BIOL 2406:
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the learning experience, the instructor may recommend to the Vice President of Instruction that the student be withdrawn from the course.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The student is responsible for seeing that he or she has been officially withdrawn from a class.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 purpose of this course is for the student to develop a basic knowledge and understanding of fundamental ecological principles, ecological / environmental sampling methods, current environmental issues, and emerging solutions to said issues.
After studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:
Lecture Learning Outcomes:
- Explain the structure and impact of biogeochemical cycles.
- Describe energy transformations across trophic levels.
- Illustrate abiotic/biotic interactions and symbiotic relationships.
- Identify various types of natural resources, human impact on these resources, and common resource management practices.
- Quantify and analyze the impact of lifestyle on the environment.
- Depict evolutionary trends and adaptations to environmental changes.
- Describe environmental hazards and risks and the social and economic ramifications.
- Describe ecological and statistical techniques and approaches used in the study of environmental biology.
Lab Learning Outcomes:
- 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.
- Explain the structure and impact of biogeochemical cycles.
- Describe energy transformations across trophic levels.
- Illustrate abiotic/biotic interactions and symbiotic relationships.
- Identify various types of natural resources, human impact on these resources, and common resource management practices.
- Quantify and analyze the impact of lifestyle on the environment.
- Depict evolutionary trends and adaptations to environmental changes.
- Describe environmental hazards and risks and the social and economic ramifications.
- Describe ecological and statistical techniques and approaches used in the study of environmental biology.
This lecture and/or lab portion of this course is offered in two formats: hybrid and online. The course typically includes: digital reading assignments; digital & physical lectures; digital & physical field trips; digital & physical class discussions; and digital & physical laboratory assignments. Computer-based assignments including (but not limited to) Pearson's mastering suite are used to keep the hybrid and online sections at a college level of instruction.
The grading scale for this course is as follows:
A=90; B=80-89; C=70-79; D=60-69; F=59 and below
- Lecture is 60% of your course grade (all lecture offerings for this course are Hybrid/Online with at least 40% digital assignment / submission)
- Unit Exams - 40%
- Mastering Assignments - 30%
- Final Exam - 20%
- Attendance and Participation - 10%
- Extra credit Dynamic Study Modules - ~7.5%
- Total percent possible - 107.5%
- Lab is 40% of your course grade (all laboratory offerings for this course are Hybrid/Online with at least 40% digital assignment / submission)
- Vernier and/or Labster Labs & Quizzes - 30%
- Mastering Lab Assignments - 30%
- Research Project - 30%
- Attendance and Participation - 10%
- Extra Credit Mastering Article Assignments - ~5%
- Total percent possible - 105%
- 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)