BIOL 1409:
In the event of an emergency or announced campus closure due to a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be necessary for Panola College to move to altered operations. During this time, Panola College may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include, but are not limited to: online learning management system (CANVAS), online conferencing, email messaging, and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor Panola College's website (www.panola.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely, CANVAS for each class for course-specific communication, and Panola College email for important general information.
Regular and punctual attendance of classes and laboratories is required of all students. When a student has been ill or absent from class for approved extracurricular activities, he or she should be allowed, as far as possible, to make up for the missed work. If a student has not actively participated by the census date, they will be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance. This policy applies to courses that are in-person, online, hybrid, and hyflex.
Attendance in online courses is determined by submission of an assignment or participation in an activity. According to federal guidelines, simply logging into a distance learning course without participating in an academic assignment does not constitute attendance. Distance learning is defined as when a majority (more than 50%) of instruction occurs when the instructor and students are in separate physical locations. Students must engage in an academic activity prior to the course census date.
When an instructor feels that a student has been absent to such a degree as to invalidate the learning experience, the instructor may recommend to the Vice President of Instruction that the student be withdrawn from the course. Instructors may seek to withdraw students for non-attendance after they have accumulated the following number of absences:
Fall or spring semesters:
3 or more class meeting times per week - 5 absences
2 class meeting times per week - 3 absences
1 class meeting per week - 2 absences
The student is responsible for seeing that he or she has been officially withdrawn from a class. A student who stops attendance in a class without officially withdrawing from that class will be given a failing grade; consequently, the student must follow official withdrawal procedures in the Admissions/Records Office.
Please note: Health Science and Cosmetology courses may require more stringent attendance policies based on their accreditation agencies. Please see the addendum and/or program handbook for further information concerning attendance.
Panola College welcomes pregnant and parenting students as a part of the student body. This institution is committed to providing support and adaptations for a successful educational experience for pregnant and parenting students. Students experiencing a need for accommodations related to pregnancy or parenting will find a Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations Request form in the Student Handbook or may request the form from the course instructor.
No use of Generative AI permitted.
This option assumes that all work submitted by students will be generated by the students themselves, whether they are working individually or in groups. Students should not have another person or entity do the writing of any portion of an assignment, which includes hiring a person or a company to write assignments and/or using artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT. Use of any AI-generated content in this course qualifies as academic dishonesty and violates Panola College’s standards of academic integrity.
Communication Skills – to include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication
Empirical and Quantitative Skills – to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
Teamwork – to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goa
The purposes of this course are to… to provide instruction in an atmosphere of mutual respect where students may develop their intellect and skills; to contribute to the development of students as responsible and informed members of society; to provide courses for students wishing to complete certificate programs, associate degree programs or wishing to transfer to a baccalaureate program.
After successfully studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:
- Describe modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, micro- and macroevolution, and speciation.
- Describe phylogenetic relationships and classification schemes.
- Identify the major phyla of life with an emphasis on plants and animals, including the basis for classification, structural and physiological adaptations, evolutionary history, and ecological significance.
- Describe basic animal physiology and homeostasis as maintained by organ systems.
- Compare different sexual and asexual life cycles noting their adaptive advantages.
- Illustrate the relationship between major geologic change, extinctions, and evolutionary trends.
Learning Outcomes for lab portion: (from ACGM)
After successfully studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:
- Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.
- Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory
- Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations
- Define modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, micro and macroevolution, and speciation.
- Describe phylogenetic relationships and classification schemes.
- Identify the major phyla of life with an emphasis on plants and animals, including the basis for classification, structural and physiological adaptations, evolutionary history, and ecological significance.
- Describe basic animal physiology and homeostasis as maintained by organ systems.
- Compare different sexual and asexual life cycles noting their adaptive advantages.
- Illustrate the relationship between major geologic change, extinctions, and evolutionary trends.
General Course Objectives:
- To help students become better informed citizens by providing opportunities to learn the differences between science as a way of knowing and other disciplines such as art, philosophy and religion
- To provide students an opportunity to understand and appreciate the complexity and relationships of living systems.
- To help students become better informed regarding their own health and better informed as health services consumers by coming to a better understanding of the complexities of the human body
- To make students aware of changing technologies in science and the responsibilities and ethical decisions that come with the use of various technologies.
- To help students become better informed regarding environmental issues.
- Gather and assess information relevant to a question.
- Analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information.
- Develop, interpret, and express ideas through written communication.
- Manipulate and analyze observable facts and arrive at an informed conclusion.
- Integrate different viewpoints as a member of a laboratory team.
- Work with others to accomplish a shared goal.
A general description of lecture/discussion topics included in this course are listed in the Learning Objectives section of this syllabus. Students in all sections of this course will learn the following content: Course content (see course description) will be taken from the adopted text and lab manual, scientific journals, current popular periodicals, appropriate online sources and pertinent reference literature.
This course is offered in a face-to-face format and online format which both require frequent use of online resources. Both the lecture and lab portions of this course may include but not be limited to presentations by the instructor, videos, presentations by students, class discussions. The lab portion of the class will be heavily hands-on with students expected to work individually and in teams. The lecture portion of the course may also include some “hands-on” active learning type activities. Some activities will demand that students come prepared to initiate and follow through on the activity independently with the instructor available for guidance and to answer questions. Students will also be expected to complete virtual labs on some of the topics covered.
The grading scale for this course is as follows:
40% from average of Unit Exams (5 or 6 exams)
20% from assignments
20% from the Laboratory Average
20% from the Final Exam (comprehensive over all but the last unit)
- Courses conducted via video conferencing may be recorded and shared for instructional purposes by the instructor.
- For current texts and materials, use the following link to access bookstore listings: https://www.panolacollegestore.com.
- For testing services, use the following link: https://www.panola.edu/student-services/studentsupport/academic-testing-center.
- If any student in this class has special classroom or testing needs because of a physical learning or emotional condition, please contact the ADA Student Coordinator in Support Services located in the Charles C. Matthews Student Center or go to https://www.panola.edu/studentservices/student-support/disability-support-services for more information.
- Withdrawing from a course is the student’s responsibility. Students who do not attend class and who do not withdraw will receive the grade earned for the course.
- Student Handbook: https://www.panola.edu/ (located on at the bottom under student)