 Regular Lecture Exams, 125 points each (lowest one dropped)

100 points – Group Project

125 points – Comprehensive Final Exam

Lab Grading Breakdown:

Lab Grade: 300 possible points (30% of course grade)

       140 points – Lab Report completion (minus 5 points per missed lab day)

       160 points – Lab Quizzes, Safety Quiz (10 points), 10 Lab Quizzes (15 points each)

ASSIGNMENT POLICIES

Various Homework Assignments:

Students will be assigned 11 Core Topic question sets, which will be started in class, then completed as homework.  Core Topic assignments will serve as student study guides for each exam.  Students are encouraged to write thoughtful, thorough answers.  Failure to complete Core Topic assignments will most likely result in poor exam grades.

Students will be assigned various additional homework assignments, which will be posted on Blackboard, with the available points for each assignment clearly marked.  

Students MAY NOT turn in a late assignment AFTER the exam for which the assignment is preparing the student. 

Skeleton Notes:

Students should complete Skeleton Notes each day during lecture.  The skeleton notes are worth 15 points for each exam.  

All Skeleton Notes must be turned in before the exam begins, on the day of the exam for which that section is preparing students.  

Missing sections or excessive blanks will lead to a point deduction.  Students may ask the instructor during office hours about any part of the notes they missed during class.  Absent students should check in with a classmate to get any notes they missed. 

Regular Lecture Exams:

Students will take 4 regular lecture exams, each worth 125 points.   

80% of each exam will be in the format of multiple choice or matching, with answers recorded on a Scantron.  20% of each exam will be in the format of diagrams, fill-in-the-blank, or short answer questions, to be graded manually by the professor. 

Regular exams are not cumulative, and will cover topics discussed in lecture or any assigned reading after the previous exam. (See Course Topic and Reading Schedule.) 

Students will need a Scantron (available in Student Life or in the Library) and a #2 pencil for each exam.  No notes, books, electronic devices, or communication between students may be used during examinations for any reason.  Plagiarism of any kind, including copying answers from another student or resource during exams for any reason is prohibited; not following these guidelines may result in a course grade of “F.”

Group Project:

Students will complete a group project, choosing a topic for deeper study and presentation to the class, worth 100 points.  Group members will be assigned.  Topics must be approved by the instructor.  A rubric will be available on Blackboard explaining requirements, student responsibilities, due dates, and expectations.  

Comprehensive Final Exam:

The final exam will be worth 125 points, and will be cumulative of all material covered during the entire course, with all semester material weighted equally on the comprehensive final; there is no special weighting toward any specific topics.  

Questions will be similar in type to those on the regular lecture exams, in the format of multiple choice or matching, with answers recorded on a Scantron.

Students with an overall “A” average for the first four exams (before any grades are dropped) will be exempt from the comprehensive final exam.  

Lab Reports:

Students will be responsible for completing daily lab reports, including various questions, activities, sets of questions, videos, or uploaded photos of work.  Lab reports will be worth 140 points total.  Lab reports must be completed by the end of each lab period.  

Missing lab reports generally will not be able to be made up, due to the nature of lab work.  Students will receive a deduction of five points for each lab missed.  In certain cases, ONLY when it is feasible to do so, and only at instructor discretion, labs may be made up with documentation of extenuating circumstances provided. 

Lab Quizzes:

Students MUST pass the Lab Safety quiz, worth 10 points, with at least 85%.  Students who do not pass this quiz will be given remediation, and will then be allowed to study and take the quiz again.  Students will be responsible for studying for 10 other lab quizzes, 15 points each.  Study guides for each quiz topic will be posted on Blackboard. Missed lab quizzes must be made up, by appointment, within one class period. Failure to do so in a timely manner will result in a zero for that quiz.

Extra Credit:

DO NOT ask for extra credit assignments. Students concerned about their grade should spend additional time working on any available assignments, studying for any upcoming exams, and focus on doing their best work on group projects, in order to increase their point total. 

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance/Class Participation:
Regular and punctual class attendance is expected. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students.

Communication:

Grades will be available on Blackboard.  All other information will be located in Google Classroom.  Please check this site on a daily basis for communication from the instructor, other announcements, and all needed materials.  

Absences:

If an absence is known ahead of time (for example an extra-curricular event), the student is responsible for turning in all work that will be missed BEFORE the expected absence.  Extra-curricular events will not be accepted as an excuse for late work. 

If a student is absent unexpectedly, it is their responsibility to communicate with the instructor about what material/ information/ graded activities were missed in class. 

In class activities are generally not able to be made up.  It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the professor and provide excused absence documentation before or by the missed date to determine if an exception can be made for a specific day.    

Missed Exams:

Missed exams will only be made up with an excused absence, communicated to the teacher before or by the exam date.  Students must make an appointment to take the missed exam within 1 class day of the exam date.   

Missed exams for which students do not follow the guidelines to take a makeup exam will be recorded as a zero.  The first missed exam which is not made up will count as the student’s one dropped exam grade.  Students missing and not making up a second exam will be in danger of failing the course and should talk to the instructor.

Late Work:

Students will be assigned reading and/or other work that will need to be completed or finished outside of class.  Specific times and dates due will be clearly stated in the syllabus.  If an assignment is not turned in by the time it is due, the work is late. 

Students MAY NOT turn in an assignment late AFTER the exam for which the assignment is preparing the student.

Withdrawals:  

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students who enroll for the third subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course.

State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Drop Dates:

Last day to withdraw without a grade or a “W” (DROP/CENSUS DATE) is Feb. 4, 2026.   

Last day to withdraw (FINAL WITHDRAWAL DATE) is Apr. 27, 2026.

Reinstatement:

Students will only be reinstated to a class after officially being withdrawn in the case of institutional error causing the withdrawal.

Incomplete:  

An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student was unable to complete all of the objectives for the passing grade in a course. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the next semester final deadline for withdrawal.

The student must have completed at least half (50%) of the course work (labs, exams, assignments, etc.) and have a minimum grade average of 70% on all completed work.  

Giving a grade of incomplete is at the instructor’s discretion, and will require student documentation. The coursework must be completed in order for the grade to be submitted by the Final Withdrawal Date of the FOLLOWING semester.

Timely Return of Graded Materials:

Multiple choice sections of exams (80%) will be (usually) available (from professor) within 2 days.  Short answer portions of the exam (20%) will be graded (usually) within 1 week, then exam grades will be posted on Blackboard.  All other grades, unless otherwise noted in the assignment directions, will be posted (usually) within 1 week of the end of the unit (Unit Exam) in which they belong, as part of a total unit grade.

STATEMENT ON STUDENT DISCIPLINE

Classroom Behavior:

To provide the best learning environment for all students, cell phones must be silenced during class, texting or social media use is not permitted during class time, and no extraneous talking will be permitted.  

Students should visit the restroom and make any important calls before class, to minimize time away from the classroom and to minimize class disruption as people enter or exit the room.  Students may lose in-class points if excessive leaving is noted.

The standard ACC food/drink policy for the classroom will be followed during lecture. 

Any students not following all behavior policies will be asked to leave until they remedy the situation.  The absence policy will then apply as appropriate.  IIf attendance or compliance with these or other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Student Responsibilities:

It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with due dates for assigned reading, videos, and study guide sections, and seek help if needed. 

Students who fall behind should immediately contact the instructor, who will have specific advice on how to maximize success, including strategies to prepare for exams, study tips, grade analysis, and answers to any questions. (See office hours.)  

Students who put in adequate effort will do well in this course. Each student is responsible for completing pre-reading, watching assigned supplemental videos, class activities, and core topic assignments, as well as developing adequate personal study methods to obtain a thorough understanding of all topics and concepts.  

Assigned Reading: 

Students will be responsible for all material in the assigned reading and/or study guide on exams.  (See Lecture Course Topics, Reading, and Exam Schedule for textbook sections.)

Course Schedule:

The Lecture Course Topics, Reading, and Exam Schedule contains a comprehensive list of topics to be covered during the lecture, assigned reading, and exam dates.  

The Lab Topic and Quiz Schedule contains a comprehensive list of lab due dates and topics, as well as lab quiz dates.

These schedules may be altered at the professor’s discretion, due to weather days, supply issues, and for any other reasons in order to provide the best possible learning experience.  Students will be notified of any schedule changes.

BIOL 1408 Lecture Course Topics, Reading, and Exam Schedule 

BIOL 1408 Lab Topic and Quiz Schedule

* Lecture Extends into time for Lab Activity.

^ Quiz #10 will be given before Group Presentations.   

⧫ Pre-lab activity during class time, before lab.

Student Learning Outcomes 

Course-Level:

Specific skills and competencies expected of students who complete this course include:

• Describe the scientific process as applied in biology
• Describe the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and viruses
• Describe evolution and its mechanisms
• Describe basic inorganic and organic chemistry concepts that underlie the structure and function of cells
• Describe energy transformations in organisms including photosynthesis and cellular respiration
• Describe the structure and function of DNA in reproduction and protein synthesis, and how DNA underlies the major patterns seen in the study of heredity
• Describe various applications of genetics to technology

General Education: 

As a Core Curriculum course, students completing this course will demonstrate competence in:

• 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.

Departmental Common Course Objectives: 

The ACC Biology Department has specified the content for this course in the departmental common course objectives. The departmental objectives are located at http://sites.austincc.edu/biology/common-course-objectives/.

Lab Safety:

Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/ehs. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.

Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.  You will receive safety training in your lab room prior to working with any hazards such as chemicals or microbes. 

If you miss in-class safety training and do not make it up as scheduled by your instructor you will be dropped from the class and not reinstated. If you show up on lab days without appropriate safety eyewear and shoes you will not be able to participate in lab or remain in the room during class. 

Official Biology Department Policy Concerning Student Use of Organisms in the Classroom and Laboratory: 

Most ACC biology classes, particularly those with laboratory components, use actual organisms during instruction in addition to images and models. ACC students generally are preparing for real-world careers requiring workers with hands-on experience. These careers include health care, veterinary work, horticultural and agricultural work. Other students plan to transfer to four-year colleges and will be participating in biological research where hands-on experience is equally important. 

Organisms used at ACC are fundamental in biology instruction and they are utilized to teach specific skills and knowledge. Their condition and usage varies from course to course. 

Students will be expected to actively participate in these activities. Students with particular concerns in this matter should consult with their instructor and/or departmental officials before enrolling in a course so that they can know what will be required of them. 

Some organisms are observed alive while others are dead and preserved in various ways. Student manipulation of organisms ranges from culturing living organisms to dissecting preserved ones. Some examples include, but are not limited to: bacterial culturing for microbiology courses; cat, pig or rat dissection for anatomy courses; skeleton and pelt examination for field biology; and use of frogs in physiology experiments. 

Concealed Campus Carry Policy:

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures

compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times.

Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police

Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.

IMPORTANT: BIOL 1408 classes are held in an area designated as an exclusion zone as defined by state law or the college’s concealed handgun policy. Concealed carry is prohibited in exclusion zones. Concealed weapons must be stored in a secure place as defined by college policy prior to entering the classroom, studio, or learning space.

Refer to the concealed handgun policy online at www.austincc.edu/campuscarry

ACC Academic Policies and Services

Student Support Services:

Resources to support you are available at every campus.  Food pantries are available at all campus Student Life offices (https://sites.austincc.edu/sl/programs/foodpantry/ )  Assistance paying for childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support Center (http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center ).  For sudden, unexpected expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more of your courses, go to http://www.austincc.edu/SEF to request emergency assistance through the Student Emergency Fund.  Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the Student Money Management Office ( http://sites.austincc.edu/money/ )  Counselors are available at any campus if you experience a personal or mental health concern (http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling ).  All services are free and confidential.

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty:

A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution. Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents. Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college. See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow

Student Rights and Responsibilities: 

Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.

Use of ACC Email:

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. 

Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/activation-and-login-assistance.

Statement on Students with Disabilities:

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.

Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from SAS before accommodations will be provided. 

Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student.

Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations. Additional information about Student Accessibility Services is available at http://www.austincc.edu/support-and-services/services-for-students/disability-services-and-assistive-technology

Student And Instructional Services: 

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. Information on these services and support systems is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/support-and-services

Links to many student services and other information can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/current-students

ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored. The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at:  http://www.autincc.edu/tutor/students/tutoring.php

For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.

Testing Center Policy: 

Under certain circumstances, an instructor may have students take an examination in a testing center. Students using the Academic Testing Center must govern themselves according to the Student Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers and should read the entire guide before going to take the exam. 

Testing Center Policy: 

Please check with your local campus testing center for changes to their policies and openings due to the pandemic.

To request an exam at the testing center, the student must have:
• ACC Photo ID
• Course Abbreviation (e.g., ENGL)
• Course Number (e.g.,1301)
• Course Synonym (e.g., 10123)
• Course Section (e.g., 005)
• Instructor's Name

Do NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center. Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will revoke your testing privileges for the remainder of the semester. ACC Testing Center policies can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/support-and-services/services-for-students/testing-services/instructional-testing

Bad Weather:  

If classes are cancelled because of bad weather, ACC notifies instructors and students on the ACC homepage (http://www.austincc.edu) and on local radio and television stations.

Blackboard:  

Your instructor will post grades on blackboard.  All other information and materials, including but not limited to instructions, homework, messaging, and turning in of assignments will take place on our Google Classroom page.