COLLIN COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Information
Course Number: BIOL 1409
Course Title:
Biology for Non-Science Majors II
Course Description:
Lecture: This course will provide a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including
evolution, ecology, plant and animal diversity, and physiology.
Lab: Laboratory activities will reinforce a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including
evolution, ecology, plant and animal diversity, and physiology.
Course Credit Hours:
Lecture Hours:
Lab Hours:
4
3
3
Prerequisite: Biology 1408
Student Learning Outcomes:

State-mandated Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
Lecture
1. Describe modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, micro and
macroevolution, and speciation.
2. Describe phylogenetic relationships and classification schemes.
3. 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.
4. Describe basic animal physiology and homeostasis as maintained by organ systems.
5. Compare different sexual and asexual life cycles noting their adaptive advantages.
6. Illustrate the relationship between major geologic change, extinctions, and evolutionary trends.
Lab
1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and
laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data. (Teamwork)
2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory.
(Critical Thinking Skills)
3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations. (Communication Skills)
4. Define modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, micro and
macroevolution, and speciation. (Empirical and Quantitative Skills)
5. Describe phylogenetic relationships and classification schemes.
6. 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.
7. Describe basic animal physiology and homeostasis as maintained by organ systems.
8. Compare different sexual and asexual life cycles noting their adaptive advantages.
9. Illustrate the relationship between major geologic change, extinctions, and evolutionary trends.
Withdrawal Policy: See the current Collin Registration Guide for last day to withdraw.
Collin College Academic Policies: See the current Collin Student Handbook.
Americans with Disabilities Act Statement: Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local
laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford
equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-D140 or
972.881.5898 (V/TTD: 972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current Collin
Student Handbook for additional information.
INSTRUCTOR’S INFORMATION
Instructor’s Name: Sukanya Subramanian
Office Number: F213
Office Hours: MW 11.00 am –1.00 pm, T 10.00- 11.30 am, 2.15 – 2.45 pm, or you can make an appointment
Phone Number: 972-377-1583
Email: ssubramanian@collin.edu, web page: http://iws.collin.edu/ssubramanian
CLASS INFORMATION
Section Number: 1409 P1L
Meeting Times: R 2.30- 5.20 PM
Meeting Location: F231
Course Resources:
Lecture: Biology: Concepts & Connections, 7th edition, Campbell et. al. or custom version for Collin College
(starfish on coverpage) with mastering biology web access (available at Collin bookstore)
Lab: Biology Laboratory Manual- Exploring Biology in the laboratory 2nd Ed., Pendarvis and Crawley, Morton
Publishing
Supplies - REQUIRED
Safety Goggles and gloves are required (mandatory) during lab. These can be purchased from the bookstore.
Loose-leaf notebook to keep lab reports and handouts
Shoes covering the whole foot is mandatory (Please read
http://iws.collin.edu/ssubramanian/1409/1409%20subheadings.htm regarding Lab safety)
Recommended
Labcoat or apron, if desired, for some labs
LAB POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
No eating or drinking of any kind is allowed in the lab. Proper dress is required at all times. This includes no open
toed shoes. An instructor has the right to ask a student that is improperly dressed or not following safety rules to
leave the lab or modify how they are dressed.
Attendance Policy: Laboratory attendance is mandatory. If a student misses a lab or one of the practical exams,
they can make-up the exam only after approval of the lab instructor (see details in the next paragraphs). Instructors
cannot count one practical exam grade twice. Contact your instructor immediately if you miss a class or a practical.
Students who stop attending class and do not officially withdraw from the course will be assigned a grade of “F”.
Missing the first lab meeting
Students that miss the first day of the lab are required to view the “Starting with Safety” DVD in the Science Den
prior to being permitted to attend the next lab. The Science Den staff will supply the student with the DVD to watch
and with a confirmation note to return to their instructor to verify completion.
Lab Make-ups: If you need to miss a lab for an appropriate and documented reason (for example: illness
requiring a doctor’s visit, death in the family, College related athletics and activities) you must contact the instructor
as soon as possible. You may only make-up the lab during the same week by attending another section in the same
campus with prior approval from both the instructor of the lab you will be attending and your original lab instructor
(arrangements can be made ONLY by the lab instructors once the student has given the original instructor
the information about the make-up lab that they want to attend.). If you miss a lab and do not contact the
instructor in an appropriate timeframe in order to attend a make-up lab you will receive a zero for all quizzes and
assignments missed and/or not turned in on time.
Practical Exam Make-ups: For any practical exam make-up to be approved, students must provide their instructor
with documentation verifying that the nature of their absence was for an acceptable reason. Please note: a practical
make-up will be approved ONLY for legitimate reasons. Every request for a make-up should be accompanied by
appropriate documentation. Arriving late or unprepared for the exam will not qualify for a make-up approval. The
make-up practical will be a comprehensive practical exam that will be administered during the final exam week.
IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTIES
First contact your instructor. If you are unable to resolve the problem, contact the divisional secretary on your
campus.
Method of Evaluation:
Lab: 3 practical exams - 20% each
Quizzes - 20% of lab grade
Lab reports - 20% of lab grade
Details of quizzes and lab reports will be given during lab class. There are no make up labs. Please contact
instructor if there is a problem. If a student misses one of the practical exams, they will have to get instructor
approval for a possible make-up the exam (arrangements for the make-up can be done ONLY by the instructor).
Instructors cannot count one practical exam grade twice. Contact your instructor immediately if you fail to take one
of the practical exams. Students who stop attending class and do not officially withdraw from the course will be
assigned a grade of “F”
BIOLOGY 1409- Biology for Non-Science Majors II
Lab Syllabus for PRC
WEEK#
LABORATORY TOPIC
1
Orientation / Lab Safety, Evolutionary Mechanisms
15
2
Population Genetics and Evolution
13
3
***Labor Day Holiday Monday 9/7***
***Fall Census Date (drop with no grade) 9/8***
Classification, Protists
4
Practical Exam I
5
Non Vascular and Nonvascular Seedless Plants
6
Gymnosperms and Angiosperms
7
Understanding Stems, Roots and Leaves
8
Fungi
***Last Day to Withdraw 10/16***
9
Practical Exam II
10
Animal Planet Invertebrates
11
Animal Planet Ecdysozoans and Deutrostomes
16,19
20,21
22,23
24
25
27,28
29,30
12
Animal Planet Chordates, Animal Organization
30 cont., 26
13
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Cardiovascular and Respiratory
System
33, Handouts
14
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Digestive and Urinary system
Understanding Basic Ecology
Thanksgiving holiday 11/25-11/29
15
Practical Exam III
34,37,
handouts